Monday, September 07, 2015

Randy's 62 today


62 things about my husband Randy ~ he turns 62 today.

  • his Dad spent 28 years in the Air Force.
  • they lived all over the world.
  • Randy had three older brothers and a sister 2 years younger.
  • he started playing guitar and writing songs by age 10.
  • his Dad retired to Arizona in 1966.
  • Randy accepted Jesus as Lord & Savior as a teen.
  • he carried a Bible to school after his decision for Christ.
  • Randy's Maryville Class of '72 graduated over 1000 students.
  • He rebuilt his beloved '69 Dodge Charger in the late 70's.
  • his sister Patty was killed by a drunk driver in 1974 at age 18. (Randy was 20)
  • we met at a concert ministry in 1978.
  • we married in 1979.
  • he graduated from Grand Canyon College in 1980 ~
  • with a Bible and History degree.
  • immediately began 3 decades of full-time ministry.
  • Hand in Hand staff doing follow up, discipleship and concerts. 
  • High School youth pastor for 4 years.
  • three years as the church janitor.
  • Randy Thompson Ministries doing concerts around the country.
  • 90 different cities in 20 states.
  • worship pastor at Open Door Fellowship for several years.
  • senior pastor for 4 1/2 years.
  • Randy also wrote and co-produced 8 CD's.
  • he's a Dad to Shawn (1982), Miranda (1984) and Tyler (1989)
  • he took each of the kids on a WI Concert Tour when they were 10.
  • he was a great Dad.
  • he entered the computer age in the late 80's with the first of many Macs.
  • he was a computer geek from the get-go.
  • he recorded his last and final CD Thirsty at home on his Mac.
  • his brother Barry died of esophageal cancer at age 55.
  • Randy turned 50 a month later.
  • the day after hiking out of the Grand Canyon.
  • he reads the Bible most every day of his life.
  • he is a man of faith, trusting God with all his heart.
  • his Mom modeled the gifts of the Spirit every day of her life.
  • Randy was a wonderful, devoted husband and helpmate.
  • Randy wrote a book about his 30+ years in ministry in 2013.
  • Randy was diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia in May, 2014.
  • he stopped driving before the diagnose.
  • he still prays every day.
  • he still reads the Bible every day.
  • he still remembers most everything.
  • he still loves going to his adult day care every day.
  • he is still a prophet & evangelist, sharing Christ at the day care.
  • he still loves me and tells me so when I tell him I love him.
  • he has lost all empathy and compassion.
  • he no longer sings and plays guitar.
  • he rarely mentions his family and friends.
  • he has not gone in our back yard in over 2 years.
  • he is unable to do anything other than read, eat and watch TV.
  • he will not let me cut his hair or clip his nails.
  • he loves watching old Billy Graham crusades on television.
  • he has 4 grandchildren and another blessing on the way.
  • Emolyn & Elsie and Nathan & Jonah... and baby Mertz.
  • he is the best part of my day, driving to and from his day care.
  • we laugh and pray and play his CDs real loud.
  • we can spot the new Dodge Challengers like no bodies business.
  • he loves Disneyland and National Parks.
  • he loves Jesus and longs to stand before Him and hear ~
  • well done good and faithful servant ~ Matt. 25:23
  • he is aware he has dementia, but says he is doing great.
  • and he is, because he is trusting and believing the One who matters most.
* photo courtesy of Sandi Shipley Photography