Comfort

This is a beautiful picture of an Ecuadorian mountainside that Levi took the other day.

 I was thinking, Sunday afternoon, about all the people who need the encouragement of a reminder of God's bottomless wisdom and peace. You can never outsmart, outdistance, overload or understand Him. Renew your strength and soar over those treacherous mountaintops doubt and disbelief always!


To those without a friend: God knows the times and seasons when  we need the encouragement and support of a friend. He cheers our hearts with what we have in common, and we learn things from each other. So do not despair when that friendship seems to end. Now it is time to seek the Lord and thank Him for that friendship, however short it may have been.

To the discouraged and depressed: Remember this, that God has placed you in the time and place that you are to reach out to him. Remember what Paul said, ‘Is there any afflicted? Let him pray. Is there any that have joy? Let him sing psalms and songs.’ Time for quiet reflection and grief is necessary. One cannot live well on a continual party. Only direct your sadness toward praying and intercession, do not martyr yourself on the cross of your own pity.

To him who struggles: ‘This too shall pass.’ Wait on your Savior- He will come in a good time. No ears are so readied with patience, no human so understanding as He is. Open your mouth right now, and thank God for what He has already done and what He is about to do!

Domestic Newsflash

Beautiful weather- balmy breezes- an empty day- what could better than yard work? On a day like this, it’s not so bad. So three ladies and a boy get out the tractor, hoes and rakes to spread mulch in a dozen little flower gardens. We all know how the story goes, so I shan’t describe, but post a picture instead!

I’ve been thinking of joy.
What would one look like who really radiated with joy? The person would be strong of character, with the joy of the Lord pouring in and from her.
If all the joy in existence was gathered at one place, that place would be around the throne of God, because in His presence there is Fulness of Joy!
When Christ gave us the analogy of vine (being himself) and branches, He was inviting us to a feast of joys! Abiding in Christ as a branch to a tree is to remain, continue, and dwell in Him. We are powerless to produce fruit unless we remain branches in the vine.

Mom, Cori, Reed and I have been busily holding the fort. Our flooded pond has leveled off finally, and just for fun these warm days, we tried fishing with small bait and low hopes. But much to our surprise, the catfish survived the great rains and astounded us with their reasonable proportions! Reed and his 16- incher!

Good news from our gospel crew in Ecuador! The people are eager for the good news, and many have accepted it! Please continue to pray for them, and their safety traveling and being in Quito and Esmeraldas during the political strains.

Domestic Newsflash

 Quite cheerfully, I am sitting on my very own couch that I acquired for the girls’ bedroom. It smells new, like an IKEA store. I’m so happy to be writing for this blog I am wiggling my toes and feet, wide-awake at 3 am! 
I have had an adventure over the weekend: visiting friends in every spectrum of the beautiful body of Christ, and finding that each is special. When Christians get together and talk (not argue) about their faith (not controversial differences,) it ‘builds each other up’ and brings encouragement to everyone who listens.
The effect of our words is powerful. Our words generate incredible influence. Think for a moment of how someone has inspired you by their words, or discouraged you, or even hurt you.
Thursday, five from our home are going to Ecuador for three weeks to speak at conferences, churches, and schools. They will be preaching, singing, and premiering Dad the Hero in Spanish. Meanwhile, we at home will be writing and re-writing the new Dad the Hero script. Please pray that all this will be blessed and effective to God’s glory!

These spring rains have flooded our pond. We did not think this could happen when the boys built a bridge over it, that is why they did not secure the ends of the bridge to the ground. So now, the ends have floated up, making a banana-shaped bridge mostly submerged. Reed and I just had to put on our rubber boots and venture across!
I have begun to help out in the indoor office of a friend, answering phones and trying to be useful. The third day my bones longed to do something active, and practicing the five successive steps of ballet was not cutting it.
When it was time to go home, I was such an energetic driver, I almost bounced out of the car! Half way down our driveway, I saw the newborn calf above. It lay perfectly content while I rubbed it’s head and shoulders. Doesn’t it look sweet?