TO MY BELOVED - ON OUR 60^TH WEDDING CELEBRATION.

I acknowledge you have been God’s gracious gift as ‘help meet’ to me. You have fulfilled the bible expectation of a good woman, Gwenda, as the illustrious woman of Proverbs 31, meeting all God’s requirements for womanhood.

Bless the Lord, o my soul; and all within me bless His holy Name.

You have been the charming mother of our children;
Ruth, John, Judith, Miriam, Elisabeth, Priscilla, Philip Mark.

You carried them uncomplainingly. God gave beautiful confinements, the last two of which I attended in  Bajang.

You nursed each babe, expressing where necessary for Judith and Philip Mark, in their medical urgencies.

Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases.

You wrote daily to me during more than 1000 days I was away from you and australia during WW11.Your letters strengthened our bonding and tender care of each other.  The reunions were enriching, because the Lord had watched over us; and preserved us. 

Who redeems your life from destruction.

Who crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercies.

You sacrificially kept home for 7 years during medical study and internship, keeping home on Six pounds weekly.

You helped feed our children, bath them,  cuddled with them,  sang to them, and tucked them in to sleep. I honour you, My beloved. I studied from 7 each night until 11.

We sat in military overcoat and army blanket for warmth.  You knitted; I studied aloud. Six nights weekly- resting on His day.  We used a chip heater; an ice box; and a wood-heated copper for laundry; until God gave a Hoover hand-wringer. 

Who satisfies your mouth with good things.

Your youth is renewed like the eagle’s

WE rode our bicycles , carrying Ruth, then John and later Judith, in Kraft cheese boxes on the carrier to church; and each saturday we had miles of pedal excursion full of fun.

The Lord executes righteousness, and justice for all who are oppressed.

You tenderly Cared for them in sickness, especially in Java when John, Ruth and Miriam needed special loving care, fighting for John’s life with typhoid.  And later Philip Mark before our heavenly Father called him.

He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.

You warmly disciplined our beloved children during their developmental years, nurturing them in god’s rich blessing.

You helped teach our children some of the Scripture daily, believing that to be our richest legacy, and enduring wealth.  Your children rise up and call you blessed.

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

You opened our home for hospitality to missionaries from many nations of the world, so that our children welcomed  and appreciated them .  Some of our choicest friends are those of other nationalities, but one in christ.

He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger for ever.

In 1959, You formed a bible study and prayer group for women at Billy Graham’s urging; while I commenced a saturday morning men’s study and prayer group.  Phil is a faithful  aboriginal pastor; Al a national leader; Brent a national missionary leader and bible teacher; Peter an international  and inspirational teacher of the Word. 

While God has used Ted’s support for ethnic leaders  .

He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities.

You  facilitated the decade of Bible teaching in our lounge, the evidence of which blessing we constantly hear.

You encouraged that keen group from Bellevue Heights to come for 2 ½ years, which proved most fruitful. You share with me in what God was pleased to do.  

For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him.

Gwenda, you were a leading part of the 27 years of medical practice, protecting me from after-hours calls; harmoniously embracing our secretaries ; being a friend to many  pat000ients, who commended you for your sweet advice.

For as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

AS a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him.

I commend you for your writing, dearest, especially Your Moody books while still caring for our children. Many women (and men, too) were enriched by your magazine articles.  Most are on our web site and widely read.

For He knows our frame.  He remembers that we are dust.

AS for man,  his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.

In company with others, You pioneered for the women of our state the annual CWCI conventions, and founded the Know Your bible groups across south australia.  Many women love and honour you.

But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children.

Only when we have gone to heaven will our children and friends know the heart-felt prayers, morning by morning. I  thank God for your truly-womanly prayers for loved ones.

To such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them.

Your beloved husband
Harrold
21 March 1942 - 2002 

The lord has established His throne in the heavens and His kingdom rules over all.

Bless the Lord, you His angels , who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word
Bless the Lord all you hosts, you ministers of His, who do His pleasure
Bless the Lord, all His works, in all places of His dominion. Bless the Lord.  O , my soul. .

PSALM 103.

Hallelujah!