Much of the day was busy again with preparations for school this coming week. I wanted to do some cleaning; but after the laundry was done, and Serah had been paid, and left, we didn’t have water much of the rest of the day. Daddy and I did take time out to do one project. We covered the opening between the kitchen and dining room with a piece of pitpit that we had saved downstairs. It doesn’t need to be open now that we don’t have ladies’ meetings in here. Maybe next weekend, we can get some shelves made in the living room side of that opening.
There was youth group today too. Daddy left Ben in charge so he could be here and get some things done. Ben said there were 25 there today. We need to sit down and talk with Ben about how or what to do to get the youth group more involved in serving and working and doing things together.
This afternoon, after the water finally came back on, I was able to clean the bathroom. Later I made peanut butter cookies for Daddy, and made granola. Then it was time for supper and dishes, and then more computer work in the evening. So I think I have everything ready now for school to start on Monday morning.
There were lots of interruptions today too with people coming to the door. It can be wearying sometimes, but I have been asking the Lord to help me think of each knock on the door as an opportunity, rather than an interruption.
“Is any thing too hard for the LORD?...” Genesis 18:14
“For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.” Genesis 18:19
“Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” Genesis 18:25
"Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God." 1Thessalonians 1:4
Many persons want to know their election before they look to Christ, but they cannot learn it thus, it is only to be discovered by "looking unto Jesus." If you desire to ascertain your own election;—after the following manner, shall you assure your heart before God. Do you feel yourself to be a lost, guilty sinner? go straightway to the cross of Christ, and tell Jesus so, and tell Him that you have read in the Bible, "Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out." Tell Him that He has said, "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." Look to Jesus and believe on Him, and you shall make proof of your election directly, for so surely as thou believest, thou art elect. If you will give yourself wholly up to Christ and trust Him, then you are one of God's chosen ones; but if you stop and say, "I want to know first whether I am elect," you ask you know not what. Go to Jesus, be you never so guilty, just as you are. Leave all curious inquiry about election alone. Go straight to Christ and hide in His wounds, and you shall know your election. The assurance of the Holy Spirit shall be given to you, so that you shall be able to say, "I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to Him." Christ was at the everlasting council: He can tell you whether you were chosen or not; but you cannot find it out in any other way. Go and put your trust in Him, and His answer will be—"I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee." There will be no doubt about His having chosen you, when you have chosen Him.
"Sons we are through God's election,
Who in Jesus Christ believe." —Morning and Evening
July 18. Well, it has been quite a day. I am so thankful that God is my strength and my song.
The three teachers were here early this afternoon, so I met with them around 3:00.
This evening Erisapet came to talk a little bit. I was thankful she came. She wanted me to pray with her, and wants us to be in prayer for her. I did pray with her, but I shared some verses with her first, assuring her of God’s promise to forgive when we confess our sins. No matter what people do or say, God does not change. He always keeps His promises, and He has promised not to remember our sins anymore. I exhorted her to read the Bible, because it is God’s Word that will give her strength to stand, and will also give her victory in time of temptation.
“And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken.” Genesis 21:1
July 19. Expected Frina to be back in school today as she had been up and around over the weekend. However, when she went to wash this morning, she felt cold and started feeling sick again. So she did not come. I was sorry she could not be there.
Maura came by herself this morning to watch the door. Vinet has gone to Okapa, to take coffee, I think.
Tania took charge of school opening this morning, and will be in charge of that all this week. I was busy doing something and didn’t even notice that she had forgotten the anthem and pledge, until Mailin said something. So she sent the kids back for the anthem and pledge.
In tokples today, they learned new spelling words with the letter “ah.” They did two lessons in math today. This was their first day to have subtraction problems on their speed drill. Two of them didn’t finish, and three of them missed several. In English class, they practiced their dialogue more, and also learned about the clock. They are learning about the clock in math class too.
Lots of fires around today, and a big fire on the other side of the haus sik going up the hill to Yeropeq (airstrip area). Everything is very dry, and the wind was very strong so the fire moved fast and furiously. There was no way to stop it if it had gotten out of control.
Daddy said that Max is very slow in reading and writing and comprehending, so Daddy had to read things very slowly with him.
"A bruised reed shall He not break, and smoking flax shall He not quench." Matthew 12:20 Herein is grace and graciousness! Herein is love and lovingkindness! How it opens to us the compassion of Jesus—so gentle, tender, considerate! We need never shrink back from His touch. We need never fear a harsh word from Him; though He might well chide us for our weakness, He rebuketh not. Bruised reeds shall have no blows from Him, and the smoking flax no damping frowns.—Morning and Evening
Enjoyed reading Genesis chapter 22 today and thinking of the analogies between Christ and Isaac. Both “only sons,” beloved of their father. Both willingly offered as a sacrifice — their fathers did not withhold them — to be smitten of their fathers. Both carried the wood (for Christ, it was a cross ) upon which they were to be offered. Through the willingness of both fathers to make the offering, the whole world received a blessing. The difference — Isaac was redeemed, for he was a sinner and needed a Redeemer. Christ gave His life and became the Redeemer for Isaac and all mankind, for in Him was no sin.
This picture shows the red butterflies the children made; these were mentioned in the last post.