Page 13 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2019- Online Magazine
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grown and making investments
“I thought the O-Club was pretty in their own children, and we
special,” retorts John. He did find ourselves exactly where we
redeem himself a few weeks later started—investing in kingdom
when he asked her to marry him work. We are having more fun
on her birthday at the Fireman’s today in our 70s and 80s than we
Firehouse Restaurant. They wed ever thought possible.”
just a few months later, on Palm
Sunday. “We get to have two After their children left home, the
anniversaries each year—Palm two founded Walking in Freedom
Sunday and then the actual date Ministries, which hosts retreats,
of March 30th.” John just rolls classes, seminars and trainings
his eyes at his bubbly bride of 50 for churches around the globe.
years. This spring, they will be holding a
retreat in Israel. They write books,
The rolling of the eyes is pretty develop curriculum and recently
symbolic of their “secret” to a launched a jail ministry.
great marriage. “Some of our
friends think we are the entertainment at events,” says “The inmates love John. At the end of each session, they
John, “especially when we fight.” break into groups, and John’s is crowded with men. He
still speaks with his slow, Wichita Falls drawl but with
“We have specific rules regarding fighting,” adds Nita.
“First, there can be no ugliness. You can’t ever take
back the things you say, so we have to be very creative
in expressing our feelings. There usually is a lot of
laughing involved.” Plus, they take turns “winning”
arguments. “The key is really understanding what is
LORD
important, long-term. Most of what people fuss about for the LORD
is temporary. So, we decided that we would take turns is good and his love endures
having the last word and that works great - until we
forget who won last.”
FOREVER
FOREVER
“In all seriousness,” says John, “it boils down to one �is faithfulness �ontinues through a�
thing. We have to pray, ‘Lord, help me see this through
GENERATIONS
Your eyes.’ It’s amazing how that changes your GENERATIONS
perspective on everything.” PSALM 100:5
To celebrate their 50th Anniversary, John and Nita went
back to Sacramento. Imagine their surprise when the
Thank you Mama & Papa
first person they saw at their old church was Margie— Thank you Mama & Papa
for creating a legacy of love and
their matchmaker. “It was a smile from God,” beams for creating a legacy of love and
faith that spans generations.
Nita. faith that spans generations.
So, what keeps a person smiling for 50 years? “Every Love, your grandchildren
day is an investment,” explains Nita. “There were Beth, Sarah, Peter, Ben, Hannah, Elizabeth,
seasons of our life where we heavily invested in our Leah, Dylan. Keegan. Ashley & Karter
jobs, then it was our children. Now, our children are all
Lubbock Senior Link 13
