Merry Merry Christmas!

 Happy New Year from the Gilbert’s!

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”  Colossians 4:2

Devoted to prayer.  Am I? 

Devoted to being watchful.  Am I? 

Devoted to being thankful.  Am I?

These were the words of exhortation to me from my Lord as I tried to really examine the mess I feel we are in as a world, as a nation, as a state, as a city, as a church, as a family and, lastly, as a person.  Feeling extremely helpless in it all, the Lord faithfully brought King Asa’s words:

“Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty.  Help us, O Lord our God for we rely on you and in your name we have come against this vast army.  O Lord, you are our God; do not let man prevail against you.” 

 II Chronicles 14:11

 Our assignment:  Be devoted in prayer.  Devoted in being watchful.  Devoted in being thankful.  Then….rest.  (Ahhh, I like that word).

“…the Lord is with you when you are with him.  If you seek Him, He will be found by you but if you forsake him he will forsake you.”  II Chronicles 15:2

As we think back through 2008 it comes with a mixed bag of hardships and joys.

Not unlike your year we assume?

January 2008 began with Joshua being thrown into solitary confinement for 8 days, then shipped to Walla Walla maximum security solitary confinement for 3 weeks, and then to Stafford Creek Corrections Center in Aberdeen, WA (10 hours from our home) where he is now active in worship and IT training.  The reasons for the changes were not disciplinary – guaranteed by every official we talked to.  It appears perhaps Airway Heights Corrections Center hired someone who knows Joshua or us.  Our visits are precious but so few and far between.  Loneliness is the challenge of this year. We will be blessed with a 48 hour extended family visit on January 5 & 6 - a time of celebration of the specialness of ‘family.’  Joshua has recently written two songs as a result of being encouraged to have his ‘rhemas’ from God’s Word be more personal.  He is hoping to send us a DVD and/or cassette recording of him singing. Joshua is a teacher’s assistant in the IT department – a prayer of his heart that God answered.

June 24 my father, John V. Nelson, 87, passed into eternity.  Dad’s love for his country was demonstrated as he survived 3 ½ years as a POW in a Japanese prison camp during WWII.  As a tribute to my ‘daddy’ – could you please pray for our nation?  Be devoted to prayer…

November 25 Caleb Roy Gilbert became officially engaged to Charity Wright in a romantic interlude at the Davenport Hotel in Spokane!  Caleb is presently working in Philadelphia as the lead protection agent for a Fortune 100 CEO.  Please pray for this man’s salvation as Caleb has opportunity daily to witness to him through his life experiences.  Charity is presently a flight attendant living in Fresno, CA. – though her ‘home’ is Newport, WA.

 December 5, 6, 7 Malinda will star in the Nutcracker Ballet as one of two Russian Rats!  She takes 5 ballet classes per week and student teaches 11 classes. The highlight of her career was moving to a new level by purchasing pointe shoes on 11/22!  Malinda went on a ‘dream’ trip to Philadelphia/NYC to visit Caleb during the summer months.  She, also, takes piano lessons from her big sister!

Marlia continues to work for a PR firm, helps with AWANA, and is still dating David where the adventures never stop coming!  She teaches piano lessons every Tuesday evening, loves experimenting in the kitchen and with shop tools (not at the same time J). Her latest is a jigsaw…beware!

Don is working with personal response emergency equipment (Lifeline and www.medalarmusa.com) and is also a custodian for Mead School District.  He is taking internet classes, is an elder at our church, and tries to stay ahead of us 3 women! 

As I sat at my mom and dad’s lake cabin in August of 2007 I received a phone call from Joshua.  He and several other inmates had just viewed my “Regenerated Heart” DVD (mini-dramatization I did in our church a few years ago).  He told me the response to the message – and shared very moving moments with me.  At the end of our conversation he said, “But Mom, the guys want to know the rest of the story.  You need to write a book.”  I told him then will you pray I have the time and a clear head to do it?  Less than 1 ½ weeks later the first manuscript was completed.  I could not NOT type the words – God did it.  The words just flowed out of my fingertips. 

From the editing to the cover design God has given me a sweet encouraging journey that culminated in a release date of September 15, 2008. Regenerated Heart was published! I am so humbled that several hundred copies have sold since then as it has received ‘rave’ reviews.  www.regeneratedheart.com    I am praying the Lord will open up opportunities to speak and write in His perfect timing!  Devoted to prayer….being watchful…and thankful.

 As Thanksgiving passes – may we ever be thankful – no matter the circumstances.  

As Christmas approaches – may we be ever watchful – to minister the Reason for the Season to those He prompts us with – in special ways. 

As the New Year comes upon us – may we be ever prayerful – that the Almighty will give us the Mind of Christ Jesus so we will have His discernment, embrace us with His everlasting arms giving us Holy boldness, and may He hold us close to His heart giving us His wisdom.  May our lives radiate His Light and Salt…so He alone is glorified?

God’s love and blessings to you,

Don and Morna Gilbert

safequest@comcast.net

morna@regeneratedheart.com