Commit thy way unto the Lord: Mr and Mrs Anyanwu – First year of marriage - Part 2 (Wife's perspective)

Today is Chiawuotu and Kimberley’s second year marriage anniversary, so to mark this occasion I thought I would share an interview I conducted with them just after their first year of marriage. Some of you may have read their courtship and wedding story, if you haven’t read it please click here for their courtship story and here and here for their wedding story. In this interview they will share some experience from their first year of marriage.

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Wife’s perspective – Interview questions answered by Kimberley Anyanwu

(Click here to read Chiawuotu’s answers)

First of all, Happy Anniversary, and thank you for taking the time to answer these questions.

I guess I’ll start with the question you probably get asked all the time, how are you finding married life?

Married life is refreshing! I see God’s love for me daily - revealed in Chiawuotu’s friendship. I cannot find words to say how I appreciate having such a close friend and counselor to face life’s changing circumstances with. It’s a joy to tackle problems together and also be able to share in each other’s victories. We have been through so many changing circumstances already and I look back on our wedding day and realise how much closer and stronger our bond and our love is now and how deep it has grown. I feel at rest. I can lean on him for encouragement, leading, advice, ideas, practical help, and a listening ear. Even just his smile lights up my world and my whole day.

So marriage, is it all bliss?

It’s definitely all a blessing! But I’m not sure about all bliss. If bliss means being in love then yes. But if bliss means always a constant feeling of being elated and the absence of real down-to-earth life challenges then no. Marriage is a school and is a lifework. I have found that learning to be a true wife is gradual and takes practice and attention, and a few mistakes along the way that can sometimes even be disheartening.

I’m thinking about 1 Corinthians 7: 4 where it says “There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.”

 Now a lot of people view this verse as saying that when you get married you won’t have much time to nurture a personal relationship with God or give service to him as you now have the added focus of a spouse.

What are your thoughts on this verse? And also how do you keep an eye single to the glory of God and still serve each other as husband and wife? How do you balance your time, priorities, walk with God, home and work life around being married or newly married?

I think it’s necessary and possible to serve and love both God and my husband “Each one should seek in every possible way to please and make happy the members of the family circle:. Faith I Live By page 267.  It is for God’s glory. It helps me be drawn out of myself to think about another each day. This has been a blessing to me and helps my communion with God. It is teaching me Christlikeness and revealing selfish parts of my character which I had not noticed before. “True refinement and nobility of soul will be seen in efforts to bless and elevate others.” Testimonies to the Church, Volume 2 page  243. Also it’s not actually about balancing other areas of my life ‘around’ being married. But instead I am understanding more and more that they are all linked together and the performance of each enhances all other areas of my life. And when in all my duties my object is to glorify God then that is how I keep my eye single to his glory while going about my daily tasks as a wife. “Enoch’s walk with God was not in a trance or vision, but in all the duties of his daily life. He did not become a hermit, shutting himself entirely from the world; for he had a work to do for God in the world.” Patriarchs and Prophets page 85.

What sort of things have you learnt in marriage that you wished you had learnt before marriage?

Most of the lessons I have learnt in marriage couldn’t have been learnt before and there is not one lesson I can think of which I wish I had learned before.

How have your priorities and responsibility changed since being married?

I am now a wife with a husband to love, understand, encourage, inspire, and care for spiritually, mentally and physically… and a home of my own to maintain and reflect Jesus in. 

Ok, if we could look at Ephesians 5: 22-29. I just want to ask you some questions about these verses.22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

So Kimberley, What has submission meant for you as a wife?

I have realised much more about Christ’s submission to the Father and how true submission is simply a result of trust and deep love. I have found that submission is not so much about outwardly coming into line with Chiawuotu’s choices but actively seeking his choice and then inwardly trusting. Submission to me means that I put Chiawuotu’s wishes before my own and I trust his choices and that he is doing the same for me. Christ thought it not robbery to be equal with God but made himself of no reputation and took upon Him the form of a servant. Philippians 2: 6-7

What advice would you give to young men and women who would like to know more about what submission and leadership really mean or who may have misconceptions about what these two things entail?

I would say study the life of Christ he was both a leader and at the same time his life was the greatest example of submission. I would advise that while many might emphasise the importance of a wife keeping her individuality this does not conflict with true submission. Christ is the greatest example of this. We should guard against thinking that in true submission to another our individuality is being taken away. Study the life of Christ.

I know that you both had your own ministerial pursuits in addition to your joint music ministry – Advent Vision.  How have these changed, if at all, since being married?

We have our pursuits still but now since being married they are becoming more of a living reality and more and more attainable.

Would you say that the ideals you had before marriage have been met in your current experience of marriage?

Yes but I based my ideals of marriage on God’s word as best as I could, and I purposefully married a man who would do the same. I think it’s when we try to meet wrong ideals given us or when we expect false ideals (worldly ideals) from our spouses that we find we cannot meet them or they cannot meet them. However with the correct ideals and a reliance on God there is no reason why we shouldn’t meet them and in doing this make home happy.

What kind of “marriage myths” have been dispelled for you?

One idea that I have been able to fully confirm as a myth is that “courtship has better memories than the marriage itself”. While now I know by experience that true marriage is on the contrary and just gets better and better.

What have you learnt about communication and dealing with conflict?

Communication is so very vital to marriage. We found that we always need to maintain good communication daily to maintain a good united working home and to promote thoughtfulness of each other. This has helped to prevent conflict, but while we have never been in conflict, we have had misunderstandings, and times when we didn’t see things the same way. On all these occasions we have both learnt how important it is not to draw coldly away from each other or jump to conclusions without hearing each other out. We have learnt to be open about thoughts and feelings while being considerate of each other’s feelings in how we express ourselves at those times.

A lot of people speak about “The First Year of Marriage” in term of how hard it is. They say things like “it’s the make or break”, “that’s when you get to see how the person is REALLY like” and “that’s when you realise that you may have rushed things or made a mistake.” What are your thoughts on these idea based on your first year of marriage? What encouragement can you offer to any newlyweds who may be having this experience?

I would say to those newlyweds who have had a very hard or upsetting first year that I think it is never too late to have a ‘first year of marriage’ all over again so to speak. I think it will take much more work and much more forgiveness to overcome some foundational problems that you may have laid for yourselves in your first year, but if you persevere and make Christ your guide he will take the worst mistakes and make something more beautiful come out of them. You can have a stronger and deeper love and respect for each other than if those early things had never happened but you both will need to be willing to redeem the time and start at once to lay the right foundation. It will just take a lot more work but it is necessary and you must begin at once.

What are the top 3 things you have learnt during this first year of marriage?

These are the top 3 things I have learnt during our first year of marriage:

A good marriage is not by chance but is from God as the result of submission to his will and teachings in all things and this kind of marriage is held together by the law of service.

“The gifts of Jesus are ever fresh and new. The feast that He provides for the soul never fails to give satisfaction and joy.” Desire of Ages page 148.

Submission might be harder in reality but it is surely sweeter in reality also.

Finally, what advice would you give to any young newlyweds or any couple who are engaged and about to get married?

Lean not on your own understanding.

Trust in the Lord with all your HEART

God will direct, know and acknowledge His leading.

Many date their success or failure in life from their wedding day.

All God’s biddings are enablings.

Thank you so much Mrs Anyanwu for answering these question, I pray that you have many more happy years of serving God  together as husband and wife.

Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, 

and for thy truth's sake. 

Psalms 115:1

♥ Miss Daisy ♥

Commit thy way unto the Lord: Mr and Mrs Anyanwu – First year of marriage - Part 1 (Husband's perspective)

Today is Chiawuotu and Kimberley’s second year marriage anniversary, so to mark this occasion I thought I would share an interview I conducted with them just after their first year of marriage. Some of you may have read their courtship and wedding story, if you haven’t read it please click here for their courtship story and here and here for their wedding story. In this interview they will share some experience from their first year of marriage.

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Husband’s perspective – Interview questions answered by Chiawuotu Anyanwu

(Click here to read Kimberley’s answers)

First of all, Happy Anniversary, and thank you for taking the time to answer these questions.

I guess I’ll start with the question you probably get asked all the time, how are you finding married life?

Well I must say my first year of marriage has been as honey to my mouth and sunshine to my soul. The sweetest part is always having a friend in Jesus by my side. It’s been a blessing to have someone special to share my day with and work for Christ with. Someone special, to eat with, walk with, talk with, study with, socialise with and live with. My Bride from my side has certainly helped me heavenward, increased my love for God and increased my sphere of influence, so Praise God.

 So marriage, is it all bliss?

I guess it depends what you mean by bliss. I look forward to coming home to my wife and I enjoy the loving atmosphere of heaven that God provides for us each day. However, unlike the castle building ideas some may have I would say marriage is not all romance. Married life has its large responsibilities. The daily work in the office, paying bills, meeting deadlines, supporting family relatives, studying the advancing light of the third angel’s message, ministering in word and song, personal goals, DIY, and helping with housework to name but a few and we don’t even have children yet… :) But when you’re faithful to your duties and always seek to please Christ first, spouse second and self-last, then I would say YES it is bliss, that is, it’s a great joy and a foretaste of heaven.

I’m thinking about 1 Corinthians 7: 34 where it says “There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.” 

Now a lot of people view this verse as saying that when you get married you won’t have much time to nurture a personal relationship with God or give service to him as you now have the added focus of a spouse. 

What are your thoughts on this verse? And also how do you keep an eye single to the glory of God and still serve each other as husband and wife? How do you balance your time, priorities, walk with God, home and work life around being married or newly married?

Married life is different from single life because I have taken on responsibilities which before I was married I did not have. Some of these responsibilities are temporal in nature, however they have eternal consequences e.g. finding a home to live in (Matthew 7:26) providing for my family not only physically but spiritually (1 Timothy 5:8).In the bible marriage is a symbol of the union between Christ and His church (Matthew 25) and so for me personally since being married it has nurtured my relationship with God and helped me to better understand how to love, serve and give myself to Him, as I give myself to my wife daily. (Ephesians 5:25).A lot of people box separately their walk with Christ and their marriage. Although I have times to study, pray and meditate alone, I find my walk with Christ influences my marriage and my marriage influences my walk with Christ.  My behaviour towards my wife everyday tests whether my intellectual reading and bible theory is an abiding experience in my heart and in my home or a false piety. In fact inspiration tells us, ‘The minister’s wife, his children and those who are employed as helpers in his family are best qualified to judge of his piety… Advent Home page 354. So if anything, marriage has been a blessing to help me to understand more about what it means to live to the glory of God in practice from day to day.

What sort of things have you learnt in marriage that you wished you had learnt before marriage?

Not sure really. I am glad I learnt the Lord’s truth for this time so I can know how best to guide and lead my family… I had always desired to learn a manual trade with my hands since coming to the faith should I need for any reason to depend on it for a living. God blessed me to learn one in our countryside home during our DIY exploring in the first year of marriage.

How have your priorities and responsibility changed since being married?

I am now a Priest, Provider and Protector of the home.  My priorities are the happiness of my Saviour and my wife and the advancement of the third angel’s message (Revelation 14)

 

Ok, if we could look at Ephesians 5: 22-29. I just want to ask you some questions about these verses. 22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

So Chiawuotu, What has leadership meant for you as a husband? Specifically what do you think Paul means when he says “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word….” Ephesians 5: 25-26

Leadership is about service. As a house band I realise the importance of initiating how to help my wife with things in her day-to-day life, physically, emotionally and spiritually. How can I most help my wife I ask myself? And I find that I can always do more. Leadership also means sacrifice. Yielding up my own wishes to seek to please my wife, without compromising truth or principle. As Christ gave his life and time to save, elevate and enlighten me, I am to give my wife my time to love, elevate and influence her heavenward. It’s good to give flowers, cards or tangible gifts (which by the way, I love to do for my wife) but it’s harder to give yourself, yet that’s exactly what Jesus did. Genesis 22:8 ‘God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering.’ I’ve came to learn that the quality time spent together, though a sacrifice, is more valuable than all the tangible gifts that the world could offer. In a similar way Christ gave mankind 33 years of His time on this earth which culminated in the great sacrifice of Himself. Part of the quality time spent together is in beholding Him through His prophetic word as Christ did when he walked on this earth (Matthew 24:15). This is how I understand to be washed by his word. Grappling with the deep prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation together means we get bathed in Christ’s truth over and over again and so it helps to draw us in closer bonds of love to Christ and each other.

What advice would you give to young men and women who would like to know more about what submission and leadership really mean or who may have misconceptions about what these two things entail?

Learn of Christ the Alpha and Omega. Go to Gethsemane where the cup trembled in his hands as he breathed ‘not my will but thy will be done’. Go to Revelation where the ‘Mighty Angel,’ (Rev 10) that is Christ, leads us through ‘The advent movement of 1840-44 [which] was a glorious manifestation of the power of God; [and] the first angel’s message was carried to every missionary station in the world’ Great Controversy page 611. Some practical counsel would be if you have a mother or father do you listen to their admonitions? If you have spiritual counselors in your life do you take their Godly counsel? If you have a boss at work, do you follow instructions?  If you read (and you should do) Ministry of Healing, Counsel on Diets and Foods, Adventist Home and many more of these inspired counsels from E.G White, do you listen to the admonitions?

I know that you both had your own ministerial pursuits in addition to your joint music ministry – Advent Vison.  How have these changed, if at all, since being married?

 ‘The world is not so much in need of great minds as of good men who will be a blessing in  their homes’ Adventist Home page  37 . My home is and has been my first field. We have not went to war in our first year (Deuteronomy  24:5) and our work has been largely personal.  “Nothing can excuse the minister for neglecting the inner circle for the larger circle outside. The spiritual welfare of his family comes first…Great good done for others cannot cancel the debt that he owes to God to care for his own...’Adventist Home page 353 I still aspire for many things and through my wife God is helping me meet these goals more effectively than I could alone but just not always in the way I think. God’s ways are higher than ours.

Would you say that the ideals you had before marriage have been met in your current experience of marriage?

Yes. The counselling really helped to get a good well balanced insight/expectation.

What kind of “marriage myths” have been dispelled for you?

My marriage myths was that I needed to eat lunch at work each day. I have the privilege to eat with my wife for lunch each day.

What have you learnt about communication and dealing with conflict?

Regular communication is important. Malachi 3:16 ‘they that feared the LORD spoke often one to another.’ We spend time in the morning together talking, we text and call each other throughout the working day. We eat lunch at home each day and talk. We talk in the evenings and night J . Conflict is a choice that we chose to say no to. We sit down and talk and listen and pray about anything that may need more attention, care and communication.

A lot of people speak about “The First Year of Marriage” in term of how hard it is. They say things like “it’s the make or break”, “that’s when you get to see how the person is REALLY like” and “that’s when you realise that you may have rushed things or made a mistake.” What are your thoughts on these ideas based on your first year of marriage? What encouragement can you offer to any newlyweds who may be having this experience?

It’s certainly the ABC of marriage and a time for learning about the other person. Their likes and dislikes, their thoughts and feelings, their hopes and fears, their joys and sorrows, their strengths and weaknesses. Our nature is faulty by default but if we are born again God can beautify our soul and character. I’ve enjoyed seeing the beauty of Christ in new ways each day through my wife during this first year. These are the memories that I think upon and treasure.I would encourage newly weds to look for the good in the other.

 What are the top 3 things you have learnt during this first year of marriage?

1. God ways are higher than our own ways

2. God’s counsels on marriage through Sister Ellen G White are inspired and spot on,               so if you want a good marriage follow the counsel!

3. It is not good that man should be alone.

 Finally, what advice would you give to any young newlyweds or any couple who are engaged and about to get married?

Understand the times in which we are living first, (1 Chronicles 12:32) as we are soon reach the Midnight Cry – (Matthew 25 and Christ Object Lessons page 412)Counsel with the Bible, the Spirit of Prophecy and God fearing counsellors like you would if your physical life depended upon it and DO NOT move forward if advised not to do so from these three counsellors.And finally remember ‘the Creator joined the hands of the holy pair in wedlock, saying, A man shall “leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one,” He enunciated the law of marriage for all the children of Adam to the close of time.’ Adventist Home page 340

Thank you one again for taking part in this interview, I pray that you have many more happy years of serving God together as husband and wife.

 Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, 

and for thy truth's sake. 

Psalms 115:1

♥ Miss Daisy ♥

The Allotment Disaster

Some months ago, I blogged about my plans to start gardening, with the intentions of growing at home and also at the local allotment.  I started growing a few things at home and everything seemed to be going well until I visited the allotment and beheld this sight....

Weeds! Nothing but weeds, and their roots run deep! I think that day we realised just how much work needs to be done here before we can even consider planting any seeds! We need to uproot the weeds, restore the soil and also work on the paths around the beds to stop our weeds from getting into other peoples’ gardens.  That day I realised just how much damage can be caused from a few months of neglect and how hard and time consuming it will be to restore it back.  The whole allotment situation reminded me of Ezekiel 37. When Ezekiel was in vision and he beheld a valley of dry dead bones, he was asked if the bones can live, to which he responded “O Lord God thou Knowest”  (Ezekiel 37:3). To me this garden looked like a lost cause.

Later that day, I thought about the condition of the allotment and the amount of work that needs to be done and it caused me to look at my own heart. I know that there are many areas in my life that need to be worked on and it definitely feels like a “big job”! Sometimes I feel like I am wearing God’s patience thin, but at the same time he daily gives me tokens and evidences of the renewing work of Christ in my life.  Yes, it definitely feels like a big job and sometimes a hopeless cause, but I know that my God never slumbers nor sleeps. He longs to see the heart renewed, and the work that he has begun in all of us, he is faithful to complete it (Philippians 1:6), if we do our part and cooperate with him. 

So we will press forward with the work that needs to be done at the allotment, even if it means we don’t get to plant there this year. We will work hard to restore things back to the way they should be, not by power, nor by might but by his spirit! (Zechariah 4:6)

Lord, please help us to restore this garden even as you restore our hearts…

Love, your girl forever

♥ Miss Daisy ♥

P.S things are growing really well at home, I will post some pictures soon xxx

Birthday Reflections: Thy lovingkindness is better than life

(Written on 18/05/2016)

27 years ago today, my mother was probably in the later stages of labour and about to give birth. I can imagine the thoughts that were running through her mind "Lord, please let this baby be born safe and OK", "Lord, please be with the delivery of this child"

...and then there is you, Dear Lord, with your profound strength and wisdom. You saw beyond that moment, you saw me on this very day turning 27 years of age and praising you for another year of life. On the 18th of May 1989, you saw me 27 years later being completely consumed with the realisation that your lovingkindness is better than life!

Right now, I'm just sitting here in my hotel room (I'm not on holiday, so no travel diary...just a little countryside getaway *smiles* ) in complete awe of him. My God who declares "the end from the beginning and from ancient times the things that are not yet done..."(Isaiah 46:10) Truly there is no one else, there is none like you. 

You called me 27 years ago to be your child, even before I came to a knowledge of you. You have lead me further than my human imagination thought to ever go, you have shown me higher heights and deeper love. 

Right now my heart is filled with overflowing gratitude for life! Not because of an additional year or because of health, family, friends etc (Just to clarify, those things are definitely important to me and I give thanks for them daily) but more so because of God's unwearying kindness and indomitable love. 

My 7th Birthday...I think :-)

"Because thy loving kindness is better than life, 

my lips shall praise thee. 

Psalms 63:3

With overflowing love and gratitude, 

♥ Miss Daisy ♥

Dear Auntie Molly: In loving memory of Molly Mirembe Kulongo

A personal letter that I wrote and posted to Auntie Molly on the 7^th of March 2016.

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Dear Auntie Molly,

Greetings from your daughter and friend Daisy. You have been deeply in my thoughts and I am sad to admit that I have not stayed in touch with you like I should have and would have liked to. Please forgive me.

I was speaking to a friend before the New Year who was telling me about the words that she shared at her grandmother’s funeral.  She told me that while she was speaking, she realised that she wasn’t saying anything that her grandmother didn’t already know. Oftentimes it’s only when someone passes away that we begin to express our deep feelings towards them and highlight the good things about them. We can even express things that perhaps we didn’t share with them while they were still on this earth.

For this purpose I am writing you this letter.

Auntie, I know that you are currently wrestling with the idea as to whether you may fall asleep sooner rather than later, and I don’t want to wait until then (whenever that may be) to open my heart to you and to express my deep love and gratitude for all that you are and all that you have been to me.

I write you this letter not because you are dead but because in Christ you are ALIVE!

Being a teenager and somewhat new Christian isn’t easy. I remember when I decided to start attending Beckton Maranatha SDA Church and how Aunties such as yourself, Auntie Sarah, Auntie Justine, Auntie Rebecca, Auntie Ruth and Mrs Kavuma really embraced me and looked after me in the absence of my parents. Back then I didn’t appreciate your correction regarding my low cut tops, short skirts, tight clothes and black nail vanish but now I am truly thankful for your consistency and persistence in lovingly showing me the error of my ways.

Transitioning into womanhood I learnt so much from you. By example you showed me what it means to be a woman, a wife and a mother. I watched you open your home to anyone who was in need. You allowed us to use your home for youth bible studies, choir practice, Beckton Sisters recordings, church meetings, social gatherings and even somewhere just to hang out; your home is known to be a safe haven and a place of refuge to many. I remember when visitors would come to the house at night just before you were about to go to bed and you would come downstairs and cook for them and host them. I have seen how God has blessed you and Uncle with 5 precious jewels and how you have offered them back to Him. Each one of your children has played such a significant part in my life and walk with God.

Speaking of being a wife, I remember one morning when you burst into the girls’ room and pretty much told us that we were all too young to get married, and you began to tell us about the true realities of the married life. Auntie, though we were quite unresponsive, texting on our phones while you were talking and generally appeared indifferent, I must admit (especially in my case) that you were right. I truly appreciate the words you shared with us that morning and I have taken note of them. Auntie you truly left no stone unturned, you even spoke to us about the importance of cleanliness and female hygiene, I remember writing about it in my journal hehe :). You have been a living example of your words, and I know this to be true and I can see the fruit of this when I look at Uncle’s deep love for you.

What I cherish the most is our one to one time. I have such good memories of the days I would sit at your bedside and we would talk and talk. I look forward to having more of these moments with you. Auntie, I love the way you show such deep interest in my life choices and especially in my “love life”. I know that you have been praying for me in this area. I know that you long to see the man God (if it is His will) will bring into my life to be my husband and friend. I know that you will be my eyes and my ears and will prayerfully and closely examine his character to see if he is indeed the Lord’s choice. Thank you for the many times you have been a listening ear as I have opened up about my hopes, dreams, doubts and fears.

My sweetest memory with you is when I took some time out to look after you and to cook for you. I cooked so many different vegan dishes for you and Uncle to try, that was a very fun time! I remember asking you if I could practice my massage techniques on you, I know you love massages, so you happily complied :). I know we had our disagreements about chicken and cups of Tetley’s tea, but I honestly enjoyed that time with you. It was a delight to serve you, thank you for giving me an opportunity to live out my faith practically. I learnt so much about what it means to be a medical missionary and to love as Christ loves - seeking to love and draw near to those who He came to save.

Last but not least, I have been thinking about your faith, your love for your Creator, your prayerfulness and your tireless efforts in the women’s ministry department. I once heard that our trials are weighed and measured in heaven before being given to us. To me this means that anything that may befall us is fully considered and assessed before it even touches us. This thought was coupled with the thought that God will not give us more than we can bear. God knows Auntie, that in Him you can face anything. You have been through so much these past few years but you have shown yourself strong in the face of bitter and painful trials. You have clung to your Saviour and Friend, trusting that he will carry you through.  Though you have been disappointed, disheartened and discouraged you always speak of His goodness. I have never heard you speak negatively of God for anything that has befallen you.

In Him you have an unbreakable spirit.

You have proven faithful to God in all your tests and trials and you will prove faithful even in this! Please continue to give Him your whole heart, trust and believe Auntie. Please Auntie, know and believe that God has not forgotten about you. He longs to walk by the way with you – by waters still and deep through places high and steep, He will lead you. Your dear Shepheard wants to guide you through paths of peace and righteousness. Though you feel like you are face to face with death, believe that in all things He is faithful and know that you are still beloved of your God. Remember Christ’s precious blood was shed that you may have life! On this earth, regardless of any sickness, In Christ you do have life and have it more abundantly. His love for you is indomitable and stronger than sickness, suffering and death.

Thank you for holding on for so long Auntie, hold on a little bit longer, His grace is still sufficient for you. Thank you for setting such a good example. I pray that we may seek to be faithful to God that we may stand victorious on that sea of glass and if not we’ll definitely meet at the tree of life. But until then, while on this earth, may our love for our God be pure, passionate, unhindered, resilient, unreserved, unconquerable and endless.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

….For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Romans 8:35, 38-39

With overflowing love

Daisy

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The letter arrived safely in London and I asked Auntie’s youngest son Ivan if he could read the letter to her. Interestingly, every time he went to visit her in hospital he kept forgetting the letter at home, even though he was sure he had put it in his inside pocket. To cut a long story short, providentially I ended up reading her the letter on the 12^th of March 2016, when I went to visit her in hospital.

Sadly Auntie Molly passed away on Friday the 1^st of April 2016. I was deeply saddened as I honestly didn’t think that that would be the last time I would see her, but at the same time happy to know that our last memory together was me reading her this letter.  I got to do with Auntie, what she enjoyed the most and what we did the best; I got to sit at her bedside and talk with her, for one final time…

…Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. 
Revelation 14:13

Rest Auntie, We shall speak again very soon x

♥ Miss Daisy ♥