Saturday, February 27, 2010

Update 2/27/10 Day 111

Dear friends,

Stephen's brother John came to visit today, the world's best twin brother bringing with him the world's best ice cream (from his shop, Bruster's, in New Milford, CT.). John and Stephen are absolutely best friends. I love seeing them together, enjoying one another's jokes and simply being together happily. I praise the Great One for the incredible love He has shown to us through family and friends. John, Bettianne, Tom, Sandy, David, Laura Jeanne, Melissa, Richard, Debbie, Donnie, Danny, Kathy, Lori- these are the sibs and their significant others. There are so many more to mention, but I want you guys to know how much we love you! It's completely humbling. I can only rejoice and be grateful.

Once again the news was wrenching today. Chile needs our prayers, friends. Another terrible earthquake with all the heartache that goes with it. I pray the Comforter will be with the people of Chile, and that He'll show us once again our part in helping these folks so many miles from our homes. The troubles of this world so outweigh our own small problems. This quote by King George VI of England, given on Christmas day in 1939, gives hope to all who travel through difficult times:

"I said to the man who stood at the Gate of the Year, 'Give me a light, that I may tread safely into the unknown'. And he replied 'Go out into the darkness, and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light, and safer than a known way'."

To you my dear friends, in your troubles, God shall be to you better than light, and safer than a known way!

Smitty got a big smile on his face the other day. These simple words do the trick: "pitchers and catchers report..." Tomorrow is the last day of February. Soon the "boys of summer" will be on the radio. Soon a whole host of Steve's friends, Mets fans and Yankee fans alike, will begin the banter that gives them such a load of fun. The serious business of life - following the Great One, doing what is right, looking to the needs of others- these are the meat and potatoes of our days on earth. But isn't it fantastic that simple pleasures, like baseball, are thrown into the mix by our creator to be enjoyed in their right place? They're never supposed to be the main course of life, but the delightful snacks along the way. How great is our God, who knows the need for frivolity along the way.

I know I've said it a hundred times on this blog, but thank you for everything. Our family owes you all a debt of gratitude. We can't pay it back, but as you've heard me say time and again, we will do all we can to pay it forward. The Great One has made you all the vehicles of that "better than light, and safer than a known way." Despite my missing the mark in many ways, you have shown me grace. And He has shown me amazing, astonishing, undeserved Grace! What a Father!

Please pray for the dear people of Chile. And please pray for Oscar Lewis, to whom my heart extends and who is loved greatly by God.

Your friend on the pilgrim road,

Loriann

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

...and this blog, my friend, has been a light to us in a multitude of ways I dare say. We're all traveling-some on straight road, for the moment, some on a curved and/or hilly one, and some have detoured-only The Great One knows all our paths-thank you again for sharing God's
faithfulness and encouragement to you and your your family It's light continues to shine in all our lives. Sue Cummings

Anonymous said...

Amen!

Anonymous said...

I am from New Milford. but it was back when I was 15. Where is Brusters? Denise P.

johandav said...

Dear Denise,

Bruster's is on Route 7, very close to the high school. They only opened in August, so it wasn't there when you were a kid.
Too bad - the birthday cake flavor is phenomenal!

Loriann