December 28. Praise the Lord for the midnight rat! We were thankful that another rat got caught, but we were also thankful to have been awakened and discovered that there was water coming through the pipes. I rinsed out the tub and put in the plug and turned on the water. About 6:00 this morning, the tub was full. Thank you, Lord, for sending us water when we need it.
I had kitchen cleaning on schedule for this morning, but since Tuesday is Bible school morning, I switched and worked again in the schoolroom. Got all the lap desks cleaned up and packed in a box. Also packed the pencil cases and unfinished workbooks of the former students. Maybe they will want to come some time and finish their workbooks.
Max never did show up for Bible school, that is, not until after Luke and Devit had started their class. He got mixed up and thought he was supposed to come second. But he is supposed to be first on Tuesday and second on Friday. I figured he probably got mixed up.
After I finished cleaning up the school stuff, I checked over Luke chapter 6.
This afternoon, I worked on organizing Daddy’s Bible study notes on the family for use in Bible school. Then worked on the visuals until supper time. Played the keyboard a few minutes this evening after doing dishes. Haven’t had much chance to play recently. Or else I’ve been too tired.
“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.” Matthew 10:34
“The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.” Psalm 147:11
December 29. It has been a quiet day pretty much. Almost everybody has been over at Ahninyauntapeq for the holiday games.
Did laundry this morning. There were lots of little things, and it took quite a while to hang them all out. Filled up all the spaces and used almost all the clothespins. Then rain threatened before noon. A few things were dry so we got those in first. Then we took everything else down and hung it in the schoolroom. The rain never did amount to much however.
Somebody brought us another BIG watermelon today. This one was just ripe and tasted nice and sweet. We ate about half the watermelon just today. There must have been a thousand seeds in just half the watermelon. Thank you, Lord, for this nice refreshing melon.
Gibson came and finished cutting the grass today, and Angela finished raking.
I spent a little time packing up all the first grade teacher’s books this morning. Also translated the verses in 1 Samyuel 2 that I read in my quiet time this morning. We thought they were very applicable to the church situation here, and Daddy may want to read them Friday evening.
After nap this afternoon, I worked on the Bible study on the Christian family. Then Devit’s mother came by to say hello before going back home. She said she has been sick the past week with malaria, but wanted to get out today so came up to visit with Nuanda’s mother. Stopped by here on her way home.
After she left, I played the keyboard a few minutes before getting supper.
The people wanted to change Wednesday lotu time to evening so Daddy has gone off to lotu.
"Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." 1Samuel 7:12 The word "hitherto" seems like a hand pointing in the direction of the past. Twenty years or seventy, and yet, "hitherto the Lord hath helped!" Through poverty, through wealth, through sickness, through health, at home, abroad, on the land, on the sea, in honour, in dishonour, in perplexity, in joy, in trial, in triumph, in prayer, in temptation, "hitherto hath the Lord helped us!" We delight to look down a long avenue of trees. It is delightful to gaze from end to end of the long vista, a sort of verdant temple, with its branching pillars and its arches of leaves; even so look down the long aisles of your years, at the green boughs of mercy overhead, and the strong pillars of lovingkindness and faithfulness which bear up your joys. Are there no birds in yonder branches singing? Surely there must be many, and they all sing of mercy received "hitherto."
But the word also points forward. For when a man gets up to a certain mark and writes "hitherto," he is not yet at the end, there is still a distance to be traversed. More trials, more joys; more temptations, more triumphs; more prayers, more answers; more toils, more strength; more fights, more victories; and then come sickness, old age, disease, death. Is it over now? No! there is more yet-awakening in Jesus' likeness, thrones, harps, songs, psalms, white raiment, the face of Jesus, the society of saints, the glory of God, the fulness of eternity, the infinity of bliss. O be of good courage, believer, and with grateful confidence raise thy "Ebenezer," for--
He who hath helped thee hitherto
Will help thee all thy journey through.
When read in heaven's light how glorious and marvellous a prospect will thy "hitherto" unfold to thy grateful eye! —Morning and Evening
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“Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.” Psalm 148:13
December 30. .1” rain last night.
Worked more this morning on organizing school materials. Devit came and worked on getting some translated material into the computer files. It had been quite a while since he had done any work on the computer, so he had forgotten a few things. After he left, I proofread another chapter of Luke. The plane came today and took Midyu out to the hospital. He will probably have to have his toe amputated. He is the third person now with a body member being eaten away.
This afternoon, I cleaned out the e-mail inbox. Then went outside a while and walked around. Got some stakes and ties and tied up the roses so they won’t be lyng on the ground.
This evening, I worked more on Daddy’s Bible study notes on the family for him to use in Bible school.
While I was getting supper, I discovered a beautiful rainbow so went out and took a few pictures. Thank you, Lord, for another reminder of your promises. Had a little bit of rain this afternoon and early evening.
“1And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: 2For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. 3And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever. 4And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. 5And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. 6And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. 7Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 9And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. 10And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. 11And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.” Revelation 9:1-13