Monday, March 23, 2009

A heart ache that benefits another


I received word on Sunday morning before church that Otilia had passed on to glory on Saturday. This, of course, caused heart ache on my part, but I kept thinking all day that now she can walk without pain, take a deep breath, has no more pain, does not have to worry about eating, and can talk to Jesus and ask Him her many questions. However, she left us behind to finish the work she started with her family. I was not able to be with the family at this time but I did contact them and tell them they are in my prayers. During, my last visit with Otilia, she was in a hospital bed in a lot of pain. Now I sit here and with tears in my eyes I can picture her in Heaven serving her Lord to the best of her ability. This helps some with the pain of losing a cherished member of my extended 'family' and while I may have heart ache here because I miss her I know that God has wiped all her tears away and she is at peace. Now I pray for her family. They have no such hope.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Father's Day? In March




That's right. Father's day in Portugal is in March, on the 19th to be exact. So last night in church we honored our fathers with a little gift. A card and a bookmark. Just a little something so that they know that we love them and are thinking of them on this day. Here are some of the pictures from our fellowship afterwards.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Catch up Time!

There have been many wonderful things going on in the last couple of weeks but I have been busy with other things so haven't written about them.
First, Sunday February 22, we had such a big blessing in our services. Almost all of the unsaved family members of our congregation were present!!! It was such a blessing!! The sad thing was watching Otilia struggle to walk into services. She has cancer and it is affecting her whole body. She can barely walk at all and has to use two cane-type crutches to get around, but she was there and she brought her husband, son and grandson with her. (her daughter-in-law is also one of the members of the church) Her daughter and family were the only ones missing but we will get them there yet. Bro. Mike preached a great message on salvation and the song service went so well with the message.

Second, I finished Nina's sweater and as soon as I can get a picture I will post it. It turned out great. It fits just right. She even likes it. That is the most important part. It was a lot of work but taught me so much about the craft of knitting. It was fun but I am glad I am done with it. Now I have time to work on another project. This one is also a gift and I don't want to say too much but will post pictures when I am done.






Third, I finished translation on one of the books that I am working on. (the smallest but it is a book) I have also finished two chapters of 'Satan's Traps.' This is a college course set of notes written by one of my professors in college. It is a good study on how to avoid the traps Satan sets in our way. I am using it as part of a study on modesty and purity for Christian young ladies. They are the two largest chapters so maybe it will get faster as I go.

Fourthly, we started practice for the ladies group. I have three ladies with the will to sing and good voices but hardly any musical training. So I started off with a round. A ROUND???? what is that you ask? It is a song that one person starts to sing and as they reach a certain part of the song the next person starts, and it just keeps going around and around like the Energizer Bunny.


Lastly, I thought I would throw in a picture of my niece. She is growing so fast and is already starting to eat solid foods. Her mom says that she loves peas and I say like mother like daughter. My sister has always loved veggies.

Well you are all caught up on what is going on around my house. I will try to be better about posting. I love all your comments and I read every one.