We send you our greetings in this new year in the great Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. When we look back over the year 2000 it seems as if there was no way we (especially me - Cora) could make it. BUT GOD HAD OTHER PLANS! The criterion for receiving hospice care is life expectancy of less than 6 months, yet I will be under hospice care for two years in March! Many times I have felt I cannot go on as my condition worsens, but the Lord has faithfully kept me going through the prayers of His people. We know He has a very special ending planned for this journey. Because of Jim’s need to provide more care for me, he has had to be at home most of the time which has diminished his ability to contribute to the work of Wycliffe. But we are so grateful for the love and acceptance given him by those in the Seed Company (a part of Wycliffe that funds nationals involved with Bible translation around the world). He is continuing to learn to be content with his situation in life when it is completely different from what he ever wanted or expected. Please pray for him as the Lord continues to teach him this lesson! Jenny has had a year filled with blessings from the Lord despite all the setbacks with her Mom. She now earns her living by playing the piano at a local church and university as well as for weddings, which she loves. She also has some special friends close by and a special guy who has been making her smile lots lately! Oh yes, she just bought her first car a week ago so she’s getting real independent! David continues to direct the computing work for Wycliffe Associates and his wife Carolyn is a second grade teacher. They only live a few miles from us so we get to see them often. They also had a great year in 2000. As we begin this new year I wanted share some meditations with you from Psalms 3 and 4 that have helped us. Because of the length and intensity of the trail we have fallen many times, but the Lord has always been there to keep us going. Below are the two Psalms in the Living Bible translation with my comments in parentheses. Psalm 3 O Lord, so many are against me (In the spiritual realm). So many seek to harm me. I have so many enemies. So many say that God will never help me. But Lord, you are my shield, my glory, and my only hope. You alone can lift my head, now bowed in shame. I cried out to the Lord, and he heard me from his Temple in Jerusalem. Then I lay down and slept in peace and woke up safely, for the Lord was watching over me. (How many times I go to sleep afraid but wake up safely. I have so much to fear but so much deliverance from deep levels of fear. PTL!) And now, although ten thousand enemies surround me on every side, I am not afraid. I will cry to him, “Arise, O Lord! Save me, O my God!” And he will slap them in the face, insulting them and breaking off their teeth. For salvation comes for God. What joys he gives to all his people. (It will be so wonderful when full deliverance comes! Read Psalm 126 for a glimpse.) Psalm 4 O God, you have declared me perfect in your eyes (in Christ); you have always cared for me in my distress; now hear me as I call again. Have mercy on me. Hear my prayer. The Lord God asks, “Sons of men, will you forever turn my glory into shame by worshiping these silly idols, when every claim that’s made for them is false?” (How much we have worshipped at the feet of medicine, money, and education. How we long to see them brought down.) Mark this well: The Lord has set apart the redeemed for himself. Therefore he will listen to me and answer when I call to him. Stand before the Lord in awe, and do not sin against him. Lie quietly upon your bed in silent meditation. Put your trust in the Lord, and offer him pleasing sacrifices. Many say that God will never help us. Prove them wrong, O Lord, by letting the light of your face shine down upon us. Yes, the gladness you have given me is far greater than their joys at harvest time as they gaze at their bountiful crops. (I am waiting to see the complete fulfillment of this promise in my life.) I will lie down in peace and sleep, for though I am alone, O Lord, you will keep be safe. We join with you who have held us up all this time believing for us when we couldn’t hold on ourselves. How true
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