A Token For Good

"Shew me a token for good:...because thou, Lord, hast holpen me, and comforted me."
Psalm 86:17

So have you ever asked the Lord to do something special JUST for you, that you know He did, JUST to show you that He loves you?

I have. Many, many times.

And many, many times He has answered with such sweet blessings that I know were direct answers to my requests.

Little ol' me. Can you imagine that our wonderful God Who's glory the Heavens declare, cares enough about me to move specific people and circumstances to remind me of His love for ME?!

It overwhelms me. Every time.

So I want to tell you about something VERY special that God has done for me (and for many hundreds of other people, for sure!) to show that He loves me so much.

He has brought my oldest brother, Tom, and his wonderful family to our town to serve as missionaries. They arrived in November to begin a Baptist radio ministry that (Lord willing) will reach to dozens (if not hundreds) of surrounding villages and towns. (Go on over and read Mona's blog...Mi Casa Es Su Casa.)

The months of November and December were (for us) such busy months! I am so ashamed that I am just now writing about their arrival.

When Tom and his family arrived, they hit the ground running, and began at once plunging right into the work.

What a blessing it has been to have them here! Not only the FUN of having (more) family close by, but the blessing of having more workers in the church....a growth of sweet young ladies in my Sunday School class...new, fresh ideas for different activities among the ladies.

Yes, indeed, God has personally blessed me. In these past 2 months, He has given me spiritual encouragement; I have been challenged to do more for Him; and He has given me a renewed purpose and commitment in my child training, as I have watched Tom and Mona with their children.

God has brought them for such a time as this...to say, "I love you. I did this JUST for you!"

Thank you, Tom and Mona, (and all you sweet, sweet Sloan children) for being SUCH an encouragement! I love you, each and every one!

Tom and his children singing on Thanksgiving Day

"I'm Saved!"

On Saturday, January 7, our Little Deborah Jolene accepted Jesus in her heart!

She had been asking questions for a while, and I believe she was under conviction;
and we praise the Lord for saving her, and for freely giving salvation to all who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and all who call upon His name.

She wanted to be baptized the next day. She called her Uncle Tommy on the phone (he is fulfilling pastoral duties, as Philip and Liz are in the States now) and said, "Uncle Tommy, I'm saved. Can you baptize me?"

After the morning service yesterday, she bravely stepped into the (freezing!) baptismal waters and followed the Lord in believers' baptism.

We are rejoicing with the angels in Heaven over this lost sinner who has repented.

Rejoice with us!

And thank you to all who have been praying with us for our
Little Debbie Jolene!