Have Thine Own Way

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Search me and try me, Master, today!
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
As in Thy presence humbly I bow.

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me, I pray!
Power, all power, surely is Thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine.

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Hold o’er my being absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit ’till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me.

by Adelaide Pollard, 1907

I sat down at the piano yesterday in our new home in Zimmerman, MN.  When I flipped open the hymn book, this is the song that came up.  What a comfort to me right now!  Ethan is stuck in London on his way to Ghana.  Stolen documents!  He has no passport, no Ghana visa, and no yellow fever documentation. These are all required to get to Ghana to teach.  My mind and heart have been swirling since he texted me with this news.  I guess there is a first for everything.  He has travelled to many places in the world and has never gotten documents stolen.  Feeling out of control and unable to change anything confirms my humanness and lifts my thoughts and heart to God who has all things in His hand.

Early this morning I spent time reading the Bible and praying.  As I looked out on our woodsy property, I saw the fog in the woods, much like the picture above.  I heard the birds, and the knock-knock-knock of a woodpecker that made me smile.  What comical creatures!  God's glory shines in His creation, and as I think about God providing for these birds, how much more does He care for His chosen people!  Jesus said, "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." Matthew 10:31  Then, turning to Acts 16 for my daily Bible reading, the amazing story of Paul and Silas being directed by the Holy Spirit to Macedonia reminded me again of God's rule and good purposes in every one of these foggy days.

Pray for Us

It was one year ago that Ethan sat among several pastors in Northeast Romania, teaching through God's word and ministering to them. Friday, he will return to this beloved country again, instructing them in the Old Testament books of Ruth and Jonah, as well as teaching and leading them in preaching from the Old Testament.  For the last couple of years, these men have been attending classes taught by TLI instructors and growing in knowledge and discernment.  It will be a privilege to return once again.

Iasi is located in NE Romania near the border with Moldova

 PRAY FOR US

And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us, and establish the works of our hands for us. Ps.90:17

Sampler From Granny

The little girls enjoying what has been completed so far on Granny's Quilt.

Some of the treasures that I inherited from my grandmother after her recent death were fifteen unfinished quilt squares.  These squares were designed to be a part of a quilt sampler intended for Ethan and me.  She created them during a time when she was experiencing intense pain after receiving treatment for breast cancer.  I believe that as a result of her pain and all the medications, some of the squares were a bit skewed.

I tried to add borders to some so that they would all have the same dimensions.  Next I had to find a way to put them together.  My sister-in-law, Sharon, was here a couple of weeks ago, so she gave me some advice on that.  She is definitely a more experienced quilter than I am.  I am in the process of putting it all together right now. I added some borders and squares of my own at the top and bottom.  My favorite squares that Grandma made so far are the house square, the three-dimensional blocks, and the spools of thread.  The next step will be to buy batting, made a fabric back, and begin to quilt it.  It should be an interesting experience, and I hope will honor my grandma and all of her hard work.

Then on to the knitted sweater that Grandma started during the last year of her life here on earth!  That will be a challenge, too.  Any advice from knitters out there on how to complete it would be very appreciated!

To My Husband On Our Anniversary

I Love You Because…

The Igloo you built for our kids.

 

You love God and have made His interests first priority in your life.

You only have eyes for your wife.

You will wait to make a decision so that you may seek God’s best for us.

You are able to have a “cheerful heart [that] does good like medicine,” especially with the kids when they are grumpy.

You have a manly, godly energy that keeps you going.

You are SO good to your wife and children.

You have purposed to give to your wife and children your time and your ear.

You will set aside your own desires to play “hide and seek” with your children.

You are a great handy man.

You are a creative, excellent problem-solver, who will build something yourself if it will solve the problem in the best way.

You are frugal and have self-control.

You gave up a path that would feed your ego, your pocketbook, and your reputation in order to serve God’s interests. Hallelujah!

You sing hymns with your family.

You read the Bible to your wife and children.

You go for bike rides, hikes, and rural and urban adventures with your family.

You stand up for Truth even when it is in opposition to family, friends, and the world “If you abide in My word, You are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32

You have used your gifts to minister to the Church, even in adversity.

You enjoy the beauty of the earth and help others to give glory to God through it.

You have persevered through some of the most difficult of circumstances, and overcome, and you will overcome “by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” Rev. 12:11

You INSPIRE me.

Your devoted wife,           

 Elysia

Faces of Growth and Change

Lizzy received earrings and got her ears pierced as a birthday gift from Grandma and Grandpa. She was so brave!

Peter John (5th), Lizzy (3rd), and Amy's (Kinder.) first day of school. Peter John started at a Christian school this year, while the two girls are homeschooling as well as School of Choice. As you can see, Peter John has grown quite a lot this year.

Gretchen is in seventh grade this year at a Christian school. She started in the middle of August. We are grateful we live close enough to bike or walk, if necessary.

Favorite Children's Books This Year

1. Little Pilgrim's Progress by Helen L. Taylor

2. Dangerous Journey by Oliver Hunkin (adaptation of Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan)

3. The Silent Bells by William MacKellar

4. The Door In The Wall by Marguerite de Angeli

5. By The Shores Of Silver Lake by Laura Ingalls Wilder

6. Little House In The Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder

7. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

8. Alexander The Great by Jane Bingham

9. The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles

10. The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman

11. The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis

12. The Mandie Collection Vol.1-11 by Lois Gladys Leppard

13. The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis

14. Landon Snow series Vol.1-5 by R.K. Mortenson

15. Bob Books (Beginning Readers) by Scholastic

16. The Quiltmaker's Gift by Jeff Brumbeau

17. The Children's Bible in 365 Stories by Mary Batchelor

18. The Adventures of Tintin Vol.1-8 by Herge

These are many of the books our children have enjoyed this past year, most of which they have read themselves. Some were read to them on our couch in the afternoon or evening.  When I was a child, I was not much of a reader, but since becoming a parent, children's literature has blossomed in our lives and in our imaginations. Some of these books we have read over and over again, particularly The Children's Bible in 365 Stories and Little Pilgrim's Progress.  They are worth that.

Songs of Thankfulness and Praise

Psalm 100:4-5
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
⁵ For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.

Elizabeth Sharon Larson on our move in 2006 from Ukraine to Hungary

Thank you, Lord God, for your faithfulness.  Thank you that you hold Your chosen ones with your hand. We are like little children that are carried on Your back. “The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him,
Who shelters him all the day long;And he shall dwell between His shoulders.” Deut. 33:12  We are safe in Your arms.  Thank you that when we go through trials and defeat, You are faithfully working all things together for good.  Your arms are underneath us. "The eternal God is your refuge,
And underneath are the everlasting arms;" Deut. 33:27

Thank you, God, for my husband. He is Your son. You created him, you called him, and saved him from his sins. You made him your own. Thank you that my husband is upheld by Your righteous right hand (Is. 41:10) Thank you for his integrity, his faithfulness to me and to our family. Thank you for his willingness to use his multitude of gifts and abilities to serve God, even though it means giving up wealth and worldly honor and selfish fulfillment. He is laying up treasure in heaven, not on earth. Thank you, God, that You have led him all these years. Thank you for my husband's love for You and for Your truth. At personal expense, he has upheld truth and followed You.

Thank you, our Awesome God, for blessing us with Lizzy. We celebrated her birthday yesterday.  She is eight now, and I am so grateful for her. She brightens our lives. Thank you.

Thank you, for all Your blessings. Bless Your name.