God Made Me Your Help Mate by Winnie Hodges

It's been a tough couple of weeks but we are getting through this time with God's peace. I still want to pick up the phone and call Mom. I can still talk to her; but I'm not sure I want to hear her talk back! It's hard enough typing up all her journals. She had over 50! I'm learning about what she was really like. She loved God with all her heart. She prayed a lot for people I wouldn't have thought of; like countries she heard about on the news or my friends, Tom and Joan when the rain wasn't coming. She was always reading and studying and listening to the Word. And when she wasn't doing that, she was singing, praying, talking to her kids on the phone. She wasn't perfect; she was most definitely prejudiced. However, she was totally committed to God. She loved Dad and her family very much. This is a poem she wrote to and about Dad.

God made me your help mate to be

So my husband would see Christ in me.

I’m sent to pray and be concerned with his needs.

To care for him daily and help him succeed.

As we both work together and set a straight course,

Our lives will be filled with joy not remourse.

Our goal we will reach and together we’ll stand.

Each day knowing, loving one another was His greatest plan.

Happy 70th Birthday, Dad

So Dad turned 70 this past week. He was surrounded by his family on Saturday as they went to the Log Jam in Lake George. Only Sue, Mom, and I couldn't be there because of distance. We were all there in our hearts. I'm sure Mom was pleased with the celebration.

Happy Birthday, Mark

Sorry we missed sending you a card.

Happy Birthday, Mom Robison

We love you!

The Garment of Praise

Put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, lift up your voice to God.
Pray in the Spirit and with understanding. O magnify the Lord.

God woke me up with Isaiah 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

My Mom died on February 2nd. I've been crying a lot because I miss her and yet I know exactly where she is and that she is happy. But I'm not. I have a wonderful Mom. We talked a lot. We shared the Word together, cooking, crafting. I'm the oldest of seven and my Dad is still here. There are 25 grandchildren and soon to be 6 greats. I have a huge responsibility to take up where she left off in praying and encouraging them. I never wanted children and now I've got 37!
I've known before she left that I needed to be praying in the Spirit but I couldn't seem to open my mouth except in short bursts and then I'd burst out in tears. I am convinced; however, that praying in tongues will bring back the joy. God has already brought peace and comfort. I'm surrounded by many friends. Unfortunately, my family is all eight hours away. I want to encourage them to praise and pray in the Spirit too. So family, if you are reading this, "sing, Silas, sing!".