Dear Daughters,
As I am pondering the year that is almost complete, I started recalling all the Major as well as the Minor themes I have experienced during the year. As you know my favorite current author is John Eldredge, from whom I have borrowed the idea of Major and Minor themes.
Of course one of the Major themes of my year is God’s faithfulness and goodness. The sun came up every day, although we couldn’t always see it. One of life’s ultimate comforts is simply knowing that the sun is still shining above the clouds. 
God gave strength for everything I needed to do – not all that I wanted to do – but enough for each day. He provided strength to wash both clothes and dishes, make meals, to answer many questions, find things that have been lost, picking hundreds of pounds of delicious garden produce, preserve many of those pounds, capture beauty in my camera, write in my gratitude journal, visit with relatives and friends.
Another major theme is that I have begun to sing again. For months I had only enough strength to do work that needed to be done. But now I am able to have enough energy to both play the piano and sing. It is such a joy to listen to Grandma play piano for a half hour every day, then take my turn to do the same.
Shortly after we moved to Idaho I asked God for a friend. We have many wonderful relatives in the area, but I asked for a friend close by. I was thinking of someone my age so we could have lots in common. Having moved many times in my life I have found that it is difficult to break into a community as a newcomer because many people already have their circle of friends, and circles don’t often easily open.
God surprised me and brought a friend who was also new to the area. Ruth, a young mother, her husband and 2-yearold son Jacob moved from Montana to live across the street from us a few months after we had moved in. Since then we have shared stories of our lives, recipes, laughter, hard as well as joyful times in our families, goods from our gardens, singing and playing piano together, and friendship.
A final Major theme is that of Dad and I learning to serve Grandma and Grandpa together. At the beginning of our time here we were not sure of our specific roles, but as we prayed together for wisdom and walked through each day, we learned how to help but not overstep our boundaries. Yes, there have been misunderstandings, disagreements, and times of forgiveness, but we are becoming comfortable with our roles and have learned to be grateful for one another and the work that is divided between us.
Of course there are the Minor themes that always come along in life as well, whether we invite them or not. One Minor theme is the continued chronic insomnia that I have experienced for the past 15 years. There were some days, after having several 4 and 5 hour nights, that I simply asked God to take me home if He would not grant me the sleep that I so desperately needed. I had sought help from many, but no one had answers. In the midst of the darkness of those days and verbalizing my anguish to Dad, he would simply sit and listen at my bedside as I cried. Because my cries and laments were shared, I was able to go on for yet one more day.
Then I founded someone in our little town who has given me hope once again. I have had many 8 hour nights, and actually can’t remember the last time I slept only 4 hours. Zed has found what we think is the root of the problem and I am slowly getting stronger day by day. Maybe…..soon I will have more endurance and energy.
Dying to self is certainly a Minor theme, but so necessary in our growth as Christ followers. When we moved to Idaho I thought I had died to myself, but God shows me new ways every day as we care for Grandpa and Grandma, how to continually find joy in serving and caring in many small ways, but that enrich all of our lives.
Another Minor theme, mixed with a Major has been talking to you, my daughters, about your dreams, your hopes, your disappointments and your sorrows. All of us have had struggles in our marriages this year. Things will be well for a time, and then just like the proverbial layers of onion, another weakness shows up which needs to be dealt with. The Enemy is always out to find our weaknesses and divide us from our husbands, to see the worst in them – and some days that is not at all difficult.
But throughout the fight for love, God has caused each one of you to grow stronger. Stronger in love, forgiveness, searching hard for beauty, learning to cast your cares and worries on Jesus. I can see your splendor growing and the amazing grace that you have received from God and have graciously given to your families.
I encourage you to look back for the Major and Minor themes in your own lives this year. I think there will be many in each category. Be still and thank God for both themes, knowing that He is walking with you every day. We have prayed for one another and will continue to do so. In that I rejoice.
Love, Mom
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 4
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