Making Time For Each Other

There needs to be time for some fun.

With each other. 

The Holy Bible says "a time to laugh and a time to weep."

Yes, there'll be plenty of times when things are tough...that's part of living.

Those times you share with each other when you laugh together are precious.

They turn us into more understanding people. Without any humour  life would lack colour. Doctors tell us that a good laugh releases endorphins which give us a sense of well-being. We all need a good dose of that, preferably every day. A good hug and a kiss do the same for us. It tells the other person you care enough to enjoy their company and a little lighthearted fun goes a long way to draw you closer together.

So, no matter what life throws your way, ask the Lord to help you take one day at a time as Jesus advised, and look for ways to find that hidden laughter deep inside.

That's all I have to say. May God touch your heart and lighten your load and teach you to smile today.

NO DOWRY

Sarawat and Asanee are a vibrant couple we met in Han Ka in the Chai-Na Province of Thailand.

Ajun (pastor) Sarawat found us on the internet and invited us through Ajun Somchai Soonthorntoorasuk who interprets for us. We were privileged to visit local schools, besides the church adjacent to his home. We thoroughly enjoyed Sarawat's sense of humor and Asanee's wonderful hospitality.

As usual I asked how they met.

Some years before, Asanee was the secretary of the director of a Buddhist Government  school and also the youth director in her church. She caught Sarawat's eye because she was so committed to serving the Lord. He finally got the courage to ask her on a date. But as they grew to love each other they were concerned about the possibility of marriage.

The fact he was a pastor who did not have a large income was the stumbling block. Both are Chinese and it is expected for a man to give the parents of his intended bride a good DOWRY. They both prayed about this, asking the Lord to make their path clear. However her Christian parents waived this custom because of their respect for his being a pastor.

Now some thirty years later, they are both involved in reaching their area, and Canaan Church has been the spring board to this mission field for the past four years. We were so blessed to become friends with this dedicated couple.

A BRIDE's LETTER

A bride read this letter to her husband on their wedding day.

 

'I am only right here and right now because you could see all that God created me to be and all

that I will be because of your immense love for me.

You are:

•the most patient

•the most considerate

•the most compassionate

•the most kindest

And above all the most forgiving human being I have ever come to know.

Your perseverance, persistence and patience combined with the belief that I would be completely yours one day has come to fruition.

I don’t know of any other man that would have lasted this kind of waiting period apart from my father.

You have won my heart and now I am yours completely.

You bring me security, inspiration and encouragement. Because of your love I can stand confident.

Your faith, hope and love transcends beyond this world and I now can say have had a glimpse of heaven.

Because of you by my side now my life is so fulfilled and complete.

You are Amazing!

You are my King Solomon.

A man who is a limitless visionary! A man who knows what he believes in and what he

stands for. And because you know where you are going I want to go with you right by your side no matter
what life throws at us.

I will never falter in giving you honour, love and respect. I will hold you and carry you for the rest of my life until my dying breath.

I truly love you!'

South Africans in Thailand

I first met Herman and Charmaine Grundlingh in Koh Samui, an island in the Gulf of Thailand.

They are South Africans who are serving the Lord there. I asked about how they first met and was it instant attraction?

They laughed as they explained it was anything but! At the time both were attending theological college and majoring in performing arts. Charmaine was in her first year while Herman was in his second year.

Neither liked the other, but in the wisdom of their lecturers, they were told they would just have to learn to get along together. And that was that. Perhaps they had misconceptions about each other, but as they adjusted to the normal routine of drama etc. they discovered a mutual respect.

Their campus was part of a farm and they went on to tell me that one night they were asked to help out and stay while one of the cows was giving birth to its calf. Apparently it was a long labour and as they waited, they talked together. Perhaps that was the reason the leader asked them both...knowing this would give them uninterrupted time to get to know one another.

Charmain said that's when their relationship was truly born. They found they had so many beliefs and ideas in common. Herman had a difficult time in his teens. His father left home and he became part of the drug scene, but when he came to trust in the Lord Jesus as his personal Saviour things changed. That was one reason why he attended college...to learn more about his faith.

Charmain planned their wedding which was held in a rural area. Her bridesmaids gave a lovely presentation by dancing ahead of her as she walked to Herman on her father's arm. The ceremony was was as simple as it was beautiful.

I expect to hear news of their first born any time now.

STRONG WOMEN

Author Lyn Cote has a penchant for writing about strong
women. That's why her stories attract her readers.

She says:

As is true of most writers, I have developed a voice or brand. My brand is “Strong Women, Brave Stories.” This brand flows through all three of the kinds of romance I write: contemporary, romantic suspense and historical. My books always include three elements:

• a strong, usually crusading, heroine who does not fold under pressure.
• authentic detail, especially in my historicals
• a multi-cultural cast of characters.

Lyn Cote and her husband now live on the shores of a clear glacial lake in the northwoods of Wisconsin. After her husband was downsized in all the repercussions of 9/11, they ended up selling their home and moving to their "retirement" home—many years earlier than they had anticipated. But God has provided. Lyn has been busy writing and her husband found a job he loves in the northwoods. Now she and her husband are living in a beautiful and peaceful setting. But to keep things from getting too quiet and relaxed, they went to the local animal shelter and picked out two cats—a dainty little golden tabby that Lyn named Sadie and a big gold and white Tom that her husband named V-8. Not for the juice for the engine. V-8 has a mighty purr! His other nickname is Cadillac cat because he's a very large cat. One of his most endearing traits is loving to lie like a baby in Lyn's lap. And some days this is Lyn's largest obstacle to get her writing done!

JULIE KLASSEN - Modern Day Jane Austen

This author loves to write Regency novels. And she has a huge following of readers who cannot get enough of her exquisite writing.

She combines tales of yesteryear with her Christian worldview. Her stories - no matter how bad the outcome appears from the beginning - always have a great ending.

Here are some of her titles: The Silent Governess, The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, The Apothecary's Daughter, The Lady of milkweed Manor, The Girl in the Gatehouse, The Dancing Master.

At her book signing appearances, the audience are held enthralled as she tells a little of the background to many of her novels.

Julie shares a little about herself:

 I graduated from the University of Illinois and enjoy travel, research, BBC period dramas, long hikes, short naps, and coffee with friends. My husband and I have two sons and live near St. Paul, Minnesota.

I worked in publishing for sixteen years (first in advertising, then as a fiction editor) and now write full time. Three of my books, won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. 

Ellie Whyte, a popular NZ Christian Book Reviewer asked Julie: 
Other than writing great novels, what other goals do you have for your life? 
"To help my sons grow up to be successful adults. To grow closer to my husband and to God. And, to finally figure out a way to either 1. Keep my house clean, or 2. Have people over anyway. :)

Julie adds:  If you love romance, English accents, Jane Eyre, or anything by Jane Austen, then you and I are soul sisters and I write for you!

AN UNLIKELY PAIR

Ian McDowell was the principal of the Emmaus Bible College in Sydney some years ago. My husband and I attended during the twenty-three of their stay. Recently I asked Valerie McDowell to share their story.

"I first became aware of a certain young man at during my college days. He wore bright red socks and appeared to be an immature, undisciplined student who enjoyed miscievous pranks. Definitely not my type! 

The following year we both attended the same Maths lectures and he began phoning me. As I'd planned to attend a Christian camp over the break, I invited him. He surprised me when he agreed to take time off his work as an engineering cadet. When I met him at the train station I was appalled. He had a rifle slung over his shoulder and a pistol in his pocket! He was hoping to share his shooting skills there. 

Up to this time Ian had no respect for religion, however he enjoyed all the activities and the talks.  On the last Bible study session he was struck by he contrast between unbelievers and Christians. He said to me, "Your way is better because you always have joy in your heart. I have to keep creating pleasure through drinking, smoking and gambling."

Soon after having the Gospel explained to him, he knelt down and thanked Jesus for dying for his sins. From that moment his former desires left him and although known for his"filthy mouth", he never swore again for the rest of his life. God had truly transformed him.

Our friendship developed with the outcome of our marriage. Every morning and evening we read the Bible together and prayed for God's guidance in our lives together. This practice became the anchor for fifty-three years of our happy, fulfilling marriage."

As Valerie told me, theirs was " a marriage made in heaven" because there was no other way to describe such an "unlikely union".