People came on time for lotu this morning. Mike was here early, and he was in charge of the meeting. He did a good job teaching on the work of the Holy Spirit, using material from the soul-winning classes. It seemed that he had spent time preparing.
After prayer meeting, we had choir practice - just went over the songs they’ll be singing during the meetings, and particularly the one they will be singing tomorrow morning. I had a really hard time playing this morning. I just felt hot and weak like I hadn’t eaten. It was all I could do to concentrate on what I was playing and where they were at in the music, and I kept making lots of mistakes. I just kept praying for the Lord to help me think clearly. I went over a couple of songs with the school choir too and had an even harder time so only covered two of the songs that they will be singing. Then I went and had something else to eat and sat and relaxed in the recliner for a while. Checked more of Revelation while I was resting as that needed to be finished today so I can print copies out this evening to hand out tomorrow. They are in the process of being printed now. I just had to change one of the black ink cartridges.
After I relaxed a while, I found a couple pieces of plywood to put around the keyboard so kids won’t be sitting up against it during the meetings. Daddy nailed them down as soon as he had a chance. I also had Daddy cut up some pumpkin for me to cook for lunch. After I got that peeled and cut up, I set to work making bread as I had finished up my bread yesterday. Started the pumpkin cooking, and when it was about done, I put the spaghetti on to warm.
We had a very welcome nap. When I got up, I put the bread in the oven to cook, and then I finished checking over Revelation. While the computer was working on sending Christy and Connie the e-mails that didn’t send yesterday, I made corrections in the Revelation file.
I was thankful there weren’t very many dishes this evening. I was able to start right away on printing as soon as the generator was started, but then that project got interrupted so we could talk to Penina, Tomas, Eric, and Phinehas about Penina’s health. She still has days when she does not feel well at all. When Daddy goes to the doctor, he will check on the cost of a thorough blood test for her. Sounds like Phinehas was wondering what to do for himself too.
“But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” Luke 8:15
December 30. Praise the Lord for a good day. The Lord gave us a dry day, and the weather did not seem to be too hot. It is much cooler in the meeting room with the two guest room walls gone and an extra window to open.
The day started with pancakes and quiet time. Then there was the bed to be made, clothes to fold, Revelation booklets to be stapled, and the meeting room floor to sweep.
The church group held a meeting early this morning somewhere down in the village. We couldn’t hear them today so they must have been farther away than last time. The school choir sang John 1:12,13. We didn’t hear who did the preaching.
About 8:30 or so this morning, we started hearing wailing down at the ward. In a short time, we found out that Martin (Parexe) had died. He was probably only in his late thirties. We do not know if he was truly saved or not. It is a sad time for the family A good group of people still came to the meetings today. Only a couple of our members did not come. Maro’s mother wasn’t here too, but they said she is sick. Quite a few came early so we could practice the choir number ahead of time.
Around 9:30, Amos started the song service. About 10:00, the choir sang their number. I thank the Lord for His help in playing this morning. I am entirely dependent on Him to help me play well, and to be able to play and listen at the same time so I know where the choir is at in the song and when the song ends. I get nervous and also easily distracted with a lot of people around and especially with little children moving around.
Then Daddy preached the first meeting on signs of the last days. It was about 11:45 when he finished. We thank the Lord for giving him the strength to preach too. It was all so interesting that nobody seemed to notice how long the preaching went. Nobody responded to the invitation, but afterward Daniel asked for copies of the tracts on salvation, repentance, and faith. We were thankful to see Daniel and Gibson here for both meetings.
After the meeting, I practiced with the school choir so they would be ready to sing during the second meeting. I am glad we did the hardest song first - “When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder.” It didn’t seem to be too hard for the students to sing, but it was the hardest one for me to play. I really had to concentrate hard.
After we practiced, Daddy and I had our dinner and then a nap. It was 2:00 before we woke up - time for the second meeting to start. We got up and got ourselves ready. Daddy hollered out for someone to hit the bell. About 2:20, Mike started the singing. Then the school choir sang before Daddy preached on the rapture. He preached for about an hour, looking at a number of Scripture references. I noticed the Bible school men taking notes in both meetings.
We had originally planned to have choir practice this evening, but everybody has gone to cry with Martin’s family. We will just practice before each meeting, whatever number they will be singing. It is actually a blessing to be able to relax this evening, we have been on the go so much.
After everybody left, I reorganized the cassettes and CD’s that had been taken off the shelf when they were tearing down the guest room and doing pounding on the other side of the wall. Then I relaxed in the recliner and started planning phonics/reading lessons for next week when we start school again.
Not too many dishes this evening, so I used the dish water to wash the floor after the dishes were done.
“And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.” Luke 8:21