What a treat to hear from you. Believe it or not, I was just thinking about you yesterday, wondering if I would ever hear from you again. In fact I started to delete some of the very old email exchanges that we had, but felt a tug not to do it. Now I know why the tug came. I would sure love to hear your ‘pigpen’ testimony.

Thank you so much for writing. Betty and I both send our love. And thank you for your prayers. You know that we would love to see you again. Maybe you can put ‘Louisiana’ somewhere in your travel plans.

Much love coming your way,

Buddy

I very much appreciated your blog entry, as you might suspect. Experiencing this event in life definitely sweetens the return to the Lord, but it is not something that any believer should ever desire to experience directly. Serving God faithfully from His original call is always God’s best, regardless of the “lessons” we learn during our time in the pigpens. We may have some good stories about how horrible it was, but believe me, it’s not something you want to crow about.

I know.

Becky and I love you, and we keep you and Sister Betty in our prayers.

In Christ,
Roger Hartzog

Thank you so much for both of your comments. I love what you said - “Today I wear my robe of inheritance, that of honor, righteousness, joy and peace, the robe of Christ.”

And thank you the lyrics to the song you wrote for your mother. (A Mother’s Blessing.) What a wonderful tribute. Wish there were some way to be able to hear it. My mom went to be with the Lord when she was 85. There is not a day goes by that I don’t miss her.

Brother, you are always a blessing to me. Thanks for responding.

Buddy

A MOTHER’S BLESSING prov. 31:38

No one knows the love of a mother
Like the son who’s heard her pray,
“in your hands , Lord I surrender
the life of my child gone astray.”
Then in that dark hour, with God’s great power,
God’s word rang true
“For the woman that fears the Lord shall be praised”
“for the woman that fears the Lord shall be praised”

chorus
and her children rise up
and call her blessed,
for many are the jewels in the crown.
Of a mother whose wisdom and honor,
And strength in Christ knows no bounds
Though the years pass quickly
Her love will endure,
Some glorious day,
We’ll hear him say, great is thy reward.

Bridge:
Years come and go,the children grow
And make lives of their own
From generation to generation,
God’s favor shines on her face
From the fruit of her hands
and the toil of her years
she shows forth her beauty and grace.

Daniel Cantu
Written in honor of mom’s 80th