292 – Extra Children and Fruit

Romans 12:13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.

February 1988

Timmy was at school every day. I taught Stevie and Markie in the mornings, while including Daniel as much as I could.

Our housemate Vivian married Tom and he had a 4 year old son, Darren. When we or they forgot to lock it, Darren was in and out, through our shared door in the living room, hardly able to contain himself as he waited daily for the boys to be free to play. “Not time yet, Darren,” Vivian would say as she led him back into their apartment, whispering apologies so as not to disturb us.

Diane’s three children came over after school 2 or 3 days a week.

And now we had Michael, Justin and Brandi (ages 7, 6, and 14 months). When summer came, Jodie asked if I would continue watching them, but I needed the break and wanted to re-focus on my own kids.

Having been an elementary school teacher for 7 ½ years (grades 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd) I knew how to manage them. I did long for warm enough days so that they could all go outside.

February 28, 1988

Michael and Justin received Jesus. This was a great reward for me! Fruit for my labor.

so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God… Colossians 1:10

One day I lifted Brandi up by her hand to move her across the porch, and her arm came out of its socket! While I was soothing her and feeling horrible, Markie said, “Are they going to arrest you?” That did not help! I fretted until her mom came. Jodie said—“Oh, it’s happened before.”

And, horror of horrors, a couple of weeks later I did it again! Dear God!!!

291 – Right Office, Wrong Day

291 – Right Office,

Wrong Day

January 21, 1988

Yesterday, I sensed spiritual warfare at breakfast.

Dan had already gone. The boys and I prayed and sang and read scripture. We got peace.

I prayed with Barb for Tim and Ben. [in public school]

Stevie, Markie, and Daniel and I went off to our WIC appointment.

What a strange experience. The office was completely different. We sat down in the waiting room, feeling strange, trying to get our bearings. There was a large fish bowl with colored balloons or something in it on one of the tables. A sign said FREE.

I went up to the desk to check in.

I HAD THE RIGHT OFFICE BUT THE WRONG DAY.

On Thursdays the office was used for the Family Planning Clinic! The colored items in the fishbowl were ….uh oh!

As we left I explained to my sons as simply as I could, that women came to this office for counseling and help when they were thinking about aborting their unwanted babies.

Markie (age 6) said: How would they like it if someone did that to them! (aborted them)

We were very sad as we left the office. The boys were too young for me to tell them my story that day. When I was 22, in 1970, I had been prepared to leave the country to have an abortion. The only reason I didn’t was that time showed that I was not pregnant. For this reason I don’t judge anyone who has the mindset of aborting an unwanted child. It’s a complicated issue and never deserves condemnation.

290 – I’m an Overcomer!

January 25, 1988

I am in victory. I can tell because I have a sense of order in me, not based on the surroundings. This is being an overcomer. It’s the life I was BORN to live and have to strive so hard to hold onto!!!

I have strength and resolve to stand in the Lord with Stevie during our reading lessons. His attitude has changed dramatically to submissive, cheerful, willing, eager!! It was FUN!

Diane has an acquaintance who needs babysitting for her children: two boys (second grade and kindergarten) and a 14-month old girl.

I have been praying for playmates for my boys—could this be the answer?

And BABY has been on my mind because of the recent dreams.

Donna said: this may not be how you want to win people to the Lord but this lady needs Jesus!

I have been praying about taking Signs and Wonders class. I felt God said I would be able to CHOOSE to take the class or to take the babysitting job. Dan and I prayed. We’ll see.

Karen will babysit tonight so I will go to signs and wonders class unless more snow or more illness blocks me!! Praying for God to make it CLEAR where I belong.

January 26

BARB COUNSELED ME TO FORGET THE SIGNS AND WONDERS CLASS AND FOCUS ON MY RESPONSIBILITIES AT HOME!

She said: You are doing well, stay home and love your children! And take the babysitting job: you said you would take money however the Lord brought it!

She was pretty intense about it.

As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. Proverbs 27:17

While praying about Barb’s exhortation, Psalm 25 flashed into my vision.

PERFECT: v. 12 Who is the man who fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way he should choose!! Ok, keep on speaking, Lord.

Then it came to my mind that on Missionary weekend, Mr. Phillips said: people always want to know what they’re called to do for the Lord. What do you do well? That’s probably it.

That made me think immediately of child training as something I have a lot of experience with …and I surrendered and I really meant it. Thank You, Holy Spirit!!

Darren came over after school and I already had the three Trimble kids, plus my four. With the three new kids that will be a houseful.

289 -I Will Live for Your Approval

289 – I Will Live for Your Approval

January 18, 1988

There is a sensation of Your presence as I move in praise and joy.

The victory for this wonderful day was purchased by my Savior’s blood 2000 years ago. I praise and thank You, Jesus, for a day full of JOY in spite of often-adverse circumstances and other people’s often adverse attitudes.

Today is the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. Tim was home from school. Mark was sick. Late afternoon I was able to get them to Elim to the nurse. They both have strep.

The JOY lifted me, caressed me, filled me, encouraged me, strengthened me. JOY joyJOY joyjoy

Dan is getting tracts from R. Libby. He has led 400 people to the Lord at Kodak (where Wayne works). His wife is an intercessor. Jesus is the power.

I keep thinking of another baby.

joy joyjoyjoy joy joy joy joy joy JOY joy joyJOY JOY

I believe You, Jesus, for more of it ….. joy joyjoyjoy

January 20

John 12: 27-19 When the Father spoke from heaven to Jesus, some heard thunder, some confessed an angel had spoken.

Let me hear the words You speak, Father.

42-43 Some did not confess Him because they loved the approval and praise of men rather than the approval of God.

Let me be one who confesses You before men, my Lord, and wins Your approval.

288 – Learning to Walk in Joy

January 17, 1988

God is teaching me to walk in JOY. During the week of prayer I went forward for prayer for heaviness of heart. But I am still continually defeated by it. I finally took Dan’s suggestion and called Janet last night. He said her testimony in the Lord is growing. She proclaims:

“THE DEVIL WILL NOT STEAL MY JOY! Jesus purchased that joy with His life, death, blood, and His glorious resurrection. If I have not the Lord’s JOY, I have no strength, because THE JOY OF THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH. I must have energy and strength. I must have joy. By my will I speak it out, I pursue JOY, I confess His Lordship!” Nehemiah 8:10

It ministered to me. I am sending her the words to the song, I Will Survive—I had asked the Lord to tell me who could really sing it unto Him. That would be my strong-in-the-Lord friend, Janet.

Dan exhorted me to wake up each morning and immediately begin praying in tongues –not to begin calculating how many hours of sleep I got, or how many times I was up with the kids, or what happened yesterday, or what’s on the agenda today. It’s a good word.

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of JOY; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and JOY in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17

The fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY, peace…. Galatians 5:22

287 – The Enemy Has Nothing in Me

January 8, 1988

Last night we went to the Week of Prayer meeting at Elim.

The prophetic word that came was: take up the cross and deny yourself daily or you will deny Me.

Dan and I danced together during the praise service—everyone in the building (it seemed) jumped and shouted! The Holy Spirit came on me in a DEEP PLACE.

There is a new President of the Bible School. He reminded us:

God took us out of the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son. Colossians 1:13

God disarmed the rulers and authorities – Colossians 2:1-5

The ruler of this world is coming and HE HAS NOTHING IN ME. John 14:30

God is LIGHT and in Him is no darkness AT ALL! 1 John 1:5

Brother Webster barred his soul of his past! We sat open mouthed. His point was that we need to be cleansed and keep clean and be healed so that God can use us. God needs us to go into dark places, but we cannot have darkness in us.

The dark places are the enemy’s footholds, and he must have no nook or cranny in us where he can take a stand and do battle against us from the inside! In his new position as president of the school, the devil will have NO PLACE in him, he has exposed the junk.

Darkness is: areas of hold out, rebellion, appetites, addictions, etc.

We have become accustomed to sin and we ignore its presence residing in us. No more.

I saw two areas in me that I wanted expunged! Many went forward for prayer. I love to go up for prayer!

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. Psalm 51:2

And THANK YOU!!

286 – Pride Speaks Out of My Mouth

286 – Pride Speaks

Out of My Mouth

January 7, 1988

INSIGHT: It just occurred to me that when I do NOT understand a story about Jesus or am offended by His words to someone in the Bible—that I am being a Pharisee! If I REALLY believed He was God—anything I did not understand I would merely set aside and ask Him for insight, respectfully—because He IS GOD!!

But to scoff or judge is saying: “because I don’t understand, You are wrong, God.”

It is putting me and my intellect ABOVE Almighty God!!!!!

And then I think, “Well, I don’t respect Him when He acts in rude ways—who does He think He is?—God?” YES!

Proverbs 8:8 (wisdom speaking) All of the utterances of my mouth are in righteousness, there is nothing crooked or perverted in them.

This is referring to all the utterances of God’s mouth are righteous, not ever crooked or perverted.

And what about this:

The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate. Proverbs 8:13

Well, I guess I feel like a fool. But, God does not push me away –ever!

YOU ARE GOD. You can do ANY thing You want in my life. I ask to be content with what You bring and to recognize what is not of You. I repent of the pride that has been so arrogant before You, and ask that You would make this a life-changing insight. Thank You in advance, Holy Spirit, for it.

285 – Jesus is the Only Way to God

285 – Jesus is the

Only Way to God

December 22, 1987

Mom called. She said Uncle Phil was depressed by Connie’s and my notes to him. [Connie were both very concerned that he was near death and did not know Jesus.] Mom said that he is a very religious man and to challenge his faith was not right. “We all have our own beliefs and we are all sure we’re going to heaven.”

She said she and daddy were offended by all the times I say, God loves you. “We know God loves us!”

Well, I was greatly under attack, wavering, and was greatly shaken. I prayed and cried a little. Then the mail came. Eric and Susie had sent $100.

“We were at the Pastor’s Conference and an offering was taken for a missionary’s work in Japan. Eric said he wanted to give their offering TO US for OUR work in Japan!”

What a vote of confidence from our good friends! What a statement from the Lord! I was so BLESSED! I AM on target. JESUS IS THE WAY! JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY! I WILL NOT BE SHAKEN!! We also received $153 from our Reno church friends, and $20 from Eva.

I was up at 2am and could not go back to sleep. Worried. Prayed. I feel their denying Christ as the ‘only way’ will come to a head for them. I pray Phil understands he needs to surrender his life to Jesus.

Aunt Ginger and Uncle Phil wrote a nice letter in which they told me they will not convert from their own beliefs.

Now Phil is in the hospital with a foot nearing amputation, the circulation is so bad. Will all of this come to a head? Only God knows.

Jesus said to him, “I am the , the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6

284 – Two Dreams and a Prayer

284 – Two Dreams

and a Prayer

December 13, 1987

Very vivid dream of four newborns, all dressed in blue, brown-skinned, sleeping on funny shelves.

I nursed two of them.

I remember one had smooth straight hair, one very curly hair.

I felt they were MINE and I was VERY happy about it.

December 14, 1987

Dreamed of a newborn.

Wonderful positive feelings associated.

LORD, IS THIS YOU? Are You speaking to me about a plan You have for us to have more children?

These dreams were the beginning of me getting excited about ‘following a vision.’ The dreams were so real and impactful to me. The feelings that came with them were so positive. I was surprised my heart was so open to having more children in my life. I sought the Lord seriously to see if He would reveal a plan of His that He wanted me to discover.

283 – He is Wonderful!

283 -He is Wonderful!

December 8, 1987

We just received $500 from &&& in the mail! It came with two specifications:

*don’t tell anyone [30 years later I will still honor their request]

*it’s for Christmas only—so the boys will have lots of gifts under the tree

*it’s for food and your needs.

PRAISE THE LORD!

My first thoughts were for things that money can’t buy:

*I want a loving heart and control over my tongue

*the boys to be more manageable

*for Bema to be well

*for my dad to be well

*time to crochet all kinds of towels for Christmas gifts

I am remembering that Ben Dodzweit said, if you need money, GIVE. And we have. And it came back many-fold.

I got up really early. I had prayed for God to let me. I prayed and walked. And I was at the Laundromat by 6:45! You are wonderful! WONDERFUL!!

Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust….Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done; and Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order; if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

Psalm 40:4a,5