We huddled closer together, not so much for warmth, as to feel the strength of each other’s presence. In the evening we dreaded to think of what the morning would bring. Morning returned with the same overhanging fear. Mother’s first words were: “Thank God for the night just past and for the breaking of the new day. Also for giving me such a good family. The Almighty is watching over us.” Then Father read from the Bible some reassuring message. Our brief walks around the yard brought us no inspiration. They were cut shorter. Mother assured us that God was with us even in our trials. No harm could come to those who had faith in Him. He is putting us to the test. What good is our religion if we are not victorious over suffering? So we continued to endure, brightening the darkness in our hearts with the trust that in time God would lead the way to our safety. Not being able to attend church was our hardest punishment. Mother especially missed this spiritual support. It had helped us. We had found there the answer to our prayers, and temporary relief. Tatiana made her decision to sacrifice her life in search of theological subjects. She became stronger and firmer in her belief and spent part of the day in reading the Testaments. Mother was a tower of strength to us. She was full of resourcefulness and hope, continually replenished by faith. We felt sure our fate was in the hands of God. This trust in Him made Father calm and resigned. He was one of those who had the truth within him. He carried his grief silently and maintained his high spirits for the sake of his family. We shuddered at the thought of being separated and clung closer together. Suffering had made Mother meek and more tender and her soul had grown stronger. Under Mother’s influence Olga composed a prayer which follows: Give patience, Lord, to us Thy children, In these dark, stormy days to bear The persecution of our people, The tortures falling to our share. Give strength, just God, to us who need it, The persecutors to forgive, Our heavy, painful cross to carry And Thy great meekness to achieve. When we are plundered and insulted, In days of mutinous unrest, We turn for help to Thee, Christ-Saviour, That we may stand the bitter test. Lord of the World, God of Creation, Give us Thy Blessing through our prayer, Give peace of heart to us, O Master, This hour of utmost dread to bear. And on the threshold of the grave, Breathe power divine into our clay That we, Thy children, may find strength In meekness for our foes to pray.