31 Days - Day 12

Today I am thankful for my elders.  Growing up, elders were much older men who were feared - especially when it came time for a home visit.  We were all so afraid that we would not know our catechism questions and what if we did not know the right answers.

As I grew older, I learned that there was no need to fear my elders.  The men who have that role at my church, I now consider dear friends (along with their wives and children).  They are men who have a huge responsibility for the souls of those in the church, who spend countless - and unknown to most people - hours praying for and working with people in the church, all while having their own families and full time jobs.

I am very thankful for the love and care of my elders - that I can share with them my joys, trials and struggles in my faith.  I am thankful for their wisdom and advice.  I am thankful for the sacrifice that these men make daily for the good of the church.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
I think that it is oftent the simplest gestures that mean the most to me. Last week I had the priviledge of going to visit friends for dinner. When their 4 year old boy heard I was coming he wanted to set the table extra special. So he carefully put out the plates then put out the forks and knives. When he put out the napkins he decided to make it extra special and 'crinkled' the napkin around the utensil. Just a sim ple thoughful gesture to make things a bit more special. In February at our Ladies retreat we talked about Hospitality and how we need to get out of our comfort zones and start to make our homes and churches more inviting and welcoming places. We were encouraged and challenged to not worry if our homes weren't clean, we didn't have a 5 course meal prepared, or anyother excuse that we may have thought of in the past and just obey the command to Practice Hospitality (Romans 12:13). What a blessing it could be if our children grew up without the same hang ups ...
Read more
Image
Hannah Rose Everts July 27, 2007 7 lbs 3oz We are so excited to have a little girl in the family! (though after 6 sisters you wouldn't think so!) Because Hannah was a footling breech, Rachel had a c-section planned for Friday early evening, but got bumped up to a later time. Hannah was born at 9:56 pm. She was laying sideways and it took some effort, but sh e is here safely. Rachel is doing extremly well and looking forward to coming home. Tristan wasn't quite sure what was going on... what 13 mont h old does? He pointed straight to her nose (like he does on his doll). He now looks like a GIANT! We are so thankful to the Lord for his blessings to Ryan and Rachel with another covenant child.
Read more
Image
On the long weekend, Mike & Karen and I decided to spend a quiet weekend together camping. (Did I just say Karen and quiet in the same sentence?!?) We were a bit smarter this year than last and brought the trailer, got an electrical site and brought a heater along. While it was quite cold at night we were snug as bugs in rugs. Our first night was not one of much sleep. The people beside us came in just before 1 am drinking and making all sorts of noise. Finally at 4 am I opened the door and told them to be quiet. (Mike was shocked awake because he hadn't heard a thing!) At 4:30 Mike and Karen went out looking for the park rangers and then went to the site and told them to be quiet. Finally at about 5am they were asleep in their tents. Karen (who doesn't always need a lot of sleep) went out at about 8 and found the ranger and by 9 he was shaking their tents telling them that they had to leave. Karen, being Karen, made sure that we got our money back for the night! Our neigh...
Read more