February 2009

I misplaced the initial draft of this letter in a very busy Christmas time. Between travels to Milwaukee to see my son Pierre, and Philadelphia to visit my daughter in-law and her family, it slipped into some unknown location and was lost forever. That is why this new version is arriving so late. Very sorry!

Please find here the usual warm thanks for a wonderful mass of loving greetings and gifts all of which I am incapable of answering personally. Surely greetings and good wishes are a bit stale at this late date. Nevertheless, be assured of my warmest affection and appreciation for the flood of beautiful greetings that warmed my heart. I trust that each of your holidays were heartwarming and times of effectual spiritual renewal. May the Lord bless you everyone, and particularly those of you whose celebration was saddened by illness or other untoward events.

With the advent of the New Year, we certainly are entering a period of social and financial stress during which the world will be tested beyond levels of resistance humans have know so far. Never before has prosperity been so widespread – never before has our government and personal debt been so deep. Never before have we been so vulnerable.

As believers, we need to examine ourselves, our relationships with others, and our duties to those around us so that we are prepared for the stress that we will inevitably face. Let each family prepare to care for its own and those around it.

Let each of us also heed the lessons of the inspired Word and really pour out our hearts to God. It is within our power to help right our country’s course: for evil to succeed only requires that good men and women stand by and do nothing. What a good reminder to each of us to pray and act on His behalf each day.

Be sure of our warmest on-going thanks, and heartfelt appreciation for all you are doing through your daily prayers and loving care.

In His Keeping