Who would have known what was going to happen that cold winter morning in December?  We were trying to sell our house, but hadn’t had a showing in weeks.

The morning was humming along nicely.  Our daughter-in-law needed to run into town for supplies, and since their three children were sick and couldn’t go to school, they had come down to our part of the house to hang out for awhile with Grandma and Grandpa.

The oldest, Alex, who is eight, was on the couch feeling feverish and headachy.  Ben, who is seven, was helping me put up more Christmas decorations.  We had the tree up and decorated so most of the storage boxes were back up in the attic. I was soon to know how very fortunate that, at least, turned out to be!

Our two-year old granddaughter, Gracie, was playing nicely with some toys. I was trying to get the medication that I take for Parkinson’s disease to kick in so I could make some cookies to take to the neighbors for Christmas. That’s when the phone rang.

It was our dear friend and realtor, Alene, who said, “You have a showing!  They are in LaPorte and will be at your place shortly!”

“Please say you didn’t say what I think you said!” I replied.

“No, really!  This realtor did not tell me about this!  It wasn’t scheduled, but she thought she had scheduled a showing of your house.  They were running late, or even I wouldn’t have known!  She called to tell me that they would be late.”

I began to shake worse than ever; my whole body was trembling violently. “Please, ask them to give us at least 20 minutes,” I nearly sobbed into the phone.

I placed the phone into the receiver and yelled, “We have a showing in just a few minutes!  Everybody, pick up your toys and put stuff away!  NOW!  There isn’t going to be enough time to do it all, but let’s do our best!”

Alex, from the couch, said, “I can’t stand up!  I feel dizzy if I do!”

Ben, heading up the stairs at a trot, said, “I’ll pick up Gracie’s room!”

Earl, moving faster than I’ve ever seen him move, said, “I’ve got the kitchen!”

Ten minutes later, the kitchen is not bad!  My desk is closed to hide my stacks of paper.  Earl’s desk is clean on top with his papers in a drawer.  My little sitting-prayer room has been transformed into a hobby room and Ben is coming down the stairs calling, “I have Grace’s room picked up, but she is taking a bath!”

“Oh, no, you’ve got to be kidding!  Why would she do that?”  I yelled.

”I think she heard you say, ‘Let’s clean everything up!’” he answered with a giggle.

“Well, can you get her out and into her clothes?” I was still yelling which certainly didn’t help anything!

That was when we heard the doorbell ring and through the frosted glass of the front door we could see the ladies on the porch waiting to see our house. At precisely the same moment we all looked up to see Ben coming down the stairs. Behind him was Gracie without a stitch of clothes on!  It just seemed that she was saying, “Well you did say it was ‘a showing,’ didn’t you, Grandma?”

We all froze for just a couple of seconds, then….YIKES!  “Don’t answer the door for a minute,” I whisper shouted to Earl.  “Ben, grab her clothes!  Quick!  Everyone, let’s get up into the attic!”

As we slipped into the upstairs studio room, I heard Earl open the door and let the prospective buyer and realtor in.  Shivering, I thanked the Lord for His help as we tiptoed up the steps to the attic.

Then I nearly panicked again as I realized that I was in great need of a drink and there was, of course, no water in the attic.  Ben said, “I’ll get you some!”  It wasn’t but a couple of minutes before he was back. “I could only find a sippy cup!” he exclaimed as he handed me the precious water. He also had brought up Gracie’s clothes, and they all matched perfectly!

How he did it as a young fellow of seven, I can’t say, but one thing I can say is, “Whether you are selling your house or not, there is never a dull moment when you have grandchildren!”

His joy is our strength, we shall not be moved.
We can be satisfied with Jesus, His Word is our food.

He refreshes the weary, and satisfies the faint.
He sets us free from the captivity of hate.

Freedom from pride, anger, self, and despair
All kinds of sin and wrong thoughts bring a snare.

But better than life are God’s love and His peace.
It’s in His presence, we’ll find sweet release.

When we receive daily His bountiful, vast supply
There is food enough for us all that will completely satisfy.

Living Water to drink at the table we see.
The thirsty come seeking, for this water is free.

So, let’s lay aside anything that hinders and binds us.
And keeps us from knowing this joy that would find us.

God’s grace satisfies and will set us all free.
Jesus paid for our sin when He died on the Tree.

And His joy comes to all who have made Him their Lord.
Let’s worship and praise Him, He is Christ our adored!

The Master calls us to come to Him each day.
Come and dine at His table
There are things He wants to say.
I’ll give you a new heart; a heart of flesh My child.
I want you to be clean and ready for change;
    Humble, meek, and, oh, so mild.

The day is coming soon when I’ll come to take you home.
Until then be My ambassador.
Take Me to the nations;
you’ll never go alone.
Others see and know the difference
      Of a life that I have blessed.
So lift your voice to Me in praise;
       Give Me your all and no less.

Listen, My beloved, do you hear the sound?
The sound of many waters; a low roar as they come tumbling down.
Go forth!  Launch out!  And never be afraid!
You are free, the price has all been paid.
Choose life each day and never death,
For I do not find pleasure in one who dies.
Just keep open to My Spirit,
And keep your eyes upon the skies.

My glory is like none other;
I am moving across the earth.
Only those who seek Me find Me.
So be vigilant; always on the alert.
You know that My love for you is deep and very strong.
You must know that I am a just God,
So obey all My commandments,
Choose the right; never the wrong.

Cry out to Me when in trouble.
I’m there to deliver from the enemy’s wicked hand.
He destroys all he touches,
While I come to bless the land.
I pour out water upon the dry places.
And make rivers in the desert.
You will see Me do a new thing;
If you do not faint and stay keenly alert.

The day will come, indeed is upon us now,
When everything will be shaken.
I would give you secure houses in quiet resting places.
Fear not, for your peace will not be taken.
I exalt You, Oh Lord, for You are my dwelling place.
You are my center, my joy, and my crown.
I will sing to You a new song,
For Your beauty and peace I have found.

Behold, God is my salvation.  I will trust and not be afraid.  For YAH, the Lord, is my strength and song.  He also has been my salvation.  Therefore with joy you shall draw water from the wells of salvation.  (Isaiah 12:2,3)

A few more hours in 2009
I can spend in prayer for each moment is mine.
Home alone is no accident, but is a calling from You,
You’re my Lord and my Shepherd and what you desire I will do.

Your face I seek and your voice I would hear.
Though things look bleak I will not have fear.
For Your Word is true and upon Your Word I stand;
I pray peace and have mercy upon us and our land.

You want us to prosper and you heal those who hurt.
You bless us with good things but we must stay on the alert.
For Satan comes only to destroy, steal, and kill -
But you give us life so abundant and real.

I give up the rights of choices I make,
I yield to Your Spirit and go forth for Your sake.
I know that the multitudes still live in darkness and strife;
They so need to be introduced to our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Knowing You said in John chapter 3
That you came and you died for us all on the Tree,
And for all that believe and accept what You said
Will live in heaven forever with You for You rose from the dead.

I hold on to nothing in this life here on earth:
It passes away quickly for only the Spirit has worth.
Help me to remember and live for You alone.
I praise You and worship You Jesus Christ on the Throne.

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this:
He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn;
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him….
Those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.  (Psalm 37:5,7, 9)

At this beautiful time of year when we celebrate the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and we consider the love of the Father and His love for each one of us, may we express to each of you our gratitude for your support and care over us and our ministry to Georgia?!  Your prayers and gifts keep us encouraged to keep on answering the call to go and make disciples….words can not express our appreciation to you and to God!

Even though we were not able to go in person to work with our people in Georgia this fall, we have seen the hand of our God move mightily among them and The School of Tomorrow is flourishing!  There is no distance in prayer and our wonderful staff is committed to teaching and loving the children that “great will be their peace!”  Nearly every day, we receive letters from them and our students that keep us informed and grateful for His Spirit that is moving in their lives!  Thank you for standing with us as we put our hope in God for them…. praying often…. trusting Him to answer each prayer as He gives the substance through faith and this becomes reality in each life!

As more and more we see the breakdown of our great nation and the way the foundation of our faith is being shaken, we put our hope, not on the world’s shaky economy but upon the economy that shall not be taken away, for it is God’s economy that will stand in the coming year(s):
…sow bountifully and you shall reap bountifully.
…trust and obey and you shall live in peace.
…not as the world gives, but seek first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you.
…do not fear, but put your faith in Him who is the giver of all good things.

It was a busy summer and fall for all of us in the Treat family.  David, Heka and 3 boys were here for nearly four months.  We had many fun family get-togethers while they were with us!

Many of you ask us, “How are you doing?”  It is for my health that you ask and pray for so often!   It is hard to communicate to you the ups and downs that we experience each day!  Our gratitude for your prayers knows no bounds!!!  The battle for life is real for all of us and we certainly need to stand together to see the victory!  Some days, I (Jan) feel quite well and am able to work alongside Earl with strength.  Still, we hope that I did indeed receive the artificial gene and not the placebo in early October.  But if, in fact, I did not, we are planning to receive it in the spring, for the trial study that I have been a part of since July is proving to be very effective in fighting this disease.   Again, we thank you for your loving concern and many prayers!  We do hope to be able to travel to Georgia before the school year is over. 

It is our prayer that the coming year will bring you and yours an abundance of blessings and that Jesus Christ will be your protector and best friend!

Merry Christmas from the Treat Family!
In His grace,
Earl and Janet Treat
Mark IV Harvest