Sunday, November 12, 2017

60

An awful thing happened to be last week.  It’s dreadful to think about.  I can’t believe it finally came upon me.  I turned 60!  In the Philippines, I’m now a senior citizen!  Middle-aged has turned into the golden years.  Well, I’m reminded what the Scripture says in 1 Cor. 4, “We do not lose heart, but though the outer man is decaying [nice choice of words], yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.”  I guess another way to say it is, “Although I don’t look great on the outside, I can still be young at heart!”

On the family side, Martha and Philip have moved to Virginia to be near his parents.  Martha will begin looking for a nursing job after Christmas.  Christy continues to grow.  David and Andrea took her on her first camping trip last week to the shores of Broken Bow Lake in SE Oklahoma.  Sara took a long weekend trip to Phoenix to visit a friend and Jonathan has made several out of state trips recently.  But the biggest news belongs to Hannah.

This week, Hannah got officially engaged to Daniel Kelogg.  Wedding date is March 25.  Daniel is from Tennessee and is finishing his Master’s degree in Public History this month.  He works at the George Ranch where Hannah also works, at least until the end of this week.  Hannah was selected to be the new manager of the Sauer-Beckmann Farm on the LBJ State Park and Historic Site, near Frederiksberg, Texas.  Visitors can tour the working farm and experience life as it was in the early 1900’s.  www.youtube.com/watch?v=78HWqzout3c  Hannah will be a level 3 Texas Park Ranger which is rare to see for someone still in her 20’s.

On the ministry side, a 3-day pastor’s retreat will keep me busy next week.  Then come Thanksgiving and the Christmas season which always fills my calendar with speaking opportunities and ministry events.  www.Blessings.ph will be giving away Christmas gifts to needy children beginning in early December.  Discipleship training, a BOOST graduation, and a reunion of former BOOST graduates will also be coming up in the next few weeks.

President Trump is in the Philippines today, ending his Asian tour.  North Korea remains a threat.  The news is full of sex scandals.  Government corruption continues to be exposed.  In a world full of uncertainties and turmoil, Jesus remains our solid rock, our refuge, our peace… even for men in their 60’s!

1 comment:

Janet C Nash said...

Mark, take heart! I'll be 82 next month!!! Been a senior citizen "forever"!!! But, know what you mean. Each decade presents its own challenges and I want to wish for you the very best. Your children have done so well as have ours. I am so thankful that we moved from Athens to Atlanta 3 1/2 years ago to be nearer our sons and daughters-ion-law. Miss my sweetheart so very, very much but will join him someday just as you will join Jan. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas season.