Iron Years!

GateWay Ministries Nathan & DD Leigh Ministering to Internationals

Whoa! What a year!   One of the lessons I have learned this year is, there is a big difference when we say “Golden Years” We need to clarify what we are talking about. What do I mean? Let me explain:   If we're talking about emotional and intellectual growth, I absolutely agree. If we're willing, the later years of our life can be golden due to all the lessons that we have learned and hopefully now apply so we do not continue to make the same mistakes that we made before...although I am disappointed in myself because I know if I had focused more precisely, I could have saved myself a lot of grief. But concerning that, all I can do is apply a favorite Tagalog term, “Sayang” which means different things depending on the context. In this one: "What a missed opportunity” or “Oh well” unless you add music, then it’s “Que sara sara” Now you’re stuck singing with Doris Day all day! :)   But when it comes to physically moving towards the end of our life, I would not call it the golden years, but instead, call it the “Iron years”. We were not created to age or die, falling into sin brought that curse upon all of us. So, this update will be in two parts, first health, due to the fact that many of you have shown your love by writing to ask how my health is. I will follow up with another quick update on how the ministry is going, which, I still find God's grace as always, is overwhelming!    I have three things I'm dealing with at the same time. My neuropathy has continued to progress and now my legs feel as though I have socks on all the time and my feet, praise the Lord do not hurt, but are buzzing 24/7 and I feel like I have five big toes on each foot.  The MRI proved I have a brain, happily with no tumors, bleeding or evidence of stroke. PTL! Still, my dizziness continues so next will be a spinal tap which could show any chemical issues or reduce swelling.  I had a back molar crack and break. Sadly the dentist I have will not accept the amount Medicare will pay. So I am on the search. to find a dentist for a root canal and a cap.  I would appreciate your prayers as I crack and chip away. Ask the Lord to make me like Swiss Cheese...Holy! My years remain Golden because I have the Grace of an Almighty God to depend on through this, and a wife that does so much to show her love for me. He never promised to keep us from difficult times, He promised to walk with us through them. The world screams, “How unfair and unloving!” Yea, RIGHT! He is so unfair and unloving that he happily hopped and skipped to crucifixion!! Sorry, the “ME” & “MY RIGHTS” mindset today is getting to me. Our God paid the highest price to gain what? What did He need? What did He not own? We were lost, so He sacrificed the ultimate and paid to gain us! What a God!   God Bless and Live close to Jesus Love in Christ nate & DD