May you overflow with hope

It has been an active and delightful weekend. Friday morning friend Keith arrived from Wake Forest and we were able to join our SIM-Start folks for a delicious lunch there. In the evening his father took us out to dinner at a wonderful Italian restaurant, but I was still so full from lunch that I ordered light and ended up taking half of my order home in a box. Saturday Keith and I had a bit of time together over breakfast and then he headed back to Wake Forest. We continue to pray for a job and direction for him.

Sunday we had a special speaker in our class that returned from Russia to give us an update on his work at the seminary in Moscow. Sasha was a KGB agent for many years and has a testimony that I wish each of you could hear. Through an American pastor’s daughter who was teaching his wife English, he ultimately turned his life over to Christ. Ask me about it sometime. Only God could orchestrate anything like that!

In the afternoon I had a delightful visit from former neighbors who now live in Alabama. We had a fun time talking about the years we spent together and how Carol and I had been part of their wedding years ago in our adjoining yards. It is hard to believe how many years ago that was, but their ten-year-old daughter helped peg it back about twelve years. Wow…time sure does fly!

Tomorrow (Monday) is a holiday for our office so I plan to tackle some more of the house chores that need handling. It always amazes me how “demanding” the house and yard can be but I am thankful for the health and strength to keep up.

As I was reading this morning I was especially interested in the Apostle Paul’s prayer in Romans 15:13; “I pray that God, who gives you hope, will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in him. May you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” That certainly is the desire of my heart, and I want to extend that prayer to each of you dear friends.

Love to you all,

Chuck