As promised in my previous blog post, here is Grandma Toews’ testimony which she dictated to Grandpa Toews, who wrote it out and read it to those who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with them in July, 1966. If you were not around yet, it may be helpful for you to know that by this time, Grandma was pretty much blind, unable to walk and severely affected by rheumatism and arthritis. You can get some idea of her infirmity and the changes it wrought in her from the pictures above. The first picture was taken during their courtship. The second, as you can tell from the wall hanging, was taken after their golden wedding anniversary celebration.
Almost 13 years before their 50th wedding anniversary, Grandpa had already quit farming in order to move into the town of Mountain Lake. He did so in order to give himself fully to caring for Grandma, which was no easy task.
Those of us who spent time in Grandpa and Grandma’s home remember being impressed by her razor-sharp memory and her love for listening to gospel radio programs and gospel music. Every time I hear or sing the song, I Am His and He Is Mine, I think of Grandma. It was the song she asked Grandpa to select on the record player before he left the bedroom to do something in the kitchen. When he returned to her bed, she had gone to be with the Lord whose she was and who was hers.
Grandpa ended his anniversary testimony with a poem. I will add to Grandma’s account the words of the song that was sung at their anniversary celebration. It was sung to the tune of What a Friend We Have in Jesus.
Grandma Toews’ Testimony
As read by Grandpa Toews
Since Mrs. Toews is not able to give her own testimony here, she asked me to read it:
I too want to thank and praise the Lord for his goodness toward us as a family.
When I look back I can see his leading hand in different ways. When in May of 1931 Rev. Laquor invited us to come to the meeting, I felt it was an answer to prayer and a Godsend.
I was a seeking soul, and his messages were direct to my need as he stressed the words of Titus 3:5 – Not by works of righteousness which ye have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.
But the enemy of my soul had blinded my eyes that I could not see the Light, and mine seemed a hopeless case until on the last Sunday of the meetings in the early morning hours, when alone with God, I prayed and in desperation cried to him, “What must I do to be saved?” And a ray of hope came when he made it clear to me; it was for me to accept the provision he had made by Christ’s finished work at Calvary
So I cried, “Lord, take me as I am” and the burden of my heart rolled away and peace and joy filled my soul. It has been the desire of my heart that we should not keep the good news of salvation to ourselves, but share it with those who yet need to hear it. It is with thanksgiving that I can say that “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us,” and we want to trust him for the future, for he has promised to be with us all the way!
Fiftieth Anniversary Song
Fifty years you’ve walked together since you spoke your wedding vows,
And the Lord has never failed you—His abundant grace endowed.
Every moment with the blessing of an everlasting love
He has strengthened and sustained you with His mercy from above.
In your joys and in your sorrows He has been your constant friend
With His presence ever near you, always there His aid to lend.
As you look into the future, prove His promise sure and true
That some glorious tomorrow He is coming back for you.