For My Husband On the Evening of 6 Months of Marriage

My dear husband, this evening the sunset came like a surprising smile across a gloomy countenance. The clouds that had been gray before dinner were suddenly strewn with the most ravishing glory. 

I pronounced to my parents who were cleaning up the kitchen that there should be a law against washing dishes during sunsets and ran outside - with my camera because you could not be here to see it with me.

The canopy of deepest blue spread with ruffled gold was breathtaking. I must have smiled exceedingly because I came home with a pain in my jaw - quite worth is. Isn't it lovely, dearest?

The puddles from this afternoon's rain storm calmly drinking in the sky. Oh what a night to be a puddle!

I was so eager to be clear of the houses that I ran the last quarter of the block until I reached the clearing (blessed clearing - what sadness it would be to live without a space for sky to look through) and saw this.

and this...

and this...

...the heavens telling the glory of God. Oh how beautifully they told it tonight!

I miss you, my dearest companion. 

I would be desolate on evenings like this if I did not know that He who casts the rosy light across the clouds casts more dearly a smile upon my heart, and upon yours, wrapping us in the beauty of His beloved Son.

We are not alone.

The passage you read with me today came to mind:

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by name, you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;

when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,

and the flame shall not consume you.

For I am the LORD your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

I give Egypt as your ransom,

Cush and Seba in exchange for you.

Because you are precious in my eyes,

and honored, and I love you,

I give men in return for you,

peoples in exchange for your life.

Fear not, for I am with you;

I will bring your offspring from the east,

and from the west I will gather you.

I will say to the north, Give up,

and to the south, Do not withhold;

bring my sons from afar

and my daughters from the end of the earth,

everyone who is called by my name,

whom I created for my glory,

whom I formed and made.”

(Isaiah 43:1-7 ESV)

We are safe in His love.

and I love you

Autumn Loveliness

I finally figured out how to re-size some of my photos to fit a 1280x800 laptop screen for desktop wallpaper. Here are four of my recent fall shots.

This, Too, is His


While reading on the patio, I noticed this tiny and beautiful plant clinging to the mossy bricks and was impressed with the thought that this, like all things, was "created by Him and for Him" (Col. 1)

At Last!

The quilt is finally done! Basically, I did all the piecing and Mother did all the quilting. (just because she really likes to quilt). Here we are with it -

We're Back!

We returned last week from a full and interesting two-week trip/vacation. With college less than three weeks away now, life is busy. I sometimes wonder if I should still take the time to blog. But if my few readers have as little time to read blogs as I have, then they won't mind bi-weekly posts! :o)

A few pictures from the trip...

beautiful Michigan

Tahquamenon Falls

Lake Superior - sparkling and cold...

...but not too cold for the boys to take a swim.





By Clark Lake - a place that seemed like the hollow of God's hand

"Thou art, O God, the Life and Light

Of all this wondrous world we see;

Its glow by day, its smile by night,

Are but reflections caught from Thee;

Where’er we turn, Thy glories shine,

And all things fair and bright are Thine."

- Thomas Moore

A Good Way to Use Less than Modest Clothing

I almost threw this shirt away but found a better use for it in cutting out a square to cover a jar and create a cute vase!

For Father's Day

My Daddy is a thinking man
and likes to contemplate
And tries to do the best he can
to keep things neat and straight.

My Daddy is a witty guy
and likes to make things fun
If there's a twinkle in his eye
Be ready for a pun.

My Daddy is a man who prays
A child before God's throne
And seeks to know his Father's ways,
While caring for his own.

My Daddy does a lot of things
He walks, he talks, he plays
He preaches, washes dishes, sings
But best of all he prays.

And so today on Father's Day
Amidst the busyness
I want to stop and, thankful, say
Father, thanks for this.

"Strength of my heart, I need not fail

Not mine to fear, but to obey;

With such a Leader, who could quail?

Thou art as Thou wert yesterday.

Strength of my heart, I rest in Thee,

Fulfill Thy purposes through me!"

-Amy Carmichael

I like the picturesque progression of this poem by Charles Spurgeon

All my soul was dry and dead
Till I learned that Jesus bled -
Bled and suffered in my place,
Bearing sin in matchless grace.

Then a drop of heavenly love
Fell upon me from above,
And by secret mystic art
Reached the center of my heart.

Glad the story I recount,
How that drop became a fount,
Bubbling up a living well,
Made my heart begin to swell.

All within my soul was praise,
Praise increasing all my days;
Praise which could not silent be,
Floods were struggling to be free.

More and more the waters grew,
Open wide the floodgates flew,
Leaping forth in streams of song
Flowed my happy life along.

Lo, a river clear and sweet
Laved my glad, obedient feet!
Soon it rose up to my knees,
And I praised and prayed ith ease.

Now my soul in praises swims,
Bathes in songs and psalms and hymns;
Plunges down into the deeps,
All her powers in worship steeps.

Hallelujah! Oh my Lord,
Torrents from my heart are poured!
I am carried clean away,
Praising, praising all the day.

In an ocean of delight,
Praising God with all my might,
Self is drowned. So let it be
Only Christ remains to me."

He made it.

Farewell Guyana; hello Pennsylvania!

In the first week of January, we left Guyana where we'd ministered for two four-year terms and flew back to the United States. Pictures are worth a thousand words, so here are some!

Everything had to go.

A few last tunes on the piano.
If the picture had sound, you'd hear Daddy and Mother's improvised "The Holy Spirit came at Pentecost" duet.

Goodbye Squirt!

A warm welcome to Pennsylvania. It's been surprisingly - providentially! - warm for January. Not a flake of snow! But it's still cold!



A man from our home church has kindly let us stay in his home until the missionary house is open. This is just one instance of God's faithful provision for us.

Mr. N-'s two German shorthairs,"Jo" and "Rose", waiting for crumbs. They are fun dogs, and having them around helps us not to miss as greatly the dogs we left behind.

Visiting the PA state Farm Show was an interesting experience - an annual tradition we hadn't observed for four years. :o)

Dairy cow competition - best of each breed.

Daddy (John), Christopher and Benjamin - JCB :o)

It's been wonderful to see and be with old friends.

A happy reunion with Katie - I hadn't seen her in four years, but I used to see her almost every day when both our families were in Guyana.

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

Though pictures are worth a thousand words, no words or pictures can describe the great faithfulness of our Lord who has led us safe thus far. But as all the details continued to come together and all the miles went by, I thought of these words:

" 'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far,
And Grace will lead me home."

Christmas Pictures

Our older brother Jonathan is here for Christmas and our last weeks here, and even better he brought along his girlfriend Emily! We've enjoyed having them with us for our last Christmas in Guyana! They have helped to brighten the last days of packing and goodbyes. Yet with or without earthly loved ones, we have Emmanuel, God with us, whom we have celebrated. He is with us always. (I posted something about that on my blog Thoughts.)

Here are some pictures we took yesterday, after we got home from the traditional 6:00 am Christmas service!

It's so much fun to have Emily here - almost like having a sister!

Thanks be to God for his many gracious answers to prayer and all his mercies toward us!

Yesterday afternoon.

A picture of me with most of the kids who come to my Bible club, hanging out by the river. (Please excuse Jason) :o)

All these children live in Glasgow and none of them come from good homes. They like to come and play on the sandy strip (see right of picture) near our house by the river and have almost become like family. It's hard to think of leaving them in just a few weeks. But for the grace of God, they will continue in the footsteps of their ungodly parents.

But for the grace of God -and that grace is a mighty grace. God can use the Bible verses I have taught them, to bring them to saving faith in Jesus, despite their poor upbringing and life circumstances. The sovereign grace of God which I entrust my soul to, I can also trust for their souls. There is a sweet place to rest.

~ ~ ~

"...and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." - 2 Tim. 3:15 ESV

We recently returned from a family trip to Kwakwani to visit fellow missionaries and the church where they minister.

First we had to get to Georgetown, the capital - an approximately 2 hour trip, which can stretch much longer with a prolonged wait at the ferry crossing.

A man selling water coconuts (my favorite beverage!)

A cute little Muslim girl waiting at the ferry crossing

After we got to Georgetown, "Uncle" Scott took us into Kwakwani - a 3-5 hour journey, most of it along the Kwakwani trail.


Christopher had us stop quite often so he could look at birds. Stopping along the way was a nice chance to look at some of the neat aspects of God's creation...

These little stacks (about 2-3 inches high) are all along the road. I think they form when rain falls on the very soft dirt, washing it away, but not hitting the dirt that happens to be underneath a rock. Aren't they marvelous!

We enjoyed our time with the "Uncle" Scott and "Aunt" Faith and their three kids

Benjamin, Christopher, Micah and Katie Adams

Katie played her flute for us.

We had fun helping in the kitchen.

Drying dishes is a blast with Elizabeth!

Missionary wives need lots of time to talk. :o)

Kwakwani is in the interior. It's beautiful and jungly (It has lots of snakes too; thankfully we didn't see any this time!) On Saturday morning, a guy, who attends the church there, took our family on a boat ride down the river.


It was quite hot, but we saw some beautiful scenery.

"O that men would Jehovah praise
For all his kindness shown,
And for his works so wonderful
Which he to men makes known!"
- from Psalm 107 Trinity Hymnal #83

We had a good service at Kwakwani Bible Church. Daddy preached from Titus 3:1-2, on how believers in Christ treat Authorities, the Needy, Enemies and Everyone (see it on the chalkboard?) I got out the camera after the service...

Elizabeth with a friend

Lots of ladies


A girl with her -cute!- baby brother

We are thankful for the blessed time together God gave us and for His protection in our travels. It's good to be home again.

But for me it is good to be near God;

I have made the Lord God my refuge,
that I may tell of all your works.
Psalm 73:28 ESV