December 3, 2020
This year has been filled with challenges, frustrations and problems. Yet, I see God’s hand caring for His people as well. As we celebrate the first coming of Jesus (Christmas), I pray you and your family are well and safe. His promises and His assurances that He loves us and will never leave us or forsake us provide solace in a time such as this.
There have been big changes in my life during 2020. Losing mom in January and then finding and marrying my new soulmate in December make for dramatic bookends for the second decade of the twenty-first century. Both are blessings. Mom departed for glory before COVID prevented me from seeing her every day. Then my prayers were answered when Vicky came into my life during a year that none of us will soon forget. Vicky is an amazing answer to prayer. Losing Sherry made me realize I am a better man with God’s woman at my side. Vicky lost her husband about two and a half years ago. Proposing marriage less than two months after meeting seems rushed by some, however, Vicky and I feel very strongly that the Lord orchestrated our meeting, friendship and love. It blossomed quickly and proposing marriage started both of us on a quest to downsize so we could merge households. I needed help so I hired an estate sale company and listed many items on Facebook Marketplace. Preparing the house also has included repainting the interior. My only planned home improvement project for this year was to refurbish the 22-year-old deck. However, hail damage added a new roof to the list of projects. It has been a very busy time.
Health-wise, I am now two years post-surgery with a 0.01 PSA level. That is great news. Please pray for continued freedom from cancer.
Meanwhile, God closed the door for my option to transfer to Cru Military. I will continue my data management, tax and revenue reporting duties with the FamilyLife finance team. Though the headquarters move to Orlando completes in 2021, I will be remaining in Little Rock and work remotely as long as the Lord desires.
2020 Highlights
Jan – Mom was accepted into hospice at the nursing home and my sister Donna flew in from Australia to spend some time with her. We celebrated Mom’s 93rd birthday and 16 days later she was in the arms of Jesus.
Feb – Mom’s funeral was held at Presbyterian Village in Little Rock, AR.
Mar – COVID!! FamilyLife staff vacated the headquarters and began working from home.
May – Completed my last IBS (Institute of Biblical Studies) class. This church history class had to be conducted in a virtual environment using Zoom.
Jul – I had two teeth extracted and began the process of preparing for implants. Met Vicky and had our first date. I took her out for soup as my culinary options were limited by my recent dental surgery.
Aug – The house projects began with the Roof replacement. Iowa RV trip to visit Brian, Malory & Eleanor. Later, Vicky and I visited her daughter Stephanie and her family in Phoenix, AZ.
Sep – I proposed to Vicky (and she said yes!). Began rebuilding the 22-year-old deck.
Oct – Hired an estate sale company and decluttered the house. I now have five empty rooms.
Nov – Got our marriage license, celebrated my 69th birthday and enjoyed Thanksgiving 2020 with Vicky and her family.
Dec – Our wedding is December 5th followed by a week-long honeymoon. After our return we will merge our households and thank God for our blessings.
Please pray for:
- Vicky and I as we begin our lives together. This is an exciting time as well as a time of many challenges as we merge two households.
- The kids. Brian and Malory have announced that they are expecting! Eleanor is about to have a sibling. They have decided to wait until the baby’s February arrival to know if it is a boy or a girl.
- That our health will continue to be good.
- FamilyLife as we attempt to restart the Weekend to Remember conference this spring and for the finalization of the move from Little Rock to Orlando.
- The restoration of my account balance. Giving has been reduced during the pandemic.
You have probably guessed that this is a three-in-one letter. It is a prayer letter for my support team, a Christmas letter for family and friends and a year-end ask for donations. So, what is the deal about donations? I am a missionary working for FamilyLife Ministries. My paycheck is provided by supporters who contribute to Cru to fund my staff account. I use my Navy retirement to lower the support needed. Your support is greatly appreciated and critical to my participation in the mission of FamilyLife, which is to: “Make Every Home a Godly Home”. In this year of COVID, some of my regular support has fallen off. If the Lord puts a year-end gift on your heart, please send a check made out to CRU or go to the online giving portal at: https://give.cru.org/0452799
May the Lord, who loves each of us, meet all your needs and bless you and your family beyond measure in 2021 beginning with a very Merry Christmas.
Serving together,
Eric Dahinden
Eric Dahinden serving with FamilyLife 