For the past couple of months, I
have found myself very slack in keeping up my blog. We have had so many wonderful events and incredible
blessings throughout this past year that one would hardly know where to begin to share in writing. I could write of
occurrences that took place in Nicaragua while we were there over five months
through the summer and fall, and how we are looking forward to going back soon.
 |
| Volcano on Ometepe Island, Nicaragua |
I could tell you of our wonderful 45th
anniversary on the volcanic Island of Ometepe, or the emergence of our newly formed men's group. I could share about the moving of
God’s grace in a recent program of giving that was delivered by our church in a
local school.
I could even write about sitting
in my comfortable chair and watching the birds and animals out the picture
window of the beautiful and stately old farmhouse that God has blessed us with,
or wrapping my arms around my grandchildren. I could spend long hours writing
about our wonderful family and friends that have so abundantly blessed our
lives over the years.
So I am not short of subject
matter, it is all about how to rekindle that fire that normally burns inside of
me to put my brain in gear and let my fingers fly as fast as my used up
arthritic hands will permit. But these last few days with the advent
of the Holidays and the spirit of Christmas, a refreshing new determination is awakening
within me. This new attitude emerged recently when we had the privilege of visiting our granddaughter’s school for her Christmas party. To watch her sing and jingle her little bell took my mind back to what family is all about.
 |
| Abigail at Christmas party with her little brother Elijah and grandma and grandpa |
And my thoughts ran to my other grandkids in
Spain, and how God is at work in their lives.
Then I really began to focus in on what life is all about. I recalled the story of the baptism of three
of my grandchildren, and that sets the stage for this blog. Please enjoy along with me the story of a
little girl in a missionary family who God is using to touch the hearts and
lives of her friends. Oh, did I forget
to mention she is my granddaughter, Rebekah Davis. Please read her story.
Last summer my family and I went
on a summer vacation to Asturias, a beautiful campsite in northern Spain where
I met a nice girl named Luisa.
We had a great time together
until summer was over and we had to go home. We exchanged Emails and we have talked
ever since. A couple of weeks later just before school started I told her
that I was thinking of getting baptized. She answered me with an Email that
said:
"Why do you want to get
baptized? What will it do for you?"
In that moment I truly had to
stop and ask myself why I did want to get baptized and what it would do for me.
I already knew the answer to both of those questions in my heart, but I
wanted to make sure that what I thought was the answer was correct. Before I
answered such a serious question to my non-believing friend, I asked my parents
what they thought. I talked a little with them and it really helped me
refresh everything that I had previously learned about baptism and also a
little bit about God too! So I gathered all the spiritual info that my
parents crammed into 10 minutes and I wrote Luisa back. This is what I
wrote her.
 |
| Our grandchildren in Spain, left to right Nathan Rebekah and Micah Davis (Jacob not in picture) |
"It's not about what the
baptism DOES for you that matters, what matters is that you SHOW your friends,
family and neighbors, as well as the members of your church and the people that
go to your baptism that you have decided to follow God and become one of his
children and believe in Him. So the baptism is basically a symbol that shows to
others what you believe in and how you are going to live your life from now
on."
And that is why I wanted to get
baptized.
Rebekah
Davis
Maybe now you can
understand my rekindled enthusiasm and this determined desire to keep pressing
on and trying my best to make a little mark in the life of some fellow traveler
along the way. So as I sit here and
write propped back in my easy chair I am watching the snowflakes trickle down
from the heavens, as a little squirrel romps playfully through this carpet of
winter wonderland. This helps me to really understand what life is all about, and the real meaning of Christmas. It takes my
breath away, leaving me nothing left to say except... to all of you our family, friends and supporters. We wish you a very merry Christ centered Christmas and a wonderful and
prosperous New Year. 
