[Editor's Comment: The honorable Allen Clark is a contributing writer for Hugh's News. Several years ago Allen and his wife, Linda, asked me to be their personal pastor. I have enjoyed a close relationship with them since April 2007. They are Spirit-filled Anglicans and loved Jesus. I am including Allen's Christmas letter to his family and friends. We are his friends so you and I are included. I enjoy reading what Allen write. He is an exciting writer and a speaker.]
"Our dear family and friends:
"Linda and I approach the upcoming Advent season with decidedly mixed emotions. Secularly, the horrendous weather conditions of the past year with its suffering imposed on its victims, the uproar of the mid-term elections, and the disquieting and sad conditions of so many in the world have been most unsettling, albeit with us in our safe and protected physical environment. But, all this is undergirded by our spiritual reminder again of celebration of the birth of our Messiah and Savior, Jesus the Christ, Who provides our personal path of peace through it all.
"Our 2018 was highlighted by Linda's visit to Catonsville, Maryland and her ministry there at a church for a presentation of her Women of the Bible dramas. She has continued her lay ministry with the initial writing of her second book, a fictional rendition of the maturation of the Christian faith of Claudia, the wife of Pontius Pilate. She has developed joint dramatic and musical programs with a good friend, retired as head viola musician with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. This new ministry is contactable at eagleswingsaloft@gmail.com.
"We enjoyed an incredible voyage across the Atlantic in late July on the Queen Mary 2. (Photo attached). The trip was enhanced with daily presentations by World War II veterans (yes, still vibrant and alert in their nineties), relating their first-hand histories of heroic, but yet, harrowing experiences during their war. For several days afterward we toured the beautiful and picturesque Cornwall coast of southwest England. We traveled also to Loughor, Wales for what might be termed a "pilgrimage" to Moriah Chapel, the 1904-1905 site of the Welsh Revival, inspired by Evan Roberts, in which it was reported that 100,000 were brought to the Christian faith, many of whom were killed in World War I.
"Allen met twice in 2018 with his Swiss-based daughter Elizabeth, who has accepted the task of bringing to completion the editing and self-publishing effort for Allen's third book, Soldiers' Blood and Bloodied Money. This manuscript reflects his Christian faith, the true history of our wars, not the revisions, and the consequent civilian and military casualties. On the book's web site one may register to receive notice, when it is published and available. (www.soldiersblood.com).
"Allen's younger daughter Christi continues to reside in Maryland with Allen's two grandchildren.
"We are looking forward to spending the Christmas holidays in Fort Worth where my Army West Point football team again plays in the Armed Forces Bowl.
"Linda and I are grateful for the continued gift of life in God's created world and the privilege of citizenry in our incomparable United States of America. May we merit our own blessings by honoring our Lord God, His Son Jesus, and our Comforter, the Holy Spirit.
"Our dear family and friends:
"Linda and I approach the upcoming Advent season with decidedly mixed emotions. Secularly, the horrendous weather conditions of the past year with its suffering imposed on its victims, the uproar of the mid-term elections, and the disquieting and sad conditions of so many in the world have been most unsettling, albeit with us in our safe and protected physical environment. But, all this is undergirded by our spiritual reminder again of celebration of the birth of our Messiah and Savior, Jesus the Christ, Who provides our personal path of peace through it all.
"Our 2018 was highlighted by Linda's visit to Catonsville, Maryland and her ministry there at a church for a presentation of her Women of the Bible dramas. She has continued her lay ministry with the initial writing of her second book, a fictional rendition of the maturation of the Christian faith of Claudia, the wife of Pontius Pilate. She has developed joint dramatic and musical programs with a good friend, retired as head viola musician with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. This new ministry is contactable at eagleswingsaloft@gmail.com.
"We enjoyed an incredible voyage across the Atlantic in late July on the Queen Mary 2. (Photo attached). The trip was enhanced with daily presentations by World War II veterans (yes, still vibrant and alert in their nineties), relating their first-hand histories of heroic, but yet, harrowing experiences during their war. For several days afterward we toured the beautiful and picturesque Cornwall coast of southwest England. We traveled also to Loughor, Wales for what might be termed a "pilgrimage" to Moriah Chapel, the 1904-1905 site of the Welsh Revival, inspired by Evan Roberts, in which it was reported that 100,000 were brought to the Christian faith, many of whom were killed in World War I.
"Allen met twice in 2018 with his Swiss-based daughter Elizabeth, who has accepted the task of bringing to completion the editing and self-publishing effort for Allen's third book, Soldiers' Blood and Bloodied Money. This manuscript reflects his Christian faith, the true history of our wars, not the revisions, and the consequent civilian and military casualties. On the book's web site one may register to receive notice, when it is published and available. (www.soldiersblood.com).
"Allen's younger daughter Christi continues to reside in Maryland with Allen's two grandchildren.
"We are looking forward to spending the Christmas holidays in Fort Worth where my Army West Point football team again plays in the Armed Forces Bowl.
"Linda and I are grateful for the continued gift of life in God's created world and the privilege of citizenry in our incomparable United States of America. May we merit our own blessings by honoring our Lord God, His Son Jesus, and our Comforter, the Holy Spirit.