Hello Faith Pals,
I hope you have all warmed up! 1 degree when I got up!
News about :
Fredrica: Managing quite well. Still has pain, of course, but coping.
Don: (from Geoff Serpell on Friday evening): Anne phoned this evening to tell us that Don had his surgical operation this afternoon to restore his broken hip. He is now on 24 nursing watch and of course is not feeling the greatest. The surgeon pronounced the operation as successful. He will remain in Frankston hospital at least a week and then require rehabilitation. Anne will keep us informed and I will pass the details on to you. Anne is very grateful for our prayers and thoughts.’ Thank you Geoff.
Jean and Jacqui: Jacqui is now out of I CU, on a general ward. Jacqui is having a lung test today, and will be in hospital for at least a couple more days. Jean has appreciated your thoughts and prayers, and offers of help.
I have included a clip from Margaret Knott about Yellowstone Park, and what happened after wolves were re-introduced into the region. Of course, I am concerned about the deer-but I have to put that aside. Nature is nature.
Wolves are incredible creatures. One of the most amazing experiences of my life was having my face licked by a white wolf (I visited a white wolf sanctuary in Oregon when we stayed with Audrey Schindler about 8 years ago-some of you remember Audrey-and Bruce-a most gracious lady, and beautiful couple). Audrey and Bruce also came along, and enjoyed the howls!
Now, have you done your homework? What are your top ten books? I set the task-but then was asked “what are your top ten?” It is more difficult than I thought! Top 10 from your childhood? In your teens? Working life? The top 10 books that have made a difference in your life? I kept finding more and more.
Here is my top ten (I think):
Charlotte’s Web: E.B White
Little Women: Louisa May Alcott
Ferdinand the Bull: Munro Leaf
Jane Eyre: Charlotte Bronte
Night: Elie Wiesel
History of Rain: Niall Williams
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: C.S. Lewis
Tuesdays With Morrie: Mitch Albom
Lenny’s Book of Everything: Karen Foxlee
Skellig: David Almond
Brewer’s Book of Phase and Fable
(yes, I am not good at maths, so maybe that is 11! Ferdinand the Bull is a picture book, so not so big!)
I didn’t list any poetry, or treasured volumes of fairytales, or my animal books, or anything by Paul Gallico, or Madeleine L’Engle, or some wonderful Christian non-fiction. Sigh.
I have a list from one person, which I will share on Friday, so if you have made up your list (it might only be 1 or 2 books-that is fine)-please send it in during the week, and I will do a compilation for Friday. You might want to include an answer to “why is that book so special to you?” Now, I know some of you have been busy sorting out books, tidying up-so this might be an easy task!
Two weeks ago I sent you some reflections about love, based on 1 Corinthians 13. I suggested inserting Jesus’ name in it:
‘Christ is…patient, Christ is…kind…’ because we realized we couldn’t live up to inserting our own names. We fail…sometimes miserably!
BUT Max Lucado makes this suggestion, putting in Christ…and your name (I am using the version of the Bible he used, so some of the wording is a little different from the NRSV):
Christ in_____ is patient, Christ in __________ is kind. Christ in_________ does not envy, Christ in ________ does not boast, Christ in __________ is not proud. Christ in ____________ is not rude, Christ in _________is not self-seeking, Christ in ____________is not easily angered, Christ in _________keeps no record of wrongs. Christ in ___________does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Christ in ___________always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Christ in ___________never fails.
Doesn’t that make a difference!
We may never live up to the ideal (not this side of heaven) but we will love better!
Blessings and love,
Barbara Allen
