Susan rejoicing with women of Haiti.

By Susan Shanklin

Let me make you feel old, ok. Well, older than you feel, maybe.

Waaaaaaay back in 1983, the final episode of M.A.S.H. airs with more than 125 million viewers tuned in to watch.

Ronald Reagan gives a speech on National Security and says that the State Department discourages other countries from selling arms to Iran.

Over 200 Marines are killed when a truck loaded with explosives crashes into the US Marine compound at Beirut Airport. The Marines, who had been in Beirut as part of a multi-national force to promote peace in Lebanon, had after a short stay in Lebanon become a target of Syrian-supported extremists. Soon after the bombings US forces withdrew from Lebanon. Fifty eight French troops were also killed when a 400-pound device destroyed a French base. Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility.

Ocean Spray introduces the very first ‘juice box’ to America.”

Rubik’s Cube and Cabbage Patch Dolls are created.

“Thriller” by Michael Jackson, is huge. Camcorders are introduced and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Philadelphia Phillies (4-1) in the World Series Championship.

AND, and, and. . . our ministry begins. 1983! That would make our youngest daughter, Ruth, two years old, and me working alongside my husband on layout, photography and writing for the weekly newspaper in Twin Valley, Minnesota.

Our first Bible study in our home totally freaked me out. Our first church freaked me out more. I’m the girl who went to an all girls-college, met this handsome lawyer-to-be and. . . and he goes into the ministry!!!!!!! And, oh, let’s not forget the hippy era, too.

Sometimes 25 years seems like a long time ago and in other ways it’s just a twinkle. We’ve lived in a lot of different houses, pastored different churches, and met and ministered to a lot of different people in 25 years. I could tell you some wonderful stories, scary stories, funny stories and some sad stories from being in the ministry. But above all,I am truly thankful for my own personal salvation and relationship with Jesus. Everything else is icing on the cake.

I’m proud of my Tom and the work he has chosen to do and the course he has set for his family. We have a plaque on our front door we have moved around from house to house over the years which says, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

If you think about it, there is no greater goal than to serve the Lord. Each person has to serve the Lord in their own capacity every day.  Tom has chosen to serve by going, preaching, teaching and writing.

Tom got home yesterday from being on the road for a week. Oh, it’s so good to have him home. He drops off his dirty clothes by the washer, checks his e-mail, and sits down exhausted in his favorite chair. I have my 20 questions lined up. He tells me of friends afar, what he preached and good things that took place.

I think the next 25 years will be greater than the former and many more friends will be added to the 20-question list.