newsletter family with encouragement,
inspiration and comfort but seldom is she mentioned or credited for all
she does behind the scenes. I was recently reading about the wonderful godly
woman that Proverbs 31 illustrates. I often tease Gloria and call her my "P-31"
wife (and may I add, she truly is). This time, however, when I read Proverbs 31,
I was challenged when I read verse 28 which states, "Her children rise up, and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her" (NKJV).
I desire to take this opportunity to thank her as we are now well into our 47th year together on the road. Gloria has lived on the road for 300 days a year traveling across the U.S. and around the world sharing the same calling and passion that continues to cause the tears to flow down her cheeks night after night when the invitations are given and she sees the lost come to Christ. Without complaint, this precious helpmate continues to stand by my side.
One of the most popular questions we are asked while on the road is, "What do you do all day? Don't you get bored?" I honestly do not have space to share all of the ins and outs of road life. I can tell you, however, that Gloria invests hours and hours with the wonderful secretaries at our office doing daily tasks such as answering partners' letters, responding to emails, sending cards for the necessary occasion and making phone calls to encourage the sick and hurting. She is responsible for the material for our monthly newsletter, our website and Facebook page. Besides the office tasks, when we have a rally, she is in charge of training the counselors before our services, sings and ministers with me, runs the sound, manages our book and CD table and helps me set up and tear down the equipment and materials for the services. Of course, she takes good care of me as well-my meals and laundry-and tries to keep me from eating ice cream and candy! HA! Honestly, I haven't even touched the tip of the iceberg yet.
Gloria is also a wonderful mother and is faithfully ministering to our children and grandchildren on a daily basis. She regularly talks with her mother who is 96 and counting. Later in the newsletter you will read about her praying mother, but I have had the privilege of knowing that Gloria, too, is a prayer warrior who has consistently stood in the gap for me, her children, her extended family and all of you...our friends and partners. Gloria has struggled for many years with the disease, fibromyalgia, of which there is no cure. With the added stress it adds, she steadfastly continues to give her life for that which she has been called. I just wanted to do as Romans 13:7 states, "Give everyone what you owe him: ...if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor" (NIV). I desire to praise her through this newsletter and let you, as partners and friends, know that God truly did send me a wonderful mate and partner to press on in winning the lost! Thank you for sending us!
"Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised." (Proverbs 31: 30, NKJV).
Larry