Best quote I've found in a long time

This was sent to me by Joni Erickson Tada, and it was exactly what I needed today! 


"In the spiritual life God chooses to try our patience first of all by His slowness. He is slow: we are swift and precipitate.  It is because we are but for a time, and He has been for eternity. Thus grace, for the most part, acts slowly.  He works little by little. Sweetly and strongly He compasses His ends, but with a slowness which tires our faith because it is so great a mystery...There is something greatly overawing in the extreme slowness of God.  Let it overshadow our souls, but let it not disquiet them.  We must wait for God, long, meekly, in the wind and wet, in the thunder and lightning, in the cold and the dark. Wait, and He will come...and when he comes, go with Him, but fall a little behind; when He quickens His pace, be sure of it before you quicken yours.  But when he slackens, slacken at once: and do not be slow only, but silent, very silent, for He is God."
-by Fredrick Faber in Growth in Holiness

Every good and perfect gift comes from the Father of lights

Our 4th grand baby was born this morning by c-section in Newcastle, England.  Her name is Jennifer Anne Martin and she is 7 lbs. 6 oz.  Our friend, Iris Strachan,  who is a "card," is at home with the little ones (Valerie is in school till 3 PM) and she said since the Olympic torch passed the town of Newcastle, and because Jennifer kicked the hardest of all the babies, it's a  sign that she will be an Olympian! Jennifer is named after Mat's Mum and we are so grateful for the goodness and kindness of God in bringing this new little life into the world.  Pray for speedy healing for Elisabeth, and an easier time of feeding this little one than it was with Jimmy.  He will be 2 in July. I get to fly there, Lord willing, on the 29th, arriving in the afternoon of the 30th.  Can hardly wait!

A hymn from the past blesses me now.

" At even, ere the sun was set, The sick, O Lord, around Thee lay;
O, in what divers pains they met!
O, with what joy they went away!

Once more, 'tis eventide, and we Oppressed with various ills draw near:
What if Thy form we cannot see?
We know and feel that Thou art here.

O Savior Christ, our woes dispel; For some are sick, and some are sad,
And some have never loved Thee well,
And some have lost the love they had.

And some have found the world is vain, Yet from the world they break not free,
And some have friends who give them pain,
Yet have not sought a friend in Thee.

And none, O Lord, have perfect rest, For none are wholly free from sin;
And they who fain would serve Thee best
Are conscious most of wrong within.

O Savior Christ, Thou too art man; Thou has been troubled, tempted, tried;
Thy kind but searching glance can scan
The very wounds that shame would hide.

Thy touch has still its ancient pow'r; No word from Thee can fruitless fall;
Hear in this solemn evening hour,
And in thy mercy heal us all."


(by Henry Twells who lived from 1832-1900)
my mother sang this hymn to me and with me for many years as I grew up, and the tune was by Georg Joseph

accident

On May 15th about 2 hrs. from Richmond, Lars and my mother and their caregiver, Joy Burch, were driving towards Raleigh when Lars drifted off to the left on a 4 lane highway, then as Joy got his attention, he swung the wheel sharply to the right, then again to the left, spun the car around, which shot it across to the right and it tumbled down an embankment, turning over once.  Miraculously, my mother and Joy had minor bruises and a scratch.  Lars, however, fractured the C-2 bone in his neck and has had surgery, and now must wear a neck brace for 3 months.  He is recuperating at the home of good friends of his  in Black Mountain, NC.  I am taking care of my mother in my home and I need a physical therapist and/or home health care to come in and show me how to get her moving.  When I last visited in MA. she would walk very slowly and with help from the living room to the chair by the window, and to the bathroom, but only 2 times a day, or 3 when going to her bedroom.  She now wants to stay in her wheelchair and I usually need my husband or daughter to help me move her just two steps to the bed or the chair.  We would appreciate prayers for Lars and her, as we need wisdom in the decision of future long term care.

The Lord obviously had his angels in charge, and even had the I-phone Lars owns with all his contacts, protected during 2 rainstorms until it was recovered at the scene of the accident.  The car was totaled and it belonged to Joy who was on her way back with them to Texas, where she lives.  Lars' and her insurance covered the car. Joy is back to work at a camp with her parents.  She had lived with them about 8 months.  The plan for a new CNA  to arrive on June 18th.  We don't know when Lars will travel home yet.

Elisabeth Howard Poem- on Quietness before His creation

Speak not.


I am crushed with din of words.
I am crowded with talking.
I have need of profundity.
Let me feel night-silence,
And the expression of stars.

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Elisabeth Howard Elliot poem

Lord, let this love be pure and high,
As clean and vast as Thy great sky.
O God, engulf us in the tide
Of Love Inexorable--and hide
Us ever in Thy secret place
Where we, as one, may see Thy face.
Because He first loved us, we love--
So let us drink from Thine above,
And mirror, as we there abide,
The Love of Jesus for His Bride.

-written August 3, 1948, beginning courtship with Jim Elliot

Poem by Elisabeth Howard, age 19

ADORATION
Lord of my life, I worship Thee.
In awe I stand and gaze
Upon Thy Calvary. There flows

Abysmal depth of love.
Forgive a child for foolish thought,
For folly of desire
Of useless, temporal things; my Lord,
Help my infirmity.
For Thou wast in all points tempted
And Thou dost understand.
O teach me to obey Thy voice--
I love Thee, Lord, and long
That I may be as poured-out wine,
Thy servant, Thine alone.

Another excerpt of a letter from Jim Elliot to Betty Howard

Elliotlovedhim.blogspot.com - relationship w. his Dad

"Glad your faith gave you the freedom to write here.  Sorry I didn't get a card off earlier than that Monday night note, but I plead your sympathies assailed by finals.  A little bitterness rose at C.P.R. when I heard you could not be routed through the Northwest, showing me that I too had been building unfounded castles.  Still hope you might come, but pray for HIS WILL, that happy determiner of His childrens' paths. Mom is eager to meet you as are the rest, save Father; he hasn't mentioned your name nor referred to the affair, though conversation has been quite open.  And I know why, too.  he prays over it, more than they all and has committed it all to God long ago.  Betty, I blush to think of things I have said, as if I knew something of what Scripture teaches. I know nothing. My father's religion is of a sort I have seen  nowhere else.  His theology is wholly undeveloped, but so real and practical a thing that it shatters every "system" of doctrine I have seen.  He cannot define theism, but he knows God.  He is seriously considering a trip to British Guiana where some local brethren from here are establishing a lumbering business....[There is] a British missionary who needs a furlough but has no teacher to take his place.  Dad may fit in, as he is both mill-right and teacher.  If he goes this summer he wants me to go with him, and if God so allows it I would drop Wycliffe plans in a minute.  We've had some happy times together and I cannot estimate what enrichment a few month's working with him might do for me, practically and spiritually....
..Never have seen the northern lights as you describe them.  We saw a real display in northern Mich this summer, but no colors in variety.  But my mountains!  They are here still with snow in all the foothills. I haven't been home in the winter for 4 years and this is a real treat...I don't see how you can afford to miss it."

My granddaughter's first written out story!

Sir Ben and The Chinese Dragon

Not so long ago in a castle far far away there was a kingdom. But it wasent gust a kingndom it was a city! In that city there was a town. In that town there was a lane. In that lane there was some homes and in one was a king. The king had lotes of knightes but because of all the knightes Sir Ben was one of them, Ben only liked home. One day the king had something to say to Ben. This is what he said. He said, Sir Ben there is a dragon in town and it is a chinese one and I want you to make it go away. O-o-ok wispered Sir Ben. But did you say d-d-d-d-dragon? Yes I did said the king. Ok said Sir Ben. Sir Ben trotted very very quietly into the town and herd a lowd roar! Roar! Roar! Roar! Ben was scared, petrified, and terrified, because he was all on his own! I don't like that dragon wispered Ben. He's scary. Then Ben saw what he was looking for. A big long long chinese dragon was coming towards him. Aaaaah! shouted Ben. Come back! Shouted the dragon. I want to talk to you! You are going to eat me shouted Sir Ben. o, I'm not fired the dragon. All rite I'll play my guitar said Sir Ben gloomely. So as I am going to say said the dragon nowhon likes me. I am to scar for them to even see. Poor dragon said Sir Ben. I bet they don't like you. Yes they relly don't like me said the dragon. When Sir Ben got home he didnd tell the king where the dragon really was but the king gave him a medal enyway. I like my medal said Ben but I like my friend the dragon best! The end.

by Valerie Jane Martin, 6 yrs. old