Today is my father-in-law's 90th birthday. Congratulations dad Strand! Unfortunately, John is spending his birthday in the intensive care unit following a massive stroke. The doctors are telling us that John will not recover from this stroke. Ironically, the Father could take John from the earth on the same day that He brought him to the earth ninety years earlier. What a great birthday present for John. What a tragic birthday for us.
Ninety years is a long time on any one's scale. Just think about all the changes that John has encountered in his lifetime. He was among the first to experience indoor plumbing, television, the automobile, and a myriad of other things that we consider common place. When John starting farming with his family, they still used horses to till the soil. My, how times have changed! John was also one of the few remaining World War II veterans. I remember vividly the stories he told about driving an ambulance in Europe while dodging mortars and bullets. Dad Strand had a lot of experiences in life, and he also gave us a lot of experiences and warm memories.
Thank you for all of your prayers for Linda and her family. All of us have felt you carry us in prayer during this difficult time. In times of tragedy I am reminded of the Scripture in Galatians 6:2: "Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law." Our family has truly felt you carry us during this time, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We will keep you posted as events unfold with dad Strand.
