When Brian died I dropped out of life as known by me.

With that retreat I lost multiple friends and contacts. I pared down my life to a few people in my family and a couple of very close friends who are like sisters to me.

I pressed the reset button.

One benefit of this “earthquake” event in my stable Midwestern life was the purging of negativity.

I tend towards being “conservative,” and I find a lot of negativity in opposing views. Out with the negativity! I had no reason to keep it near me.

I stopped watching the news.

I stopped reading the news.

I stopped “being friends” with people I didn’t relate to.

I had an excuse, and it was valid.

So, my experiment has been working for five years, now. I may have grief, loss, pain, and issues to resolve daily—but the riff raff of negativity from a faction of people that truly don’t matter to me is pleasantly gone.

I have been drawn to prophecy and politics for most of my life. Because I inform myself of trends and events that fit into the prophetic narrative I have always felt the burden to be a “watchman” and warn people.

After all, Ezekiel warns the watchmen! Blood is on our heads if we fail to warn.

So I warn, but I no longer fret about the “other side.”

It wasn’t long ago when I figured out that prayer was the most powerful thing I can do in the way of being a testimony and an evangelist. I am required to be a witness, to “preach” the Gospel, to warn, to admonish and to discern….

But prayer is the most powerful thing I can use to do the will of the Lord. I pray people into the kingdom.

This has released me from the burden of being negative in anyone’s life. I can love. The message is not from me, but the rejection comes because of the conviction of the message—not because I hold to it. Rejection may become the norm, because that is the natural man’s response.

I simply move on. I can care, and I do, deeply, but I can focus my energy on prayer. I need not become discouraged because I trust that God will answer my prayer.

The bitterness and negativity that is directed toward me can wash off like water on a duck’s back.

Paring down your life makes it so much easier to simply be kind—to anyone.

Remove the excess conflict. Remove the bitterness.

I have watched Ray Comfort for years. I really like the way he lovingly shows total strangers the truth of the Gospel and gently leads them toward Christ. I wish I could be Ray Comfort! His example is an inspiration to me, and I have been convicted about the tone I project. Is it loving? Is it kind? Am I revealing light to a dark world?

The negativity is gone, the prayer remains. Love grows, and trust in the Creator God expands. He answers prayer.

“The greatest of these is love” —-of the cardinal virtues.

Jesus is coming soon. He desires that we repent. Putting our faith in Christ is the only way to be forgiven and to anticipate an eternity in heaven with the Lord. This is the message that we are required to share.

Of course we can inform anyone about the fascinating life that begins and remains in Christ. We can watch the sometimes unbelievable events that unfold in perfect alignment with Scripture’s prophecies.

He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

There is nothing so encouraging as hashing out unfolding events with like-minded believers in light of Prophecy. It’s a happy thing. We are so encouraged because we will soon see Jesus, and we hope in God’s answers to our prayer.

Win/win. Hope. Sweetness and light, kindness and love, being positive and alert, watching and waiting….

MARANATHA!

I’m subbing at the high school today. Rarely do I get to sub on the last day of class, but today was an exception, and this year I really needed to sub almost every day.

Kids are taking a final, so I brought my chromebook to blog a bit while I monitor their test.

Modern tech has made cheating pretty hard, but it could happen, theoretically. Mostly I need to keep behaviors in order, but the kids are pretty good here today.

Home repair has been draining in multiple ways, so subbing has been one needed avenue for costs.

The basement is dry. The waterproofers did their task well. I am still longing for it to be finished, as all of the drywall and some flooring need to be replaced. I haven’t shopped for tile yet, and I’m hoping I can find something similar to what I have down there.

I have yet to tear out the moldy walnut floor that covers half of the basement.

Books are still piled high in my bedroom—waiting for all that work to be finished in the basement and finding their home on the “stacks” down there.

I have had a summer cold —already—and the news is that air quality literally stinks here in Minnesota due to Canada forest fires. It makes for some misery.

Cheri is loving life in Alaska. It sort of sounds like paradise from her texts and photos: cozy, rugged beauty, fantastic food. She does have her ticket back to Minnesota, and I sure hope she uses it!

I’ve survived over a week as an empty nester.

Being alone, all alone, is something I never really let myself think about. Too sad.

Somewhere in my subconscious I knew this day would arrive—-but I thought I’d be a lot older than I am.

I need to accept reality. Life is lonely, but, as I’ve written about before, it’s also rather selfish. Relationships are for honing and sharpening, iron on iron. It’s easy to stop the improvement process when you are only improving yourself for yourself.

It takes discipline to strive for good.

I have attempted to invite more people over for fellowship lately.

“Tea is always served at Corgi Hollows!”

This quote is on display in my kitchen. I love serving coffee too, of course.

Last night I made cinnamon rolls for the first time in about a year. I just got the yen for them, and decided to bake a batch. I ate one. There are 8 left, and I may freeze them.

I never had to do that before.

Plans: walking, swimming, and fasting. Strength training. This could help my self discipline this summer. I had an idea of swimming in the lake again. That is exhilarating —much more so than the pool at the Y. A few summers back I swam at the lake all summer long.

I keep thinking of the muskies beneath me when I’m at the lake. You know they are the freshwater sharks. Generally they are not interested in humans who swim, but there are stories. The stories live on in the minds of freshwater lake swimmers.

The amount of water all around you when you swim in a natural setting can be almost overwhelming, too. It is quite awe inspiring. Big sky above, vast depths beneath. Your tiny human body seems so fragile and vulnerable.

Still, it is a wonderful thing, and I am looking forward to summer beach time.

The dogs need some serious exercise. Woodtick/deertick season is upon us, and I tend to avoid the grasses and hays these weeks. Thankfully I’ve not had to deal with too many yet this year.

A couple of days ago there was a total racket outside. I thought Topi, our resident male at Corgi Hollows, had taken down some wildlife.

No. I followed the sound and discovered a nest of baby raccoons! They peered out of the tree hollow, looking down on me, chattering and asking for something. Momma raccoon was not present, I assume. I don’t think she was down deep in the tree.

They are the CUTEST, but I know I don’t want them. Rascals. I hope they decide to move on. I snapped a few photos for the memory, though. I have heard coons in the past, but never saw the babies like this before. They really have a nice nesting spot.

The coyotes may get them before long. Sad face. Nature. Circle of Life.

Summer at Corgi Hollows is mostly idyllic. God has blessed me with Minnesota warmth, green, and color. I can’t help it but think that a Minnesota summer is what the original creation resembled. (Let’s not talk about mosquitoes.)

I am truly blessed to enjoy such natural beauty. The long winters are so worth it.

Wildlife has been abundant since the temps warmed. There are always new sounds and sights outside. The dogs frequently let me know that something new is around, too. They miss little.

I can’t complain.

School’s out—in a few hours—and I am primed for another new beginning.

Is Jesus coming soon?

MARANATHA!

The school year is wrapping up, and the sweet summer is stretching out before me. I am so busy these days with being a substitute teacher that I can barely get my thoughts straight. I need to do so many things at home, chores, jobs, MOWING, and 1,000 other things—but all must wait until I have a bit of time.

Today I have my monthly physical therapy appointment, for my back. I leave in 20 minutes. I have been going to see this therapist for 20 years now, and she is amazing. She keeps me moving, helps me manage my chronic pain from my two spine injuries. I am so thankful for her!

I just have this pressing thought on my mind, and have 20 minutes, and wanted to write it down here: WORLDVIEW MATTERS!

As we see the events of the world scene unfold and we pick sides on political issues I am discouraged. Then I remember that my worldview dictates my own ideas and stances, and, of course this is a universal truth.

We are unmoved.

It is only by spiritual power that a heart can influence a mind in a way that pleases the Creator.

I pray for spiritual eyes to be opened, mine especially.

God has moved my hard heart many, many times.

I am not who I was.

Yet my heart still belongs to Christ, and I exist to worship and serve Him alone. I am always fascinated by prayer—-what it is, even. I pray. I pray in my stilted human ability, and I trust God in my worm-like understanding.

The Apostle Paul felt like that, too, I think.

We can only follow the teachings of Scripture, the patterns it prescribes for us, the truth that it imparts, especially to our heart.

Then eyes are opened, understanding follows, and we are gifted a worldview.

Love one another.

I am trying my best to practice that command. I am trying to live my worldview and be loving.

My prayers are my expression of love.

You are in my prayers.

MARANATHA!

What a privilege to be able to attend my 40th college class reunion this past weekend, in Wheaton, by Chicago!

I had the best friends at Wheaton; my roommate, the girls across the hall from us, and a few others that I connected with that year I was there.

Even though I was there only one year those friendships are solid. We picked up right where we left off!

Brian graduated from Wheaton, and he was remembered by several. For me, to chat with some of those who remembered him, it was sort of a tying of loose ends, perhaps another grief journey, a resolving, a good-bye.

Ed went with me, and I was so happy to have him hear fun stories, remembrances of his dad, and be my escort. I am so blessed!

Today I am subbing art at both the elementary school and the high school this afternoon, and I’m able to write during free moments. I wanted to jot down my impressions and gratitude for such a reunion weekend as was.

I don’t usually blog at school. I need the peace of Corgi Hollows, but today I just had to record my thoughts before they got stale.

It was a gorgeous drive across Wisconsin down to Wheaton—budding leaves and blossoms, blue sky, perfect conditions! It was in the 80’s and 90’s for the this Mother’s Day weekend.

(I was wished a happy mother’s day by all of my children and their spouses, which I believe is just a precious gift from God! How blessed I am!)

The singing at the reunion was a highlight, “May the Mind of Christ My Savior” was sung several times, and I always love that hymn, especially sung by excellent voices, multiples of voices, and voices that know it well. Wow.

The students’ concert presentation on Friday evening was wonderful: Girls chorus, Men’s Glee, Concert Choir, Organ, Orchestra, and Band. Delightful! My roommate’s son had a saxophone solo part that was positively gorgeous!

The fellowship and conversation with these old friends was just amazing! I just love these women! We are spread out across the country, but we share parenting experience—joys and woes, career/life experience, and spiritual connection, which is really what binds us.

We all promised to stay in closer touch from now on, since our families are on the cusp of change, with parents aging or already gone, kids in college or married, and our jobs wrapping up and retirement looming. I look forward to our future fellowship, if not here on earth, certainly in eternity.

We are bonded.

It was sweet to hear chat about Brian, too. I was able to talk with a couple of his former roommates.

My main thought, recurring, was, of course—“Brian would love to hear this!”

That is poignant.

Tears were close to the surface.

Ed and I visited the JRR Tolkien desk, the Wardrobe of Narnia lore, and C.S. Lewis’ items at the Wade center. I recommend a visit there if you can, if you are a fan of Lord of the Rings, the Hobbit, or any of Lewis’ works. It is well done.

We also saw an exhibit about Elisabeth Elliot at the Billy Graham Center. Excellent.

Walking around campus, visiting Perry Mastodon in the new science building, touring the new music center, and all the new student center facilities was fun. Being able to see Edman Chapel and hear the pipe organ on which I learned to play so many years ago was a privilege.

I am glad I went to my reunion. When you are in your sixties you should try to go. I think my mother-in-law once said something to me about reunions in your sixties and how fun they were. She was right. They are. All of our joys and sorrows have mellowed us, humbled us, bonded us, and helped us to see the value in each. Maturity, perhaps, but also experience can make us easier on each other.

I’m grateful.

MARANATHA!

I am praying for several people to make a decision to follow Christ. I have prayed for decades for some of these dear people. I am also praying for movers and shakers, influencers and “stars.”

My heart is moved to pray today that the Holy Ghost will open spiritual eyes today…soon…because time is short, and these people could have such wonderful impact on so many millions of lost souls.

Pray with me today that they accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord!

God knows this list. I talk to Him about it everyday. Just pray to Him to answer Corgi’s prayer!

YOU NEED JESUS, DEAR ONE!

I’m reading in Isaiah right now. It’s 66 chapters, so reading 5/day still lets me spend significant time this month in this incredible book.

Today the Lord has been saying the word “heart” to me—in my reading, in my prayers, in my calendar and lists—all the things that I keep myself together with.

My friend’s dad passed away on Monday. I wanted to be at the funeral, and had even planned a trip this week to say good-bye to him while he was in hospice. My heart grieves for my friend, who was such a support to me when I lost Brian, my brother, my dad, and my world fell apart.

My heart aches.

My heart aches for the grief in this world, which mine is a part of. A small part, but so, so heavy for me.

Sometimes grief can be so intense that my heart throbs and I feel panic.

When the sun is shining and the flowers are glowing in springtime glory my heart can almost burst. Grief can be even more intense.

Today I must battle the intensity.

I think that the “stages of grief” so helpful to know and acknowledge through a process of loss are really true. I have experienced ALL OF THEM in the five years since my trauma.

The one that helps me cope the most might be anger.

I never thought of myself as an angry person. Since my trauma I experience that emotion in a way entirely new to me.

I confess that I believe anger is one of the seven deadly sins, and righteous anger is hard to define. I heard once that only God can handle anger, therefore we must all quickly dissipate this emotion when felt, in a Godly way.

I went to a seminar on anger resolution and one of the tricks is to BLESS the source of anger.

Can I bless my grief?

When Brian died I confess that I was mad at him for dying. Crazy, right? It wasn’t his fault. His precious heart just failed.

Still, I was mad that he just left me.

This thought has come back many times in these past five years. I have a moment of anger and I think about what I need to do—-

My heart trembles.

I turn to God.

He knows my heart.

Life is really brief in light of eternity. We all live forever in heaven or hell. Can I hold out during this life?

This is a deep heart matter.

It is in these moments of intensity that God shows up for me most often. Today He reminded me that He cares for my heart.

He cares for you. He is coming soon. He is coming soon.

MARANATHA

I will be traveling to a college reunion this weekend. Ed is accompanying me, as he accompanied Brian at least 20 years ago to one of these events. I didn’t go last time, busy with school-age kids and other things (except Ed). Also, although I attended this college my freshman year, Brian graduated from there with his first degree, in literature. (His second degree in Electric Engineering, was from Dordt College.)

My brothers and their wives, nieces, nephew, cousins and other close family and friends also attended this college.

I still have friends from that special year. I hope some of them show up. For me, going to this reunion is more about closure. I doubt that I will ever attend another event for this college, but I need to “wrap up things.” It was such a big part of our lives for years.

I will continue to keep in touch with my roommate, my friend that lived across the hall in the dorm, and Renee, my friend for life, who also was my bridesmaid. These friendships are important to me, even if I do not have a lot of contact anymore.

Renee and I are travel partners, so we get to see each other more. I am so thankful for her.

It will be interesting. This college, from all reports, has become “woke,” my definition: drifting.

Those of us who are old-fashioned Bible thumpers, (I confess, relate, and wear it openly) aren’t welcome anymore. (So I will keep my mouth shut.)

I cannot abandon my belief in the power of prayer, the theology that does not replace Israel, the inerrancy of Scripture, the inspiration of Scripture, and the reality of God’s definition of sin. I also anticipate the pre-millennial Rapture of the church, the fulfillment of the Judaic feasts, and of prophecy yet unrealized, the coming time of “Jacob’s Trouble,” or as some label it, the Great Tribulation and the Beast Kingdom.

I believe wholeheartedly in the Holy Spirit and His help in understanding the Word of God.

To me, this belief is hope-filled, powerful, sustaining, and world-changing. I see a living church that holds to this worldview. I see life, but it’s getting rarer. I think there are places on other continents that are thriving spiritually because of this worldview.

Clarifying my own beliefs helps me to stand firm in light of morphing theology and drifting morals.

I see too many institutions and churches drifting away from Scripture. I see people I know and love who hate God now. They stand opposing the values He gave us. I see apathetic coolness towards God, weariness, wishy-washyiness, and general carnality trending. I see people who are uber-judgmental toward anything “conservative” or pertaining to a straight and narrow path, a strait gate. The hatred is real.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating, for them and for me, and I must simply love these dear ones. I can only trust that the Holy Spirit will open their spiritual eyes to truth. I am weary of the battle, so I will trust God to work in their hearts. I can pray, and that is powerful.

Grief, though. I still grieve.

As the “church” drifts away I can watch it go, continue to pray, and mind my own business as Micah did.

There are still many of us who are true brothers and sisters in Christ, watching and waiting patiently for the Glorious Appearing of our Lord. These are MY PEOPLE, the people of His pasture!

It is such a joy to find them through conversations, prophecy events, and other random encounters!

I praise God that my dear friend, Mary Kaye, and I share the same faith and worldview. One needs a staunch friend who will bolster you up when the going gets rough!

We all need to have our “tribe” of people who see the world the same way.

We can, and must love all people, including our enemies.

Being gracious to those who hurt you is a tough calling, but Jesus asks us to do it.

It is possible.

I subbed only one day this week, and it was pretty rough. I had to confess my sinful thoughts on the way home from school. One of the other teachers confessed that they had “given up” on this class, the behaviors are abysmal. These are young children!

My thoughts that needed to be confessed were a wish for an old-fashioned paddle, like the one that hung on the wall in the principal’s office at my elementary school.

Proverbs says, “Spare the rod, spoil the child.”

If ONLY some parents would NOT SPARE THE ROD. Discipline and respect are not taught in the home, and the schools are bound with powerless consequences to enforce anything that is of value.

It’s a losing game.

I’ve decided that being a sub is sort of being a missionary. I give my days (and of course I’m paid) to be a bit of light and comfort to the kids that need it. My heart is warmed at the sweet greetings I get as I walk the halls of troubled faces.

Kids often choose to tell me things that they do not tell teachers. Not sure why this is, but they see me as a safe person, an open countenance, non-judging, simply loving. I am sometimes a bit of a pushover with discipline, but I do have my methods for surviving a day. There are those days, though, that really sting. Some are still biting me.

I try to turn unpleasant encounters into teaching moments. Teachers can bully kids, but kids more often bully teachers. It’s true. You may think a first grader isn’t capable of doing that. The other day I was given two different slips of paper with obscene language directed at me (?) by a couple of first graders.

I didn’t bat an eye, and said nothing. I just took them. I said a silent prayer for the child and the family he came from.

What else can I do?

PRAY. I can pray about society. I can pray about wokeness. I can pray about the drifting church and the issues that make me grieve.

I can pray.

God answers prayer, but at this point I’m watching for His Glorious Appearing. My hope in the world has vanished.

MARANATHA!

Does that sound like an 1800’s letter?

It’s just that I caught that bug and it was nasty! Pain, sore throat, head ache, fever, stuffy head….just felt rotten.

I am always thankful when I get sick on a quieter weekend: I did not work at the hotel, so I just stayed quiet by the fire and drank gallons of tea.

I’m back to business.

I have a grateful heart today.

I’m grateful for my Village Church family and their prayers for me. I requested prayer for wisdom and guidance regarding my house repairs.

I feel that my spirit was calmed, a path was forged, and the right kind of people are responding to my dilemma.

God answers prayer.

The system isn’t fixed, but I know God hears and HE is working out a solution.

Some trees needed to be cut down, as they were threatening power lines and fences, and they were rooted in a bog. That needed to be addressed.

The report from Corgi Hollows is positive. I am thankful.

The little bird by the front door has laid five eggs. She isn’t on the nest much, but she still seems to think her location is fine. It’s still not. I doubt she will be a busy mother later this summer.

It makes me sort of sad.

So much bird activity around, even when my mom and I decided to cut back on feeding them. They still come through.

Pelicans have decided our lake nearby is acceptable environment. I believe they have a reputation of fishing a lake pretty clean. The lake is “mud lake,” and it isn’t deep. It acts as a stopover for most birds.

Our sandhill cranes have quieted down, so they must be busy roosting.

I look around at God’s creation and I marvel.

I am so blessed to live in the country with fresh air and space! It’s always interesting out here and I love it.

I’m off to school for a 1/2 day. My subbing jobs are dwindling as the school years comes to a close. I’m thankful for each day that I can get a job.

MARANATHA!

My weekend was filled. Much took place. I want to share the goodness of God.

Passover/Good Friday/Resurrection Sunday—Easter is and always has been a deeply meaningful and memorable time.

Spring is waking us all up from our snowy cocoons. The house needs a face-lift, a thorough cleaning and the windows need both sides cleansed.

Cold is interspersed with warmth and we all must adjust our hypothalamus whether we are aware or not.

It’s croup season.

Grandma had a set back, catching a bug that is going around. I had a few days of feeling dizzy and a bit off in my throat. It passed, for me, but Grandma is still recovering.

I’ve been so busy teaching that I don’t have time to get sick.

I worked at the hotel on this Easter weekend. It was very quiet. I was happy to see so many stores like Target deciding to pay respect to the Christian holiday and stay closed this Easter.

I am increasingly convicted about God’s command to keep the Sabbath. His laws and commands are never for stupid reasons.

Because I worked late on Saturday night (per usual, in the hotel business) I wasn’t able to attend any Sunday morning breakfast at church. I know they were held at all the churches I connect with.

Mom was going to host Sunday dinner, but because she wasn’t up to it she texted me during work Saturday to say that I would be having it at my house.

Thankfully, I had been cleaning. No, it’s not “ready” yet, because my septic/basement project is still half undone. At least my living room and dining room had space to put people. I ended up setting tables before I got to Easter Sunday service at Wayzata, Westgate.

The pastor there was a suite-mate of my oldest brother at Wheaton years and years ago. He also used to be the pastor at my church, that I attend now.

He had a good message about being dead, then becoming alive spiritually in Christ. It was a baptism service, as well.

For dinner, I had invited my oldest son and his family, my niece, Ed and Cherie, and three international friends. I invited three more of my Bible Study friends at church.

We all packed into Corgi Hollows for a salmon dinner, cheesy potatoes, asparagus, 24-hour fruit salad, Carrot cake muffins with real edible forsythia decorations (my niece made them ;)) and Forgotten Cake with lemon butter and whipped cream.

My daughter-in-law outdid herself bringing home-made sour dough loaves, beautifully decorated, and so delicious!

What a delightful lunch.

After dinner we all hiked out to the back hay field with Yuki and Corwyn. Little did we know we were about to see something big. It was. Really.

My son brought a long his .22, and the Yuki really doesn’t like loud noise. She took off.

We called, and called. No Yuki.

All of us dispersed to the north and the south, to the railroad track, to the east fields and the west. She simply wasn’t there.

We enlisted our neighbors to keep watch, too.

We prayed. As a group, we prayed.

A lovely Sunday had turned sorrowful.

But then—

A big black SUV drove slowly up the road towards us. I wasn’t on the road, but several of us were, and I could hear voices of joy.

Ed received a chagrined Yuki from the front seat of that vehicle. I ran out and shook the man’s hand, thanking him profusely!

Then I heard the story.

He lives south of the very busy, deadly U.S. highway by us. A young couple from Wisconsin stopped to pick up Yuki ON THAT HIGHWAY and brought her to the nearest farm they saw. The gentleman at the farm graciously took Yuki from them, saw that she had our city’s license tags, and chose to try to find her people on his own.

He didn’t call the city, and Yuki didn’t have our information on her collar.

It is just miraculous that he found us! We were about to give up the search because our international students needed to get back to the University campus.

The added activity clued him in that Yuki might belong with us!

God answered prayers, and we all rejoiced and thanked Him.

I am still thanking the Lord!!!

What could have been such a heart-breaking day turned perfect, even with a resurrection of sorts and great joy.

Three of my Chinese friends held Yuki down while we attached an old kitty tag that has our phone number on it. My daughter-in-law proved to be the best dog handler and fixed it in place. Sighs of relief. We didn’t want to remove her collar at all. We were all still jittery. Yuki, too.

We all marveled at God’s answered prayer the way back to the U.

I am still marveling. I am still grateful. I thank God as I hug Yuki even now.

Our students, some believers, some not, saw the amazing answer. I just pray that it shows the power of God and His interest in even “small” details of our “little” lives.

God is so good!

Needless to say, we are keeping our eye on Yukichan. Next time the .22 comes out she’s staying INSIDE!

Btw, Corwyn was afraid, but she wisely chose to return to the house, the front step, and waited there patiently for us to get back! Corgis. 🙂

A memorable Easter Sunday.

There are three eggs in the little nest by the front door. I’m not optimistic about this.

Margaret’s lambs are the cutest things ever! So, so tiny! I plan to get over there to see them up close this week. I see them in little white puddles in the pasture as I drive back from school. They are out with their moms in the afternoon.

Yes, there is a donkey keeping guard there, but those fox and coyotes are truly wily. Pray for these little creatures and their safety!

MARANATHA!

I spent a few hours this week reading an old Moody Press book called “Queen of the Dark Chamber” by Christiana Tsai (Cai), an autobiography.

First of all, her description of growing up in China mirrored a Chinese TV show I’d watched to help me learn Chinese. It was uncannily alike, and lent much credibility to Chinese entertainment media! They seem to accurately portray some historical and cultural things, all very fascinating.

Christiana’s (her Chinese name seems to be “7th Daughter”) story is leaps and bounds more exciting and even beyond belief than the made-up stories in Chinese TV. It’s really hard to believe, but I do.

I believe in a supernatural God, and He is able to do supernatural things.

Demons, so real in that culture, can only mimic God’s power. They can keep souls in bondage to evil and wickedness. We are all born in sin. Only the Holy Spirit can open our eyes to Christ’s victory over sin and death on the cross. That He rose again is evidence of His supremacy and that He is Lord of Lords and King of Kings.

He is Lord. The demons must bow to Him.

In our global Post-Modern society the push to downplay supernatural activity is in China, too. Actually China is a perfect example of Metamodernism. The atheism of Communism plus the fast-growing push of economic capitalism there has given rise to the digital age of Metamodernism. Mostly in the high population areas.

There is still fascination and belief in evil and the spirits attached to it, and since China still has a percentage of illiteracy (Chinese is really hard!) the old ways die hard.

Evil is real.

The book I read had a personal story that was amazing, but the reason Cai and her godmother Mary Leaman had significance was their life-work of creating a Chinese phonetic New Testament. This all happened in the 1920’s and 1930’s amidst huge political upheaval.

Leaman demonstrated the remarkable ease of reading the phonetic system for all levels of Chinese society to countless officials. Cai helped her in her work, despite terrible physical ailments. I looked up Chinese phonetics and saw it is really Pinyin, but there must have been some added information by Leaman, and her father, Charles. I didn’t research it deeply, but there was no mention of their contribution in my initial diggings.

But God knows their work, and Christiana Cai’s, too. I will try to look into this a bit more.

I’m reading books that connect ancient Chinese script to the Hebrew Otiot, and this is also fascinating. Chinese scholars get riled about this connection, but sometimes you simply see what is there to be seen!

Shang-ti was alike to El Shaddai in multiple ways! Sacrifices of bulls to Shang-ti continued until the beginning of the 20th century! Spending time trying to read and understand Chinese characters is not for the faint of heart. It’s really hard. Each stroke represents something deep, and putting things together is actually an art form.

Chinese see poetry, art, meaning, and cultural heritage in each character.

Such a world within a language!

Back to humble little Corgi Hollows. I know that Cai’s book is hard to come by now. I looked on various internet sites. It’s expensive. I was able to read a church library copy. I just love missionary biographies. The evidence of supernatural power and commitment to our faith is so inspiring.

Cheri announced that she (and I) can take a course at the University of Minnesota on Chinese Calligraphy next fall. We haven’t registered for it yet, but I’m very tempted. So is she. I think it would be a fun thing to do together, and very fascinating.

Cheri also announced that she will spend the summer on an adventure in Alaska. She really loves Alaska! She found a summer job up there.

I will be moaning and groaning and weeping and toiling without her.

But the summer will pass. Ed may move back and forth from his place frequently to do garden work and other…

So much to do at Corgi Hollows, always.

He is really wanting to put his Japanese garden into reality and planning stages have been explored. The ground must be broken! I will have to film the first shovel-full for posterity.

April 19 is a day I feel connected to and grieving with some of my Asian friends that I’ve gotten to know. The death of one popular young man on this date two years ago has unified many thousands of people in grief and loss. It is a time to pray and hope that the truth and comfort of Jesus will become real to many of them. Some of his closest friends are believers, and I am still hopeful that they were able to quietly share Christ with him before he passed away.

It seems to be an Illuminati-significant day, as well. I still observe these connections. Once you see it you cannot un-see it.

Yes, Jesus is coming soon. When the global order reveals itself as it has been progressively doing, we can look up because our redemption draws nigh. That’s Biblical.

MARANATHA!