...REALITY...part 1

As I write this post to continue my story...the chapter title REALITY as it implies will be quite sobering. I know for many it is a festive time of the year...but all our days should be sober minded in respect to life itself.

I find it also this way TODAY, a reality in the trials of faith and life.

Yesterday, my husband and I attended the viewing of a young woman of age 45 who was killed this past Friday. She was thrown from a horse. Sudden death is always a shock. Even if you have strong faith, there is still that grasp of reality that death is sure to us all and can be without warning.

Ecclesiastes 8:8 says...there is no discharge in that war...

I also recently found out that another young woman of 48 years old that I am acquainted with passed away from a cancerous tumor on her brain....and yet another has been given a few months to live.

Are you ready? It is a very sobering time to ask oneself..am I?

I, myself, just had some medical test results that gave me great concern...and as I had started this story of my journey of HOPE..I indeed did find so much comfort in the remembrance of the graces bestowed in my life thus far. I could not deny God's care, nor his will in my life. I had peace within for whatever was to befall me. As I waited for a week for the results, my thoughts were continually on my life and how it has been lived.

I have a favorite song on a CD that I listen to by Bryn Riplinger each time I am in my car...powerful,touching words...

"For only one life twill soon be past...
and only what's done for Christ will ever last"

The message of the song grips your heart as you think of all that God wants to do with and for your life, if only you yield to his will.

After Job lost his family he says in Job chpt. 1:20-22 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped. And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

Can you say that you would do as Job? Still continue to worship and not charge God...nor question his will. As the song says..would you block him here and check him there...to see if it's what you would want for your life instead of his PERFECT plan and will.

In my own journey as a Christian I am so grateful for the knowledge of God's precious word. The very love letter from God himself, full of comfort, hope and lasting promises.

He says in the book of John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also...
and verse 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

My test results came back normal. Thank you, Lord.

...REALITY...part 1

Living in the village as an American, I still wanted to "belong" and "do as the SWISS do"...I hung my bed quilts out the window on the brisk cold winter mornings. As the Spring began to bloom so did Geraniums...everywhere! And, I wanted to have my window boxes blooming as well. Claudine helped me with the preparations and long keeping of my window boxes.


There...I was beginning to be one of them! The flowers in front of my kitchen window...Iris's were such a gorgeous color. The Swiss are so immersed in their flower and vegetable gardens that it is truly an art. Every row perfectly lined with out a trace of weeds. Yes, we even grew a small vegetable patch and my prize potato went to one of my neighbors. Claudine came over one day and showed me the proper way to pull up broccoli...the entire plant...so with that, I plucked up this huge and lovely green "bridal" bouquet and proceeded to walk and sing the wedding march down the planted row, to her laughter! It was a fun moment and I felt at "home".

Even with our visits to the hospital the sense of normality to our lives was beginning to take some shape. The two eldest girls went off to school, my husband to work and I was home taking care of baby Charlie the other two children along with the usual daily chores and an occasional visit from Claudine or her mother in law.

One day Claudine came over to give me very sad news. A young teenager in the village had died in an accident. The tractor he used to help his family on the farm had turned over on top of him while he was grading a hillside. She asked if I would come to the funeral. It would be good for me. It would show the village people my heart with them in their loss and my desire to be a part of their lives. I agreed to go.

The day of the funeral we walked over to the village church. Many villages have to share their church Pastor, this one lived in our village. I felt very awkward not knowing a lot of the people present nor the grieving family. Many gave reassuring smiles of their pleasure at my presence. As I sat in their midst, I thought about my own situation in life.

What if? I find myself in this same place with my son?

After the short service inside, everyone walked to the village cemetery. There all the village people stood in the street away from the grave site, allowing only the family this private moment. They then walked out to the street and stood still as the village people passed by nodding their heads with sympathy. There were no hugs. Just solemn silence with only the sounds of passing footsteps.

Claudine later took me to the cemetery to look at the grave site. All the graves belonged to people of this village. She began to tell me who some of them were. Many older people, yet one a baby and now one a teenager.

The village is always well kept. The streets swept by hand, the gardens immaculate and the cemetery plots groomed. They take care of their own.

...the visits begin...part 3

As the days passed since my friend left...I had a lot of time to think about my situation. There had been so much activity prior, that my thoughts and prayers with quality of "quiet time" had been robbed. I knew that this was a vital time for me..one for renewing my strength of faith.

I bought a little gate to put in front of the children's room so that they wouldn't run around the house while I was reading my Bible. They didn't mind since they could still peek out and see Mommy in the kitchen. Our children were well behaved and understood the importance of Mommy and Daddy being able to read their Bibles.

The two eldest were now on a regular schedule with school, thanks to Claudine. And, thankfully one of the classes for First Grade was right across the street. One daughter was able to walk to school and the other caught a bus across the street to attend class in another village a few minutes aways. God had provided our home in the perfect location! Several children in the village had already gotten to know my children and so with "friends" they attended their proper village class. The teacher's my children had were wonderful women and very understanding. My girls were still learning French and struggling with this on top of learning the normal education courses. But, in a short time they were so fluent that in town people knew exactly what village they lived in! What a help they were to me also. It amazed us how quickly children adapt. Before learning French, they still played with the village children, swinging, swimming, racing cars, riding bikes. No language barriers for them. Oh, how I wished I could have just soaked in the language like a sponge!

But, for now...my time in God's Word was more important than studying a new language. I felt the weakness of the flesh coming on strong. Questioning my own abilities to perform for my handicap son and my other children. I read the book of JOB over and over. I was reminded of the time many years prior in my youth as a babe in Christ; asking my Pastor...

"WHY?, did this happen to Job?"

He then did a Bible study on Why The Righteous Suffer. He pointed out the verses such as:

Job 1:1 There was a man...named Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.
Job 1:7-8 And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence cometh thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

If you read the rest of the chapter you find that God allows Satan time with Job..testing his faith with sore trials...however, his life is in God's hand.

Job 2:1 says AGAIN...and these verses are repeated...yet in verse 3 it is added...and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.

Satan accuses God of building a hedge around Job and then accuses Job that if God were to touch Job's flesh he'd curse God....and so God gives Satan permission.
WHY? you'd ask...to prove the strength of his faith and belief in God. To prove Satan and his followers are without power. To magnify the GOD of Heaven and that no matter the trials we go through, GOD is our strength, he is our helper in time of need, he knoweth the end of the matter. We must remain faithful.

Job 12:9-10 Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this? In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.

As you read the book of Job you find that his faith though at times weak..he still sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

He even examined himself...Chpt. 31:24-28 If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence; If I rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because mine hand had gotten much; If I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness: And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand: This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above.

Job knew his God. Chapter 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold... (the value)

I Peter Chpt. 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tired with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ...

And though Job was a righteous man, he still knew as we do..we are sinners saved by the grace of God and that any righteousness we have is His bestowed upon us by the redemption found at Calvary. In chapter 41 Job confesses his knowledge of this...and in chapter 42 he also acknowledges God's greatness. Verse 5 became very special to me. (you might note here by now...that Stephen was born in my 5th pregnancy, and was my 5th child born...I have noted numerous verses with the number 5 as well)

Job 42:5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.

As I read in my quiet time often these words and others found in the scriptures; I did find hope and strength.

The last chapter 42 also says in verse 12...So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job...

So much comfort found in the scriptures. A treasure chest of wealth! I found there strength, hope, courage, comfort, and love.

It is quite noteworthy that after the book of Job..and his trials...comes the Book of Psalms. Praises to our God! Psalm 136...each verse ends with...for his mercy endureth forever.

My quiet time...a precious time.

...the visits begin...part 2

During our friend's stay with us; the Lord blessed us in so many ways with a "taste" of HOME: talking about our friends, hugs and just that good feeling of belonging.(I say blessed of the Lord, because in all the blessings we have been given during this trial they were all possible because of Him). We all enjoyed getting to know "little Charlie". Our son was named after a very dear friend of ours.

We also gave her a mini tour of Switzerland. What FUN! Yes, we actually had the pleasure of laughter once again. We ate Fondue and drove around some of the countryside and took many "talking" walks together. It was a peaceful time of reflection of the many ways we had been blessed. There was so much to share with her of God's great care for us.

Before she returned to the States, we took her to visit little Stephen in the ICU. She would have to view him from a large picture window, while we held him. I can still see her sweet face smiling in the window, but through tears. It was such an emotional time for all of us. I can imagine the thoughts and prayers on her own heart at that time. Knowing even the difficulty it would be for her to leave us.

Our visits to the hospital were limited by the distance, my husband's job and one vehicle. And after each visit we questioned?

How long the visits would continue? Would Stephen come home soon? What steps do we take to prepare ourselves?

I sent for information from the Down's Syndrome Foundation and when I received the package of booklets I was so overwhelmed. There was so much material to read, but in doing so, I was happy to find stories of Down's children that survived and did well in life. I wasn't a stranger to my son's condition having worked with Down's children at a special school during my High School years. I grew very attached then, to a boy named Joey.

Times like this cause us to realize how thankful we should be. Even in the situation of life I found myself to be in; I was so grateful to know the LORD. He had proven himself to me over and over...that his promises are sure. His promises of strength and comfort. I knew that no matter what befell me, I had the comfort of the scriptures...giving me Hope.

Lamentations 3:24 The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

..at this present time: I have had the pleasure of knowing a young lady with Down's at one of our local stores. She is a worker there and always bubbling over with joy and smiles. Down's children are known as the "sunshine kids". No wonder. She though an adult, is just this. She is very intelligent and quite the proud boaster of her accomplishments as well. I was so happy for her when she showed me her engagement ring and planned to marry soon!

...the visits begin...Part 1

Finally arriving home from the hospital...the children happily greeted me with hugs and excitement of our friend's visit from the U.S. I was so pleased to see them happy. This brought so much warmth and comfort to my heart as I came home empty handed.

In readiness for the babies coming home we had purchased a small crib and a few baby items. I was pleasantly surprised when Claudine came by to welcome me home with a huge box of "twin-boy" clothing! How in the world did she find someone who no longer needed their TWIN BOY baby clothes? The LORD indeed knew. The box was filled with precious outfits and blankets...yes, once again everything I needed...at such a time!

"Thank you, Lord for your perfect care...perfect timing."
Philipians 4:19
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Our dear friend was more than happy to watch the children while my husband and I made our first journey to the University Hospital. It was such a comfort to know my children were enjoying her company and that we left them in trustworthy, loving care...from HOME. Having someone come all the way from the states to help us, was such a manifestation of love in a Christian's heart. Here was a lady not even related to me who dropped everything to be at my side to comfort and help.

So many thoughts and prayers came to my mind and heart in preparation for seeing the twins: only for the second time in two weeks. Knowing I was to bring only one of them home with me.
*(I had not mentioned in a previous post that the twin with Down's also had a heart defect)*

"How would I handle this?"

I could feel the tightness in my stomach...the heaviness in my heart. I thought upon the burden it must be to my husband...feeling so responsible...to watch his wife have to go through the last two weeks, the news and now this.

"I have to be strong for him too, Lord."

As we entered the hospital, though it was very nice; it seemed so huge, cold and indifferent to me. It was much larger than the community hospital I delivered the twins at. This hospital had several more floors. We took the elevator down to the Intensive Care Unit. As we entered the area of "caution",we were told to go wash before being allowed to be with our sons. I was to go in one room while my husband another. I didn't like being separated like this. I began to feel very alone and vulnerable to weakness. In this very large washroom we had to put on white gown covers,a mask and scrub our hands and arms in deep sinks. I realized now the seriousness of my child's condition.

Once again I dealt with the language barrier. A lady in the room spoke to me without my understanding. I smiled and said "Bon Jour Madame". I am sure with my lack of proper pronunciation and my American "accent" she understood my dilemma and sympathetic to why she and I were both there.

Upon finishing our task, my husband and I fit right in with all the others in white. Doctors, nurses, technicians and parents. We were kindly escorted around to view the area and see the work that is done in the Intensive Care Unit. It was absolutely amazing. Equipment everywhere, doing it's proper care for preemies, for babies with defects, babies like mine. There were photos of before and after babies and one precious tiny preemie wore mittens someone had knitted that couldn't have been even two inches in size. My heart ached as I saw these many babes with tubes and machines connected to their private little "home" called an isolet.
We were taken over to see our boys. Their names, Charlie and Stephen. Each in his own isolet. Charlie was a bit chunky for a little guy. He weighed about 5.5 pds. Nice big alert brown eyes. We brought clothing for him which the nurse took to change him. It was good to see he was healthy. He never did have a heart murmur as I was told at birth. I think this was said since they had to wait on a doctor to confirm Stephen's condition and to keep them from me for the time being. I don't fault them. It was their way of protecting me without my husband nearby.

As we approached Stephen's isolet, I saw a smaller sweet figure with a tube in his nose for oxygen. Our first touch was through two holes in the glass. We reached in to hold his tiny hand. His size was not all that small...about 4 to 4.5 pds. but he still looked frail with his pale color and closed eyes. My husband and I took turns holding him for a few moments. While holding him, we also had to hold a cone connected to the oxygen so that enough could flow to his face. He was peaceful in our arms. My husband and I would glance at each other acknowledging how unrealistic it all seemed. We still with eyes of hope and assurance knew we would be alright.

The nurses were wonderful and assuring that they were there to help during our future visits. It was comforting to be able to communicate well with them...in English.

Future visits...for how long? We did not know.

I Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape that ye may be able to bear it.

...SEND FORTH LABOURERS INTO HIS HARVEST

As I was reading in my Bible this evening in the book of Acts. I read two accounts of men being chosen and sent of God. For a specific purpose. Philip and Peter.

Acts 8:35,37 And Philip opened his mouth,and began at the same scripture ( read Isaiah 53:7) and preached unto him Jesus. And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.


Acts 10:42-43 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the judge of the quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Acts 11:14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.

As I have been writing this account in my life and recalling the many people God brought my way to be a witness of his grace....I began to think about the people God sent to ME before I trusted Christ as my own personal Saviour! I really only remember a few..perhaps there were more and I didn't realize or pay attention to GOD's messenger. I was never given a Gospel tract that I recall (because of this, I am a firm believer in passing out tracts)...I remember a couple of girlfriends who invited me to church (I attended my own church off an on..but this "religion" says it is a no-no to even visit another church...I might find the TRUTH!) and then I do remember seeing a street preacher once and yes, thinking..
"What in the world?"
I didn't stay long enough to listen. Then, there was the precious letter from a dear Aunt of mine. I didn't know her very well, since my parents were divorced and we moved. However, she kept in touch with my mom and would always send us, what my mother called "religious material" AGAIN in the mail.
One letter in particular some how managed to be kept in papers I found many many years later. I was already saved when I found this letter of "testimony"...what joy elated my soul in reading this wonderful account of how she knelt by her bed and asked Christ to forgive her of her sins and trusted him as her Lord and Saviour. I will never forget the verse she wrote...I John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear...She later died of cancer.

I could see then in reading this letter how GOD had sent these letters probably with Gospel tracts...to speak to our hearts. They were "trashed" ...except that one letter. Amazing. I often wonder why my mother kept the letter. She never told me why.

Are you someone God wants to use to reach a lost soul? Are you someone who is seeking the LORD as in Acts 9 with the Ethiopian Eunuch and Philip or Acts 10 with Cornelius and Peter.


Have you considered the people who have passed by your way? Take a moment and think upon the many people you have met...maybe for a brief moment. Was there a message to give or to receive?

Who are they? Why were they brought into your life? Was there a specific purpose?

As you continue to read my testimony you will see if not already, the hand of GOD in sending people to various places for specific purposes. Sometimes it is to help you, encourage, comfort or perhaps open your eyes to a truth.

Could it be that GOD directed you here? To reveal his gracious care and tender mercies. To bring you comfort of HOPE that might be needed one day in your own life.

I pray with each post...that GOD will touch hearts, not emotions...with the desire to seek his face and salvation and to be in his perfect will.

May the cup you draw from this well today meet your need.

A Hymn

So Send I You

So send I you to loneliness and longing,

With heart a hung'ring for the loved and known,

Forsaking home and kindred, friend and dear one

So send I you to know My love alone.

Note: Philip is the middle name of one of my twins. His name was not planned with this scripture in mind. This post subject has been on my heart for the past few days as I thought about the people I had been writing about thus far and tonight in study for my church history class..read in Acts about Philip.

to everything there is a season...part 4

Psalm 105:1-2 O Give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk of all his wondrous works.

My husband made the daily drop offs with our sitter before going to work and then visit me at the end of each day before picking up the children. The hospital I was admitted in was midway to his work place; however, the hospital the twins were transferred to( a University Hospital with an intensive care unit specializing in premature babies) was quite a distance the opposite direction. He could only visit the twins on weekends.

I had one more week to remain in the hospital. There was no 36 hour stay and then home in Switzerland. You stayed a whole week! and then with my complications..I was there a total of two and a half weeks. My children missed Mommy, and my husband was becoming weary with so much to care for; he has always been very helpful as a husband and father and very sacrificial with his time. I prayed earnestly for my husband as he was not only taking care of all these needs with the children and myself, but adjusting still to a new location, new job and foreign language. As we talked on each visit we would be hopeful for one another, encouraging to trust the Lord and to wait patiently on the good work...we knew God would perform.

A Hymn: Sweet Hour of Prayer
Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer, That calls me from a world of care
And bids me at my Father's throne Make all my wants and wishes known!
In seasons of distress and grief My soul has often found relief...
And oft escaped the tempter's snare...By thy return...sweet hour of prayer.

My last few days in the hospital; God gave me opportunity to speak with another English speaking nurse. She was from Paraguay. A short one time visit, but how thankful I was for the time to give her my testimony of faith in the Lord Jesus. Another moment of Hope.

Knowing I was to go home soon, my thoughts continually filled with more hope concerning Kathryn. Would she become a Christian and be my needed fellowship for a sister in Christ while living here?
Is it possible Lord? that she will listen? that she will take to heart the blessed peace you have given us and the evidence of your loving care?
Oh, how I prayed for her salvation! to know the LORD Jesus Christ as her personal Saviour..the free pardon of sin...the hope of eternal life..an everlasting joy!

Romans 5:1-2
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

I also received one of the greatest gifts at that time in my life. A phone call from Christian friends in the states. Some of the men that had worked with my husband in the U.S. and a fellow brother in Christ got together and purchased an airline ticket for a dear Christian friend of mine. A lady, who at the time was like a mother to me. What joy filled my heart, full of thanksgiving...to the LORD first, and then our friends who so compassionately looked upon our needs. She arrived the day before I went home from the hospital. Oh, how much this helped in so many ways. A friend to talk with, a help with the children and relief for my husband (answered prayer) and the fun for the children having "company". She stayed with us a few weeks.

I Peter 5:7 Casting all our care upon him; for he careth for you.