http://itecusa.org/newsmarj.htm
Several years ago while Robert was flying to a pastors conference he started a conversation with a gentleman next to him on the plane.He talked with him about one of his missions trips.The man was not wanting to talk about God or missions trips but the sweet older lady on the other side of him leaned forward and asked Robert about his missions trips.Soon the man got up and moved and this sweet older woman said "My name is Marj Saint Vanderpuy" and asked Robert if he had ever heard of her former husband Nate Saint.Well when Robert recovered from his shock and delight at her question he told her of his knowledge of their life story.He explained to her how as a little girl I sat by our very large console record player and listened to the story recording of the five missionaries over and over again and how their story had impacted me to want to be in full time ministry.They talked for hours on that plane and found out we didn't live far from them and she and her husband Abe wanted to come and tell their story at our church.I was beside myself when Robert told me about the plane trip and how they were going to be coming to church.The night she was coming I was so looking forward to it.When they arrived and Robert introduced me she handed me an Ecuadorian woven table runner that she wanted me to have.I thought I would faint.Here is this tiny lady that had so inspired me to love Jesus and God was giving me the opportunity to meet her and have a treasure in my hand...A real piece of the thing God used to draw me closer to Him.It really wasn't about them, just like it isn't about us, it is about Him.They also gave the children a signed book called "The Little Yellow Woodby" which was about Nate Saint.We so loved having them there and were thankful to have a few phone conversations with them and visit them in the hospital.Abe went home to be with the Lord and their granddaughter died suddenly at the age of 18 or 19.
I took Melissa and some of her friends to go and visit Marj just a few months before her death.We had no idea she was sick.She was so open to telling them her story and inspiring them to pursue Christ above all things.She was such an unassuming person that didn't come across as the icon that I had created but was humble and basically just retold her story as if it could be you or me or one of the teenagers telling their story.While we visited with her she gave Melissa her granddaughters pictures to create into a portrait painting.One was of her when she was a small child and one was when she was about 18.
We lost contact and had no idea it was because she had gone home to be with the Lord and Abe and Nate just 3 months after our visit.I didn't learn of her death until today. I am so glad I listened to Gods nudging me that day 3&1/2 years ago to go and take my children to spend an afternoon with Marj Saint Vanderpuy.I so want my children to be inspired by such people.I hope that we never forget as a Christian community how we are so closely tied to our rich Christian heritage.
below is a link to the words of her son upon her death
http://itecusa.org/newsmarj.htm
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
What a woman!
Friday, January 18, 2008
The Seriousness of my sin
This makes me contemplate this morning that I do not see the seriousness of my sin in the same way my savior sees it.I don't know if in this life I will be able to see just how ugly it is.The closest I come to seeing it is when I consider the cross.May I dwell on it long and hard today.
Becky
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Missing the Ocean
We often went as a family on Sunday evenings to the beach to just walk and play in the water and the jetties.I have not had much time to really dwell on those times much.It usually isn't a good idea to dwell there long.But as I was watching the ocean scenes in this music video it did make me long to walk on the warm beach and hear the sound of the ocean that I took for granted and look out and see dozens of dolphins jumping and playing.I do have such wonderful memories of that same beach as the place where I had the privilege of gathering with the people of God from church and watching my children and others baptized.What great times of rejoicing that was for us.Even our last day as a congregation spent in the celebration of Joshua's baptism as the people who knew him from birth, and watched him grow, and taught him Gods word got to have a part in this step of faith that he had been so persistent on taking.I will always have a longing in my heart for the sounds of the waves and the warmth of the sun and the fellowship we shared there.
Becky
Friday, January 11, 2008
Assembling Ourselves Together
I wonder if these people wake up Sunday mornings and decide whether they will go to church today and think that those who go to every church service are some how legalists.May we be inspired here in The United States to not take our liberties to go to church and turn them into a reason to express our freedom not to go.
Becky
Morning Inspiration
http://scripturealone.net/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=63
I just love this idea of God and it brings me joy thinking about God looking down on His creation and enjoying watching the whales play.
Becky
