May 16. Awakened during the night when the rat got caught in the glue trap and started struggling. Daddy got up to try to kill him before he could get away. He was a big one and a die hard.
This morning, after breakfast and quiet time, I did some walking around the school room — 10 minutes. Am really needing some exercise.
Daddy started preaching this morning on Romans 1:1—17, but only covered verse one. Actually he did a lot of review of the author and the background to the epistle in the first meeting. The second meeting was spent more on the verse. Tomas translated for him both meetings. Luke led the singing.
After the second meeting, we had youth leader’s meeting. Then nap. And then school teachers’ meeting.
"Who giveth us richly all things to enjoy." 1Timothy 6:17
Our Lord Jesus is ever giving, and does not for a solitary instant withdraw His hand. As long as there is a vessel of grace not yet full to the brim, the oil shall not be stayed. He is a sun ever-shining; He is manna always falling round the camp; He is a rock in the desert, ever sending out streams of life from His smitten side; the rain of His grace is always dropping; the river of His bounty is ever-flowing, and the well-spring of His love is constantly overflowing. As the King can never die, so His grace can never fail. Daily we pluck His fruit, and daily His branches bend down to our hand with a fresh store of mercy. There are seven feast-days in His weeks, and as many as are the days, so many are the banquets in His years. Who has ever returned from His door unblessed? Who has ever risen from His table unsatisfied, or from His bosom un-emparadised? His mercies are new every morning and fresh every evening. Who can know the number of His benefits, or recount the list of His bounties? Every sand which drops from the glass of time is but the tardy follower of a myriad of mercies. The wings of our hours are covered with the silver of His kindness, and with the yellow gold of His affection. The river of time bears from the mountains of eternity the golden sands of His favour. The countless stars are but as the standard bearers of a more innumerable host of blessings. Who can count the dust of the benefits which He bestows on Jacob, or tell the number of the fourth part of His mercies towards Israel? How shall my soul extol Him who daily loadeth us with benefits, and who crowneth us with loving-kindness? O that my praise could be as ceaseless as His bounty! O miserable tongue, how canst thou be silent? Wake up, I pray thee, lest I call thee no more my glory, but my shame. "Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake right early." —Morning and Evening
May 17. Somewhat cooler and cloudy today. A few sprinkles of rain this afternoon. Took a ten-minute walk around the schoolroom early this morning. Trying to get some exercise, and that seems the best way without having to climb.
Back to school today. Did mostly review. Reviewed the creation lessons in Bible class and then gave them another yes/no test. Everyone passed but Bonita. Started learning the new Bible verse, Genesis 1:27. Didn’t have time to start the new lesson. In tokples class, we did a lot of review and started learning the vowel “o.” Math class was also mostly review with the children holding the number cards and putting themselves before, after, or in between others. Then they did the workpage that teaches number 11, plus addition facts on the back. English class was review of all they learned last small term. They did really well. We will finish that lesson tomorrow and start a new one.
Wan and Gibson finished the canopy over the office window this afternoon. Hopefully that will keep the sun out of our eyes when we work at the desk in the mornings.
Erisa and her mother came by with the new baby around supper time. She couldn’t remember what name they gave him. I enjoyed holding the baby and talking with Erisa a while.
The men are here working on translation this evening.
"So to walk even as He walked." 1John 2:6
Why should Christians imitate Christ? They should do it for their own sakes. If they desire to be in a healthy state of soul—if they would escape the sickness of sin, and enjoy the vigour of growing grace, let Jesus be their model. For their own happiness' sake, if they would drink wine on the lees, well refined; if they would enjoy holy and happy communion with Jesus; if they would be lifted up above the cares and troubles of this world, let them walk even as He walked. There is nothing which can so assist you to walk towards heaven with good speed, as wearing the image of Jesus on your heart to rule all its motions. It is when, by the power of the Holy Spirit, you are enabled to walk with Jesus in His very footsteps, that you are most happy, and most known to be the sons of God. Peter afar off is both unsafe and uneasy. Next, for religion's sake, strive to be like Jesus. Ah! poor religion, thou hast been sorely shot at by cruel foes, but thou hast not been wounded one-half so dangerously by thy foes as by thy friends. Who made those wounds in the fair hand of Godliness? The professor who used the dagger of hypocrisy. The man who with pretences, enters the fold, being nought but a wolf in sheep's clothing, worries the flock more than the lion outside. There is no weapon half so deadly as a Judas-kiss. Inconsistent professors injure the gospel more than the sneering critic or the infidel. But, especially for Christ's own sake, imitate His example. Christian, lovest thou thy Saviour? Is His name precious to thee? Is His cause dear to thee? Wouldst thou see the kingdoms of the world become His? Is it thy desire that He should be glorified? Art thou longing that souls should be won to Him? If so, imitate Jesus; be an "epistle of Christ, known and read of all men." —Morning and Evening
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” Ephesians 6:10
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.“ Ephesians 6:18
May 18. A sunny morning, and cloudy this afternoon. Maybe a few drops of rain. Lots of thunder. Hot and humid. Had the door open for part of the evening, which is unusual.
Started a new school schedule today. Classes starting a half hour earlier so we have time to cover all that we need to cover. We still don’t have enough time, but at least can accomplish a bit more. Some of the boys were really naughty today. Don’t know what got into them.
Anevina came and worked a couple hours. Cleaned off the roof, and fixed the down pipe.
No translation work tonight. The men are going to come just three nights a week now. That way Daddy has a couple nights to work on putting corrections in the computer.
"Afterward." Hebrews 12:11
How happy are tried Christians, afterwards. No calm more deep than that which succeeds a storm. Who has not rejoiced in clear shinings after rain? Victorious banquets are for well-exercised soldiers. After killing the lion we eat the honey; after climbing the Hill Difficulty, we sit down in the arbour to rest; after traversing the Valley of Humiliation, after fighting with Apollyon, the shining one appears, with the healing branch from the tree of life. Our sorrows, like the passing keels of the vessels upon the sea, leave a silver line of holy light behind them "afterwards." It is peace, sweet, deep peace, which follows the horrible turmoil which once reigned in our tormented, guilty souls. See, then, the happy estate of a Christian! He has his best things last, and he therefore in this world receives his worst things first. But even his worst things are "afterward" good things, harsh ploughings yielding joyful harvests. Even now he grows rich by his losses, he rises by his falls, he lives by dying, and becomes full by being emptied; if, then, his grievous afflictions yield him so much peaceable fruit in this life, what shall be the full vintage of joy "afterwards" in heaven? If his dark nights are as bright as the world's days, what shall his days be? If even his starlight is more splendid than the sun, what must his sunlight be? If he can sing in a dungeon, how sweetly will he sing in heaven! If he can praise the Lord in the fires, how will he extol Him before the eternal throne! If evil be good to him now, what will the overflowing goodness of God be to him then? Oh, blessed "afterward!" Who would not be a Christian? Who would not bear the present cross for the crown which cometh afterwards? But herein is work for patience, for the rest is not for today, nor the triumph for the present, but "afterward." Wait, O soul, and let patience have her perfect work. —Morning and Evening
“For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.” Philippians 1:29