Christmas 2013

"For unto to us a Child is born . . . Isaiah 9:6"

Emily and Ethan arrived from Cambodia on December 5 to spend 3 extremely busy weeks packing and spending time with family and friends.

They didn't have time for jet lag.  We began the next evening with the first of many meals around the table.

Jesse and Clare pose with Grandmother.  They came to visit two days after Emily and Ethan arrived.

The next week I brought a devotional on "Jesus, the True Light" at Ladies Missionary Prayer Group.

The K-5 Release Time teachers braved a very wet and windy Saturday morning to make visits to our students and take them plates of cookies and Christmas cards and tracts.

The K-5 students were angels . . .

 . . . and shepherds . . . 

. . . and Mary and Joseph in a role playing of the birth of Christ at our last class of 2013.

The K-5 Release Time teachers braved a very wet and windy Saturday morning to make visits to our students and take them plates of cookies and Christmas cards and tracts.

Tony taught one of the Pilgrim Psalms at an adult Sunday School one Sunday in December.

We enjoyed our Christmas meal together with everyone but Clare and Jesse.

Ethan and I pose with the Cambodian embroidered blouse that they brought me.

The six Garlands posed on the front steps for a Christmas card photograph.

And all too soon the 30th arrived  .  .  . and Ethan and Emily returned to Cambodia and a move to Siem Reap.The year 2013 ended with much reason to thank the Savior for His love and care for us all.  We begin 2014 with a greater desire to be filled with real knowledge and all discernment.

MAT Retreat 3-5 December 2014

"And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also..  II Timothy 2:2"

In early December, Gospel Fellowship  Association Missions held a second Missionary Appointees Training Retreat in Flat Rock, NC.

Dr. Alan Patterson, one of our directors, is planning a third year of these classes for our deputees in 2014.We were invited to attend again this year and Tony taught a session on "Money and Nationals," addressing the struggle missionaries face in needing to use their financial resources with the right balance of compassion and caution.

 

 The  veteran missionaries and deputees greatly profited from these practical sessions, and sometimes thorny topics.

 Pray for the deputees and for the fields that they represent.  We are very proud of the caliber of young couples whom God is thrusting out.

Welcome, Noah!

"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD.  Psalm 127:3"

The trip to the hospital to meet Noah Ethan who was born on December 1 was  memorable.Tony went to our sleeping grandchildren, Jake, Noelle and Isaiah, when their parents went to the hospital in the wee morning hours. It is obvious that Noah has three siblings who love him very much.  We thank the Lord for his blessings on our family.

  

My mother and Amy and I posed for a four generation picture with sleeping Noah!

Here Noah almost grinned for the camera!  Don't they learn early!!

 Granddaddy and Noelle's faces beam with happiness when they got their turns to hold Noah.

The grandchildren spent more two days with us and we made some good memories--including root beer floats. We pray that God will give each of our grandchildren a heart for Him.

November Guests

 " . . .  a lover of hospitality . . . Titus 1:8"
November was a month FULL of guests and entertaining:

 Papa Bert and Grandma, from Georgia;

Rachel van Besouw and Amy Blackburn from South Africa;

A group of Amy's friends gathered to shower her with gifts for the new baby on her birthday, 

(unfortunately the camera's batteries died before I got a group photo);

my dear friend for almost 40 years, Sandy Illsley Fallon originally from Dracut, MA, now from Florida; 

dear fellow-laborers on furlough from Cape Town, Judy and .  .  .

and Jeff Blanton were our guests for 3 days.

 In November, I had the joy of gathering with about a dozen other ladies to help celebrate Pam Freeman's birthday.  (I also enjoyed two other tea dates during the month with furloughing missionaries, Jennifer Pearson and Helen Berman, but failed to get photos!)

 Finally, the month ended with the Thanksgiving visit of my nieces, Amber and Leslie, and Amber's husband, Justin,  and their 3 children, Jace, Ava, and Kage.

The 6 second cousins made some precious memories and

my mother enjoyed her granddaughters' love and attention during that special visit.  The next day our fourth grandson arrive . . . but he is the subject of the next blog!

Creation Museum

"In the beginning, God created . . . . Genesis 1:1"

On our return trip from meetings in Ohio and Michigan, we had a wonderful opportunity to spend two days at the Creation Museum in Kentucky.

We had surprisingly pleasant day time temperatures and enjoyed picnic lunches on their lovely grounds.

We spent seven hours on both days going from to the various displays and attending most of lectures and workshops presented by the museums Christian scientists and still didn't get to take in everything!

Some of their reptiles were live . . . 

. . .  and others seemed live!

 We enjoyed hearing from Noah.  .  . 

 .  .  .  and we "met" several who helped give us the Scriptures, the only source of  Truth about our origins.

 I didn't even miss the parts of the the museum that are intended for children!

We highly recommend visiting the Creation Museum.  We were delighted that they are thoroughly Biblical and unashamedly committed to proclaiming Christ and the gospel.  We came away with many of their books and with a great desire to return again someday.

From SC to Ohio to Michigan

" Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns. Jeremiah 4:3"

In late September, I had the opportunity to share with seminary wives a testimony how the Lord is teaching me to keep my own soul living and vibrant through reading His Word.

I hosted another ladies' tea.  We heard testimony from those attending about God's goodness in directing our steps.  Several unsaved ladies were invited but were kept from attending.  Pray that there will be another opportunity with these friends of friends.

Release Time with the K-5 continues to go well.  We enjoy teaching these 12 young children the truths about the Creator and His Son who died in our place.

We traveled to Heritage Baptist Church in Smithville, Ohio on October 11.  I spoke at their ladies' brunch on being "Clothed with Strength" and Tony brought messages on four of the Pilgrim Psalms in the meetings Sunday through Wednesday.  We were greatly blessed and encouraged by the entire church family.

A number of my special young friends gathered for a group photo for me on the last evening together.  These children are the "arrows" God wants to use to extend His kingdom at home and abroad.

Two girls that I got some extra time with were Abby and Claira.  Claira is the granddaughter of our host family . . .

Todd and Julia Smith.  They gave us much more than a "prophet's chamber." We enjoyed the use of their second floor during our 6 days in Ohio and their warm fellowship.

Traveling to an Amish school one afternoon, we saw the  farmer breaking up hardened soil.  See how he is struggling to remain upright and to maintain his balance on the plow. How often we do the same, as we seek to prepare the soil of hearts to hear and receive God's Word.

We saw many of these buggies of the Amish of Holmes County, Ohio. . .

.  .  . and even had the opportunity to share what we do in South Africa at an Amish school.

The third weekend in October, we were with Macomb Baptist Church in Michigan.  I taught in the children's church a lesson from the life of Amy Carmichael.

Tony spoke in adult Sunday School and also preached in the evening service.  We were thankful to be a part of their missions' month.