Opa’s Birthdays and More

What follows was written by Opa for his grandchildren, as you will see while reading the testimony. However, since it was written in 1986, not all of his grandchildren (and none of his great-grandchildren!) read it then. For that reason, and because yesterday was the 106^th anniversary of his birth, it may be profitable for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to reflect on and benefit from what he has to say. A much longer version of Opa’s story was written in 2002, but that will be for another time. For now, enjoy this, repeated just as it was written, except for some punctuation and spelling additions/corrections as well as inserting a few pictures.

Grandpa Odens- – –

Was born to John & Jennie (Block) Odens on July 8, 1916, on a farm near Adrian, Minnesota – just north of the Iowa border. About a year and a half later my parents moved to a farm northeast of Pipestone, Minnesota, and it was in that area that I grew up and attended school in a one-room country schoolhouse. After my grade-school education I attended high school in Ruthton, Minnesota, and graduated from high school in 1936.

Was born again into God’s Family in September of 1937 by accepting Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour from sin. My assurance of salvation comes from Romans 10:9-10 – “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

It all happened after I entered St. Paul Bible Institute as a student. There I learned that Jesus loved me and died for me and all my sin, was buried, arose from the dead, and now “Is able to save to the uttermost all who come unto God by Him” Hebrews 7:25.

The Lord has been very good to me. His hand has been upon my life. My parents took me to church, upheld high standards, disciplined me, taught me good manners, and did what they could to build some character into my life. Even before I was saved, I felt that I ought to be a preacher. Then after I was saved, the Lord called me into His service, and it has been my privilege to serve Him as a Pastor for nearly forty-three years. There is great blessing in obeying the Lord.

When I was twenty-three years old I met the most wonderful young lady I had ever seen in my life. Each summer a Vacation Bible School was held in the country school near my parents’ home. This particular year it was my responsibility to get the teachers who were to teach the boys and girls. As I left my parents’ home that Sunday afternoon, the thought went through my mind – – YOU ARE GOING TO MEET A PERSON WHO IS GOING TO MEAN SOMETHING SPECIAL TO YOU. Her name was Marie Helen Toews. About two years later we were married, and she is now your grandmother. The Lord blessed our home with seven children, and one of these is your parent.

As I write these words on this 18^th day of September, 1986, I thank God for His grace, mercy, love and goodness to us. I am seventy years of age, recently retired from being pastor of a church. However, we are still serving the Lord in our local church, and preaching in other churches as we are called to do so. This summer, we moved into our little house here in Westbrook, Minnesota, and have been busy remodeling it as we want it to be. We are happy here, as we believe this is where God wants us at the present time. Two of my favorite verses are found in Proverbs 3:5-6, . . . . .

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall bring it to pass.”

The Lord bless and keep you,

(Signed) Grandpa Odens