All Things Work Together

Neosho, Mo

Gen. Del.

Nov. 2, 1943

Dear Carrie,

  Greetings in the precious name of Jesus Christ our blessed Lord.

  This finds me still save sanctified and determined to go all the way with the good Lord. I can say like David he will be our guide even untill death or for ever.

  I felt some better this morning after a long night's sleep, but I think I would hardly be able to make it at work wo I am staying in to day.

  I called to Mr. Westior's office yesterday evening but he was done gone home although he left a little information at his office. The lady that answered the phone said that he fail to be able to call out to the farm where he entended to. But he left word there for me to call him a gain this morning. So I did. I called to his house this morning and talked with his wife. He said for me to meet him this mornin as he went to work I tole her that I was hardle able to work this morning then she said that he said for me to call him when I did get able. So by that I supose he must have somthing in mind for me to do. I really hope I can get a job without leaving Neosho.

  Well Carrie I know it seems like that you and I have quite a few tests (or should I say wonder whys) in our being to gether. But as the scripture says "all things work to gether for good to them that love God and to them who are called according to his purpose."

  Carrie I sure did appreciate those kind words that you spoke to me yesterday while I was out at your house and on our way to Neosho. I mean about what you said concerning me being sick. I wish I could return the favor. I hope you all didn't have any more car trouble.

Carrie I am sure you don't know how thankful I am that I got to meet you and to go with you and above all I am thankful for the hopes of our future.

  I am glad that the good Lord thinks enough of us weak creatures to lead us a long the way of life. I am sure that when the Lord leads all will be well

  I think it is a wonderful and gracious thing to have God lead us through life. He can help us to be a blessing where with out him life would be a failure. I knew that every good thing that we are able to do is done by his help or his power. So seeing this is true helps us to be able to say like the song, all I am or hope to be I commit dear Lord to thee. We say this because we love him. I hope it is where I can go to prayer meeting Thur. night as I always enjoy meting in the house of God to learn more about him. I will also be glad to see Miss Wyatt there. I enjoy your lovely presense.

  It will sure be good and suit me very much if I get a job where I can continue to go to prayer meeting. I don't see why it wouldn't be the Lord's will for me to have a job that I could do so. Although I don't know just what Mr.Westion has in mind by him being ready for me to go to work before he called out to the farm. So I will be hoping that God will work things out so I can go to prayer meeting.

  Well I guess I will say good bye to that sweetheart of mine (Carrie Wyatt.)

  May God ever bless you and I both and help us to be a blessing in my sincere prayer.

Pray for me love

(Mc)

Please excuse this short letter.

You Will Find Out I Am Tricky

Neosho, Mo

Oct. 29, 1943

My dear Mac,

  Thought I would drop you a few lines and leave it with your things. Grandma and I intend to got to town right afternoon, and we thought we would take your things and leave them at the house where you stay. I suppose you will be at work, so I don’t guess I’ll get to see you.

Well I’m glad this morning that we can always have bright hopes in the Lord. Our surroundings may appear dark sometimes, but we can still have sunshine from heaven in our souls. I’m glad for salvation. It is something that never becomes old or tiresome to us. Instead of that, we only learn to appreciate the Lord more and more as the days go by. I believe that is one reason the Lord permits things to happen sometimes that are unpleasant to us, and also lets us to get in places so that we can’t see our way out. For that causes us to trust Him more fully when we see we are too weak in our own strength. And when we see it is impossible for us to make the way clear ourselves, then when the Lord steps in and opens up ways for us, then we really know how to appreciate Him better than before.

  I thought last night during prayer meeting, when Sis. Dean and Sis. Reese testified and told about being alone all the time, and how they would sit and think. I thought that it is just the opposite with me. It is so hard for me to find a quiet hour, so I can think and meditate. I would be glad if I could share part of their quiet hours, for I love to be alone part of the time. But I’m not complaining at my lot in life. Perhaps since I don’t very often get the opportunity of being alone, maybe that helps to cause me to be more earnest in seeking the Lord, and to learn of Him.

We both must have been almost of the same mind last night in prayer meeting. As you said I had your testimony.

  —Well I will now try to finish this. It is after mail time now , and we are about ready to start to town. Your mail cam that we were expecting. I didn’t take the package undone, but the end of the box was torn, so I could see the suit. It is a little darker color than I thought it would be, but it is pretty, I think.

  Anyhow it looks better than I dreamed it did. I thought about taking it along today and leaving it with your other things. But I didn’t know whether to or not. So I just decided to let you wait, as you planned to come tomorrow evening. — I thought it would be a good excuse for you to come.

(Now I know you will find out I am tricky) ha. But really I’ll be glad to see you come.

It seems that the times we get to be together are so short. But yet those times are very precious, as I always enjoy your presence. Those talks we have about the Lord seems to bring heaven nearer. And also binds our hearts closer together.

  Well I could write more, but I don’t have time. I hope we can get to talk more. —I wonder sometimes when we would ever get through talking if we were not disturbed. There is always something new to tell about our experiences with the Lord. And I think it is helpful to each other to tell the things we learn. And I’ve learned some things the last few days that I needed. It took some fire to consume the dross, but I sure wouldn’t exchange the gold that I got in the furnace flame for anything.

  Well maybe I’ll get to see you tomorrow eve., if the Lord wills.

  I know I can’t write anything that would bring as much cheer to your heart as your good letter brought to me that I got a few days ago. But anyhow I thought I would drop you a few lines and leave it with your things, and you can at least know that I’m thinking about you.

  I must hurry now, and say goodbye to the one who is dear to me.

Yours, with Love,

Carrie.

I Understand

Neosho, Mo.

Sept. 20, 1943

Dear Mac,

   Greetings to you in the name of One who has loved us, and gave us a lively hope, that we shall have eternal life. I am glad for that hope tonight.  We have a reason to be the happiest people in the world, for no others have that hope that we have in our souls, And as we get nearer the Lord & learn more of the secrets of His will, our hopes become brighter.  As one scripture says, “The path of the just is as a shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.”  Truly we have so much to be thankful for.  I doubt if we can even know how to appreciate salvation as much as we should.  But as we go thro’ the fiery trials that come our way, & then see how wonderfully the Lord delivers us from them all, then we know a little better how to appreciate the Lord.  At least I have found it that way.  In my greatest sufferings, the Lord would come to my rescue when He saw I needed Him most, then I really felt like I had advanced a little more.

   Well I received a very nice and encouraging letter today, from someone I was expecting one from, and I must say I was very glad to get it.  Your letters are always encouraging and helpful to me.  I can easily tell that you are sincere, and that you want the Lord’s will to be done, above everything.  And that causes me to have greater confidence in you.

   I am at last, sending you a picture.  Whether it’s very good or not, maybe you can at least know who it is.  It is better than I had expected it to be, for those kind of pictures are not often very good.  I could have sent it the last time I wrote, but (you guessed it right) I thought you might come in a while & I would give it to you.  I intended to tell you, but forgot that.  So I guess I’m pretty forgetful.  But here it comes now.

   We have been canning apples today.  We didn’t get them all done.  I went home with Wanda Hagne (the other young sister besides myself).  She is a fine girl, & is very spiritual. I always enjoy being with her.  I think it is so helpful to associate with those who are interested in the things of God.  We can talk of His goodness, & it makes the presence of the Lord seem nearer.

   Ellen and Elizabeth Glass came back to Neosho last Thursday.  I don’t know if you remember them or not.  They were at the Monark Campmeeting. They are single girls.  Now that they are here, it will add more to our numbers.

   Oh yes, I heard a compliment on you last week.  When Mother & Shirley (my sister) were here, Shirley asked me if I had any pictures of you, & she & Mother wanted to see it.  Mother said that you had a good appearance & that you looked like a nice boy.  So I was glad to hear that, rather than for her to find fault with you.  Of course I already knew what she said was true, but I am glad she thinks so too.

   Mac, you don’t need to feel that it bothers me because you are undecided yet about what the Lord would have you to do in every way.  I understand how you feel.  I can only say that I am glad you are willing to wait on God & let Him have His way.  No doubt but that it is a cross to you, but Mac I say, keep holding on to the Lord until you know His will.  So long as you keep that decision in your heart, you won’t be going astray and wonder what is wrong.  When a person gets out of the order of the Lord, they always get into trouble.  But those who let Him lead them, they never have anything to regret.  We can see many examples of people  meeting with problems, & making their own decisions, & then later on we can hear them say they regret doing the way they did, & wishing they had of did some other way.  But when we are careful to follow the leadings of the Lord, we always find out He has led us right, & we are glad for it.  And I’m glad you have that kind of decision.  Otherwise you would be in danger of doing the wrong thing.

   And you also said that it might look like a small thing to want the leadings of the Lord about when to come up here.  But I fully agree with you that we need the Lord to uphold us wherever we are, & whatever we are.  So you don’t need to think that it bathers me in the least, because things are not clear to you yet.  (It only has the opposite effect on me.  It makes me think more of you,& have more confidence in you.)

   I know it isn’t a pleasant feeling to not know definitely what the Lord’s will is when we have problems to solve.  So I know it hasn’t been pleasant for you. But just keep trusting.  I don’t worry at all, but what the Lord is going to work it all out for you in His own time.  Maybe He is just letting you be tested out to see if you will keep your decision to trust Him.  So don’t ever let any discouraging thoughts dwell on your mind.  Sometimes the enemy tries to take advantage of us when we are perplexed, & will try to make it appear that it is impossible to find out what we should do.  So if he should try that on you, just don’t listen to it.

   Mac, it is alright that you told me how you felt concerning you & I.  I understand how you meant it.  Since you felt the way you did, it was alright for you to tell me, so I could have time to think & pray about it.  Some people (if they knew it) might think it was rather sudden, but so long as me & the Lord understands that is all that matters.   As you and I are the only ones it concerns, except the Lord.  So long as we keep in His order, that is enough.

   You asked if I have had any more leadings concerning the matter. I hardly know just what to tell you.  But I don’t know definitely yet, what the final answer will be.  But I will say this, that if you have felt clear so far, about the past happenings.  And I’m sure the Lord can help us to know His will concerning the future.  And however He chooses to work it out for us, I’ll be satisfied.

   Well I must be closing for this time.  Keep your faith and trust in Jesus, and He will never fail you.

I’ll say goodbye for now.

As ever,

Carrie Wyatt

(click to enlarge)

Satisfied Where Ever God Leads

Neosho, Mo

Sept. 10, 1943

Dear Mac,

   Received your good letter yesterday, and was glad to hear from you again. And was also glad to know you were still encouraged in your soul.  I don’t know of any better news you could give, for victory is the best thing this side of Heaven.  Some people might be able to report of some earthly gain or honor, but that is nothing to be compared to being able to report victory over sin.  That is something that brings Gods favor on us And I would rather know that the Lord is satisfied with my life than anything else, for that is what is going to be proved in the day of judgment.  The favor of the world can’t help us any then.

   We have been having some cool weather here too, the past few days.  It also reminds me of the days we were at Langdon.  I don’t believe we can ever forget those good days.  The meetings were so precious to my soul.  And also those good talks I had with you leave pleasant memories in my mind.

  Anna and Frank plan to leave for Georgia about the 27^th of this month.  I guess you remember  Anna.  Frank’s home was in Georgia before they were married.  So now he wants to go back there to live.  He is giving up a real good job here, but I guess he must be home-sick. We sure hate to see them leave.  Anna seems almost like a sister to me.

   There won’t be very many young people left here when the leave.  Only one other girl and I, that go to meeting regular.  It is quite a lot different than it is at Guthrie I guess, for there are so many young people there.  But I don’t hardly notice it that there aren’t many here.  The saints are all so dear to me.

   I believe you said you had never heard Bro. Strech preach.  He is one that I sure have a lot of confidence in, and I love to hear him preach.  He brings out such deep thoughts.  And he is very encouraging to young people.

   Mac I feel the same as you said in your letter.  I’m glad the Lord saved me in my youth.  I can see in so many ways how that young saints have opportunities of doing more for the Lord.  In some ways they can have more influence that older ones, because people seem to give more attention to them.  But anyhow it is so important for people to spend their time and talents for the Lord’s service, and so if we start while we are young we can give more time for Him, if He permits us to live until we are older in years, we can then be thankful that we spent the most of our life for God, instead of for ourselves.  I am glad the Lord burdened us, and helped us to see the need of trying to help souls who are in need.  I find that it is a life of self-denial, but it is also the happiest and most unselfish life.  A person can’t know what a pleasure it is to live for others until they try it. When I first started working for the Lord, He blessed me so much for it that it put a greater desire in my heart to do more for Him.   And not only for that reason, but the more I did for Him the more I see the need of doing more, and felt a greater burden of letting the Lord use me in the ways He saw best.  I feel the way Bro. Strech said Sun.  He said it took all of his time keeping saved.—That was saying a whole lot in a few words.  He meant that in order to keep saved he had to obey the Lord and spend his time in the way He wanted him to.

   Well Mac, I guess it does seem rather strange to you the way things have worked out this summer about you going to Ala.  The Lord lets things happen sometimes that we can’t understand, but I guess that keeps us trusting more.  I’ll admit that it does all seem queer, but Mac as long as you are doing your best to follow the leadings of the Lord, that’s all you can do.  Sometimes we have to just wait on Him.  But I will confess that it isn’t very easy to do many times.  Yet if we content ourselves to wait until He sees best to change things, then in the end we can see how much better it was for us to submit to His will.  Really, I have found that it is hard to just wait when we are burdened or anxious about a thing.  But even though we can’t understand why sometimes, if that’s what God wants, it pays to just stand still until He says move.  I think I know about how you feel, but if the Lord continues to let you wait a while yet, just keep it fixed in your heart to be ready to go, or ready to stay.  It could be that maybe He has something to learn that you might not be able to learn otherwise.  We don’t always know what is in the mind of God.

   I remember last winter, I felt so burdened to do more for the Lord, and wanted to be where I could spend more time for Him.  In other words, I felt that since there were several ministers here that surely it would be more profitable for me to be somewhere where there wasn’t so many. –Not that I was tired of Neosho or the saints here, for this is a dear place to me, and seems so home-like.  But I just wanted to be able to do more for God.  But as time went on, He didn’t lead me to go anywhere else, --except to Tulsa a few times, so I decided that the only thing I could do was to keep my heart open to the Lord, and be ready to go if He said so, and then if He didn’t lead that way, I would know He had some use for me here yet.  So I made up my mind to do everything I could for Him while here, so there would be no time wasted, if He should call me to go somewhere else later.  And I have found plenty to do, that has been very helpful to me, and I feel that I have learned so many things that has helped me to be stronger.  After I made that decision, I feel satisfied, and believe He would help me to be satisfies anywhere He could use me best in His service.  I can’t see into the future to know how He will work things out for me, but I leave it all in His hands, for I know He will work it all out right.

   I don’t know what reason the Lord could have of working thing out for you, but I’m sure that He has some purpose in it for you, and no doubt you can see it later.

Mac I’m glad you explained some of your thoughts and plans about what you felt burdened to do.—About going to Ala. –etc. so I can understand better what it’s all about and what you have in your mind, so far.

   There are several things I would like to mention, and also ask you, but since you plan to come before long, I will wait and just talk with you instead of writing it.  I think I would enjoy that much better.

   Well I guess it is about time for me to close this. So I’ll say Goodbye.

   Always keep good courage, and may God bless you in all you do.

Your Sis. In Christ,

Carrie Wyatt

--Sunday evening—

   Mac I’m sorry I didn’t get this letter mailed sooner, but it rained all morning yesterday, so I couldn’t go and mail it, So I hope you will understand, for I really wanted to send it on to you.

   We had another good meeting this morning.  And then a big crowd here for dinner.  Tomorrow is Grandma’s 86^th birthday, so we had a surprise dinner for her.  My Aunt had wrote to several of our relatives, so they were here when we got home from meeting.  She sure was surprised.  There were about 32 here.

   Well I must hurry, so I will close.

Yours as ever,

Carrie

(click to enlarge)

You Are More Than a Friend

Neosho, Mo

Sept. 5, 1943

Dear Mac,

Will write some to you this Sunday evening. We had quite a lot of company today, and they all just left a little while ago. So I thought I would have a little time to do some writing before time to go to the night service.

 This evening finds me with a strong determination to keep following the Lord. In following Christ, we never know just where He might choose to lead us, or what kind of experience He will lead we though. But I'm sure of this, that so long as we follow Him we will be safe from every danger. Sometime He chooses to lead us thro' some rough places, but if we just fearlessly follow on, with our confidence fixed in Him, then we can enjoy the blessings that come afterward. The Lord wants a people who are not afraid to suffer. Those who become afraid don't get the blessings. For my part, I like to be blessed, so I would rather be willing to bear hardships for a while, & then enjoy the sunshine.

We sure had a good meeting this morning. Bro Strech preached. His text was Ps. 16:11. I received many good thoughts. It was very encouraging.

We also had a good Sun. School lesson. I am taking the Junior class now. No one else seems to think they can teach it, since they don't have any literature to teach from.  So I gave the Primary class over to another Sister. I feel quite at "home" when I'm teaching children, but it was like hard work trying to teach the young people's class there in Langdon.

My Mother, my oldest sister & her family were her today for dinner. Also my Uncle and Aunt from Pitcher , Okla. We enjoyed the day very much. My sister lives about 30 miles from here. She is two years older than I am. We are pretty close pals, & love to be together.

I received you welcome & encouraging letter yesterday.  And I must say that I enjoyed it.  And many, many thanks for the picture. I was very glad to get it.  No I can see you, even though you are not here in person. Yes, I will remember to send you one of my pictures when I have some made. It is so hard to get any made in Neosho any more since the Army Camp is here. The town is so crowded & it's hard to get anything done. But I will see about it in a few days, & if I don't get to have any mad, I’ll try to find one among my old ones to send you, but they are not very good.

Mac, I will say again that I enjoyed your letter. I could feel the fellowship of the Spirit of God, like I could the short time we were together. I am glad to know of your earnestness to please the Lord in every way you can. And I have confidence in your life.

I had wondered if you would be back in Ala. when I heard from you again. I'm sure the Lord knows where He can use you best, & that He will lead you & let you know His will. It is a wonderful privilege that we have of committing our way unto the Lord, & letting Him guide us. As Bro. Strech often says that he has nothing to worry about since he belongs to the Lord, for he doesn't have to plan or decide what he should do in the future. Instead of that he just moves when the Lord says so, & lets Him do the planning of His life. So I think that is a happy way to live. We don't have to worry about how things will work out, but all we need to know is God's will from day to day, & then obey Him as He leads us.

Yes, it will be alright with me for you to come and see me. I have no objections at all. I would be very glad if we could talk face to face again as I believe we could better understand each other, & also I think it would be easier for us to understand what the Lord would have us to do. What I mean is that if we could talk over our leadings & what our burdens are concerning the Lord's work, we could know better as to whether our work would blend together. It seems to me that the only way two could prosper for the Lord would be that they would both be interested in the same line of work. If we were that way, and united our efforts, surely we could be a help to each other, and could be stronger in His service. Is that the way you see it? There are many things I would like to talk about, but would take too long to write it. --Probably you feel the same way.

I sure appreciate the way you feel about wanting the Lord to lead us. If you didn't feel that way about it, I'm sure that I couldn't feel free to consider your question. But as it is, I believe we are both agreed that we want the Lord to have His way in the matter.

And in answer to another question--yes Mac, I do think more of you than just a friend. and I can say this, that if the Lord should lead us to be together that I wouldn't need to do like the woman you mentioned that said she had to pray for the Lord to put love in her heart. Although I hesitate to think too much about that until I first know the Lord's will. For I think it would be harder to give up for the Lord to have His way if I should. I hope you understand my thought. I think we learn many things by experience. And I have learned to be rather slow & let the Lord work first. Maybe you have had the same experience. But what I want to say is this. I we first know God's will in the matter and then if He wills it that we should be together, and we always keep Him between us, our love will be more sweeter & more lasting. And as you said, when the Lord leads two that way, they continue to be a greater blessing to each other as time goes on. And I'll say this, I've never seen anyone that I have felt as much fellowship with as I have with you.

Well I'm in a hurry now. I guess you can tell that by the mistakes I've been making in my writing. I don't know if I have explained my thought so you can understand me or not, but if not, just be free to let me know it. When I try to hurry I get mixed up & can't say what I want to.

Well I must bring this to a close. Continue to remember me in your prayers, & I will do the same for you.

Goodbye.

Yours in Christ,

Carrie Wyatt.

More About My Grandparents

I realized that about three pages of grandpa's first letter somehow got deleted.  If you have already read it and wondered about the odd sequence, it is worth it to go back and read the part I added (pages 8-10).
As I read these letters, I started wondering a little more about some of the things not fully explained in the letters (e.g. their ages).  I'll share a short summary of what I learned.

This is how I remember them, but it is fun to imagine what they were like at my age.

From their obituaries, I learned that Thomas Vada McMilliam (Mc) was born in 1923, and Carrie Elizabeth Wyatt was born in 1919.  This made great grandpa twenty and great grandma twenty-four at the year of their first letters.  My dad said that grandma had started preaching at age eighteen, and my mother agreed that it was not uncommon back then.  Also, as alluded to in grandma's letter, her parents were not together.  I believe her mother left when she was still very young.  Grandpa met grandma at a meeting (I suppose the one that both mentioned in their letters) and apparently he wasted no time in asking her to marry him.  Thus, the letters began.

I Will Pray About The Matter

Neosho, Mo.

Aug. 27,1943

Dear Mc,

I received you letter yesterday.  Was very glad to know you had a safe trip back to Guthrie, and that the Lord blessed you on the way.

Mildred and I had a safe trip too, but part of it wasn't so pleasant.  We rode on the Streamliner to Kansas City.  It was alright that far.  Then we had to wait there six hours for the next train.We went out and hunted a cafe and ate our dinner.  Then we waited the rest of the time in the depot.  When we got on the nexte train, it was really crowded.  We thought we were going to have to stand up, but two men got up and gave us their seat.  It was a real old train, and wasn't very comfortable to ride on.  We got to Joplin that night at 11:30.  So we got a cab and went to Mother's house to stay until the next day.  Joplin is 19 miles from Neosho.  Mildred went to her home from there, and I rode a bus on home Tuesday evening.  Well I feel like I have so much to praise the dear Lord for.  He has been blessing me in so many ways the past few weeks.  Mildred and I were talking while we were on our way home about how much God has been doing for me.  I told her I didn't feel like I deserved the many good things.  She said, "I guess the Lord knows how many blessing he can trust you with."  I guess that is right, but I sure don't feel worthy of them all.  But the desire of my heart is to keep very close to the Lord, and do all I can for Him.  I know I could never do enough to repay Him for what He does for me, but I will at least try to do all I can for Him in helping others, and be ready to do more when He calls on me.

It truly is a happy and contented life to serve the Lord.  The world is in trouble, and people are going here and there seeking for pleasure, and yet are not satisfied.  But thank God, we have found something that satisfies every longing of our heart.  There is no thirsting for the pleasures of the world, but all we are hungering and thirsting after is more of God and His righteousness.  And what I like so well about that, is that the Lord never turns us away, but gives us everything we need, so that we can know how to serve Him better.  I surely want to learn more about this great salvation.  We only get a taste of it when we are first saved, and as we draw nearer to God, it becomes more precious to our souls.  Truly I value this salvation above everything else in the world.  It makes us happy here, and also prepares us for our next home where our joys will have no end.  So it is worth striving for, isn't it?  And worth suffering for, too.

Well it seemed good to get back home after my trip.  I enjoy being out in the Lord's service, but I'm always glad to get home after the meetings are over.  The help and encouragement I received at Langdon in those good meetings will never be forgotten.  I feel that I got more strength, and so I want to be more able to do more for the Lord by the help I got.

I can say that the talks I had with you were very encouraging to me.  I was glad to see your earnestness to please the Lord.  That helped me to want to be more careful to do my best for Him.

The few hours we spent together werea pleasure to me.  I enjoyed the fellowshp, and talking of our work for God.  That is a subject I love to talk about, because my heart is in this work.  And I could tell that you were interested in the same thing, so I enjoyed your presence.

I will now try to answer some of the things you asked me about.  I hardly know just what I should say yet about our future, as to whether the Lord would have us to spend our lives together in His service or not.  But I'll say that I will consider it, and pray over the matter.  I surely want the Lord to be our guide, and to let us know His will.  For when the Lord leads us, He always leads us right.  I know that within myself I wouldn't know what would be best.  But when we let the Lord have His way in our lives, we can always feel satisfied.  So however He can use us best in His service, that is the way I want it to be.

Then you told of how you felt more burdened to work among unsaved people.  And you asked if I felt burdened for that kind of work.  Yes, I can say that I have for quite a while.  I have enjoyed working in new places more than anywhere.

Although I haven't had an opportunity to work in those kind of places very often, but I enjoy it.  That is one reason I enjoyed the meeting so much at Langdon.  Yet I have never knew just where the Lord would have me to go.  There are 6 or 7 ministers here at Neosho, and I have said many times that I didn't know just why the Lord would call me to preach when there are already so many here.  But I have felt like it has been good for me to be here to get a good start, and become established.  Bro. Strech has been so much help to me.  But my future is in the Lord's hands, and I want to be a useful servant for Him wherever He leads.

Mc [pronounced Mac], if you feel that the Lord wants you to wait until you become more established before  you do much preaching that is alright.  you do whatever you feel that He wants you to do.  It that is the way He is leading you, just wait on Him.  Then as He leads you out, you can feel more free and more bold for Him.  You know yourself what the Lord wants you to do better than anyone could tell you.  When we are patient and willing for God to have full control of your life, then we can go forth with boldness to do his will.

Mc, I don't have a very good picture of myself now, but I have been intending to have some made, so if they are any good, I will send you one.  And I would be very glad to have one of you.

Will I must be closing for this time.  Keep encouraged, and God bless you.

Your Sister in Christ,

Carrie Wyatt.

Well here it is Sunday afternoon.  I wrote this letter Friday night, and thought I would mail it Sat. but was too late getting it to the mail box.  We live 1/4 mi. from the box, and I thought Dad was going to town so I was going to let him mail it there.  And when I found out he wasn't going, it was too late to catch the mail man.  I thought I would write a little more since I didn't get it mailed, and also explain so woul wouldn't think I just didn't want to write sooner.

Well I wonder where you are today.  I hope you are enjoying yourself.  We had a good meeting this morning.  Bro. Strech was gone to visit some folks, so we missed him a lot.  I guess he will be there for the night service.

I still had som more exercise for the Lord today, as I had to preach again this morning.  I felt so weak withing myself.  But I didn't want to fail the Lord, and then He didn't fail to help me.

Anna and her husband and baby came home with us today for dinner.  We have enjoyed ourselves together.  We always have company on Sunday, unless we go somewhere.  It wouldn't hardly seem like Sunday if we didn't have someone else with us.

Well it is time to start getting ready to go to meeting, so I must hurry.  Wish you were here to go along with us.

Goodbye for this time,

               Carrie.

A New Project

When my grandma came to celebrate Thanksgiving with us, she brought me some precious bundles: letters her parents wrote to each other before they were married.  I am looking forward to going through them all and posting them here where they will be documented permanently.  I hope everyone enjoys this precious correspondence between two people of God.  They were both ministers, and--based on the few I have glanced through--God is the theme of many of their love letters.