Jacobs Thoughts and Doings

Here they are, Isaac, Jack and Ben, the Waltermyer boys, patiently waiting for gift distribution.  Great young men, each and all.  We enjoyed them for a week over the holidays.

You guide me with Your counsel, and later receive me in glory.

Psalm 73:24

Is there a more precious word from our Lord?  I think not.  It is especially appropriate for those of us who look back with full hearts of gratitude, and who look forward to enjoying the intimate presence of Jesus Christ forever.

He is my daily Guide and my counselor always.  I am in good hands.  This past half year got me ready, in a sense, to enter a new phase of life, closeness to Jesus Christ.  Physical life is frail.  Spiritual life is perfect and eternal.

Walk with me and my dear wife, Anna Ruth, as we move forward by faith, knowing that He will never leave nor forsake us.  Welcome to 2019!

Isaac is now 9 and going on twelve!  A delightful person and a treasured great grandson.  I think he has just opened a Christmas gift.

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.

Psalm 91:1, 16

This year, 2018, is ending for me with a sour note, so to speak.  I realize that age assumes some changes but when those changes come fast one falls back on what really matters, faith.

Two car accidents in less than a week.  God speaks clearly.  That is that for me.  Anna Ruth will do the driving from here on.

Medication to halt the deterioration of my weak red blood cells is there in the background.  I am about to begin my second bi-weekly shot to see if this can by turned around.

And the pate of my head is demanding some serious consideration.

So it is.

I find profound contentment in knowing that God is directing my life and will look after my welfare, spiritually and physically, all my days.  He has been faithful for 90 years.  I praise his name now and forever.  He is with me and will be there for all time and eternity.

David calls him “The Most High” yet the One who is near as his shadow.

Then these lovely words of hope and promise, With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.  With that the Palmist closes his psalm of faith. That is my song today and shall be forever.

Glenn stirs the ugali with a wooden spatula while Paul holds and Evan supervises the operation!  This has become an annual tradition at this time of year.  It is good on its own but also reminds us of many,  many ugali feasts of the past.  God is good.

To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

Jude 24

I draw this year, 2018, to a close with the words of our brother, Jude.  One, verse, number 24 in his one chapter letter.

To whom do I pray?  To him, Jesus Christ, who gave his life for us and is raised to keep us forever.  Why to do we turn to him?  Because he is able!  And He works wonders in our lives to do the most amazing things.

First, he can keep us from stumbling.  He is strong, we are weak.   That is the context of our walk with God.   He keeps us!  What a promise?  What a reality!  Who could even devise another way?  Lord, thank you for making provision for my hungry soul.

Secondly, and just as precious, is unthinkable, that because of what Jesus has done, we stand before his presence without fault!  Me, without fault? Read again!  It is true.  And the result is great joy.

We stand in the presence of Jesus, our Lord.  Our heartfelt response is strong– to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

Join me in lifting up our Jesus, now and forever!

I suppose this is a good way to celebrate December.  I totaled the Avalon on Friday, before Christmas, and then mashed the front bumper, etc., on the Corolla the day after Christmas!  Two in a week!  That set off an alarm with Anna Ruth, etc.  So as of today I will leave the driving up to Anna Ruth or others.   I can hardly believe I am saying this, as I was always an avid driver, but age has its demands, as well as privileges.  It will take me a little while to agree that I should not drive.  But, life is much, much more than driving.  So I rest on His grace to help me to act my age.

Between Anna Ruth and Jane, I can meet the driving needs of my appointments, almost all in the area of health issues.

Lord, give me the good grace to rejoice in so much freedom of driving through many, many years, and now the grace to let others do the driving as I enjoy the ride!   “Easier said than done,” my Mom used to say.

This has been a demanding year, for me.  I want to learn, not to direct circumstances!

Good news for all.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.  He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will accomplish this.

Isaac 6:6 – 7

December 24, a memorable day in our lives, for it was on that day we entered into marriage – hopes and dreams filling the soul and mind.  We gathered in the Charles front room for the simple ceremony with our bishop Henry Lutz presiding and Raymond, Anna Ruth’s brother, leading in a prayer that still rings in our ears.  What a brother and brother-in-law.  Simple but beautiful.  My parents and some of my sibs were there as well.

After an ample meal at a well-known banquet place we headed off to Florida.

That was 69 years ago.  Our love for one another is stronger than ever.  God is good.

Our 1997 Toyota Avalon served us marvelously for years. We be bought it from Duane, my brother, in 2002. He had it from new.

Well, on Friday night when Anna Ruth and I were finding our way to Erb Mennonite Church I pulled into the lane of an oncoming car and that was it. Our car, poor thing, was totaled! Anna Ruth had some leg bruises and I had a wound on my head. The bags did not distend. We praised God as we walked away from the scene.  We found that no one in the other car was injured.

That was how our evening began. We enjoyed our time with some members of the congregation and this lovely family of five children around delicious East Africa food. It marked the first-year anniversary of the arrival of this family in America. The congregation helped them to settle and find employment., aided by Church World Service.  The father is Malobi Emmanuel and the mother is Antoineti Busi.

Since the family, Congolese, spent several years in Uganda they spoke Swahili so we could converse with them easily. What they went through as refugees touched the heart. I found no bitterness in them, just praise that God led them to America, eventually.

We got in touch with Jane and Glenn who appeared to take us home. What a night.  Glenn dressed my head wound as a wonderful doctor.  There was a nurse at the gathering. She was super helpful, had all the bandages, etc.

Goodbye to our Avalon and welcome to a lovely Congolese couple.

We spent the evening around the table with their host family, Congolese but residents in Uganda for a dozen or so years as refugees. The husband is employed handling chickens. We enjoyed getting to know the parents and their five children who were first hosted by this congregation a year ago, to the day.

A night to remember.  Even though upset a bit by the accident.