It was the early forties. I was at Mars Hill College. Evening vespers found me among Girls Auxiliary out under the starry sky. The air currents were filled with missionary hymns, the attractive young woman standing down by the edge of the lake said God had made a difference in her life. She spoke about people of different cultures with diverse needs. She had found joy in another country ministering as God willed in her life. It happened quickly. GAs moved from the hilside down to the water's edge and I watched as each one's candle became alive from the light held by the missionary speaker. The glow of flickering candles presented a beautiful picture reflecting in the lake as additional lives were committed to follow Christ in missions.
That extraordinary moment came to me still sitting on the hillside. Once my candle took on a magnificent kind of light, within my inner being it was like the first day of my life.WW II took away public school teachers; a call came from the Supt. of Educ. My life changed from college atmosphere to a mountain elementary school just this side of the Blue Ridge Parkway mountains. This was my mother's beginning point as public school teacher right out of college. This is where my dad saw her on horseback from a distance and told his friends that she would someday become his bride.
In the same community, this was where the U.S. postal inspector commended me excitedly when I politely asked for his identification before entering office space to audit my books in the fourth class post office. Driving a big black automobile and finding him hansome in business suit, with sosmbre eyes, all took on meaning. Yet warnings had prepared me about postal inspectors arriving unannounced and not wearing a name tag. Mr. Postal Inspector had never before been asked to show his card. I made his day and he found my bookkeeping up to par. The family thought I would teach. No. "Let's replace the U.S of A. Postal figure in D.C. one day." Such aspirations.
It was one of Muriell's Marauders that turned my head--Feed & Seed business. Charming. Handsome. One of a family of 10. We became as one after leaving the marriage altar and then there were three more. (Today Betty Kathleen, our "Nancy-the-Nurse" Specialist; Elbert Gordon III in Radiological, Environmental, Industrial Hygiene Services, and George Robert associated with SC Dept. of Mental Health.) 15 years full-time homemaker, housewife, and mother with time to grow toward God through the church. Woman's Missionary Union, SBC, provided opportunities for leadership and my roots became anchored in strength touching the ends of the earth.
Children in school, refreshed my Gregg, polished up on office equipment; ssharpened my skills in the county office, at the hospital's business office, State Extension Dept., CU, and became better groomed for the next 20 years. Working with Directors of Missions, 60+ cooperating Baptist churches, the ministry awarded me far beyond jus compensation. For someone without a shingle (degree earned) to hang on my office wall, there were new friends, conferences / seminars out of state, climbing the corporate ladder with Professional Secretaries (Int)., becoming a charter member of the National Association of Southern Baptist Secretaries, PSI SOTY recognition, red roses, silver, and name splashed outside on the marquee. Involvement with State Enablers and the local associational of Baptist church secretaries enriched my life.
Today it is still a process of becoming...The Father (God) will in His on timing complete the plan for my life He, Himself, started. The journey slows at 75, footsteps become more cautious, yet there is more priority time to give myself as an intercessor...Int. Missions Prayerline, Widow's Might (North American Missions), SC LeaderCARE, local church Prayer Warriors, and keeping a prayer journal. Nothing brings a greater reward than partnering in prayer with SC WMU president and following her in a most colorful missionary ministry throughout this state, touching base in national and global women's Christian endeavors.
There has been Blepharoplasty for greater field of vision, denied surgery by Peter J. Jannette, MD, Pa., after his office studied my medical records, have stayed on BoTox every 3-4 months, condition in the neck happening more frequently, will try Dr. Andrson's tinted lenses after upcoming change in prescription this April. The neurologist has suggested the possibility that a virus weakened by thyroid system placing me on the edge requiring 1/2 grain medication daily for Hypothyroidism...volumes of info in Endocrinology
...nerves...muscles...their relative meanings.
Revisiting my files over the past 10 years has renewed interests in what is happening, dicovering BB makes me wish my eyes would hold out longer so I could know each of you better. I care. I do care. I care about you. Your names are musical. There must be melody around. And, perhaps, I will be one of the first to donate to the research kingdom "a very normal brain" according to the last MRI tagged by the professionals.
I saw in the Scriptures (John 12:49) that Jesus did not speak of His own accord, but the Father who sent Him commanded Him what to say and how to say it." Jesus did not think up what to do or say on God's behalf. Neither can we. He (Jesus) did promise: "As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world" (1 John 17:18).
Perhaps there has been a candle in your life also. I may be your senior...sloww and all toooo windy. Don't you know? Everything you would like to tell me about your candle on my e-mail will be cherished and placed carefully among my most treasured Book of Letters No. 1-a
--Kitty