We saw the list of needs and decided quite quickly that this is a place of blessing. (Are you excited, my beloved?)

We would like to bless you in return by asking you to acquire two pieces of floor insulation. You don’t have to put our names on them, but you do have to put them precisely where the floor is on both sides of the bed!

With much appreciation for your love and hospitality,

Yours in Christ, John & Vanessa Tuttle

P.S. See you soon!

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October 26, 1996
Beloved Peter and Rebekah

It is very hard for me to put into words the experience I shared with you and told you about when I was at “The Upper Room.” I will try.

It first began quite a while back. I was having my quiet time up in the bedroom ‘Peace’ (the room you stayed in when you were visiting us), and it was as if a shaft of light came down from heaven and entered into me; and I knew beyond a shadow of doubt – with as positive a ‘knowing’ as could be – the reason I was created by the Father. I was to have the “ministry of loving Jesus.” Now we know everyone is to love Him, but evidently there is a ministry call – the goal and aim of life – to minister to Him with a pure, excessive, extravagant, passionate love! I had been praying daily for years for that kind of love for Him. He, Himself, placed the desire in my heart; and He, Himself, fulfilled it! How gracious He is!

Then, when I first saw Rebekah’s painting of “Love Remembers”, I was touched to the core of my being with feelings I cannot explain. I still cry when I think of it. Oh, how I loved that picture and wanted to share it with everyone!

It was in June when one evening I was alone in my room reading scripture, and F. B. Meyer’s Daily Walk. Suddenly I was totally overwhelmed with a love that is indescribable for Jesus! His presence was so strong and overpowering! My tears wouldn’t stop as I seemed to ‘see’ Him with my heart in such a way that words are inadequate. I ‘saw’ His sacrifice on Calvary, His almighty power, His glory, His majesty, and on and on – but mostly His depth of desire to be loved!

I was filled with sorrow and grief at the coldness of hearts and lukewarmness of desire for Jesus! Oh, the blindness! The foolishness! The wasting of time and energy on “self”! All the world, including Christians, are too busy loving themselves as He stands and waits with outstretched arms and pleading eyes, wanting only our love!

Then an intense desire to look once again at the Love Remembers painting came to me, and I quickly got it and brought it to where I was. I first read Mary of Bethany’s Song aloud; and it became my song! Then I looked intently and deeply at the painting, and I seemed to enter into it. I became Mary! I couldn’t stop weeping!

Our father was a gentle poet Adept at verse and song. He loved to walk beneath the stars Praising God all night long. Our mother was the stronger one Who ruled both vineyard and house She always rose with the morning sun And knew her harvest to the ounce. Martha was their first-born And by the age of seven Had adopted our mother's motto That cleanliness was next to heaven. Lazarus was a sickly child; But still our mother's pride. For he was the son she promised When she became a bride. I came gentle like my father With hair black as a raven's wing, I had stars in my eyes And a song in my heart, But that song I could not sing. When our parents died I tried to hide But Martha brought us through. Her strength came from God above Our strength from her hearty stew In time Lazarus sat in Bethany's Gate, His judgment was honest and fair. He often brought home strangers Much to Martha's despair. Then one day our lives were changed For He came to our house. He spoke with authority And I listened, Crouched at His feet like a mouse. I just couldn't help Martha serve I had to heed my heart He smiled gently when she complained And said “Mary has chosen the best part.” He became as one of our family. Our house His resting place.

Even Martha was glad to see Him. Then death came on Lazarus' face. We sent a servant to find Him For He had traveled far, We knew that God would hear Him And our brother would restore. We waited and waited... He didn't come Lazarus died and our faith fell weak When He finally arrived Martha rushed to meet Him, I just waited for Him to speak “I AM the Resurrection and the Life, Do you believe this is true?” Martha humbly consented, And to His feet I flew. He spoke and Lazarus came forth. The mourners were amazed. Many put their faith in Him. And vowed to mend their ways. But some ran to the High Priest With tales and cries of woe. So the word went out to kill Him How they did not know. Six days before the Passover Martha prepared a feast, His disciples came wearily with Him All in need of rest. It should have been a time o rejoicing But my heart was filled with fears. Suddenly I knelt before Him Fighting to hold back tears. I broke the seal of my perfume jar And poured the fragrance on His feet, Then dried them with my long black hair Oh the air was sweet. How precious was that moment (Though I was accused of doing wrong) I anointed Him for His burial And He released my song.

The Lord seemed to speak to my heart, “I have chosen you to be my handmaiden of love. Experience My love for you. As you stay at My feet and continue to love Me, and I will show you deep things of the heart.”

I truly feel the Lord gave me a Mary of Bethany’s heart that evening. He also gave me a special name – Mary Viola – lover of Christ.

I know that your lives and mine are intimately woven together for the glory of God. I know that I am to take others to your precious Upper Room. I know I am to obey Him as I hear Him say ever so gently, “Bring others to sit at My feet, and I will make them Marys.”

May we love Jesus to the uttermost!

With my Lord’s deep and tender love,
Vi (Mary Viola)

Is the alabaster jar my life?
Is the rare perfume the fragrance of the Holy Spirit to be poured out upon the Body of Christ?

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May 13, 1998
Peter and Rebekah

We want to let you know how much we enjoyed our weekend in “The Upper Room.” I‘m sure some people come completely broken and bruised and need more “intensive care” than we did. We’ve had those times and the Lord is always gracious to provide care.

This seemed to be a time that the Lord chose to give us “preventative medicine.” We have had times of turmoil in our marriage, finances and spiritual life, but this almost seemed a time of calm. The test and time spent “together” alone with the Lord was a much welcomed “gift.” We both needed it in different ways, but together.

I seem to be having a difficult time putting into words what I actually want to say. Speaking for myself ….. I am in the “desert.” I believe God is preparing me, teaching and refining me. It’s difficult and I have bad days; but they are welcome. The Lord is always leading me to gushing water. I am always amazed how good His drinks are. It’s so good to be His child! Sometimes He stands me right under a waterfall; sometimes it’s a deep wide lake, other times a river washing over me or a cool small creek.

My time in “The Upper Room” was a quiet sort of drink. It was like slow motion. I have a perfect picture in my mind, like I was a character in a fairy tale. I was surrounded by green grass in a sparse forest. I danced slowly and lightly holding a ribbon. I was dressed in satin and silk, all pinks and white. My healing drink just came. It wasn’t all at once or from on particular source. It just came from mists about me. From dew in the grass. It penetrated my skin as I slept.

The Lord is so precious to reveal Himself to me in so many beautiful ways. I pray for the Lord to continually bless your ministry so He can touch countless numbers.

Much love to you both,
Shawn

April 25, 1989
Dear Peter and Rebekah,

Greetings to our special friends in Christ!

We had a glorious vacation visiting with family in Arizona and Colorado – fishing and reading “The Wood Blossom”! You have indeed touched our lives and we thank you and bless you for providing the atmosphere in which to hear from Him.

His presence is so powerful in The Upper Room that I found myself reeling back as I entered the room – as if I had been walking into a strong wind which, suddenly, ceased. Only the stillness and peace was there. I tried hard to  do  something but the only thing the room allowed was rest and reflection. So I captured a one-eyed hippo stuffed animal who had caught my eye, sat down in the rocker and rocked as Dan sang praises to the Most High and played the guitar. As I rocked I struggled with myself. I really didn’t like being in this environment in which all there was to do was to  receive  the Love of Jesus. I am so used to giving but know little about receiving.

But even as I sat resisting, God was at work. As I rocked I became aware of feeling two triangular weights resting on my shoulders. Gradually I felt the weight lifting, as if a big crane were overhead slowly, gently, peacefully removing the weight. Until it began to lift, I didn’t even know it was there! I was so thankful that the Lord went slowly at that time or I would have been thrown completely off balance.

By the time morning came, the sun on the lake reflecting off the water and dancing on the ceiling, I knew God had brought us to the Hiding Place to shower us with His love, to comfort us in a quiet place, to speak to us of His Way and His Plans for us and to nourish us besides still waters.

But the best part of all was somehow, in the night, He enabled us to  receive . It is an awesome thing to be right under the faucet where His love pours out! And it poured out through both of you and through Joanne’s note on our breakfast tray and even through Dawn’s fears.

It took us two weeks to receive the Lord’s revelation on the things we shared during our prayer time together – particularly regarding submission to my husband. I was trying to take it so literally, but finally we both saw the Lord’s greater intent. A destructive patter in my life has been to allow the demands of my job (which is now at the church) to destroy every relationship I have ever had. It has been a stronghold in my life and through our prayers together, God came to tear down the thorny barriers and raised up a protective hedge. He showed me that His heart and His will is to bless our marriage and the child forming within. By choosing Dan and our relationship, I am finally choosing God’s way, His heart. And His blessing is on it.

I will start working part time in a few weeks. Peter, I will look for the embroidery pattern and will look forward to bringing the baby on our visit.

I read “The Wood Blossom” (renamed: “To Hell and Back”) to Dan as we traveled and we were amazed at the story that unfolded. You two are amazing people and we are thankful to call you friends. The book really touched us and I’ve asked John to bring me back an extra copy to share with others.

His ways are not our ways; but I am thankful that He has kept you (and will keep you) in His ways. Be encouraged in the pulling down of strongholds. May the healing hand of Jesus rest on you in your hour of need, of darkness – for joy cometh in the morning. I hope we will see you when you come in June.

Peace to you and love in Jesus,
Dan & Linda

To be continued by folks who visit “The Upper Room”
First posting of letters: November 13, 2011