Oh, I think spring is my favorite time of the year! Sunday morning there was a surprise snow covering everything. But the rest of this week has been warm or warmer.
I love the bird songs this time of year. And the spring peepers. The flies and mosquitoes aren't quite so welcome.
The daffodils are beginning to bloom.
The boys are doing their lessons outdoors.
The anemones are blooming.
Crocuses.
The boys had an extra brother a few days this week. Their cousin Mervin stayed here while the rest of his family went to Ohio. They worked together on everything. And slept outdoors even though there was frost on their pillows one night.
The boys enjoy cutting, splitting, hauling and stacking the wood we got recently. Hopefully they can get it off the grass before it kills it. You don't even have to ask them to do wood. Somehow they enjoy it more than other work.
We were nearly out of wood and kept wondering when this promised load would come. Now that it's here we don't need it. Well.... maybe we will yet. But we haven't needed a fire for a few days now.
Song of Solomon 2:12
The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land
Hebrews 6:7
For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:
I met a girl last Saturday evening who is working in the city. She grew up with parents who were not Christians. She was saved as a young person and joined a Baptist church. She began to see the inconsistencies in the church she was a part of and eventually became part of an Anabaptist church.
Sierra took college training and began searching for a school to teach. For five years she searched. Often she was accepted until she appeared in person. Then suddenly she was told they had a replacement for her. She wondered if her plain clothing and head covering were the reasons she was rejected.
Now she is teaching (out of desperation) at a psychiatric ward. She teaches history, I believe. She has been attacked on occasion by the students, and has had to go to the hospital for treatment. Sierra believes some of the students are demon possessed, although they are there with medical names for their problems. One girl who is a Satanist came at her head recently and tried unsuccessfully to remove her head covering. (Don't try to tell me that a head covering for women is unimportant!)
This courageous lady works regular workday weeks- not school hours. So she puts in long days working with people who have committed crimes, etc.
I asked Sierra if she has anyone praying for her while she's in there. She said she doesn't have anyone specifically. This post is written so that you might join in prayer for her as she ministers to these dear people. She says it's a real mission field in there but most people see her only as a "teacher". Maybe if she had the label of "missionary" someone would be praying for her!
Will you pray for Sierra?
In the comments, please let the world know which day you will commit to praying for her.
I will pray on Monday.
Monday blues? Know anything about them? Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest. Or Saturday. God intended for us to be renewed one day a week. But if you are like me, that one day doesn't come. The Holy Sabbath has evolved over the last few generations until it has become "the weekend".
Hence we have the Monday blues. My day was spent resting today. I was so weary from my "weekend". It was a very encouraging weekend spiritually but very wearing physically. We along with two other couples and a number of the young people from our church attended the Urban Youth Workers Retreat in Orrstown, PA. It was held at the Roxbury Holiness Camp.
Lee Mummau was the main speaker for the 4 sessions. One Friday evening, two on Saturday and one Sunday morning. He spoke into our relationships. His main thrust was that if we are out of touch with our message, which is reconciliation, how can we effectively bring that message to the world? What does out of touch mean?
If I cannot have good relationships with those I live with and work with in my church, then I don't know what reconciliation means in a practical way. And I have nothing to offer anyone else.
So we received a lot of practical instruction about relationships.
Sunday morning Lee gave us a practical way to minister in our communities.
He said we should ask God to show us 15 houses where we can minister. Then set an evening aside and go knock on these doors. Introduce ourselves and ask if there is anything they would like us to pray about for them. Consistently return to these houses and continually pray for them. They will learn to know and trust you and you will learn to know them and their needs. Such a simple, practical way to reach out.
We heard from Glen Weaver and his wife Joyce about Integrity in Relationships. Glen Hoover spoke to us about issues that face today's children. And Phil Beiler gave us a talk about cross-cultural relationships.
Such an enriching time! It was also wonderful to meet many others who are in the same type of work we are -ministering to children in the city.
The theme for next year was announced- Teaching With Impact. I can hardly wait!
I was excited to meet some folks from Baltimore, MD. I had just read about the mission there this past week.
Back home, Thomas and Austin hit the road early this morning and went to Gap Mills to fix water pipes in his Mom's house. Actually, she just sold it but the agreement was that the water would be inspected and any repairs made that were necessary. Unfortunately a number of pipes had burst within the house.
Thomas was able to work with the plumber to correct all that today and came home this evening around 8 pm. I am thankful he is safely back and that is done and off his mind!
A couple things from this weekend-
Impression without expression leaves depression.
What reason do the children have to listen to me?
