299 – A Friend’s Letter

1988

Greg and Cheryl became very good friends of ours, and we stayed in touch with them for years. They came to Elim after we had been there one year. They were on the missions track and shared classes with Dan. They were in our age group and had quit their lucrative jobs to follow God’s leading. Their desired destination was China. 

During our shared school experience they had no children. Cheryl loved to come to our house and do dishes and putter around and organize things for me. I remember she would throw the dish-drying towel over one shoulder as she moved around the large kitchen. She loved our sons and our houseful of children. Greg was a true and mature friend for Dan. Later they had 3 children close together and also adopted a baby that was the same ages as their newborn. They did eventually take their family to China for a year.

Cheryl wrote us a letter in which she took on God’s voice and God’s heart for us. Here are some excerpts:

Dear Dan and Georgann, I love you. I shed my own blood for you to make you clean. You are NEW, so believe it’s true. You are lovely in my eyes and I created you to be just as you are. Do not criticize yourself or get down for not being perfect in your own eyes. This leads only to frustration. I want you to TRUST ME ONE STEP, ONE DAY, AT A TIME. Dwell in my power and love. And be free, Dan and Georgann, be yourselves! Do not allow other people to run you. I will guide you if you let me. Be aware of my presence IN EVERYTHING. I give you patience, love, joy, peace. Look to me for answers. I am Your Shepherd and I will lead you. FOLLOW ME ONLY! Take your eyes off yourselves. Look only to me. Let me have the joy of making you like Christ. Let me love you! Do not struggle, but relax in my love. I know what is best and I will do it in you. How I want the freedom to love you freely! Stop trying to be and let me make you what I want. My will is perfect. My love is sufficient. I WILL supply all your needs. Look to me, Dan and Georgann.  I love you, Your heavenly Father