362 – Shook Up

This earthquake was not the big one but it was coming

August 8, 1989 San Francisco

Earthquake! 1:15am, and aftershock. At 9am another earthquake. We went to Auntie Yvonne’s and Grandma Fern’s motel, just to be away from this building.

Dan says this building, Bridgemont, is like the buildings in the Armenian earthquake we saw videos of recently. It is made of reinforced concrete, poured in 1935 and not structurally sound. In a big quake the floors would collapse on top of each other. There are four stories and we are lodged on number two.

We want to move as soon as possible. Anywhere! The only hangup I see is that we need to be where we can home school without stress and trouble. California and Nevada would work.

August 9

We got a letter from the McNeals that is so exciting because they are doing the STUFF of the gospel in Kenya!! Seeing Jesus work MIRACLES!

Last spring, Elim wanted us to go to Hong Kong and pass Bibles and Dan would teach Bible studies. Sounding real good now!

August 10

There has been so much stress because of the earthquakes. At church, I worshiped and fervently sought the Lord, then went forward for prayer. I asked the Lord for a word of wisdom. During the pastor’s message, the Lord said to me:

You can pray for the boys and gently teach them, but you cannot make their arms embrace Jesus or their heads bow to Him.

We read yesterday in Treasures of the Snow, Grandmother encouraged Annette: “you are going to look after little children…they won’t always be good with you. Often you will feel cross and impatient and bad tempered. But the love of Jesus is long suffering and kind; ask Him to meet those cross, bad-tempered thoughts with His love and you’ll find they will leave….If your heart is full of love, there won’t be room for discontent.” pages 236-237

Love suffereth long and is kind; love envieth not;

love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up. 1 Corinthians 13:4

363 – Who Is This Jesus

363 Who is This Jesus?

August 13, 1989 San Francisco

Let the awareness of Your love enter my heart, Jesus. Let the reality of Your love for me, my family, the world, enter my heart.

Hebrews 1:1-9 my take:

Jesus is God’s heir; God made the universe through Him; He is the radiance of God’s glory; He is the exact representation of the Father; He sustains all things by His powerful Word—and isn’t that how He sustains me?!! He provided purification for sins; He sat down at God’s right hand; He became superior to the angels; the angels worship Him by God’s command; His throne will last forever and ever; righteousness is His scepter; He hates wickedness; He has been set up by God over His companions by being anointed by God with the oil of joy.

Through reading Treasures of the Snow the Lord has told me to read about Jesus and keep my heart full of His love. But I felt first God needed to remind me of who Jesus is before I read about what He has done in the gospels.

August 14, 1989

Friends from Reno came for three Giants-Dodgers games. We ate together and swam in their motel pool. They came to church with us in the morning and to part of the evening service. Such an encouragement to have faithful friends. Thank You, Jesus.

361 – Moving Out of Conceit

361 Moving Out of Conceit

August 7, 1989, continued

Give me verses, Jesus, of what my attitude SHOULD BE:

Jeremiah 44:10 humble myself and show reverence to God

Romans 12:3 Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.

4-8 use the gifts He has given

9 love must be sincere

10 be devoted to one another in brotherly love; honor one another above yourselves

14 bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse

16 live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud but be willing to associate with people of low position.

And… do not be conceited!

Galatians 5:26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying one another.

Philippians 2:3-5 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather in humility value others better than yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 5:5b All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

Ephesians 5:21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.

360 – Treasures of the Snow

360 Treasures of the Snow

August 7, 1989 San Francisco

We had two vacation days. We kept our home our base and slept there, but spent the days at the beach in Half Moon Bay and the evenings having a fire and cookout at the Cliff House beach. The boys found a boogie board. The string was gone so it had been discarded. Fun for four boys!

Psalm 8:2 From the lips of children and infants You have ordained praise because of Your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.

How God Works: We have been reading Treasures of the Snow, loaned by Kathy Reed. Wonderful. Tonight my heart was pierced.

Grandmother says, “Annette, learn to forgive and be kind, and stop thinking yourself better than other people.” “I don’t.” “You do, or you would not find it so difficult to forgive them….When Jesus with His great love and forgiveness comes into our hearts there just isn’t room for unkindness and selfishness and unforgiving thoughts. They go like darkness when the sun shines in.”

“And there is something else besides unkindness that the love of Jesus casts out.

1 John 4:18-19 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear; because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.”

“Every day of your life ugly, angry, selfish thoughts will knock at the door and try to get in. Don’t try to push them back yourself; ask the Lord Jesus to meet them with His love. Think about the love of Jesus all you can. Read about the love of Jesus everyday in your Bible, and if you keep your heart full of it there just won’t be room for those thoughts to stay.”

“Read carefully all the story of the life of Jesus and think a great deal about the way that He loved, and remember that it’s that same love that came into your heart when you asked the Lord Jesus to come in.”

I’m already afraid I’ll fail at loving and being kind and unselfish. And I am afraid of letting go of pleasing myself. Giving this to Jesus.

Treasures of the Snow, Patricia M. St. John, pages 176-178, 189.

370 – Crusade Experiences

August 23, 1989 San Francisco

Sense a cleansing and a new beginning. In my mind’s eye I see everything in me and in my life as pure white as snow. Step by Step with my High Priest, My Intercessor, will I walk today, leaving behind the OLD, wrapped up in the new life and encouraged, hopeful, pressing on, filled with the Holy Ghost.

I fully relinquish a critical spirit as part of my personality. It is no longer! If it should come near I will by faith rebuke it—as with all lusts of the eye and flesh. I will be content with what I have knowing My God IS IN control. I will receive WISDOM as I cry out for it today regarding ways of honoring my husband and loving and dealing with our children. I expect God’s provision in all areas. Amen and Hallelujah!

August 25

Mario Murillo Crusade on Wed night, Dan received an infilling of the Spirit as powerful as the first laying on of hands in Reno. He received

Do not grow weary … you will reap! Galatians 6:9

Danny Herd, who was in charge of equipment and organization, said thanks to Dan—that he wished he had ten men like Dan.

The pastor of the church was extremely grateful for Dan and the boys cleaning up each evening before the crusade.

When Dan passed out posters of the Cow Palace Crusade in Hunters Point District, he said he was well received.

Timmy and Markie went forward for the baptism of the Holy Spirit!! Markie said he almost got pushed down by the Spirit, he was swaying back and forth, but didn’t want to fall.

Tim and Markie were prayed for by Caleb Quaye and Tim also was prayed for by Pastor Stewart and Mario Murillo’s wife. Praise God. His jaw is still in place. We will see what the Lord will do.

The Holy Spirit came on me in intercession and in love.

355 – The Way of Escape

355 The Way of Escape

July 28, 1989 San Francisco

Poured out my heart to the Lord. I know He knows, but He says in psalms to cry out!

*2 months behind in rent

*Dan’s office, which was switched two months ago, is now needed to be used as a rental, so we are not sure what we will do.

*friend suggested we begin Japanese language study

*desire in our heart is to move to the Sunset District of SF

*our prayer letters are folded, not addressed or notes added

*home school materials are needed for fall

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man, and God is faithful and will provide the way of escape that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

*Gramma and Auntie Yvonne will arrive Saturday and fly out Sunday

*Need nursery coordinator to take my place

*Life Center is in debt, appealing strongly for money

I opened my Bible to search out the Way of Escape:

Nehemiah 12:24 praise and give thanksgiving

27 celebrate joyfully , with songs of thanks

giving and music

31 give thanks

40 give thanks

43 rejoicing because God had given them great joy; the women and children rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away.

Praise and thanksgiving is God’s way, all the time for all things.

353 Encouragement from the Holy Spirit

353 – Encouragement from the Holy Spirit

July 17, 1989 San Francisco

Dan and I were always wondering, what’s next? Are we being effective here, is this Your will, or are we to move on?

We were attending the SF Foursquare Church and also Sunday morning Japanese Sunday School. I wrote in my journal that I heard God say during the Japanese teaching: I can earthquake you out of this place and into My will. Our part is to seek Him, cry out, praise, and REST. He will get us where we need to be. This was prophetic, because we—and everybody else—were surprised by a 6.9 earthquake three months later. And we moved!

In the grocery store, observing the throng, I realized: the devil knows whose are his own. He can put thoughts in their hearts to do evil things or think evil things.

We are wise, cautions, praying, watching, avoiding.

I have found GRACE meeting me more and more—to be peaceful, to be wise, to receive from the Lord, to be quiet.

July 19

Helen prayed powerfully for us at church tonight. This is what I remember: The time is ticking away; we need to be involved with Japanese people. We can, better than born-again Japanese Christians, reach certain people for Christ. She prayed that lies and weaknesses and insecurities would be bound and that we would go forth into the relationships the Lord has for us with Japanese people.

Mary exhorted us that only arrogance and pride will refuse to accept Christ’s death as atonement for ANY sin. She gave us Exodus 14The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Look up!

Deborah encouraged me that the Lord would provide a Japanese housewife to speak for me, that God’s language is agape (love). Agape would be my language and to not worry about it. Dan will learn it and the boys will catch it, and I am not to worry

351- Prayer and Support

351 – Prayer and Support

April 3, 1989 Monday

Prayed believing prayers & verses. Still uptight. Everything is difficult!

In the afternoon I picked up Dennis Bennett’s book, 9:00 in the Morning, which Linda lent us. It is the story of his baptism in the Holy Spirit. Cried. Began praying in tongues.

Everything lifted. I became a changed person.

Till later… when I focused on the house mess. We have extra furniture from Deborah, clothes from Beth—aaaaaa! This place is too small for all of this!! Began praying in tongues again.

Yesterday I really looked at the boys’ Sunday schedule and marveled.

Sunday morning they have Sunday School – I teach Daniel, Dan teaches Mark and Stevie. There are no other students. Timmy goes with Helen’s class. Then the kids sit through the worship and teaching of the main service.

We go home for lunch and are back at the church at 4:30 for a meeting, then service at 6. There is no planned activity for them, yet they are amazingly content. Supernaturally content. God, you are supremely gracious as we go through these things.

April 5 – my 44^th birthday

God came through via Karen! She sent $50! We all went out to pizza!! Thank You so much, Jesus!

April 6

Victorious day!! Got prayer from Dan and good support from God!

343 – Baby Yearnings

February 16, 1989

New friend, Mary, down the hall from us. Mary’s mother-in-law is visiting: she said that in her family, four boys were born then her.

Of course I thought of our four sons and then a girl being added!

February 17

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father to who be glory forever and ever. Amen. Galatians 1:3-5

Realization and praise for what Christ has done. Determination in the Spirit to go forth in praises—and not be overcome by sickness or sin or insecurities.

For two hours I cared for Mary’s baby twin boys, Ambrose and Austin, while she counseled her brother on the phone. Prayed in support of her. Our boys were in and out, up and down the deserted hall, back and forth from her place to ours.

February 18

This morning Dan and I prayed. And later I realized how disappointed I am that I am not pregnant. I called out for God’s comfort. Disappointed that my womb is empty, but ALSO that I misinterpreted God again. But God began to minister to me.

I NOW KNOW what countless women experience who greatly desire children of their own, looking every month for signs of pregnancy. Praise the Lord.

Instantly I understood too that this is preparation for CARING FOR other’s babies.

Jan (back in Reno) took in three homeless children. Dan and I can take care of babies of women who are not aborting or provide temporary care. It would be a blessing for our whole family, Lord. You turned my mourning into JOY and DANCING! Also I realized: I never experienced this yearning before. Our sons came so fast that I never had time to yearn!

Unfortunately I did not hold fast to this position of this being about caring for other people’s babies, which would have been CORRECT!! Because that is what we eventually did. INSTEAD, for two more years I wondered every month if I was pregnant. My poor husband!

336 – The Spring of Living Water is My Lord

January 17, 1989 Bridgemont, SF

Jeremiah 17:13 …the Lord, the spring of living water…

Jeremiah 2:13 …Me, the spring of living water…

John 4:10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water.

John 7:37-38 (Jesus) …If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within. By this He meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive.

My Lord Jesus, You who are LIVING WATER, rejuvenate me according to Your generous Word. I’m so glad to know You.

I read recently that as we sing praises, it is like taking a drink of living water, and we are refreshed.