Marsha's Blog

 Good Morning.  This morning we’re still in Texas, have had a lovely week juggling relatives and friends, but unfortunately missing quite a few.  I’m glad for the forgiveness of many of you who still care about us even tho we never show up on your doorstep. If I don’t lose my mind before the next visit, those of you who got played over will be on the first of the list!  We’re happy to report that, except for a couple of “Come to Jesus” moments, we mostly drove on the correct side of the road. Tony would like to add that, so far, he has managed to negotiate the Dallas freeway system without breaking anything or losing his mind.  We also were made aware of the importance of one’s political stance, and even tho we never had to deal personally with it, came to understand that some folks are quite sensitive about the pronouns they identify with. Get me home!!!  In amongst all that, we ALMOST managed to vote in the US election – just a few more hoops to jump thro...

Good Morning All, Today some of you will be seeing me in person as we visit Tony’s parents’ Church (and ours too, for that matter), Holly Brook Baptist.This last week, we had a nice catch up with my only sibling Sherry, and her husband Richard.  Family is so nice.  We ate and reminisced, drove the country roads and avoided hittingt he skunk bent on self-destruction (which was very fortuitous), and just had a nice time.  We helped them say “no” to  another puppy, then held their bags as they signed the papers.  I wonder at their wisdom to bring this responsibility into their already heavy load, but we all got sucked in; who can say ‘no’ to such cuteness? I need to mention that although I try to write you a blog every week, you need to understand that this ‘exercise’ is more for MY benefit than anything else.  What I’m doing is making you witnesses to what’s going on in my head. It’s such a privilege to be able to share with you. Thank you so much! And once a...

 We got a thought-provoking newsletter the other day from some dear friends we worked alongside for many years in JAPAN. They are of a more 'reformed, Calvinistic nature' than us crazy "free will" Baptists and we had some interesting and challenging repartee with them over the years. Somehow we've remained good friends, as do some of our children and theirs.   So it was a surprise in this letter, to hear them asking for prayers for all the people they've invested so much time and effort into and who have not turned their hearts towards Christ ...... even so much as to be polite.    While reading it, I began to mourn for our own "lost causes" and believe me, there are many. We invested SO MUCH into them, and especially our own hopes and dreams, but somehow they chose to float away.   And then I thought of how Jesus must have felt.  The Scriptures refer to Him many times as a "Man of Sorrows".  He, being God, probably not only grieved, but re...

  Good Morning Friends, I’m typing this from the airport; our trip to the States has begun.  Hopefully I’ll see a few of you I missed last time.  I’ll have to say it’s been a bit hectic, getting ready for this little and somewhat simple trip, and I’m glad to be started.   I had something ready to send, but this morning I saw a friend’s Facebook post and thought it might be appropriate to share.  I hope they don’t get me for plagiarizing….. but some of my Australian friends, like me, might not have got a real idea of what’s been going on this last week in Appalachia. So with prayers, I’m going to share this: If you haven’t heard about the floods and relief efforts in North Carolina, I thought I’d share some thoughts.   Firstly, I hope you aren’t thinking, ‘They should have been better prepared”.  Nothing like this has EVER happened to these folks in recorded history.  20-30 inches (50-85 cms) of rain falling on 3000 ft mountains (really t...