The children are doing well learning their new memory verse, even though it is a long one — Psalm 90:2. Bonita and Rebecca are having a difficult time in tokples, and some difficulty in math, but only in certain concepts. Nearly everyone is having difficulty following even simple instructions.
They have so much to learn. Oh, that the Lord will allow us to see these few children through their schooling.
Today Daddy got a table built for downstairs. This afternoon, I took the mattresses down and put them on the bed. Also put a sheet on each one to help keep the mattresses clean. Took down the curtains that were in the doorway between kitchen and bedroom so I can wash them. Will probably put up something different.
Epekio came to visit a while at supper time. Said that Vitoria and Yunis are going to school in Marivo. Graham is so keen on coming to school and being on time, that he gets up before the first bell, goes to the river to wash, takes his food that she had prepared the night before, and comes down here somewhere until time for school. He is a very good student.
April 16. Slept all night last night until 5:00 this morning. That was a blessing. Thanks to the Lord for another nice morning so the children could play outside for recess. We are getting rain this evening.
Today was pretty much a fun day in school. We played several games to reinforce the things they have learned — one each in Bible class, in tokples class, in English class. Two of the children said their new verse today — Graham and Jonas.
Daddy has been having quite a bit of pain in his back for the past week or so. It is in the kidney areas so thought it was a kidney problem, but the sulfa drug hasn’t been helping at all. So he doesn’t really know what is causing the problem.
"The precious blood of Christ." 1Peter 1:19
Standing at the foot of the cross, we see hands, and feet, and side, all distilling crimson streams of precious blood. It is "precious" because of its redeeming and atoning efficacy. By it the sins of Christ's people are atoned for; they are redeemed from under the law; they are reconciled to God, made one with Him. Christ's blood is also "precious" in its cleansing power; it "cleanseth from all sin." "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." Through Jesus' blood there is not a spot left upon any believer, no wrinkle nor any such thing remains. O precious blood, which makes us clean, removing the stains of abundant iniquity, and permitting us to stand accepted in the Beloved, notwithstanding the many ways in which we have rebelled against our God. The blood of Christ is likewise "precious" in its preserving power. We are safe from the destroying angel under the sprinkled blood. Remember it is God's seeing the blood which is the true reason for our being spared. Here is comfort for us when the eye of faith is dim, for God's eye is still the same. The blood of Christ is "precious" also in its sanctifying influence. The same blood which justifies by taking away sin, does in its after-action, quicken the new nature and lead it onward to subdue sin and to follow out the commands of God. There is no motive for holiness so great as that which streams from the veins of Jesus. And "precious," unspeakably precious, is this blood, because it has an overcoming power. It is written, "They overcame through the blood of the Lamb." How could they do otherwise? He who fights with the precious blood of Jesus, fights with a weapon which cannot know defeat. The blood of Jesus! sin dies at its presence, death ceases to be death: heaven's gates are opened. The blood of Jesus! we shall march on, conquering and to conquer, so long as we can trust its power! —Morning and Evening
Thank you, thank you, Lord, for that precious blood.
April 17. A lovely day for doing laundry. The Lord is so gracious. I was thankful Serah came, as she stayed and did dishes again, swept the floor, and prepared the greens that Devit’s mother had just brought.
Daddy went to prayer lotu this morning, and the generator went on afterward, right at 8:00. Had two and a half loads of laundry as I washed part of the curtains I took down from downstairs. Finished a little after 9:00. Daddy went back up to the church building for youth meeting.
After laundry, I worked more on cleaning Connie’s room, getting boxes out of there, reorganizing files of school papers. Put two more boxes in the school room. Cleaned out the long box that was in the schoolroom cupboard so there is room now for two more smaller boxes.
Nap this afternoon was shortened when one of those huge bees came flying into the room, just as I was getting into a restful sleep. Must have come over the top of the wall. Daddy got up and spent some time killing it. I was glad he didn’t get stung. I never did get back to sleep although I lay there for another 15 minutes. Finally got up and worked on lessons for school and plans for my teachers for Monday. Then I cleaned the bathroom. Was glad to get the floor washed this week. Just finished that when Epekio came. She wanted to learn how to make hats, but didn’t bring any yarn with her. All the yarn we got from town for the people is gone. She said she would have brought some of her scraps, but Daniel was gone off somewhere with the key. Graham had her key yesterday, and she thinks it was locked in the house. She stayed and talked a little while.
After Epekio left, I got supper. Then made coconut cookies and did dishes. Nuanda came to have a page of preaching notes printed out. Seems to be catching on well to using the laptop and even learning some things for himself.