Tomorrow will be our 66th wedding anniversary. We have traveled through these years with many changes in our lives. We were 19 and 20 years old on this date in 1958 without a concern for our future. I guess technology has changed the most as we had no knowledge of internet, computers or cell phones. Every 50 years brings many changes and no doubt the next 50 will be just as astonishing.
Today, we went to vote. It was only the Republican ballot for the Presidency. Our country hangs in the balance with politics so crooked. When we were young, we paid no attention to who was running for office. We had unbiased media coverage even though it was minimum. I remember my mother being concerned about Presidents Truman and Kennedy, but I was happy with anyone in the white house. Oh, the joys of being young and carefree and unconcerned about everything!
Ron and I are blessed to have shared these years together and stuck with it through happy and difficult times. We look in the mirror and see how the years have changed our looks but we are the same people inside.
God has blessed us with two faithful and wonderful children. Our precious granddaughter, Tatum, has also been a great blessing to us. We could not have a more wonderful daughter-in-law than Gigi. Our family is small but loving and blessed.
We are getting close to summer in Florida as many of our days are up to 80 degrees now. We had some chilly winter nights but none below the 40's. The azaleas in front of our condo building are beautiful. We do not see buttercups and other spring flowers and flowering trees, but the palm trees and hanging moss bring a unique beauty to our surroundings year-round.
Ron searched for someone to be prepared to take the oversight of SAS for some years. Several volunteered but at the last minute, we did not get anyone to assume the leadership. Our son, Ronald, who runs the Casa Esperanza of Angels' orphanage in the Philippines will begin working April 1st to do fundraising for SAS along with his own mission work. He will begin to learn every aspect of our work and oversee it along with Jackie Feng, who has worked with SAS for the past 6 or more years. Together, they can do the work in the future.
Meanwhile, Ron will continue to assist Ronald with appointments to give presentations about the work. He will train, advise and assist Ronald as he takes on this work. Ron will continue as long as he is able as his life has been wrapped totally around this work. He feels very blessed for having lived 87 years to devote time to mission work. My job will continue as long as I am able also.
We both feel blessed that Ronald will take this work on and perhaps our daughter can assist with my work in the future in some capacity.
We could not do mission work without our supporters. Everyone is a valuable asset to the success of the work. We could not do it without giving God the praise and thanks for His protection and guidance. Every time we made a flight to Asia or traveled along the roadways to report on the work, we know we had God beside us, never forsaking his servants as we strived to do our very best to help others and serve Him. We thank God for whatever success we have been in life,
Thanks to each of you for being part of our journey. Marriage is the beginning of a journey unknown. We must have faith to even begin with a partner we know so little about. God must be the pilot to make it last and be productive. I see us as only the co-pilots in-training. We had no manual to follow other than the Bible and our trust and faith in God was the glue that held us together.
May God bless each of you in the days ahead. With much love....Ron and Pat
