371 – Time Off, Job Prospect

August 24, 1989 San Francisco

We took the afternoon off and went to the Presidio Museum and the Fort Point Museum. We had a ½ hour tour led by an interesting guide, a history lesson for us all. We sat on the beach and watched the sailboats and windsurfers. After dinner we went swimming at the Bridgemont pool.

August 25

Dan went to the morning chapel at the school to hear Art Katz and in the evening I went to listen to listen to him.

August 27

We went to the Cow Palace to set up. We had car trouble so Howard could help us! A stranger who stepped forward.

Four hundred people came forward tonight.

August 28

Dan and Timmy went to the Crusade. Auntie Bev called and will be arriving this week.

August 29

Dan has an interview as a result of newspaper ad. It is for drafting job north of here in Petaluma. One hour and 10 minutes away. We would have to move. He would be a company man, full time, with benefits, 3 weeks vacation. This would mean no abacas class, no Japanese language lessons, no SF Foursquare church, no 19^th Avenue Japanese Baptist church. What is your will, Lord? And the boys would be restrained again, and not be able to go outside and play. This property is fenced and has play equipment. It has space and an inside swimming pool. Lord!!

August 30

Last night at the Cow Palace God healed cancer, arthritis, open heart surgery, crooked leg, diabetes and more. He is so good.

359 – New Friend

359 New Friend

August 4, 1989 San Francisco

I was in the Word but it did not minister to me. Confusion and doom overtook me! It was a PMS day, but I went ahead and met with a new friend, Kathy Reed. We went to Foster City in her car to a park. [Kathy and I would become great friends, sharing our homeschool ideas and our desires to have another baby. We realized we both desperately hoped someone would leave a baby on our doorsteps that would need us and fulfill our desire for more children!]

August 5 San Francisco

Yesterday was horrid. I woke up angry and awful, and I felt the Lord revealed to me that all of the fruit we have been consuming in the Fit for Life eating plan—had turned to sugar that built up in me the last two weeks and did me in!! We ran errands early and I finally ate breakfast about 9am. Eggs, cheese, wheat toast and in a few minutes I was FINE! It became a low stress weekend. So I am back to eggs and toast for breakfast. So although confusion reigned for a while yesterday, it did not win. Kathy and I had a wonderful connection.

Proverbs 4:23 above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. NIV note: If we store up good things (God’s words, wisdom, faith, hope) in our hearts, our words and actions will be good—because out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. Matt 12:34.

352 – Comfortable Routines

April 18 1989 San Francisco

I looked around at our very little living room approvingly after breakfast this morning. We like it here, at Bridgemont, in this little apartment. It’s comfortable, we have routines. I’m walking every day, Dan can do his drafting in the room down the hall. The boys can run down to the Red Room and play and not bother anyone, the pool is always available, though a bit of a hike. Neighbors come and go, meaning they move in and move out fairly often, but there’s a good feeling among us and camaraderie happens easily when new tenants arrive.

Again, we began seriously to call on Jesus for success in our attitude and perseverance about home school. As a result, the kids are more cooperative and less complaining, and I am more organized and patient, and more confident that they are really learning something.

But my hope, my fulfillment, my satisfaction, are in Christ my Lord. For me to live successfully, peacefully, fulfilled, is all Christ. If I slide in my persistent seeking of Him and skip my Bible reading, my focus shifts and I’m in agitation and insecurities.

My journal notes are Bible verses and notes, enough to keep me going, but nothing stunning to write here about. I was re-reading Hannah Whitall Smith’s book, The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life. We had many good friends from church and we were very busy with home group, potlucks, following Giants and A’s baseball games with Bill.

We went to Reno for the wedding of one of Dan’s friends. We had overnight guests.

There is no diary of other family activities until July 6.

July 6

Last night after church the car would not start. Deborah and Cathy walked home from church and we took the bus. A bit of adventure doing it at night! We arrived home at 10:40pm. The boys were not able to attend a friend’s overnight backyard campout. They were very good sports about it.

349 – Lots of Encouragement

April 2, 1989 Sunday

I went forward for prayer for homeschool—that I could be Christ-like in it. We were instructed by Joyce to let God speak to us on the issue we had brought forth. I am not always trusting to do this, but took a risk and said, “okay, God—please speak!” In rapid succession, these verses popped into my mind:

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me; My grace is sufficient for thee–for My strength is made perfect in weakness; whether you turn to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice behind you saying this is the way, walk in it.*

WOW He spoke completely by His Word!

I confided to Joyce that I had been up and down on this issue many times. She said very emphatically, “That sounds like doubt.” And it was.

Before the night meeting started, Joyce said she had prayed about our homeschooling (it was still something that few people did in 1989, and not everyone believed it was a good idea), and she felt the Lord had said: “The boys are at home because the constant change of friends and schools would end up being too traumatic over time. So He’s covering the bases.”

Dan prayed for a man who was a newcomer, and then the man prayed for Dan. He prayed that Dan would bring in the harvest, many souls, that we would go overseas, that our whole family would be involved in bringing people to the Lord. PRAISE GOD! The man himself was surprised at his own prayer! Dan wept.

Thank You for all of the encouragement, Lord.

*Philippians 4:13; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Isaiah 30:21.

340 – New Friends

February 3, 1989

Bill and Linda, she goes to our church, invited us to dinner. Linda is an on-fire new Christian, Bill is watching, discerning us all. He and Dan and the boys engaged in baseball talk. Dan isn’t really into baseball, but Bill is very knowledgeable and Dan and the boys are all very genuinely interested.

Linda is very supportive of me as a Mom, prayed for me to know I am doing a good job without me getting proud; prayed the boys would have more time away from us in fun activities, asked God to anoint me to teach them and love them, and to be a witness to many women. She offered to babysit so Dan and I could go on a date.

February 4

Reiko came to our apartment for a visit, one hour. She is delightful. She gave us many insights into the Japanese people. Is she a Christian?

Duane and Akiko invited us all over. We received more insights into Japanese culture, had great fellowship, and a wonderful prayer time together. The boys had a late night last night and were all asleep by 7:15.

330 -Trailer Park Blues

330 – Trailer Park Blues

December 12, 1988 Daly City, California

There were no campgrounds in which to park the motor home in San Francisco so we asked around and found a small crowded trailer park in Daly City, immediately south of SF. It was so discouraging. It just felt awful. Even the dirt was dirty. The showers and bathrooms were cleaned every day, but it was a creepy place.

We called my parents and Mom said that Karen had left a message for me to call her collect. Karen knows a Christian man who lives in the city and encouraged us to contact him about a place to live. We also visited Dan’s Aunt Vanna, who lived in SF. We walked to the Lucky grocery store a few blocks away and stocked up on the basics. The boys have been such good sports.

Dec 13 Daly City, trailer park

Today the Holy Spirit cautioned Dan not to be in a hurry. We are trying hard not to let panic set in. Our funds are limited. Karen’s friend has not called us back.

The Word offers consolation and hope: the hidden mystery has been revealed: Christ in you, the hope of glory! Colossians 1:26-27

v 28 We proclaim Him, we preach Christ – with the goal to present every one perfect in Christ.

v 29 To this end we labor, struggling with all HIS ENERGY which so powerfully works in me. (Lord, I do not see the ‘powerfully’ part working in me!)

We drove into the city to scout out Japanese churches, then we went to a Japanese park where the people were very friendly. We visited Vanna then headed for Japantown, a large area in the midst of SF in which the Japanese citizens carved out for themselves after the 1906 earthquake. Today it is a huge mall of shops and restaurants. Of course the cherry trees are not in bloom, but we hope to come back in the spring.

321 – And…Our Journey Begins!

321 – And …Our Journey Begins!

September 25, 1988

Stevie helped Wayne make breakfast. I got a cute picture of it. Last week Tim helped Cheryl and Darlene can peaches. We love it here. It’s like family.

We were anointed with oil at Livonia church. It was humbling. Pastor George and Judy Davis and all of the congregation there are such a wonderful group of friends.

September 26

I gave Leslie some scriptures. I will miss her and pray for her as she grows in her faith. Greg and Cheryl called. They are forever friends. I talked to Judy and Jane. We sent in our absentee ballots.

Costa Dier, a missionary from Elim, prayed for guidance from the Lord as to whether we should go to New York City or San Francisco. He prayed God would provide for us “so they can minister without strain.”

Joshua 3:3 …You are to move out from your position and follow the ark. Then you will know which way to go since you have never been this way before.

v 5 consecrate yourselves, for TOMORROW the Lord will do amazing things among you.

God is so good! We are going out to begin our journey TOMORROW! Pretty amazing, I think, that I would read this in my devotions today.

September 27

We left the Pletchers and headed for New Jersey!

Joshua 4:8 This story shows me that the Israelites did as God commanded EVEN THOUGH IT MUST HAVE SEEMED FOOLISH.

v 15 The Lord gave commands and Joshua obeyed.

v 24 God did this: that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.

What is ahead? We will listen and follow the Lord.

312 – We Had the Support of Our Friends

August 13, 1988

God, please send helpers! And please have a friend invite the boys to go swimming. IT’S YARD SALE DAY! [We made $956. God sent Larry and Stephanie Craft! PTL!]

The house is EMPTY and the Wilsons are already moving in!

August 14

The message at the Livonia church this morning impacted me: Hebrews 3:1 Consider Jesus. “All He did for me makes all He asks me to do for Him seem small.” Pastor George Davis.

I will fix my eyes on Him.

We went to the Belcastro’s for dinner and the Porters (our home group leaders) came also.

August 15

Numbers 2:34 So the Israelites did everything the Lord commanded Moses—so the Lemaires did everything the Lord told Dan Lemaire to do!!

August 16

Dan was offered two more weeks of work at his job at SouthCo. So rather than his last day being on the 2^nd he would finish the 17^th. He prayed about the decision for two days and felt he should take the work. That meant we would be here for the Billy Graham Crusade and also we would be able to give the Livonia School District our ‘intent’ letter to homeschool for the 1988-89 school year. We would then be covered as we head across the country.

All of the boxes are taped for shipping and are on side porch and in the mudroom. WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS!

Each day the boys help us and then swim or play with the neighbor kids. Each night someone has invited us over to dinner. Eddie and Joan Carl gave us a goodbye party! We have made so many fine friends.

August 18

We moved into the Pletcher’s house until the 29^th, maybe longer if they extend their vacation. God, YOU ARE GOOD.

309 – Carrying a Vision – Part 2

June, 2018

This is continued from the previous post, 308, an article I wrote about visions.

Dan had an idea (a vision) (in 1983) of a solar house he wanted to build. So, on property his dad had given him, he pursued that goal, while I was pregnant with our third son, and completed it about the time our 4^th son was born.

We had realized when we were in Japan that we were not as prepared as we had thought we were to live in a foreign country. We were not strong enough spiritually to battle the demonic forces. (Dan had been a Christian 2 years, I had been a Christian 5 years.) Through a movie about a missionary couple who lived in Papua New Guinea, Peace Child, God gave Dan the idea to get more training. We followed that vision and applied at several Bible Schools in America. Just when we needed a boost, God gave us a supportive and directive prophetic word from a friend. Our departure was delayed for two years while Dan helped our church family to fulfill their vision of building a new church. We were finally emancipated and spent 2 ½ years in upstate New York at a missionary-preparing, missionary-sending school, Elim Bible Institute.

We never lost what we felt was our ‘calling’ to go to Japan. We were accepted into Elim Fellowship, a missionary-sending arm of the Bible School. AND I had a heavenly vision of babies while we were living in New York. The Lord seriously began to teach me how to carry a vision, how to work with Him to see it come to pass. It was a long six years before the vision was explained and then we went into action to bring it to pass. We had returned to Reno after 8 years away, we joined the foster care program and were foster parents for the next 12 years. We cared for 52 foster children: 5 elementary school age kids, many toddlers, and 26 newborns straight from the hospital. We also adopted our first foster child, who is now almost 25 years old.

During this time, we received the vision from God to homeschool our 5 sons, and later Dan received a vision to go back to school to get his masters degree as well as his marriage and family therapy license. He has worked as a therapist for 8 years.

We are currently seeking God for a new vision. Dan will be 70 in July, and I just turned 73. How can we serve you, Lord? We are in excellent health, we have been Christians for over 40 years. We have 9 ideas that we are considering. We need God’s nudge toward one of them OR we need another idea that He would drop on us!

In the meantime we have had many many God-inspired visions: Dan had a ministry teaching the churches about missions, for a few years Dan organized and ran a teen group that helped senior citizens in the morning by doing yard work, by running a vacation Bible school at a local motel in the afternoons. I mentored 3 teen girls for 3 years. We read purity books.

305 – It’s Coming Together

July 25, 1988

The Lord has provided the Pletcher’s house for us to stay in from the time we have to be out of our house for the entire two weeks until Dan is off his job at SouthCo! They are leaving on vacation August 17 and will be gone for two weeks! They have been our longest NY friends. The day after we arrived, Cheryl came by with treats for us and they quickly brought us into their family. They have been faithful and devoted friends.

My doctor turned a checkup about my ankle into a physical for the Elim Fellowship application. $136 – Praise God.

In my devotions today, God gave me a promise for our family’s health on our trip:

I am the Lord who heals you. Exodus 15:26

July 26, 1988

Insurance for the motor home is $271 for a year through a company in Lima. Thank YOU!

Another encouragement for the trip: The Lord delivered his people out of the enemy’s hand as they prayed and kept their trust in Him. Exodus chapter 17

The-Lord-is-my-banner! Exodus 17:15

Banner means: He is my hope and my refuge and my praise!

July 27, 1988

We are sending out a newsletter to our friends to advise them that we are leaving New York. Dan said to keep it short because we have so many gaps in THE PLAN!! Thank you that You know what we are undertaking better than we do and You will enlighten us as we go! I feel we are to concentrate on one step at a time.

A command: Do not be afraid! Exodus 20:20

July 28

Up at 3-4am to pray in tongues. God showed me I didn’t believe He was very reliable and why…I turned it over to Him, and I got release.

An uplifting reminder: The Lord is their strength, and He is the saving refuge of His anointed. Psalm 28:8