Saturday, December 22, 2012

The Blessedness of “Being With”

Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel, which translated means, "GOD WITH US.    – Isaiah 7:14; and Gospel of Matthew 1: 23

Dear Family and Friends,
Greetings from Wooster, OH on this first day of winter, and the first day in which snow has blanketed the landscape here in Wayne county.  Our hearts are full of gratitude to God for His provision of this location that we've been slowly making into a "home" by His grace.  He has sustained Abby and I through the year-long effort to sell our home in Cedarville and then through our move in October.  Now we are enjoying making connections with the amazing people and provisions needed to establish our home here in Wooster. 

We are thankful for our son, Brad, and his wife, Raquel; and for our daughter, Mindy, and her husband, Steve; and our grandchildren, Caleb (14), Kiara (10), and Della (4).  They have spent time with us in Wooster to help us during our move.  Thankfully, our move brings us just a bit closer to their homes in Ann Arbor and Erie, Michigan, respectively.  Please pray with us as we establish priorities related to each other, our parents and family, a place of worship and service, and as we invest time in this new chapter of our lives.

At this end of thirty-three years at Cedarville University, Grace Baptist Church, and the Cedarville community we miss those of you that we can no longer be with on a regular basis.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you as God reminds us of you.  We hope more of you will let us know if you are in the area so that we might arrange for you to visit us at 1041 Curtwood Drive, Wooster, OH   44691.

This week, we are planning our first multi-day period of being with mom Moser (Marietta) in her home.  At 85, after her stroke last year, she has not advanced beyond walking with personal assistance; and is advancing into Alzheimers.  We are thankful to be two hours closer to her so that we can join the rotation with Abby's six sisters in continuing to care for her in her home.  Mom Silvius continues to do well, but with limited mobility outside her home, at age 90.  She lives with my sister, Margie, and brother, Dan, and on the farm near Dundee where I grew up.   Both moms are within 1.5 hrs of Wooster.


With Carie Kurtz who helped us find a home; now a friend.
With the onset of a New Year, pending Abby's good health for which we are thankful, I will be undertaking some part-time involvements related to "projects" that will combine my interest in land stewardship with my profession of faith.  This goal comes with the intent of building friendships in Wayne County, including with those who are passionate about the "natural world" but who may not know of our Creator’s passion for reconciliation of all of His creation through His Son’s redemptive work to restore us (see Col. 1: 9-23).  Your friendship and prayers are much appreciated.

May God continue to strengthen and guide you all.   We hope you are encouraged in your remembrance of Emmanuel, “God with us.”  We thank God that He undertook His divine "rescue mission" to Earth to abide with us in order to ransom us (“buy us back” from the market of human pride, sin, and rebellion) that we might have Abundant Life now, and live with Him and the redeemed forever.

In Christ,
John and Abby

2 comments:

morrisl@cedarville.edu said...

Thank you, and great to hear from you, John & Abby. Last evening, we had the most wonderful candlelight service at Grace; it seems more wonderful and a blessing each year!!
We miss you here at the 'Ville, but glad you are getting settled in Wooster, and that you are well. Merry Christmas, and God's best in the new year !!!
Dee

jsilvius said...

Thank you, Dee. We are thankful for this step in our lives, but it has come with a gradual awareness of the loss of many warm relationships. We fondly remember your warm smile and zeal for the Lord.