Family letter by Debra

August 12, 2013

Dear ladies,

Sights and sounds -- What do you see and hear? Dada, Dada, Dada, Dada! That is the sound our tires on the USA highways as we continue to travel during our short furlough. We have travelled 8,000 plus miles from Maryland (Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, North Dakota, Manitoba Canada, Missouri, and Oklahoma) to Colorado. As I go about my day, I understand more and more how we are affected by the sights and sounds around us? That sound from our tires is nearly driving me crazy and, according to my husband, that is a short road. I am so looking forward to that day when the final sound of time as we know it will sound. Are you listening and watching?

The Lord makes it clear in His word that there is a final sound that will not only affect me personally, but also the world with the sound of the trumpet. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. I Corinthians 15:52.

In the mean time as we wait for the sounding of the trumpet and the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ we will continue the work in the Czech Republic. We cannot wait to get back there to see the people and to hear all about their summer, in hopes that we would be able to give the Lord honor that He is due. We gave the people of Brno Baptist Church three assignments while we were on furlough; memorize the Roman Road, share Christ and His great Salvation with someone, and to walk through the life of Jesus using the Sunday school coloring pages. We are looking forward to hear the children (and the adults) quote the Roman Road, tell of their opportunities to share Christ, and see the art work from the children.

Grand children are blessings and the stories from their lives make a heart merry. One day, Eliana was sitting at the table eating breakfast, when she began to pick at her food, not like Eliana to pick at food. Donna told her “eat your toast”. Unfortunately, Eliana did not hear her mother correctly and proceeded to reach for her toes wondering why she should be eating her toes for breakfast. Lilibeth has been waiting and waiting for her Grandma Allison. Every day she asked “Will Grandma All-y-son get here today??” After a short conversation with me on the phone, I assured her that I would have Grandpa drive really fast and that we would see her soon, but the watching and the asking did not stop until we arrived, then what I heard was “I love you Grandma All-y-son”.

Lydia had a ride to remember. Their family decided to watch the fireworks on the 4th of July; which Lydia thoroughly enjoyed, but after leaving the park, Lydia told Gina that she had to use the toilet. It would be in the middle of all the backed up traffic that our grand daughter would be so informative. The trip back to the park was going to be as slow as the trip home, so Daniel stopped a police officer to ask about a restroom for his daughter. The officer said that they could get into his car and he would take them through the traffic to a restroom. Lydia?s ride to the toilet was all lights. She tried telling me that the siren was also sounding, but Daniel informed me that it was only the lights. Welcome to small town America.

Our stay in Missouri was an encouragement. It was good to be with our pastor and our church family there. We were quite busy while in Springfield, but we took time at the end of the second week to take the boys to Silver Dollar City amusement park. It rained all day, but from all the yelling, WOOHOO's and one-more-time's it sounded like the boys were having a great time. We are very grateful for the organizations that give us missionaries a discount.

As for me I am looking forward to all the sights and sounds of home. I love being with our daughters, our granddaughters, our Pastor and wife and all the Lord?s churches, but there is something to say about furlough and being young.

Until we meet again, keep our eyes and ears open.

Love and prayers,

Debra