1070 W. Jefferson St., Franklink IN 46131 E-mail: kehmlh@gmail.com
House phone: 317-736-1286; Cell phone: 317-809-8869
December, 2009
Dear Family and Friends,
The December issue of National Geographic has 3 big fold-outs. The first one shows a picture of a dust ring 25 billion miles across (!!) which veils the planet “Formalhaut b”. It is one of more than 370 planets outside our solar system which have already been discovered in our Milky Way galaxy, and ours is only one of billions of galaxies in an ever-expanding universe! We are in utter awe!!! This Creator God who thought of each of us and called us by name before the foundation of all creation, one eternal day said to His Son “Will you go for us?” And the Son said, “Yes, Father!” And laying aside his glory, the pre-existent Word was born in a manger in Bethlehem as one of us. Let us fall on our knees! Behold your King! Before the lowly bend! This is the true story of Christmas! We are humbled and awed that such a God chose to include us sinful mortals in His eternal plan, which even now is so incomprehensible in all of its dimensions that we can only bow in adoration and thanksgiving.....
We have enjoyed another year of life in our pretty and comfortable apartment at Wesley Center, Franklin United Methodist Community. As we enter, the fragrance of sassafras, a gift of tea from friends, permeates the air. Although we are growing older day by day (ahem!) and are supported by walkers, we continue to participate in a fun variety of activities such as doctors and dentists J J, our beloved Grace UMC, Church and Society Com., teaching a Spanish class of seniors, hymn sings with residents and special care friends, Bible studies, intercessory prayer groups, Men’s Club, UM Women, a lively S.S. class, chapel choir, piano for Health Center vespers, emails, watching occasional DVD’s, and a nightly game of Rummikub together!
In July ACME (Association of Couples in Marriage Enrichment) asked permission to use our Spanish materials as theirs to help develop that aspect of their work, and it was our great joy to give them our materials. That prompted us to prepare a new 2009 edition of our 8 books (4 in Spanish and 4 in English) on Marriage and Relationship Enrichment. Done! .... The last weekend of August all four of our children and their spouses came for an extended weekend – the first time in nearly 20 years that all had been here at the same time. It was so filled with love, sharing, fun, and times of spontaneous family worship that Keith and I were in heaven. It was a real God-happening!.....In September Keith had cataract surgery for one eye and it healed nicely....... In the same month David experienced a miraculous eye surgery which restored his sight that had become severely impaired. Once again, we have witnessed God’s amazing faithfulness and provision! All glory belongs to Him!. In November we chose to give up our car. Tim and Grace insisted on buying it from us, and we had such fun preparing it the best that we could for them......On Nov. 24 Jesus came to take Marilynn’s older brother Robert A. Baker home with him. Bob had been a strong disciple of the Lord, as witnessed by his wife Candy, his 5 sons, and the many who came to thank God for his life. In death or in life we are the Lord’s. Thanks be to God!
Recently our chapel choir put on their annual program and our director invited all of us to do special numbers. Keith and I chose to sing a medley of love songs to one another, inviting anyone to sing along with us. The response was heartening. Their faces were so beautiful when they joined in on “Tell Me Why”, and at the close of our presentation one man yelled “More!” Thankfully, our family prayed for us!!
We rejoiced greatly with the inauguration of President Barack Obama, and from time to time offer him and members of Congress our best thinking. The proposed build-up in Afghanistan was not our choice, but we shall continue to support and pray for the Lord’s direction for our president and others who lead our nation.
When asked what love is, one little boy wisely answered, “Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen”. Yes, the Beloved, who keeps the stars in orbit, will be calling your name and ours. Let’s stop and listen.......
Our love and prayers, in His holy name. Keith and Marilynn
