Here They Are, Lord, Those Whom You Have Entrusted to My Care By Tena (Lehn) Pauls Source: Northern Echos [Leamington, June Issue, no date] We, the Lehn Family, are planning a reunion in Vernon, BC in June. As a result, my thoughts led me to rummaging through my memory box. This box, with papers and cards, etc. is very precious to me. In 1948, my mother was very ill. She did not expect to recover. But mother did recover and some time later gave me a little box which we were to open after her life's journey would end. I put the box away and seldom, if ever, gave it a thought. God granted mother an additional 26 years. During those years she had the pleasure of seeing four children married and enjoyed her fifteen grandchildren. She also endured the death of her husband, our father, and her grandchild, our Linda, aged ten. Mother passed away on December 3, 1974 at 85 years.  We opened the box and found two letters and a big, black bow inside. I would like to share one of these letters with our church family. (English translation by my sister). July 9, 1948 Dear Children: I feel that I will not see you again. If that is God's will, I will accept it. Know this, dear children, that your mother's last prayer was that we will all meet in heaven. To that I can say, "Here they are Lord, those whom you have entrusted to my care." I reproach myself for not talking more to you about salvation or giving you more Christian instructions. I have, however, worked long hard hours for you while you were all small. I have suffered much for you and prayed much. I pray that the Lord in His grace will accept this. Should I die alone and unattended, then be comforted in the knowledge that I die in the assurance that my sins are forgiven and go to be with Jesus forever. He has forgiven all my sins and washed them white as snow. I look forward to peace and rest with God and all His chosen ones. Strive, children, study your Bibles, look for salvation through Jesus Christ. We are in grave times, all signs point out that the Lord's second coming is not far away. Accept salvation now so that your souls will be saved. Teach your children God's word, don't let them grow up uncontrolled. Teach them to love Jesus in early childhood, it will save them from sin and evil ways. The rest I have already told you but will add a few more things. Make my casket from poplar boards. Put my black dress on me and I will not need shoes. My clothes can go to Nellie and she can remodel them. The three boys and Nellie shall have the three new quilts and the red one out of the guest bedroom. Each one of them shall have two of the new pillows. All the new towels there are, were gifts to me. These shall also be divided among the four as well as the pillow cases. Theresa and Tena shall each get a cow. Peter shall have the white one. Don't forget to see that Nellie gets a cow also. Nellie, you shall come home and look after the house. God will provide strength and wisdom for this task. Children, live with Jesus so that you may also die with Him. The Lord grant us all a reunion in His Glory with Him and all His chosen ones. Your sick Mother. This enclosed black bow you shall place on my head.