December is a key month is my life.
It was 41 years ago this month I married Benita Beatrice Breeding. That was on December 28, 1974. We are still married.
It was 40 years ago this month I graduated from The University of Texas at Arlington. I still remember the words of then university president Dr. Wendell Nedderman, “Jimmie Aaron Kepler has met the requirements for the degree Bachelor of Arts in history.” He read my name to confirm I had met the requirements and was graduated. That allowed the next December event to occur.
It was 40 years ago this month I was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Army. My commission was earned through US Army ROTC. It led to my moving to Fort Benning, Georgia where I reported on December 29, 1974.
It was 37 years ago this month II was released from active duty in the US Army where I could attend graduate school.
It was 35 years ago this month I graduated with a Master of Religious Education degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
It was 33 years ago this month I moved from Decatur, Georgia to Bogalusa, Louisiana.
It was 22, 21, and 20 years ago this month I wrote the cover story for Sunday School Leader magazine. I did it each December for 3 years.
It was 20 years ago this month I resigned my last church position.
It was 16 years ago this month I started working my current day job at Interstate Batteries.
It was 16 years ago this month I was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, the two-year college honor society. I had completed the core curriculum for an associate’s degree in computer science. Why wasn’t I inducted in Phi Beta Kappa back in 1975 where I graduated university? My college does not have a Phi Beta Kappa chapter.
It was 2 years ago this month that my wife was diagnosed with neuroendocrine carcinoid.
It was 1 year ago this month that my mother passed away.
And … most important – it was nearly 2000 years ago this month that God sent His son Jesus who was born in the little town of Bethlehem.
December is a key month in my life.
I love this! December is an important month for me, too. Sharing this.