She clothes herself in STRENGTH!

I found this one special piece of paper tucked in among some photographs in a box my mama kept. Let me read to you the first part...

"Taipei (Taiwan) Oct. 6

It is almost midnite and I just got home. Chuck's (my father) in Kaohsiung and the kiddies are in bed asleep. We're in condition '3' of typhoon Carla and it has been storming since about 4:00 this morning. "

It then continues to explain that on this night she was attending a baby shower at a friend's home. She explains that their friends Dean and Gayla arrived and she was happy to see them because mama and another lady were alone from Tien Mow (the city we lived in). "And we thank God again, because on the way home we got on the Shelin Bridge and discovered the T.A.S. (Taipei American School) corner was flooded and we couldn't get home. Dean led the way and we started back up the mountain and home by way of Peitow Chen. There was water over the road, a few trees down and a slide, but we made it through. Home never felt so good and I could only think "Thank you Lord," and now I can rest easy, safe at home with the kiddies. I know the Lord will watch over Chuck wherever he is."

Now, let me give you a few facts that I read on the internet. Carla became an intense typhoon while in the Philippine Sea on October 15,1967.  She was labeled a "super typhoon " with her peak winds being 185 mph. While she was weakening she dumped record amounts of rainfall. The Philippines recorded almost 48 inches of rainfall in a 24-hour period with significantly more extreme stats recorded in China. In the 48 hours between October 17-19 she dumped 108 inches of rainfall killing 250 people and leaving 30 others missing. WOW!

She then has an entry from the next day...Oct. 17/67:

Wind and rain all day. No school at T.A.S. because of flooding. Electricity was off for a while and the phone went out. Pappa tried to call but couldn't get through. Got the message-'he's fine.' "All clear" for typhoon Carla at 8:00 p.m. but wind and rain continues. We're in good shape here and we thank the Lord."

So....mama alone in a foreign country, on the small island of Taiwan with five (5) small children, long before cell phones and computers, isolated on a mountain (where our house was), travels through a "super typhoon" to get home to her "kiddies". She has the sole responsibility of her family while having valid concern for the safety of her husband. And her focus is giving thanks and praise to her Lord!  "Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come" Psalm 31:25 .

This is a woman of strength, of honour, of dignity. This is a woman who loved her God Almighty, creator, who made the rains and the winds "For behold, He who forms mountains and creates the wind and declares to man what are His thoughts...the Lord God of hosts is his name" Amos 4:13.  Mama is a woman who knew that the Lord her God was going to protect her and was worthy of praise. "Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom." Psalm 145:3. Mama lived what she wrote.. and she left something for all of us to share. mama left you and I a legacy...she left you and I encouragement...she left you and I insight...she left you and I faith and a wonderful goal to strive for...

A woman clothed in strength and dignity...

Thank you Mama...I love you always!

"One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts"...for you are our GOD! Psalm 145:4