Joys and the beginning of sorrows

      The blossoms of early spring have taken their loveliness from our view, and though I miss them, the nice thing here in Hangzhou is there is always something in bloom the year around.  We lose one set of blossoms, to gain another, and some of the most exquisite like the crepe myrtle are still to be anticipated.  On our trip yesterday into the mountains west of the city, I noted that they had managed to hold onto their March blossoms longer in the cooler air.  We looked at several apartments in the new housing development called Green Field Spring, but didn't feel clear to order one .  The Lord may have something closer in for us.  The mountain scenery was striking with the closest mountains ringed with tea bushes, and higher ranges rising behind.  We felt sorry for the farmers, though--- having their property taken for all those high rises.

     The poet exclaimed, "Oh to be in England

                                           Now that April's there....."   but I think every place I have ever been has been charming in April, my favorite month.  My heart sings praises with the delightful music of the morning bird choir.  Actually it strikes me that "The birds make music all the day."  We don't quite...but there is more music since the keyboard got moved over to Light House. 

      Against the pleasant backdrop of spring's joys, seven  different courageous voices have been raised in warning of God's swift-falling judgment on our nation, speaking of  "A collapse that will set into motion a series of cataclysmic events that will humble a spiritually impoverished people to the deepest depth of their souls.. ..We are at an alarming point in time, a time when combinations of perverse elements have come together to deliver this nation unto total annihilation. "   (Jim Schwiesow)  And another:  "Our nation has already been seized upon, and it is being pillaged by international elitists who care only about their antichrist agenda. ...Our leaders know full well what would happen if the masses of people would ever come fully awake to the reality of what is going on."  (David Meyer)  He went on to speak of the Lord being gracious to His own, staying with us to the end.   Our only safety is to "be hid with Christ in God"! 

     Every morning for at least a year I sang from the flyleaf of my Bible in my quiet time:                        

                       "Within the veil": be this, Beloved, thy portion,

                         Within the secret of thy Lord to dwell,

                         Beholding Him, until thy face His glory

                          Thy life His love, thy lips His praise shall tell.

                      "Within the veil", for only as thou gazest

                        Upon the matchless beauty of His face,

                        Canst thou become a living revelation

                        Of His great heart of love, His untold grace.

                  Within the veil", His fragrance poured upon thee,

                  Without the veil, that fragrance shed abroad.

                  "Within the veil" His hand shall tune 

                  That sounds on earth the praises of thy Lord.

                     Within the veil", thy spirit deeply anchored,

                      Thou walkest calm above a world of strife.

                      Within the veil, thy soul with Him united,

                      Shall live on earth His resurrection life.

                                                          Freda Allen