Kristina and I want to thank all of you who have prayed for us and supported us during this past year.
Kristina’s new heart is doing great. She is able to take walks around the block and in the desert with the vitality her heart gives her. She has struggled to overcome mold in her lungs. Since her immune system is being suppressed by anti-rejection drugs, tiny mold spores in her lungs have grown. She takes a lot of medication to combat this condition and the medication has side effects which cause a lot of aches and pain. Fortunately, her attitude is great, and we are enjoying this season of life together.
I’m busy with ministry to pastors and leaders. I preach at different churches and network with pastors through Zoom and in outdoor meetings. I hike in the desert to keep my body in shape and play chess online to keep my mind sharp. Chess is a way I process frustration without causing people harm. However, I had a recent game that really got me upset. I went to bed with a good lead in the game and woke up to find that my opponent had won. He had rigged the game to cause me to resign. I’m not kidding or trying to make a political statement. I don’t think the election was rigged, but somehow my chess game was corrupted.
I don’t like to lose. I don’t like to lose in chess, golf or any competition. I don’t like the Arizona Cardinals, Diamondbacks, or Suns to lose. I don’t like it when Arizona State loses. I like our teams to win even if I never watch their games in person or on TV. I am partisan. If the Cardinals are playing the Seahawks and our quarterback is a heathen and theirs is a believer, I still root for the Cardinals. I like to win, and I like everyone associated with me to win.
I realize there are many things more important that the scoreboard. It is important how we play the game. The big win I want is to win at life. To win at life we must capture the grace God puts in each day. To experience the fullness of life we must walk in the Spirit. Walking in the Spirit enables us to experience God’s presence each day.
I met Reno and Pauline who when they were out walking their dogs. When they walk their dogs, they ask the Lord to give them assignments so they will run into people who are open to hearing about Jesus. They are friendly and stop to talk whenever someone seems interested in conversation. They sit by strangers in restaurants or in parks and look for opportunities to share their faith. Each walk and each day is an adventure for them. They are winning at life.
Kristina sewed ear protectors for doctors and nurses in the hospital who have to wear masks all day. Her doctors asked her to lead a Zoom support group for heart transplant patients who are struggling to adjust to the new realities of their lives. She knits hats for the homeless and caps with a thin blue line for police officers to wear in the winter. She has had to adjust to a strict quarantine and handfuls of pills each day, but she is not depressed. She is winning at life.
Our daughter Kelly is a single mom. She works full time in HR, struggles with MS and has raised an amazing daughter Ava. Recently Kelly joined her brother Phil, his wife Moriah and two others for a nonstop 44 mile rim to rim to rim hike/run at the Grand Canyon. For Kelly and Phil, it took 19 straight hours, in temperatures from 30-70 degrees. Moriah ran it in 12 hours. They were sore, but they had no complaints They are excited to do it again next year, because they are winning at life.
After the election, I got a surprise text from Jason, our granddaughter Ava’s father. Sixteen years ago, we were in a battle. He brought police officers to our house. We took each other to court. We both feared violence. After years of struggle, God gave us breakthroughs. We had to resist bitterness and forgive each other. We had to overcome anger and learn to love each other. We learned to suspend judgement and pray for each other. Today, Jason and I are both following the Lord. We share meals when he comes by our house, give each other gifts and pray for each other.
The text Jason sent me was a picture of his ballot. He had written my name in for US Senator. It is the only vote I have ever received, and it really made me feel good. I like politics and I like winning. Jason’s vote was a symbol to me. It is possible to not win the election, but still win in life. It makes the pain of our trials redemptive when our enemies are transformed into our friends and brothers in Christ. That is a big win in life.