At 65, I can hardly imagine what it might be like to live another 25 years. But my Uncle Andy has done just that. On December 21st he will be 90 years old. Some of us were able to celebrate with him on Saturday as we enjoyed lunch at the Harlan Cafe. Uncle Andy has been a blessing and inspiration to me all my life. He and my Aunt Esther were missionaries in Dominican Republic for many years. I can remember going to the airport to see them off to the Dominican, and just before they boarded the plane we sang, "God be with you till we meet again".
(left: Lynn and Mark Rupp (his son), Uncle Andy, Jean Ann & Ray Miller, and Deborah (Deb), his daughter.)
(right: Me, hubby Lynn, Tootie Grieser, Delight Fricke, Lou & Rog Roth)
There are 4 children in the family. His daughter Mary and her husband Jeff are currently doing mission work in Spain. He also has a son Tim, and his family, who live in Alaska. The rest of us in the picture are nieces and spouses. There were 10 kids in my mother's family, so if you do the math, you know this is only a few members of the family. If I counted correctly, there are 37 1st cousins, but there are 272 living relatives in my Grandma and Grandpa Rupp's family.
Uncle Andy has lived a godly life, and is a quiet, gentle man. He is the pastor who married me, both for my first marriage and again this marriage to Lynn. Lynn knew him back when he was in Fort Wayne Bible College and considered him a mentor. So we felt very privileged to share in this little celebration of his 90th birthday.
Proverbs 20:7 The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow after them.
Blessed also, are cousins, nieces, other family members, as well as countless Dominicans and church members, who have been influenced and blessed by the godly walk of my Uncle Andy.
6 comments:
Hi Donna...your Uncle Andy sounds like a wonderful man...you and your relatives are blessed to have him in your lives. My grandmother had been one of eleven children, and her mother 1 of 12.
Tell your uncle a blogger friend said Happy Birthday and that he doesn't look 90.
Wanda
I think I was at least partially named for my (great uncle) Uncle Andy and I'm proud of it.
Andy
You have a great family! I love that you guys are always getting together. :)
Merry Christmas Donna, Just wanted to clarify my daughter will be doing art therapy but it is under psychiatry-psychology. She will work with children or in the prison system. Art will be her major. She is so funny...she said if this did not work out she would concentrate on math and do accounting. :-/
I'm really glad you posted this! I showed it to Gary when he got home. We have time to get a card to him and maybe arrange a breakfast with him, too!
Thank you for posting this. I was sad to miss the celebration. Uncle Andy is such a special person. He influenced me at FWBC. I remember talking with him about my young son Andy many years ago and followed his wise advise. What a dear, godly man.
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