Family Reunions

This summer is the Stites Sisters' Family Reunion. I am looking forward to a few days spent with those I don't get to see very often. My wonderful sisters(the family is voting for the best blog, so I have to butter them up)& their families will be there. We will expectantly await the day when we all get together for fun & games, good food, family stories, picture taking and recreation. There will be laughter, competition and relaxation. We hope the weather is nice for outdoor cookouts and swimming in the lake. It will be a few days to remember in the years to come. With our talented children coming up after us and the new technology of computers, digital cameras and the like, those kodak moments will be easily stored so this historical family event will be remembered in the future (Yea Kirsten!). One sister will not be able to be at our family reunion. Sara is busy having her own reunion with Mom & Dad & other friends and relatives who have gone on before us to be with the Lord. She is certainly laughing and having a good time. She is not thinking about the weather because she is with the One who controls the weather!

Having reunions here on this earth remind us of that final reunion, when we will be gathered together. On that last day Jesus Christ will descend through the clouds with a trumpet call. Can you imagine it? The fanfare will be playing to announce the King is coming! It will be the biggest reunion of all history! Who will be gathered? All of us, but only those who have put their trust in the King will be go to His reunion of everlasting life. The rest sadly will go to everlasting torment. If you're like me I think you would prefer the reunion with joy and laughter as apposed to the reunion with unquenchable fire and gnashing of teeth. The Word of God says that the sheep and goats will be divided. The sheep are the ones who hear their shepherd's voice. Do you hear Him? He says, "Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Jesus lived, died and rose again for us sinners. He took the punishment that we deserve. He is the good Shepherd and He lays down His life for the sheep. He is the Savior of sinners. If you haven't already, put your trust in Him today. Don't miss out on the best reunion to come!

Subway's Superb Service

I have to say that I had superb service at the Subway restaurant in Ashland, Oregon last week. The help was extraordinary! I happened to catch a shot of this handsome, debonair gentleman as he patiently waited for my order. He wrapped my sandwich so perfect that not a tomato, lettuce leaf or meat slice shifted in transport. He even brought out the ingredients of a particular sauce so I could see if it had any dairy in it. I highly recommend that if you are in the area to stop in and experience the unique atmosphere and excellent hospitality. But beware, someone might remind you that tips are enthusiastically received!

Running the Race

I have been waking up a 6:00 a.m. every morning. Now you may ask, what are you, crazy?! The answer is yes. Mom and I have been getting up and either going to Club Northwest or to the Grants Pass high school track to run and work out. It has been good, but tough. The time is only one reason for this though. It's that I'm totally out of shape and really can't believe how little I can run before I'm exhausted.

Interestingly, I recently was encouraged by the verse chosen as my graduating class's verse. Isaiah 40:31:
"But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."

When I am tired it is God who will help. When I am at my lowest it is God who gives me help and strength, physically and spiritually.

I love how Rebecca St. James says it in her song entitled All around Me

If I see my world come tumbling down
If I feel my heart touching the ground
You're all around me
If everything starts to fade away
And all I can do is call Your name
You're all around me

Now, with the Lord's strength, let's start running the race!

Suffering for the Gospel

I have been reading a book called Faithful Women & Their Extraordinary God by Noel Piper. The chapter I read last night was about a woman I had never heard of; her name is Esther Ahn Kim. The subtitle to the chapter is called "Faithful in Suffering". It is an amazing story of God's faithfulness to this woman as she suffered for her Savior. The story takes place in Korea during the Japanese occupation, 1937-1945. It was considered the Dark Age by many Koreans. Most foreign missionaries had left Korea by 1940 because they were forbidden to speak with anyone and they could cause Koreans' lives to be in danger if they attempted to interact with them. Also pressure was put on Christian missionaries to lead people to worship at the Shinto shrines. These shrines were put up everywhere and people were expected to bow down to them. They were even put in Christian churches and police watched to see that everyone bowed down to them.

Esther Ahn Kim was named Ei Sook when she was born. During her young life she was instructed by her mother, who was a strong Christian who didn't own a Bible or have a church. But because of godly teaching in her younger years, Ei Sook's mother lived by these 4 Biblical principles: 1. Jesus was her Savior 2. He would not forsake those who believe in Him, 3. God causes all things to work for good to those who love Him, and 4. Jesus hears the prayers of His children. God's grace strengthened this mother to teach her daughter and to model the Christian life by serving others. Little did she know all the suffering that her daughter would go through. She became the very words of God for Ei Sook.

In 1939 Ei Sook became a music teacher at a Christian School for girls. There came a day when all the schools were required to attend the shrine in the middle of Seoul. Pressure was put on the principal and threats that they would suffer if the children and staff didn't go to the shrine and bow down. Ei Sook knew John 14:6 and that she could not bow down to any other god. The principal pressed her to go and she ended up going to the shrine but as she remembered Sadrach, Meshach, and Abednego she determined to make the same decision and not bow down. She knew that God might not respond with immediate safety but He could be trusted to do what was best for her. So when the time came to bow the Lord gave her the fortitude to do what was right.

When Ei Sook got back to the classroom she was met by the police and taken to the district office. When the chief detective received a phone call and was distracted Ei Sook ran back home where her mother disguised her and put her on a train. Ei Sook knew that there was a good possibility of the police catching up with her and she would be tortured and put in prison. Guided by her family she ended up at an isolated house where her mother spent time with her preparing her to suffer. Ei Sook memorized many hymns and over 100 chapters of the Bible. She also prepared for hard times by sleeping on the floor without a blanket. She also fasted for days to prepare her body for less food.

To hear more of this story you can read it in Faithful Women and Their Extraordinary God, or in Esther Ahn Kim's autobiography called If I Perish. The Christian life is one of blessing and relying on the Lord who has saved us; that also includes knowing Him and the fellowship of His suffering. Ei Sook's situation and her type of suffering we might never experience. Nevertheless it doesn't excuse us from being prepared for whatever the Lord brings. Maybe it is not sleeping on the floor without a blanket, but we can certainly be memorizing scripture and hymns/psalms. The Lord is faithful; He will never leave or forsake His children. He is the One who goes before us and as Esther said, "if I perish, I perish." Paul said in Philippians 1:21, "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Do we have that mindset as Christians? Let's encourage one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, and to meditate on God's Word day and night so that we will be ready when suffering comes our way.

Wonderful words

I have been listening to a lot of music and songs by Steven Curtis Chapman. He is a great song writer and artist! Some of my favorites of his are The Great Adventure, I will be here, and Cinderella.

I'm also trying to find and pick out some fun music for my graduation coming up. I will get to submit a few songs to see what the other grads think about them. So, I am really into music right now!

These songs move you and gloriously fill you up. We do have to remember though that our feelings is not what's important. A song may make you feel good, but does it glorify God? Here are some wonderful words by Steven Curtis Chapman:


I will be here
Tomorrow mornin' if you wake up
And the sun does not appear
I...I will be here

If in the dark we lose sight of love
Hold my hand and have no fear
'Cause I...I will be here

I will be here...
When you feel like bein' quiet
When you need to speak your mind
I will listen
And I will be here
When the laughter turns to cryin'
Through the winnin' and losin' and tryin'
We'll be together
'Cause I will be here

Tomorrow mornin' if you wake up
And the future is unclear
I...I'll be here

Just as sure as seasons are made for change
Our lifetimes are made for years
I...I will be here

I will be here....
You can cry on my shoulder
When the mirror tells us we're older
I will hold you

And I will be here
To watch you grow in beauty
And tell you all the things you are to me
I will be here

I will be true
To the promise I have made
To you and to the
One who gave you to me

I...I will be here

And just as sure as seasons are made for change
Our lifetimes are made for years
'Cause I...
I will be here....
We'll be together

'Cause I will be here

Happy Valentines Day!

In honor of Valentines day I just want to say I'm very thankful for these three couples. You all are wonderful examples and I love you all!

Keep up the good work!

Last week was the Josephine/Jackson County Right to Life Contest. We heard speeches from four very brave and expressive teenagers. They spoke with conviction and persuasiveness. We are thankful to God for the hard work of study and preparation that Natalie Emmons, Mary Owens, Aaron Sleadd and Faith Moore put into their presentations. We will be praying for Natalie as she was chosen to represent our county for the state Right to Life contest in Eugene April 5th. It was such a blessing to hear them all speak and we hope they have many more opportunities to share the powerful messages that they brought that night. These young people spoke out against abortion, gave hope to those who have suffered from the effects of it and encouraged everyone to pray and vote into office pro-life candidates. Praise God!!!