tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10546262030363127922024-03-05T18:30:59.637-08:00emily.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1054626203036312792.post-26315955400259158352011-10-13T18:46:00.000-07:002011-10-13T18:47:17.392-07:00Beautiful.<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/27307766?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&color=c2c2c2" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/27307766">BON IVER "Holocene"</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/nabilelderkin">nabil elderkin</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1054626203036312792.post-41223896845841148012011-07-13T19:30:00.000-07:002011-07-13T20:54:04.591-07:00i changed my mind...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">"i just want to be normal again," i have said through tears over the past month and a half. yes, i have been known to throw a pity party or two. i really am a brat. i have been slow to blog, because to be honest i have felt a bit discouraged, and who wants to read a depressing update, by a depressed person, using terribly depressing adjectives. but the truth is the truth. life has been a struggle. no quick easy pill to pop, no magic solution to make it pass quickly; just a slow, snail-like seeming path that i have been walking. praise be to God that i have been feeling better every day and that i am progressing (that's where the impatience and my bratty-ness really comes in), but there are times that i will take two steps forward and then two steps back. isn't that a paula abdul song? no, janet jackson? anyway, back to being normal. </span><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">today i changed my mind. today, as i often do, i realized how little i actually know myself. i don't want to go back. i don't want to be "normal"...i want to be better than that. i want to go deeper. i want to be closer. i want to live in a way that counts more for the gospel and less for myself. i want to have a relationship with my heavenly father that far surpasses what i could have imagined without walking the journey i am on now. i want my desires to be his desires. i want a heavenly vision...one that understands and anticipates my true home. i want ears that are sensitive to the only voice that matters. i want a heart that replaces <b>fear</b> with <b>trust</b>, and <b>insecurity</b> with <b>everlasting</b> and <b>unconditional</b> <b>love</b>. i want to really, actually begin to count others more significant than myself. i used to look back longingly on my "normalcy" and now i want to look forward, to a new chapter that i know holds much more than i had in mind for myself. my father knows what i need and his desire is toward me. now my prayer is that normal would politely take its seat in the past, and that a renewed heart would rise up in its place. i want a relationship with my father that is so secure and so intimate, that it becomes the mark of my life. that is the healing i need. that is the life that i truly want.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">God, my precious heavenly father, be gracious and don't allow me the type of normal i have been asking for. give me the courage to ask for much more than that, and to be much more than that. draw me near, whatever it takes, and mold me into your image. draw me into your love in whatever way is best, and then help me to spend myself pouring it out. to you be all glory and honor, forever and ever.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">"But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1054626203036312792.post-18350884830310171962011-06-18T07:12:00.000-07:002011-06-18T09:01:28.460-07:00diagnosis...and God's love<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">Let's cover logistics and then we will get to the important stuff. I have been diagnosed with dysautonomia. Do yourself a giant favor and don't Wikipedia it, or you will end up in a disparaging state, much as I did yesterday morning. There are all types of the disease, and my precious and believing doctor filled me with hope of great quality of life. It is a central nervous system disorder that can affect you in many different ways. I am now on medications, a high water and high salt diet to combat my symptoms, which include severe stomach issues, these tingling rush feelings that last about 45 minutes to an hour, and lots of other things you don't really care about (so let's just skip ahead). The hard thing about the meds is that they will take some time to kick in and might need to be tweaked, etc. This requires patience, and the continuation of symptoms, which I must say have taken me to the darkest places of my life. Even last night I had one of the hardest evenings yet. I have struggled with small anxiety all of my life from the inability to watch a preview to a scary movie (much less the movie itself), to an occasional fear of a storm and the air raid sirens that go off in Birmingham at least once a week in a typical Alabama springtime season. Now I am having those feelings, but they have multiplied "times a million", as my sweet almost six year old would say. This anxiety is supposed to be a manifestation of the symptoms, but I believe there is a spiritual element to it too. Which brings me to the the only part that really matters.<br /><br />Jesus is alive and he has forgiven our sins. Truly! I had yet another morning of waking up with tingles, feeling like I was coming out of my skin, so I came outside to stare at the sky and ask God for relief. I begged. I pleaded. But as usual I didn't know exactly what I was asking for. I watched my lizard friend scurry along his morning path and then picked up God's word. You want to know something crazy? I actually BELIEVED what it said! I have always believed in Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection. God's goodness, even, I rarely doubt. But my biggest struggle is believing that he actually loves me, that he actually cares for me. Yes, I know he cares for the tiny sparrow, but the sparrow is sweet and beautiful and so innocent in it's goings about...just like my sweet lizard friend. Me, I am a different story. I bet I could out sin most of you on your worst day. I have had a life of guilt and shame, in my eyes, even (I think) as a believer, so how could God truly love me? How could he truly care for me in this dark time? I have felt his presence through the prayers of so many faithful, I have seen him at work in all the encouragement and friendships and ministry opportunities I have had through my doctor's visits (stories I would love to share in another post that have made my husband, who is not even a crier, tear up). But still, there are times I have doubted his love for me; still I haven't truly been able to believe I am loved by such a righteous and just God.<br /><br />This morning he answered my prayer for relief. I am still physically struggling this morning, but God is healing my heart. His word, his powerful and effective word, told me this morning what I had heard over and over, but walls seemed to be blocking my view. This morning God broke down walls, and he showered me with his love. He told me, through his word and his spirit, that it was not because I have been good enough, or that I have handled my illness the way I should that he loves me and cares for me. It is because of the blood and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. "Christ Jesus, whom God set forth to be a propitiation by his blood, through faith, to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forebearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed." Romans 3:24-25 Through Jesus he has passed over sins! (You may be saying, um, yeah Emily, haven't you ever been to an Easter service?), but I am screaming, Praise God! Glory! Hosanna in the highest! Oh God how my lips praise your holy name! I have been slinking to your throne, through shame, and asking things of you. But you have commanded me to come boldly to your throne of grace, because of your son. God, believe me, I am going to come running! I have been asking for things, trying to muster the belief, and you have been faithful in the midst of my struggle, but now I will ask KNOWING that you are with me always to the end of the age. Because of Jesus, You love me. You care for me. You have my best interest at heart. When I am in those darkest of times, you literally hold my life in your hands, when I pass through the waters you will be with me, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil because you are with me, and when I stand in the fiery furnace, you stand there with me. God, I not only believe in you, I believe in your unfailing and never ending love. I truly believe I am free, and as the breeze passes through this morning, my sins are forever passed away with it. You have heard my cries for help and you have come to my rescue. Your will be done in this hard season, and your name be lifted high above all else. Please help all who have the opportunity to pass by this blog, to believe you too, and to believe your love. Help our unbelief. Your will be done in this hard season, and your name be lifted high above all else.<br /><br />...If you are reading this, please continue to pray for endurance through symptoms, please continue to pray for relief, and for healing, but most importantly healing of souls, which seems to come through these most difficult trials. I am so very ready for this one to be over, i will not lie, but he will sustain me to the end of it.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1054626203036312792.post-76937842403645188132011-06-16T18:32:00.000-07:002011-06-16T18:33:26.479-07:00a song. thanks jeremy.<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/16197810?color=ff9933" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/16197810">Mason Jar Music Presents... Josh Garrels</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/masonjarmusic">Mason Jar Music</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1054626203036312792.post-64498405703605228572011-06-15T07:47:00.000-07:002011-06-15T07:53:51.630-07:00thank you.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">I honestly don't know how to express the depth of my gratitude. Your calls, your food, your service, your child-watching, your hospitality, your fervent prayers, your encouraging words and texts, that have all given such hope. What a beautiful and magnificent thing to see the body of Christ at work. I would exchange a chance to see any form of art in any museum in all of the world, for the portrait of Christ I have seen in all of you...and I love me some art. So thank you again and again and again and again. I thank you through tears of gratefulness.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1054626203036312792.post-88841994171456794752011-06-15T07:18:00.000-07:002011-06-15T10:00:49.899-07:00your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">This is not the way I would have started being an early riser who took time to meditate on God's word and commune with him, but I am ashamed to say it may not have happened any other way. I go to bed with a severe nervousness (even on medicine), wake through the night and fight to calm myself down, and then wake with a nervousness that won't allow me to rest anymore. For some reason, I get terribly nervous even writing it down, like it might make it stronger or last forever. That, I know, is a lie. The father of lies has led me to believe a lot of those kinds of things lately. Like, I am on a hopeless road, like I am crazy, like I have an illness that can't be cured. I feel like I am fighting in the deepest darkest valley of my life. When I look at the life of Job, I am reminded to see my suffering with some perspective, and in Paul's words the suffering of this life is light and momentary compared to the eternal glory that awaits us. Though I know this, it seems at times a heavy a load as I can bare. I have these spells that can last close to an hour, where chills seem to come over my body and I can't stop this terrible feeling, enough to play with my sanity a little. I am just praying for endurance and deliverance. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">Lord, I beg you to take it from me, but if it is your will, then I pray for an extra measure to bear this load. God make me a pillar along the way; a light in a broken world. There are many faces that I would never have seen, many stories I would never have heard, many opportunities for prayer that would have passed me by, even for my children and my husband. (Please pray for my EEG technician, Janice, who has recently had a surgery that she is having difficulty recovering from.)Father of all creation, down to the tiny lizard now crossing my fence post, being exactly who you've created it to be, I am weak, and I need your strength. Would you be my strength today, and and would you give me peace? Would I boast in you as my life giver, and my sustainer? I am desperate to keep food down, to have an appetite, (oh how I took everything for granted), but if it doesn't come today , God will you give me what I need for today, and help me to trust you for tomorrow. I pray for answers. I pray against hopelessness, and unbelief and I pray that as the sun rises, today is a day where you are lifted high and your praise is on our lips. You are good. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"> "Fear not, for I am with you."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">"This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it."</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1054626203036312792.post-55593022021753138882011-05-16T20:07:00.000-07:002011-05-17T21:16:23.605-07:00i'll be there.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQAG0jtRm62Pbx479lBAVdnf0696XmlfV7xSFGW17q7aPg3ytCqFimdshfh9VmV4CsNVOqPbCuBVxqKhCSKDnfzxgU__DyZ4Bb6RZ4dbuPn-LY4RK707o8IrlNrsmMQOShW7ig4C8el80/s1600/221866_10150226304430586_513330585_9063866_6001685_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQAG0jtRm62Pbx479lBAVdnf0696XmlfV7xSFGW17q7aPg3ytCqFimdshfh9VmV4CsNVOqPbCuBVxqKhCSKDnfzxgU__DyZ4Bb6RZ4dbuPn-LY4RK707o8IrlNrsmMQOShW7ig4C8el80/s400/221866_10150226304430586_513330585_9063866_6001685_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607525985885890546" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><li class="first" style="list-style-type: none; margin-top: 0px; "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b>When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound, and time shall be no more,</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b>And the morning breaks, eternal, bright and fair;</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b>When the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore,</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b>And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.</b></span></span></div><ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><li class="refrain" style="list-style-type: none; margin-top: 1em; margin-left: 20px; "><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b>When the roll is called up yonder,</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b>When the roll is called up yonder,</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b>When the roll is called up yonder,</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b>When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.</b></span></span></div></li></ul></li><li style="list-style-type: none; margin-top: 1em; "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b>On that bright and cloudless morning when the dead in Christ shall rise,</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b>And the glory of His resurrection share;</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b>When His chosen ones shall gather to their home beyond the skies,</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b>And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.</b></span></span></div></li><li style="list-style-type: none; margin-top: 1em; "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b>Let us labor for the Master from the dawn till setting sun,</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b>Let us talk of all His wondrous love and care;</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b>Then when all of life is over, and our work on earth is done,</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b>And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div></li></ol></span></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqV7F2r7lS2I7j-q97esSueoCNFDcxh5crXEBac6EF66M-Ycd-ySIKSra5ao6PqD0TYS1dax94FTJ4KOcpmLEj_ySSBB2S_ZXMywPdGwwTgwInFfW2-RXTvC1mAaHYtKrvfpfAbKZsLxYA/s1600/215899_10150226300360586_513330585_9063777_6365890_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqV7F2r7lS2I7j-q97esSueoCNFDcxh5crXEBac6EF66M-Ycd-ySIKSra5ao6PqD0TYS1dax94FTJ4KOcpmLEj_ySSBB2S_ZXMywPdGwwTgwInFfW2-RXTvC1mAaHYtKrvfpfAbKZsLxYA/s400/215899_10150226300360586_513330585_9063777_6365890_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607521707964204898" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><li style="list-style-type: none; margin-top: 1em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate;"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div></li></ol></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1054626203036312792.post-32567283625055122312011-05-15T08:37:00.000-07:002011-05-17T21:02:06.382-07:00a letter.<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLa7XVfawVC0C4qp2RF0npyij8yf82HbEEEiwQ2LUH-z5wZHoFkBugbQIN0RIxveW2RHmwndq91CfuDAKesPLTJsHh67EUU7GV2OXJz0ZI3ZzsVOHMcUuqcwrGC87PPUNAXxCq8Zn7GWx/s400/090210-envelope-back.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607892809195386642" /><br /><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new';"><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Kuruman S. Africa</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">March 21st 1836</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My Ever Beloved Uncle</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><p style="text-align: left; font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">One of your kind and interesting letters I received in November, and the other in December for which I do heartily thank you. They cannot be too long for me while the matter which they contain is so interesting. I feel greatly revived and quickened by them. May this be an inducement to you to write often. I do highly appreciate you as a faithful correspondent. Doubtless before this you have learned from the Dr's letters to Ma and Sister of God's goodness to us in bestowing upon us a precious little gift. Our dear little Martha Smithey was born on the 15th of January, and is of course regarded by her Father and myself as a very sweet and interesting child. The Dr. enclosed some of her hair in his letter that you all might see its color. She has so much hair that we laid aside her caps at 3 weeks old. She has black eyes, and a pretty prominent nose, but she very strikingly resembles her dear Aunt Susan. We do daily I hope in the sincerity of our hearts consecrate her to the service of our Redeemer. Will you pray that she will be made a blessing to the poor heathen if her life should be spared? Lucy also has a sweet little daughter 3 months older than mine. I cannot express to you my beloved uncle the gratification which I felt at hearing that my dear Mother and Sister were cheerful and that you were all happy in each other's society. May the Lord continue to bless you abundantly, and grant you a rich regard for all the kindness and affection which you show to the beloved ones in your family. I confidently believe that you and Aunt Joanna do and will continue to enjoy a foretaste of the compensation God bestows upon those who show kindness to them who love him. There is no family in America in which I would so much love to live as in yours and I feel truly happy that my own dear Mother and Sister are there. I thank you very much for the extracts from your Journal. I would so much love to read all your journal. Is it too much to ask you for it? Your little prayer meetings are precious privileges. If I could enjoy them, how highly I feel I would appreciate them. Besides our little female prayer meeting (Which we do very much enjoy) the Brethren have a prayer meeting every Thursday night. I suppose you will be surprised to see from this letter that 16 months after leaving home we are yet 200 miles from the place of our destination. The Brethren Lindsey and Venable left us about a week after the birth of our little daughter for Mosiko [sic], the residence of Moselekatsi for the purpose of building a house for us all. From letters which we received from them about a week since we learned that they are making such progress in their work that they hoped to be able to accomplish it and return to us about the close of next month, when we shall make ready to proceed immediately to our new home. Three French Brethren who are still labouring in different parts of Africa once commenced a station at Mosiko . As some of the walls of the house which they left, the Brethren Lindsey and Vendable found still good they concluded to rebuild it. They have not seen Moselekatsi as he was three days distant from Mosiko , his home, but they sent messengers to acquaint him of their arrival, who on their return brought with there one of his principal counselors, named Kalipi, who welcomed them very heartily and said that Moselekatsi's heart was </span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">glad</span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">,</span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> glad</span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">,</span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">glad</span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. The Brethren asked Kalipi where Moselekatsi wished them to live, he replied, wherever you choose. Mos. sent them an ox to slaughter and told Kailpi to provide them with food for the work; he also sent them word that as he would remain where he was for some time, they could visit him there, or finish their work, and then visit him, as they pleased. They told Kalipi they wished to see him before they commenced their work, but Kalipi told them that he must accompany them, and he was move tired and wished them to wait till he had rested, and prepared some food and some beer for his majesty. It is customary to send him beer from every village wherever he may be. Kalipi visits them almost every day and is quite familiar. He and a very interesting young man Tibere, who is said to be Moselekatsi's brother, have dined with them once or twice. To use Bro. Venable's own words he says "Kalipi is a very gentlemanly savage, and had he been brought up in civilized society might have made a figure in the world." The people seem confident that they are preparing to live among them and many of them carry them thick milk and beer. They say nothing of the quality of the beer, or whether they drank it.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left; font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">You would probably like to know something about the house. I shall be better able to tell you when I get into it. It is however made of brick, with a thatched roof, has 6 room, 2 for each family. The Brethren could form no estimate of the number of inhabitants within the territory of Moselekats , but they say there are 10 or 12 verfs (or villages) within a few miles of the house, containing 80 or 100 houses each. The native houses are made of mats generally, in the form of a haystack with a door large enough to get in by creeping on your hands and knees. At this place however the doors are much larger, but none of them have windows. The houses are built by the women, indeed they do all the drudgery, the men hunt, and sew, but they do not seem to consider their wives their equals nor treat them with much affection. They do not however (with the exception of church members) here regard polygamy as sinful. It is quite common for a man to have 4 or 5 wives, and sometimes more.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left; font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The drought of which I spoke in one of my letters, which has prevailed for many years past, is very distressing. Many of the fountains by which irrigation was carried on have failed, and many very many of the people in this region, and in the vicinity of Grigua Town are suffering for want of food. The interesting station at Grigua Town is about to be abandoned on account of the failure of their last fountain. The Missionaries with all their people are removing near the Great [words missing] river and hope to be able to settle there. Moselekatsi's country is well watered and the people have an abundance of food. Bro [word missing] says he has seen no country like that in South Africa.</span></span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I said nothing about this station I believe in my letter to my dear Mother and Sister because I had been here so short a time that I had not an opportunity of forming any judgment of the state of things here. There are 3 Missionaries here. One (Mr. Moffat) is a licensed preacher. The other two came out as artisans, but they preach. Mr. Hamilton is an old man, very fatherly and affectionate in his manner and appears to have much love for the souls of his people. Mr. Moffat is an interesting man with a beard 1/4 of a yd in length. The [words missing] endured many privations and hardships. Mr. Edwards is a younger man and besides other labours teaches school. His wife also is very active. We have been treated with great kindness by them all. They have a printing press here, and they kindly invited the Brethren of our Mission to print lessons in the Sitabele language(the language of Moselekatsi's people.) that we might be prepared to begin schools immediately, which they accordingly did. During our stay at Grigua Town, the Dr. found a run who was acquainted With the Sitabele language, and got from him 1700 words which he has formed into a vocabulary and which will be of great assistance to us in the study of that language. The Dr. is able to converse with the natives in the Lichman language. We all talk a little in that language. Now my dear Uncle may the Lord make us useful to the souls of the poor Africans. May your efforts for the salvation of your servants be abundantly blessed. I have set at the table of the Lord both here and at Grigua Town with some aged persons who reminded me so forcibly of Aunt Joan, and Aunt Lucy, and the question has often arisen shall I ever hear that they are the friends of Jesus? Their course is nearly run. O, have they a place in those mansions that the blessed Saviour has gone to prepare for them that love line.? Are Maria and Eliza still ranked among the emmies of him who laid down his life for them?, Tell my dear Mother and Sister that I intend to write to them soon. My dear Sister's precious letters. afford me no little comfort. Tell my own beloved Mother that I often think of the gratification which would be hers to press my little darling to her bosom - but if she lives and I live she shall be taught to know and love you all. My dear Uncle we have and do pray for David's conversion, and cannot but hope he will yet be a missionary. Give my love to him, and urge him for me to embrace the Saviour as his portion. Remember us both also to dear Aunt Joanna, Aunt Polly, Aunt Charlotte, Sister Ellen, Cousins John & Mary, Washington, little Joanna & Mrs. Barclay and family and all who inquire after us. Do send m a long long letter again. Tell im about each I r of your dear family, the state of the churches and whether your church is yet supplied with a pastor. Tell my dear Eliza Duval, that she shall hear from me soon, but she </span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">must not</span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">neglect to visit you all. It will grieve me very much to hear that she and Sister are not very intimate. Give my love also to Margaret Brooking, and all the members of that little meeting, to Mr. Gordon's family, to my dear Mr. and Mrs Armstrong. I am very thankful for their letters and shall tell them so soon. Do write every spare moment that you have and my dear Sister also, and try to persuade others to write. 0 if my friends only knew with what avidity I seize letters from America, and what Joy they create in my heart, they would write. Will not John and Mary write to me? You are regarded with much affection by all the members of our Mission. The dear Sisters have said to m repeatedly since I commenced this letter "Be sure to give my love to your Uncle and family, including particularly Mother and Sister," and the Brethren would say the same were they here. My dear husband joins me in all the requests which I have made here. The Lord make us meet for his kingdom is the sincere prayer of your affectionate niece.</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div></span><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Remember the Dr. amd Myself affectionately to Bro. Martin and beg him to continue to pray for us - also to Mr. and mrs. Plamer Mary Jane Wilson</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mr. Michael Gretter</span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Richmond</span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Virginia</span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">U.S. America</span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Care of H. E. Rutherford, Esq.</span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Capetown</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1oOo6h-NX3__LyBr0QBAw8xYeQVZI3PO60z5C8VcWj4QDM5GYGJM54_opkA6LTP673vRtxpK2H5oeV7dS6oBG0yAGdSovJHqhJfo4RyHEnRyvtIQqOXudLFrl7xZTSEeEYQOcW2WM6sVU/s400/1910.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607893497581406994" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span><p></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0