I have begun this year reading in the last Bible my mother ever touched: The Narrated Bible In Chronological Order ... she was a student and teacher of the Bible for many years...even taught Escatology in a Bible College...and had received this Bible shortly before her death from cancer in 1989. I had the privilege of being with her one day as she determined to keep to her daily Bible Study. Although she could not focus or retain what she was seeing, she sat with her Bible for long moments "studying" (never turned the page). She said "I need to study to keep my mind alive." I took a picture ... this was just two weeks before she passed away: April 22, 1989.
http://home.thirdage.com/Family/fren2him/oval42289.jpg (http://home.thirdage.com/Family/fren2him/oval42289.jpg)
Jane dear,
I hope you don't mind. I have saved this for my photos of friends on C.P.
Jenny X
I don't mind, JENNY. I have kept this picture in the cover of that Bible, all these years, and never shown it to anyone. It was painful to see that once finely tuned mind going, and a once brilliant conversationalist going quiet, but now I treasure this: the last photo ever taken of my dear mother. I have also kept this Bible in a special place of honor on my desk ... I am going to enjoy reading it through--15 years later.
Such a precious photo to have, Jane. Thanks for sharing it with us.
It will be nice for you to read through the Bible this year using your mother's Bible.
Thank you Jane for sharing that wonderful photos of your mother.
Thank you PAT and MARILYN. I am already enjoying this Bible. It is going to be helpful in my other studies as well. A note I made on the back of that photo is that Mom was "studying" page 54 that day. She had me move it into place in front of her, as it is a heavy book and she couldn't lift it. She never tried again. :'(
I would think, too, Jane, that that picture is a very strong indication of how much your mother loved the Word of her Lord. She wanted to try. That's love.
Oh, yes, AL ... My mother loved the Word! She was constantly studying and then teaching it. In fact, in Oklahoma (where she lived her final years) the pastor would come by to see her and she'd end up teaching him. He would say how he'd gone to visit her and came away feeling as if he had been in church! He highly respected her and her knowledge and spiritual stature. I sent 4 boxes of her books over to the church for the library. She had written comments and scripture references in all of them ... the pastor really enjoyed them and used them to prepare his sermons! A personal commentary!
Jane that is such a wonderful picture of your mother. I know how you treasure the Bibles, her notes, and other writings she left behind.
You're right, Nita ... The most requested memento of Mom's was "I'd like one of her Bibles..." I gave away many of her Bibles and still have more than a dozen (several different versions) as well as The Septuagint Bible and the Quran. My mother treasured the Word and studied continuously ... and taught wherever she could find a listener! A wondrous heritage from my parents.
I am glad you mother had a copy of the Qur-an and that you kept it.
I also was given a copy and I keep it as a momento of the person who gave it to me. He returned to Iran last year and may have died in the earthquake. A truly beautiful person.
There are many good things in the Qu-ran but it seems so empty without the risen Jesus. The Bible is the "whole" story.
God Bless sis.
What a treasure! To see the notes and markings in there would feel as if you were there with her. Like she was pointing out the scriptures to you.
Jane, I just noticed this thread. That is a wonderful photo to have of your dear Mom. I was just thinking of ordering a copy of the Chronological Bible, I have never seen it, and thought it might be a good way to read the Bible through this year. (But I am getting behind already!)
Thanks for sharing these special thoughts and the special photo.
Hi Janie,
As soon as I opened this post and saw your mom's photo--I was amazed how much you look like her.
Although we never met in person, I am remembering a photo of you that I saw sometime ago(probably on SN)
you were looking out at the ocean--the side view of you
looks like your mom's in her photo.
Glad you shared--such wonderful memories and she ABSOLUTELY would be so very proud of you and you ongoing love and faith in the LORD.
HE will keep HIS promises to us --keep up the faith.
Love in Christ,
Joyce
JENNY~The Qu-ran was given to my mother by one of her Bible students. I may be wrong, but it is my understanding that this is the only way one can have such a book ... it has to be given as a gift.
SONJA~Indeed! I kept many of Mom's books for just that reason ... to see her notes and references in the margins! And, of course, her bibles are all marked and underlined with dates and comments throughout. A treasure, indeed. This bible is the only one that is completely unmarked because she only got it just previous to her death. I remember that day when I took the photo: She was explaining to me about the color of the narration being different than the actual scripture...and the dates notated in the margin ... always a teacher!
JANET~There's still time to get your copy of the Chronological Bible ... I'm "behind" already, too! ::)
Thanks, JOYCE~I began seeing my mother in the mirror a few years ago! ::) I am more like her than just looks. More and more of her personality characteristics, and quirks, are showing up...as are many other things about her. :-\ I began hearing "You're just like your mother!" several years ago ... I wasn't always glad to hear that, but now I take it as a compliment. :P
I know what you mean.
I look in the mirror and say ; when did my mother come in?
Love having her quiet, pleasant nature, too.
But I have been known to be a little more out spoken than she ever was.
Guess that is because of this business world that I am in.
Hopefully, time will come when I can rest back and say
O.K. Lord now what would you like me to do in this phase of my life.
Love in Christ,
Joyce
Jane - the annotations in her books are a precious treasure! You have there something far better than the average commentary! It would be wonderful if you could collect them, with references to specific Scriptures and produce a volume that would bless many.