Today we close out yet another year. Here are some of the significant numbers that tell the story of 2018…
0 – This number has multiple meanings. Zero new grandkids were added to the clan this year – after 3 of you joined the family last year. We know that we are expecting at least one at this point in 2019. (Ezra, we are looking forward to meeting you in March). I spent zero days in the hospital. I had zero kidney stones. I visited zero new countries.
5 – This represents the number of days that I spent in Mexico with a group from various churches from the Yates Baptist Association. We went there to meet a church planting pastor and explore the possibility of a partnership. It was a significant trip because I met a pastor from Durham that I became friends with who eventually hired one of your dads to his staff. Guess which one?
10 – This was the 10th year of the Reyner Disc Golf Invitational. Around Christmas every year your dads and I have a one day disc golf tournament played at 2-3 courses around Durham. This year, and for the 3rd year in a row, Tucker prevailed – but everyone was still in the battle until the final 9 holes of our 54 hole tournament.
35 – I have been in vocational ministry for about 35 years. 10 of those years were in Raleigh and the last 25 here in Durham. I have only served in two churches which is somewhat unusual but it is a testimony to serving alongside 3 great pastors and to a philosophy of ministry I adhere to – one of the most effective ways to have lasting influence is to STAY.
37 – Way back on August 1, 1981 your Nona and I vowed before God and family and friends that we would be committed to each other for the rest of our lives. That was 37 years ago. It has been a wonderful adventure and an awesome journey as we have watched the Lord work in us and through us. We pray even now for each of you that the Lord would provide a “suitable helper” to walk through life with you and to sustain you with love and companionship when the time comes.
52 – I did not fail to reach my goal of at least 70,000 steps every week of 2018. I actually averaged over 80,000 steps. This is significant to me because it means that I am being intentional to get exercise most every day and that I have been healthy enough to not miss getting my steps in.
I am very much looking forward to 2019. I have no doubt that this time next year there will be lots of new stories to tell. And here is a great verse from the Book of Numbers that is always appropriate to share at the beginning of a new year…
Never forget that you are very loved!
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