Providential Timing!

Last Friday, our local newspaper printed a full page article, written by their "religion" editor, concerning the commemoration of John's Calvin's 500th birthday. The writer presented Calvin's life and beliefs in a fair way (although certainly not comprehensive). This is a link to the main article, and side articles can be found through this one.

http://www.theledger.com/article/20090723/NEWS/907235045

Since our family is pretty vocal in expressing opinions to the editor when we are reacting to something negative in society, I thought it would be constructive to write commending the fairly-written article. Here is my letter to the editor. (Just hoping to see it in print!)

"Dear Editor,

I want to commend Mr. McMullen (with whom I frequently disagree on things theological) for his well-researched and even-handed articles on the 500th anniversary of John Calvin’s birth, July 24, 2009. Members of my family and I traveled to Boston this month for that very occasion, joining over 1,000 people of all ages to commemorate a great man’s life.

Calvin did indeed influence the founding of America in a positive and foundational way. He was a man of amazing depth and breadth. His ideas have shaped much of what we consider the greatness of the American culture. It is very sad that most Americans are ignorant of, or have significant misconceptions about, his life, his writings, his theology. Especially disturbing, in the light of historical truth, is the fallacy of Calvin’s having ordered the burning at the stake of an adversary (check out original sources).

Again, thank you, Mr. McMullen. It is my hope that many readers will avail themselves of the resources mentioned in your article and widely available on the Internet to learn more about a remarkable and unique man who contributed, not only to America’s rich spiritual heritage, but to the very foundations of our government and culture.

We would do well as a nation to heed the words of Harvard historian George Bancroft: “He who will not honor the memory and respect the influence of Calvin knows but little of the origin of American liberty.”

Cordially,

Frances Frodge "
(that's my "formal" name!)

Thank you, Lord, for your servant, John Calvin, who, after 500 years, is still being maligned and misrepresented. He, in spite of all his critics, has heard you say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant . . . enter thou into the joy of thy lord!"

Hoping to finish up posting on the Boston trip before long!

Boston! Part 3: This and That

Well, I need to get a move on and not let this "Boston Retrospective" last all summer! Obviously, the conference sessions were wonderful -- informative, inspiring, refreshingly biblical, uplifting and encouraging. These conferences have come to mean so much to me and my family aside from the way the Lord uses the faithful speakers to reinforce his truth in our lives. In addition, the fellowship with like-minded and like-hearted families is like cool water in a parched land! Here are some assorted pictures from outside the session rooms . . .





"General Washington", followed by the McIntyre brothers' color guard, leads the troops!


The younger Higginbotham boys are faithful soldiers!

I can't get the picture below to move and give me room for text, so I will explain it here: We got to know a new friend, Mrs. Sherry Arnold, from Louisiana, and shared her enthusiasm for the beautiful event. She loved that we have so many grandchildren! (We do, too!)


The afterglow just goes on and on . . . we always hate to pack up and go! This time, there was the ringing of the Liberty Bell to look forward to after the closing session. It rang out in the hotel lobby 13 times at the exact moment (2:00 p.m.) on July 4th that it had 233 years ago in Philadelphia. Danny and I were impressed by this replica -- it was the real deal, as acknowledged by anyone in that lobby! What a testimony!

Faithful men doing what faithful men do -- speak of things of God wherever they find themselves. The rest of us were enjoying Cold Stone Creamery ice cream!

From the beautiful bridge in the Boston Public Garden by the Commons. Thank God, I am spending much less time in the wheel chair now!

We loved this tree, the weeping beech tree. It came down to the ground on all sides, like a tent. The groundskeepers had trimmed open a "doorway", giving us the idea that grandchildren would love to have one of these to make a hideaway under!

Life is going on at this point. Baby Paul is here, and we are planning a trip next month to see the family in Arkasouri. But we thank God for the opportunity to experience the gathering of saints to remember the fathers of our faith. What a blessing it has been!

Baby Paul is Here!

Little Gerhardt Gustav Paul Discher II, born tonight at 10:49 (July 17) He is enjoying his grandmother in this picture!

Peter helping Emma Jane hold "her baby". She wanted us to set him down on the floor to play with her! Oh, yes, let's watch Emma in the next few weeks as she learns that newborns are not dolls!

Grandmother and Granddaddy deciding that, yes, he is all Discher! Emma gives him a little kiss right after this picture!

Peter holds his much-awaited baby brother. Peter will be a good and godly example for Paul!

What a blessing to read the Word to help strengthen and encourage Bethie during labor! What a wonderful blessing to gather the family around and sing the "Doxology" in beautiful harmony and bow as patriarch Granddaddy Frodge asks the Lord's blessing on the new arrival and his family! Thank you, Lord, for the hope you instill in us with each new addition to the next generation. God bless you, Baby Paul. (See the Discher blog for more exciting details!

www.thedischerfamily.blogspot.com )

The Trip Update Will Have to Wait!

Beth has called from the midwife's, and she is in active labor, so we will be heading over right away. I asked if there was anything I could bring, and she said, "Your Bible verses!" What a blessing to be able to minister God's Holy Word to my daughter during labor! We will update soon!

Boston! Part 2: The Adventure Begins!

Well, actually, the train trip up was an adventure! But here we are in Boston. I really did not care to come to the "big city", and if it had not been for the wonderful occasion, I would have stayed home. The Lord knows just what we need, and I know Danny loved the occasion to visit so many historical sites with his grandchildren. I needed a lovely hotel room for rest, and that's what I had! I also needed to hear about God's providential hand in the lives of His people, and the influence of the Reformation, especially John Calvin's part, on the founding of America.


Before the conference began, Danny and the Stricklens toured the Boston Public Gardens, next to the Boston Commons. The first couple of days were rainy and chilly, but the garden was lovely and the hotel was warm!
Margaret Anne with what Mr. Phillips called the "Dr. Seuss flowers" -- actually an allium, a relative of the onion.

Here, that manly lad CJ and lovely lassie Mary and I prepare for the opening session.

What a delightful blessing to meet up with friends from previous conferences! Here, the dear and friendly Massachusetts native, Mrs. Thomas, greets me with enthusiasm. We talked and talked, and she was especially interested in knowing how Beth's pregnancy is progressing (it's almost progressed to the very end, BTW!) The Thomases were the winners of the Jamestown 400 hunt of 2007, and her daughter Melanie is the "Fifth Trustee", intricately involved in a new, mysterious hunt for the Mayflower Compact! The excitement builds . . .!

Bonnie lassies Abby and Margaret Anne keep me company as we wait for the opening remarks in the elegant Imperial Ballroom.

Part of the joy and fun of these occasions it rekindling friendships and fellowshipping with like-hearted believers. The Higginbothams from Indiana have six precious boys and always encourage us. Mr. Higginbotham, a physical therapist, gave me some excellent exercises to help rehab my knees and torn ligament.

Thank you, Lord, for the vision you have given faithful men and for the provision to bring families together to honor the past and prepare for the future! More to come . . .

Solutions

Well, you may know that my computer went black in Boston. As I was uploading pictures of a wonderful day. . . zip! Nada. Nothing. After we got home on Tuesday, dear son-in-law Eddie (my computer guru) looked it over, tried all his tricks, and announced that it is beyond his considerable abilities. So I will try to find a source to transfer what I have on it (years and years and years of documents, pictures, etc.) to another drive. Yes, I have (really, really, I have, I promise!) learned the lesson they have been trying to get me to learn for years. BACKUP!!!

Meanwhile, thank God for the little sale laptop sitting here at home barely used. Hopefully, today I can post the rest of the pictures of the wonderful, providence-filled trip to the Reformation 500 celebration in Boston! Coming soon . . . hopefully, today!

Boston! Part 1, the Train

The Reformation 500 celebration has arrived! I have promised (well, let's say assured) family who are staying home that we will post as many pictures as we can of this exciting trip. We got all packed up and ready and off we went!

Here we are at the Winter Haven train station . . . waiting. Susan, Molly's mother-in-law is going along on the train with us. I have no idea who the guy in the background is, but he was pretty friendly . . . in a friendly sorta way!

Our lovely chauffeur, Miss Kitty. Granddaddy posed her in front of this old luggage cart . . . because he likes taking pictures of old stuff! (And after all, Kitty is the oldest grandchild!)

Here comes the Silver Meteor number 98!

What a blessing to have a nice sleeping compartment! Especially since I had the wheelchair and Danny ended up with motion sickness! Don't ask me what I was thinking letting him take this picture!

Danny's favorite way to spend a trip, especially when under the influence of Dramamine!

We met up with friends going to the Reformation 500 also! These are Mr. and Mrs. Case and their daughter Emily, who were in our same car. We had looked forward to being able to fellowship along the way, but Danny's "condition" and my legs kept us in the compartment most of the time. They blessed us with Dramamine and lots of cheerful encouragement! Thank you, and hope to get to spend some time with you in Boston, Cases!

Trying to be prudent, we had shipped most of our clothes up to the hotel by UPS -- in a nice, neat hanging box, at some considerable expense. Uh oh!! This is the condition we found them in when we got here! Sorry about all those hours ironing, Kitty! Oh, well, the hotel room has a nice iron and ironing board!

Well, off to see what the first day brings us! Thank you, Lord, for the ability to get together occasionally with hundreds of like-minded families and hear men of God share what God has done throughout history, which is, after all His-story! More to come!