Christmas Greeting to Friends and Family

December 17, 2008
Dear Ones:

Isaiah and David express my prayer: “I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us” Is. 63:7. “Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindknesses, for they have been ever of old” Ps. 25:6.

Mercies. Lovingkindnesses. As I engaged in writing our memoirs the first half of the year, I was constantly reminded that they indeed had been “ever of old.” For the abundance of these, we bow at the throne of our precious Saviour and give humble thanks.

On May 11th we announced: “Becky received a Mother's Day gift this morning at 7:57. He weighed 7 pounds 7 ounces and is their 7th blessing from the Lord…” Samuel Tate was our 27th grandchild. His mother was our 7th child--my Mother's Day gift 36 years ago.” Samuel’s oldest brother turned 9 May 16th. Coming early, Samuel was two weeks old before I got there to help.

To celebrate our Golden Wedding Anniversary, we had a family reunion in Sedona, Arizona, in June. We had a blessed time together, although we missed the ones who were unable to attend.

In September, I flew to Tucson to help Becky during Adam’s hospitalization. My two-week stay stretched to 3 months because of the unexpected complications of Adam’s colectomy. Thank you to all who prayed for Adam and all of us. Ron helped Adam in his ministry from October 23rd to Dec. 4th. We’re happy to report that Adam is on the road to recovery and we are back home.

Judson and Maria announced the arrival of grandchild #28: “On September 28th God blessed us with a beautiful baby girl, Aliya Grace. She was 8 pounds 9 ounces and absolutely perfect.” Aliya Grace arrived just as they were moving into their newly purchased home in Sterling!

In September Ron began sending devotional emails to the family. He had requests from others to be “adopted family” so they, too, could read them. Then Becky created a blogspot. You are welcome to visit “Dad’s Bible Blog” at ronblough.blogspot.com. Leave a comment if you do, so we can keep in touch. You’ll find links to blogs of some of our kids there. Our email addresses: ronblough@gmail.com, mblough99829@gmail.com. Mail: Box 624, Hoonah, AK 99829.

The Lord blessed Cheyne’s family with a good fishing season, which has enabled them to continue building their home on Eagle Drive here in Hoonah. The building fete of constructing this home on the side of a mountain is amazing! It is three stories, and they have designated the top floor, which is level with the road, for our dwelling, The Lord has marvelously enabled Cheyne and Ronda to design and build this home themselves. Fourteen-year-old son Daulton has been an excellent help! Ashley (10) and Wesley (8) have done their part, too. Carey helped with the dirt work and is now doing the wiring.

As the year ends, we lift our hearts’ cry to God for His continued mercies, which our family so dearly needs. “Hear me, O Lord; for thy lovingkindness is good; turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies” Psalm 69:16. Pray for God to use us here in Hoonah.

Wishing you the joy of our matchless Saviour as you celebrate His incarnation,

Marlene for both of us

December 24 in Hoonah

Wishing you the joy that comes from our Saviour's incarnation

Our Golden Wedding Anniversary

On the afternoon of our actual anniversary, we went for a drive out the logging roads and picked mushrooms and berries. It was a gorgeous day--one of the few summer days in our rain forest that has made it into the 60's this year. We met up out there with Cheyne and his gang.

We had fun picking the plump salmonberries. Ethan and Wes are in the picture with me.

When Cheyne stood with us in a picture next to Dad's "water hole"--the place he gets his water supply for coffee--he remarked, "I wasn't there for the big event, but I'm with you on the real day." And that day was 08-08-08.

While we lagged behind picking salmonberries, Ronda wnt ahead and surreptitiously put together and then presented us with a lovely bouquet. Displayed against the large green skunk cabbage leaves was a beautiful arrangement of fireweed, ferns, blueberry laden boughs, huge salmon berries on a stem, and pretty grasses--a bouquet that could never be duplicated. The picture does not do it justice. On that rare clear day, the blue, red, and salmon-colored berries glistened in the sun. No florist’s work of art could have rivaled it!

The Lord has blessed us with fifty wonderful years together!

As we drove along the length of the logging road that afforded a panoramic view of Hoonah nestled at the edge of Port Frederick surrounded by the ocean, and the mountains, we remarked that we would be the envy of couples who could only imagine spending their special day in such a beautiful spot of God's creation.



Ronda was a wonderful hostess for our anniversary meal featuring prime rib roast and shrimp--"the most delicious meal I've ever eaten," I remarked to my sister Muriel who called while we were eating. Her call was a nice touch to the occasion.

Family Reunion

Double click the picture in order to see the names.

To celebrate our Golden Wedding Anniversary, we held a family reunion at a resort in Sedona, Arizona, in June. How we appreciated family coming long distances for the occasion! We truly missed the ones who couldn't be with us. We were back in Alaska on our anniversary date--(8-8-08)--and had a special time with Cheyne's family who had not been with us in Arizona. Here's a group picture. You can see more pictures on the August archive on Judson and Maria's blog site, here.