Yes, the one for whom our little Amelia Florence-Joy is named.
This is a letter I just received from a precious woman who is a mentor of mine.
I praise the LORD for her, for the tremendous influence she's been in my life
and for the blessing of her life to so very many sisters and saints in the LORD.
And so... a slice of life in this New Year's letter from my 84 year old friend & mentor Florence...
Yes, the one for whom our little Amelia Florence-Joy is named.
Dear Friends:
What a Christmas season this has been!! I finally wrote part of a letter to you all before Christmas day and when I returned to continue writing, the letter was GONE!! In spite of help—it never was found!! We continued to have serious trouble-like sending the receiving E-mail
And THEN a missionary friend came last evening and fixed everything!!!!!!!
How do you like the great verse we have chosen for this year!!!!!!
Romans 5:2 (L.B) “HE HAS BROUGHT US TO THIS PLACE OF HIGHEST PRIVILEGE WHERE WE NOW STAND, AND CONFIDENTLY AND JOYFULLY LOOK FORWARD TO ACTUALLY BECOMING ALL THAT GOD HAS IN MIND FOR US TO BE.”
We had a wonderful family Christmas Eve at Dan’s place, and came home to a COLD house!
Paul went to the furnace- and found it wasn’t working…. For over six years we have had friends come on Christmas day who like us celebrate with family on Christmas Eve…… SOO we had to notify the seventeen friends who were coming—and planned that we would meet New Year’s day. It made a pretty full time- but GREAT!! The College age group had decided to go to Crista Care center as usual on New Year ‘s Eve—and I suggested they should come HERE after that, and we would play games… then a great idea dawned--- why don’t the young people stay all night!!! THAT was planned before I knew the dinner and fellowship was postponed!! AND Diane phoned to say that grandson Jason’s 23rd birthday dinner would be that evening!!! I really wondered how it would all work out—BUT everything was just GREAT!!… There were nineteen of us gathered around noon for a “Pot-Bless” meal—then we had the most precious fellowship singing many old hymns and sharing about God’s dealing in our lives. THEN Paul and I went to the birthday dinner---- wonderful time!!
Praise to our Lord Paul and I are in our 58th year of working together as doors open to share the Word in song and word.. We are both enjoying good health—in fact we papered two rooms recently!!! In the spring we had a very special trip to Victoria where I was to speak. On the Sunday a.m. we went to the Alliance church where I had meetings 60 years ago. In fact that very Sunday morning I sat with a precious friend with whom I stayed during those days while speaking at special meetings in the Alliance church. We went on up the Island and met with other dear friends… We went back to Vancouver and visiting, among others, Beth Allanger with whom I roomed at Simpson in 1937!!
In July was the annual trip to Oregon and spent time at Canby Camp. Next year will be the 75th anniversary of the Camp’s beginning—and our family attended from Victoria. At Canby we stay with the Dotys—friends of many years! We had the joy of sharing the Word ! . Then we went to Lacomb.where for the 22st year Paul has led the reunion—many wonderful friends attend… . We always stay with our very special friend who sang at our wedding.
A VERY exciting time was in October when it was a wonderful privilege to speak to 1,000 students and faculty of Simpson College in Redding Ca. What a challenge!! I was introduced as one who graduated from Simpson 64 years ago.. I am sure the students wondered what that old lady had to say!!! I am sending you the poem I quoted as I began sharing!!!! The Lord was with us. Three weeks before we were to go south I came across a quote that the Lord would use : “The danger is not that we will deny the faith, BUT SETTLE FOR A MEDIOCRE VERSION OF IT!!” The Lord helped. My emphasis was on memorizing the wonderful Word of God. It was most encouraging when many students came and spoke to us later. We stayed at Simpson for the week end when it was Homecoming for the alumni. 400 qttended. When back in Seattle I was told that friends in the Sisterhood had prayed at the very hour I was to speak at the chapel. That group of women- who have met for over thirty years are a continuing blessing.. Usually between 20 and 25 attend—and about half are from different churches! We have very inspiring guest speakers, also special time of prayer and singing together. Wonderful fellowship!!
Of all the meetings we have had part in this year we feel the most touching was with a Cancer Support Group. Paul sang the all-time favorite solo: “Stay still in the hands of the Potter” There was such a special presence of the Lord with us. .
The Lord has been so good to us as a family. We did have a scare in June when Dave’s son Mark had a serious heart problem. He must be on a medication, but is doing well. Dave and Joanie plan to come in February to celebrate Paul’s birthday!
Our dear foster daughter Juanita came recently to visit with husband Dave. Before they left Nita informed us that it will be FIFTY years ago this month since she came to live with us!!!!! She was 14—and stayed with us for 7 years!! What a blessing and constant JOY she has always been!!! What a wonderful help when we had our country church!! Nita told me that they are coming up soon to take us out to eat!!
The Care Center ministry is still very exciting! Last time the younger ones came there were 14 children under 11, and seven Moms. It is so touching to watch the children bring JOY to the elderly! Hugh is three, and last time together he walked over to an elderly man—his head was down—and when he was next to the grandpa he put his little head down on the old man’s knees!!
The College age students faithfully come every week!! How the elderly enjoy their singing—they have learned the words to several of the wonderful old hymns!!!!
The ministry of the Scripture cards is increasing—and blessing MANY. One recent verse printed is from John 13:7 “JESUS REPLIED; YOU CANNOT REALIZE NOW WHAT I AM DOING, BUT LATER YOU WILL UNDERSTAND.”
How we would love to write PERSONAL notes to ALL of you.!! Joyfully in His service, Florence T.
This is the poem I quoted at the Simpson Chapel:
My face in the mirror is not wrinkled or drawn.
My house is not dusty, the cobwebs are gone!
My garden looks lovely and so does my lawn.
I think I shall never put my glasses back on!!!!!!
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