December Newsletter

December, 2010

Dear family and friends

A lot has happened in our lives this past year or so. In January 2009 my hubby was laid off work and hasn't had steady employment since. But since we were still living at Torac Farm near Culpeper, Va., there always seemed plenty to keep us busy even though it wasn't for 'pay'.

The winter of 2009-2010 was one we will remember for a while. In December we were inundated with about 2 ft of soft white snow. We would have been content to hibernate (almost) in our little house, except other farm folk needed assistance. We had put the wood heating stove back in the big farm house and it was very 'hungry' for wood to burn. There was also a perceived need (by them) to clear the driveway in case of emergency. In time the lane got cleared, the wood brought in and the snow melted.

My older brother was flying in to Florida for a funeral, so my son, his wife andI headed south. They headed on down to the Keys while I went to the funeral. After the funeral I helped my older brother drive to North Carolina to visit a special friend of his. This gave time to visit with him before he flew back to Oregon. Weather forecast said another 'storm' was heading east so we drove all night to get home, but the main part of the storm ended up north.

After a few more smaller snowfalls (3 - 9 inches at a time) February slammed us with another two plus feet of (this time)wet snow. Hubby was concerned about the weight on our slightly slanted roof so we cleared our roof off part way through the storm. Another concern was our cut wood supply low. We tried to cut and chop as often as we could - but not enough. (We had logs but weren't getting them 'stove' ready fast enough.) A good friend of ours heard our problem and he and his son-in-law came over and cut, split and stacked wood for about four or more hours one day which was a super blessing to us. We still cut more wood, but that extra boost was enough to get us to springtime and warmer weather.

Spring finally came and we made four grow boxes for early gardens near the house for easier care and harvest. We were planning for more summer gardens but that turned out to be only a dream.

In May our church planned for two weeks of revival meetings. Someone else was to direct the children's programs, but about a week before, they asked if we could do it for the other folks couldn't. We agreed, so for the next three weeks we prepared and presented Passport to Life: God's Rescue plan as pictured in the Bible Sanctuary and His protection as illustrated by Armor. The Lord blessed very much.

Every year we have enjoyed several days of spiritual feasting at Potomac campmeeting in June. This year we were again blessed by seminars, sermons, renewing old friendships and making new friends.

Back at the farm there always seemed plenty to do. But one day in early July we got a call from a friend offering accommodations for us to attend our church's General Conference when people from around the world attend. It was a surprise offer, but I said I would consider accepting. One seeming potential problem was our car. It had bad tires, bad brakes, bad bearings (and who knows what else going bad). We had been debating if it was even worth putting more money into it or not, even though we still used it locally. We had gotten an advertisement from a nearby car dealer offering three gold dollar coins just to come by. On what seemed to be the spur of the moment we decided to again collect the three 'dollar' gold coins (as we had done before). To make a long story short, we drove home that evening with a newer car. A few days later we drove to Atlanta for the General Conference meetings and were greatly blessed.

Shortly after returning home we got a call from my brother's wife asking if we would come to Illinois and lead out in a Vacation Bible School at their church. We agreed and with our Passport to Life 'props' and materials headed to Illinois in the later part of July. We believe the Lord blessed the VBS and we are very thankful for the many helpers as well as for the children who attended.

On Sunday before the VBS began, though, my brother's wife's back 'gave out'. We found out a week or two later that she had 3 'bulging' disks and one ruptured disk in her lower back. Needless to say she didn't help with the VBS - or even walk for a few weeks. We stayed a week or so longer than our original plans to help. We then decided that hubby would return to Virginia but I would stay until she got better. By the end of September she was beginning to walk some for short times, for which we were all very thankful.

During this time, after much prayer, counsel, and consideration we accepted an offer from my brother to move in with them in Illinois. There were several factors involved, but one reason we considered moving was that for hubby the 'farm' work was getting a bit much, as he is not as energetic as in years past. Financial responsibilities were also calculated, for it did appear that living in Illinois may be less at this time.

After we decided to move, my sister came from Michigan to help rearrange things here to accommodate our 'stuff'. Then she, along with another friend and I drove to Virginia to begin the moving process there. Our friend was the moving sale organizer (very greatly appreciated) which continued for about three weeks. That helped reduce quantity - but not enough. A man offered to buy our pickup. We told him we needed it to haul trash and such away. He had a trailer and agreed to help clean up for a reduced price on the truck. He hauled at least 12-14 trailer loads of stuff. [Some were metals which he sold to offset expenses]. (We may have lost some revenue, BUT we are FREE from the stuff!!) Hubby drove a Budget truck load to Illinois near the end of October while I with others continued to prepare to the final move. My sister and her friend had to leave at the end of October to return to Michigan where they were scheduled to teach a 'paper toulle' craft class in November, but their help was very much appreciated.

We agreed to spend Thanksgiving with the rest of the folks at the farm before we left. It was also one of our friend's birthday so that made the day even more special.

After Thanksgiving weekend we loaded a Penske truck and, pulling the car behind, began the final phase of our move to Illinois. We may have our stuff here now but there is still a lot to do before being 'settled'.

For several years we have somewhat jokingly commented that we have been operating a 'moving and storage' business. Well, that business will be going 'out of business' in the near future. We are planning, however, to make at least one more move - but not with a rental truck. For that move we plan to 'fly' home to our loving Heavenly Father where we won't need our 'earthly stuff' anymore.

We cordially invite you to begin preparing now to join us on that move, which we pray will be very soon.

Yours in Christ,

Bringer of Peace

P.S. Count it all JOY (knowing God loves for you to be with Him) when you are challenged with difficulties. Each time you choose God's loving heart plan for your life, your patient trust in Him grows. Keep choosing God's will for your life and He will mature you to be like Him - with appropriate amounts His love, joy, peace, long-suffering, goodness, faith, meekness and patience.

Our Heavenly Father supplies all we need - both yours and ours - according to His glory in Christ Jesus.

Settling In

We have moved to Illinois and are slowing getting settled in.
In one respect it has been a relief to 'let go' of so much extra stuff.
On the other hand I think I may have a whole lot more to let go of yet.
That said, there are some things I hope to keep, at least for a while.
We are living in the 'upper level' of my dad's place.
My brother and his lovely wife have lived on the main level for a number of years.
I really think it will be very comfortable once we get things arranged, but for now the business of getting it straight and in order continues.

This move has been an interesting 'experience' in my life. For one thing there had been such a 'pileup' of stuff where we lived and it just seemed there was little or nothing we could seem to do about it. Once the decision to move was for sure it seemed we were able to make advancement on the removal of 'stuff'. I'm not sure but I think there may have been upwards of 14-15 trailer loads of stuff we were able to get rid of from the farm. Some went out via the yard (moving) sale, some went as 'scrap metal' and some went to the 'dump'. But whatever way it went, it was still gone.

We may have 'lost' a bit financially but on the flip side of this situation, we are free from the stuff.

Freedom from so much stuff has also brought to me, anyway, a type of peace. It has been good not to have so much stuff around. I am still getting rid of some stuff but fortunately it is not so much. We did make two trips with a 16 ft. rental truck to where we are now living, but that is a lot less. Some of what we brought was for our son who is presently in Idaho so we kept some of his stuff until hopefully he can get it. Some of it we are using for now in lieu of bringing more stuff with us.

Peace is this sort has been a blessing to me. Physical things can have an effect on a person. I am looking forward to even more peace as we get better organized, but for now I can enjoy what I have even now.

There is much to do for now so I will sign off for this time.

Until we meet again, may God's peace be in your hearts.

Bringer of Peace

Experiencing Faith develops patience

We are still in the 'moving' process. If I had what I think is 'my way' I would long ago have been moved and on to another 'chapter' in my life.

My time (or rather should I say timing) is, however, not always 'reality'. And since this move is not only 'my' move but at least four other people are involved, the logistics have been 'interesting' at best. (There are three other people living at the farm as well as my husband and myself.)

I am reminded often that the trying (testing, experiencing, using, etc.) of my faith is what develops patience. And James goes on to say, "Let patience have her perfect work'. In other words, the process may be as important as the end result, which is usually the case in my 'walk with God.' The same text also says to count this type of experience as 'all joy'. So here goes.

One of the people who has been here on the farm has been having some challenges finding some place else to live. Going with us is not an option, to my knowledge, for where we are going is not really a place that person could 'navigate' due to health issues. I have been encouraging my friend that God is still in control and to keep trusting that He will guide to a suitable place. One response has been that the trust in God is there but not the trust in people.

That brings up interesting topics. I fully agree that people can let a person 'down', and a lot of other options as well. Having said that, however, is there a possibility that in so thinking we are in reality not really trusting that God is 'bigger' than human beings? Is that train of thought really a doubt that God will take care of us?

As I think about those questions I also begin to wonder if they are not a sly attempt of the enemy of God at getting our minds and hearts out of God's timing (patience) as well as out of His will (trust). I know it is nice to have our plans all laid out ahead of time and to have those plans 'work'. But who, then, would be running the show, so to speak? Why would we need patience?

As I look back on the past few months I see time after time when God has been changing plans. It has not always been 'easy' or even seemingly convenient, but when I look back I believe that I can trust God even when I can't understand always what is going on.

By the way, some folks move the 'normal' way. Just before we got into the 'moving mode', friends of ours moved from Ohio to Colorado. From the 'outside' it appeared to be a well orchestrated operation. (My brother helped them by driving the rental moving truck.) I'm sure there were a few hitches and unexpecteds along the way but they were pretty well settled in within a few days of leaving Ohio. I am very happy for them.

On the other hand, our move is much more complex. Maybe a good analogy might be that their move was a bit like transplanting a beautiful lilac bush and our moving is like trying to move an orchard into several locations.

One of our challenges has been that having been here so long there has been a lot of 'stuff' to take care of. I am reveling in getting rid of stuff. That is no problem. The logistics of removal, one way or another, has been challenging though. We had a yard sale for several weeks which did help a lot. We have been taking the remains to local thrift shops which has also helped.

My hubby and I have had a weakness (or so it seems at this point in time). We thought we were helping others and have 'let them come here' when they appeared to have needed a place to stay. (I just got a call asking if we could take in a person who needed a place - they didn't know we were moving.) I suppose there may be merit, but on the other hand we often got stuck with stuff when they left. Anyway, now is 'stuff' removal time - and it is disappearing.

I do think one of the bigger challenges to me, though, has been remembering that I am not in charge of where the other folks are going, especially the one who is having difficulty finding a place. (That is one reason that person was here was because there didn't appear to be anything else available.) So is that person to be left out in the 'cold'? Is God no longer interested? This person loves the Lord and I firmly believe that God has more care for this situation than I can possibly have. That is easy to say. Faith is trusting God. But when things get tight, do we still choose to trust God? When time seems to be running out, do we worry ourselves out of God's plan? My present understanding of patience is accepting God's timing as well as God's will. It appears that God is giving me 'time' to practice patience right now. Thank you, Father. I am choosing to let patience have the time needed to develop in me.

This past week has had some other challenges as well. One morning I just about burned my hands in the hot water. When my hubby checked it out we found out there were problems. He was trying to work on that when the water pressure began to drop. We could do without hot water - we are practically camping anyway - but no water, that is a little different story, especially since we are not the only ones here. Long story short, the water pump 'died' (haven't buried it yet though) and we had to go get another one to replace it. It is in and running , thank the Lord.

That led up to another character development opportunity. Pumps don't usually come 'free'. One of the folks here decided that everyone should help pay for this 'added' expense so we figured out 'costs'. That led to a discussion of electrical expenses (which has been a sore spot here for a long time. There seems to be an opinion by some here that we 'get rich' ? by what is given us for utility assistance.) The comment was made that the figures I have shared may not have been the 'real bill'. I ended up printing out the bill and giving it to the person. After they left though, I temporarily 'lost it'. (Thankfully my hubby was a good sounding board and didn't hold a grudge.) The short of it, looking back, was that I had temporarily forgotten who I am in Christ. My family seems to have a real challenge when we are called anything close to 'liar'. (I think we were instilled early with a sense of honor, and I am thankful for that.) If someone questions my integrity, if there is no question in my mind, then why would I get upset? My brother later reminded me of the issue of identity (who I am in Christ) and that really helped me. One other thought that has helped me is to realized that even though the devil tries to shame me I don't need to 'accept' it no matter who it comes through.

Time is marching on and I have some celebrating to do so I need to bring this to a close. May I share with you that through it all God has not deserted me. God is in the business of 'growing me up' and one of His tools is for me to continue 'counting it all joy' when He leads me through experiences that draw me ever closer to Him. Knowing that God loves for me to be with Him (JOY) is one of the ways He uses in my life to lead me to also experience His kind of Peace. Jesus in my heart is the kind of Peace the world doesn't know anything about.

Peace I leave with you, Jesus reminds us. May you experience that kind of peace today.

Bringer of Peace

Moving on in Peace

Here comes September, ready or not.

I have enjoyed my time in Illinois and it hardly seems possible that I've been here for a month. It has been a little bit 'less hot' ,weather wise, for which we are grateful. Today there was a 'smattering' of rain, but not a lot.

My brother and I got to talking about what 'authority' means. It is sometimes easier to define what a word is not rather than what it really means in its original and genuine meaning. This is one of those words that we find easier to understand the counterfeit, probably because we know a whole lot more about it. Yet, a proper definition can really help enable us to have God's kind of peace in our lives and hearts. Here is my present perception of 'authority'.

Counterfeit or false authority includes the using of 'force' to control others to do what you want done. This form of authority is rooted in a hierachy type of organization. There are many facets of this kind of authority, but overall it is based on some form of 'independence' by the one attempting to use it.

Genuine or true authority comes from God and is based on a proper understanding of our relationship to our heavenly Father - we are His children - based on true love. Since this form of authority is based on the understanding that we are the children of the God who loves us, then we 'keep', or 'do', or 'abide' in His will for us.

Jesus gave his disciples 'authority' over evil spirits. But He went on to say that they were not to 'rejoice' in that authority but rather rejoice that their names were written in the book of life.

When we even begin to think that 'we' have authority over another spirit, have we not basically fallen into Satan's form of authority?

So long as we rejoice that we belong to God's family of love then the evil spirits cannot use their form of control over us and we remain in God's form of government.

Satan may think he has gained advantage by being able to hurt the body, but Jesus reminds us that we are not to be afraid of that. What we do need to guard against is coming under the control of another by loosing our connection with our heavenly family.

That is also why Jesus could say to His family: 'Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth, give I unto you, let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.'

Why do we need have no fear? We can remember who we are in the Father - His beloved child.

Until we meet again, May God's peace be in your heart because He consider's you His family.

Bringer of Peace

Hi, still from Illinois

Here it is almost September, already. As mentioned earlier we led out in a Vacation Bible School in Illinois. My sister-in-law had been having some lower back pain but after we arrived it got so bad she couldn't walk. We stayed a week longer because my brother went on a business trip. There were some things that needed to be taken care of at our farm so we finally decided that I would stay here to help as I could and my hubby would head back home to take care of matters there.

Through this experience I believe the Lord is leading me to learn more about His kind of peace.
He has promised, "Peace I leave with you" (That evidently is a gift.) "My peace I give unto you".
This next part I have been thinking about more as well. "Not as the world giveth, give I unto you." Whatever God's peace includes, it isn't necessarily what the world calls 'peace'.

Another part of God's kind of peace is that His peace involves my heart, for He goes on and says, "Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

So God's peace is different than the world's peace. It is a gift from Him (not something I work up), and it keeps heart trouble away.

That is very obviously more than only an intellectual assent to a list or facts.

I recently read a book dealing with relationships. A statement was made - having to do with our relationship with God (Jesus) - that set me thinking. Jesus didn't say, I will show you the 'way'. He said, 'I am the way'. He is not looking to be some dictator - telling us each step without our assent or permission. He is wanting us to experience His presence. Peace comes when we know God loves us so much that we can 'fall into His arms' and 'He will watch our 'back' - we can trust Him.

He has got me 'covered', whether I am in Illinois, Virginia or anywhere else.

You are loved like that as well.

Until we meet again,

Peace be with you

Bringer of Peace

News From Illinois

A little over a week ago I got a call from Illinois asking if I would lead out in their VBS (Vacation Bible School) for their church. (It is my brother's church so we are staying with him)

Well, we are here and the VBS started last evening. It wasn't as big as hoped for but I believe it was still a blessing to those who came and those who are working with the children. I know that I was blessed.

We are staying at my brother's place but he, personally, is in Colorado helping some friends move. When we got here his wife had been having some sciatic problems for some time. We have been trying to relieve her by helping her do some things around the place so she could stay off her feet more.

After my brother left (he drove a truck for friends out to Colorado to help them move) she got worse. Sunday night was really hard on her. She tried soaking in a 'clay bath' to see if that would help but it seemed very temporary. She tried some extra strength pain medicine but that did little or no good either. Late Sunday evening I tried working with her legs to see if massage and gentle range of motion might help. She was able to get a little more 'comfortable' and did sleep a little while for which we were grateful.

Monday she rested most of the day except when we took her to the Dr's office. It was a 'little' better but not much or enough. This morning we took her to an appointment for an MRI. She was finally able to sleep after quite a bit of pain after the MRI.

We are praying for her recovery. I am also very grateful that we could be here, especially while my brother was gone. It is not common that we come this way from Virginia.

There are predictions that today may be the hottest day of the year so far here in Illinois. When I heard how hot it might get - upper 90's and possibly three digit heat level, it reminded me of what we have had the past several weeks in Virginia. It has been 90 plus for at least 2 weeks or so and a number of triple digit days thrown in for a 'variety' ( I guess ). Before that it has been so dry that most of the grass was brown. We did get some rain recently which helped some.

Anyway, back to Illinois happenings, we have been treated with utmost kindness and care. We have been blessed working with the folks here in preparing for the "Passport to Life" VBS program and we are thankful for the fellowship with others who love the Lord.

I have not been able to keep up with my email due to computer problems and a few related challenges, but I suppose that may be a little bit of a blessing in some respects as well. And, for those of you who know some of our past VBS experiences we have been having the 'usual' technical challenges as well. This time it seems to be more computer than printer difficulties, although the printer does have issues as well. I had obtained a desk top computer (quad4) but have concluded that simply means there are four heads that have to have a committee meeting every time I put in a request for an activity to be performed. After they call everyone and hash out my request then they finally (usually anyway) decide who will be responsible and then get on their 'high horse' and 'do it', hopefully.

Honestly, I do think that this quad 4 (wwindows 7) is slower than my older xp and at times I have wondered if my 386 may have even been better. But since there is no turning back, I join the 'horse and buggy' era (or at least it sure seems that way part of the time) and try to get done what I think I would like to have done for the current VBS - if and when the committee meetings 'do their thing'.

On a happier note, we are thankful that at least part of the time our cell phone works so we have been in touch with others from time to time. Even though we have have challenges it has been a time to 'get away' from some of our daily routines back home, which does have certain 'rest' advantages when looked at from that perspective.

I still have much to do before the VBS begins again this evening so will 'sign off' for now.

Until we meet again, remember that God loves you and is excited for you to know it.

Bringer of Peace

God's Form of Management 1

A lot has happened since the children's program finished. As a follow-up report I sensed the children did enjoy the activities and that some areas could have been improved - as usual.

The morning after the meetings were over I had 'nothing' more to give so ended up resting most of the day. I would liked to have been able to get to church but that was outside of my capabilities. Sometimes it is best to just 'come apart and rest awhile'.

But that didn't last long. There are other challenges to face, other jobs to finish, other lessons to learn. One of the current character development lessons at this time seems to be learning God's plan for management. A number of years ago we were given the responsibility to manage a farm property. While the owner was here it was pretty much do what was asked. Now that the owner is not on the premises, the management is now more in our 'hands', so to speak.

Well, for one thing, we haven't found many folk who have some of the same concepts as we have been attempting to function on. Another factor is that as we have been learning about spiritual maturity levels and have also been delving deeper into God's plan for management we have been having conflicts of perhaps a somewhat different nature than before.

Yesterday I decided to do a specific study of how Jesus managed while He lived as a man here on planet earth. That has already been a big 'eye opener' in more ways than one.

There will be more but thus far I have been coming up with some very interesting 'contrasts'. I say contrasts because the way I thought management was to be done and how the Bible is presenting it has thus far almost always been contrast rather than comparison. Here are a few.

Worldly business management primarily appears to be to get gain - at others expense.

Godly management serves others in order to reveal more of what God is really like.

Jesus was the best example of a 'servant' manager.


Worldly management practices 'expect' those being managed to 'do this' or 'act that way'.

Godly management believes in those being managed - thus encouraging positive responses.

Conversion changes a person from expecting from others to believing in others.

Jesus believed in Peter - when you are converted, strengthen others
This 'faith of Jesus' will be 'copied' by His managers.

Worldly management makes the 'rules' and tells what is to 'be'.

Godly management accepts the owners 'rules' and encourages those being managed both by words and works, showing the advantages of accepting God's love and sharing it with others.

Jesus is the king of the universe yet He walked and lived for over three years with a group of men who spent a lot of time 'fussing, and feuding and fretting' over who would be greatest. When there were 'open moments' - when they were really listening - He would use illustrations to turn their minds from 'who was greatest', according to worldly management practices of their day, to the advantages to being channels whereby God's love could flow even more freely to those around them. At times He did rebuke John and Peter in particular - because they had come to the point of wanting what He had to offer. He would correct them when the 'time was right', as well as encourage and guide them into a better course.

[Interestingly enough He also knew that one disciple was not open to being corrected and/or rebuked so Jesus did not give Judas any
open rebuke until the last week of His life - at Simon's feast. The result of rebuking Judas at that time was that Judas immediately went to the priests and began to negotiate how he could betray Jesus into their hands.]

Worldly management may 'help' but more often expects those managed to 'do it' themselves.

God's managers provide guidance, ask questions as a means of 'awakening' a desire to do things God's way, and look for motives to be encouraged as well as giving freedom of choice.


Most of Christ's active ministry was spent healing and teaching, and more of the time the disciples were actively engaged in the activities. There were times, however, when Jesus would take time to ask questions as well as answer queries of His family of disciples away from the crowds. During these precious moments He would look for opportunities to encourage and share 'something better' as well.

Worldly management puts confidence when it considers it will benefit thereby.

God's management respects each individually unconditionally.

God's management reveals to those managed evidences that they can are believed in, leading their minds to that fact that God can truly be trusted.


There is much more, but for now I am learning that God's way of dealing in management is a lot different than most of what I had been taught in management skills previously.



As we more deeply experience God's love in our own lives we too will believe that others can experience it in their lives as well.


One closing thought is that when we learn that God is truly trustworthy and we choose to trust in His plan (faith) and His timing (patience), we too will experience the joy of the Lord and the Peace that passes all understanding.

Yours in Christ,

Bringer of Peace