The first inkling we had that we were facing a state disaster situation was on Chinese New Year’s Day, January 26, 2009, when Philip Buss (our weatherman) announced a ferocious ice storm was coming this way and would likely bring a lot of disaster — so that very same evening while we were all together in the Bethlehem Dining Room we gathered up all of the oil lamps (we have a lot of them here at Engeltal), filled them with lamp oil, trimmed their wicks, cleaned the chimneys, and made sure everybody had matches and a flashlight.

By the time we got back to our houses, the ice was falling from heaven, not hail but ice, and walking was becoming treacherous. At first we put out salt, which we usually have a pretty good supply of, but it was useless. We prayed that the power would stay on, and it lasted through the night. I was awakened at 6:00 A.M. by what sounded like a bomb exploding on my bedroom roof, right above me. I jumped up and gave orders for everyone to fill their bathtubs and buckets with running water, because I knew we would be without water if the power went out. One hour later, the power was out for four and a half days. We were just one of over 250,000 homes here in Arkansas alone that lost their power. Jasper had no power. Harrison had no power. It reached out to many outlying towns and villages. We have two generators, but they broke down after a few hours use! Our communication with the outside world stopped, except through our cell phones, but this was limited because we had no way of charging them. Mine worked for a while because I had a battery cell phone charger. So we sent messages to many of you through End-Time Handmaiden, Carol Cotner, in St. Louis. She was our scribe for the prayer letter and for emergencies.

WHAT LESSONS DID WE LEARN THROUGH THIS STORM? We learned that, even though we call ourselves End-Time Handmaidens and Servants, we are not ready for these days in which we are NOW living. We need to know how to survive when we will not be able to buy or sell (Revelation 13:17).

We learned that if we grumble, we will lose our joy, and the joy of the Lord is our only strength. Sometimes, we did not take the loss of our comforts joyfully.

We learned many lessons on how to prepare for emergencies — not just in food, but many other things. I tried to recall my life in Canada, where I lived on a farm, and grew up without electricity, and the only running water was that which we carried in buckets from the well. We never thought to complain! I am thankful for those early years of training back in Saskatchewan, and also my life on the mission field in China, where we lived without electricity.

It was hard to communicate between ourselves because we dared not leave our houses, lest we fall on the ice, and break a bone or two. All roads were closed, covered with ice and fallen trees and huge boughs.

We learned to pray. We felt the presence of the Lord, and the Holy Angels. I am sure Papa Jim, up in Heaven, was looking out for us!

GOD WAS GOOD TO US! For some mysterious reason, we were among the very first to get our electricity restored. I recognize we are “good-paying customers” of the local Carroll Electric Company — but way out here in this deep valley, called, The Grand Canyon of the Ozarks, the lights came on, bringing great joy to us — and our flesh! And great praises to God! But many living nearby, and even in the city of Harrison still don’t have electricity. I know it’s because of your prayers for us. We felt them!

WE WENT BACK TO READING BY LAMPLIGHT: I have always said that there were two books that changed my life; one was the life story of Madame Jeanne Guyon (an early edition that is not available now). I lost mine in the big fire; but we sell another that is very good. The other book was the autobiography of Aimee Semple McPherson. Two very different women who were mightily used by God, but both suffered persecution from the Church. God can use us — no matter how different we may be in personality, background, or age, or time. During our “black-out” I was reading the life story of St. Therese of Lisieux, France, who was 15 years old when she entered the Carmelite Convent. Her personal story of her love for Jesus melted my heart. It made me realize my own weaknesses and shortcomings, and the worldliness that has crept into my life since leaving the mission field, where I lived so happily in a mud house,

with only a candle, not even a lamp or flashlight! Two good dresses, a coat and whatever, until I finally bought some cotton material and had the Chinese tailor make me a couple of Chinese dresses—plain and simple. When I compare it with my wardrobe I feel like a spoilt princess. But I remember that the Lord once told me, “If you will wear the kind of clothes I want you to wear, I will dress you!” Although I do very little personal shopping for myself, I am embarrassed for anyone to see my clothes closet. Papa Jim once told me, “Gwen, you have enough clothes to last through the Millennium.” How right he was! All you dear Friends, who love me, have given me too much!

I feel I have been at the confessional, but it is good to confess our sins one to another, and do some true soul-searching in these ominous days. We are so good at seeing other people’s faults, and so blind at seeing our own!

ANOTHER THING I LEARNED, was to rejoice more in persecution and suffering. Many who don’t know me have spoken ill against me and judged me, calling me names. And some, who make claims that they know me, have done likewise—even some who were of the same flesh and blood. This always grieved me. But I can say, I repent of my “feeling sorry for myself,” and am glad that I can share in the sufferings of Christ, for the religious leaders of His day spoke evil against Him; they even said that He was an agent of satan, and that the miracles He performed were done by the devil. We have forgotten and laid aside the Sermon on the Mount, and said it was for the Jews — we have a “better covenant” of Grace, and we can still have the character we had before our conversion. But I beseech you to read the Beatitudes with an open heart and meditate on them. We will find this is the “Jesus-Life.” So take them off the shelf, and spend a week with Jesus on the “Mount of Beautiful Teachings.”

LET US BE AS MUCH LIKE JESUS AS WE CAN: He is our “Pattern.” In His “Farewell Message” to His disciples, He spoke His important words to us, “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you” (John 15:12). We all want the Glory—and it is good and great, but the greatest of all is LOVE! Without love there can be no glory!

I am searching my heart…as to know whether what I am doing is an act of love and obedience to My Father’s will, or is it still a lingering secret ambition for recognition, and acceptance? Do I want fame, and to be known around the world as a “great saint” or, am I willing to take the humiliating, humble road of suffering, and be called a leader of a cult, a “breaker-upper” of marriages, and many other harsh descriptions that I find are written about me on the Internet? I have come to the conclusion that I will take all these accusations joyously, and I have peace. My “enemies” are my best friends. They are making my crown. I certainly am not. They are making my robe — I am incapable of it — in fact I am soiling it, and putting holes in it by my shortcomings, which I am more aware of than my worst adversary ever will be. Every act of my life, every intention, every thought is put on the scales of God’s Holy and Righteous Judgment. If, when He sees me, I hear Him say to me, “Well done,” I will be the most surprised person in Heaven.

I am but another of God’s little children, one of His smallest in His great Kingdom, and badly in need of your prayers that I will be faithful the last miles of my journey.

TO YOU I OWE SO MUCH GRATITUDE: You have always come through for me, when I asked for financial help, or prayers, and I certainly need you in these days. Please stay faithful! We and God, and His Handmaidens and Servants around the world depend on us to help them in their service to the Lord.

From my heart, with love and appreciation.