Last Sunday I was privileged to visit with someone so anointed by God that I was blessed with a taste of heaven for that hour (and memories of that hour since).

I mention very few personal acquaintances by name on this site, but this lifelong friend was so filled with Jesus, it seemed like he had been to heaven with Jesus, and let me see what a difference it makes in his life, and I can say how the visit is life-changing for me.

This friend is Ted Winkler
— Christian, with Jesus shining from his face and his words, and flowing from His presence in his room.
— Husband, over 50 years, wonderful words of loving tribute to his wife.
— Patient, with such kind appreciation for his caretakers.
— Friend, to many, to me, with forgiveness for the many years I failed to visit.

Ted is in the VA Nursing Home in Temple, Texas.
Ted is a Marine—signed up to serve in infantry in the Vietnam War.
Ted made it home from the war, with agent orange, and experienced some of the nightmares and some of the un-American hostility shown to our returning military (thankfully not as severe because he was back in Central Texas).
Ted was comfortable talking about every topic that came up, and addressing all my questions with equal grace, never changing his sweet demeanor.
Ted blessed me out of my socks, as surely as an angel from heaven.
Ted was better than an angel could have been—you see, angels can’t understand what we’ve been through, and the joy of forgiveness with Jesus’ payment for our sins—Ted shows that joy better than any person I know.

Ted is a first cousin to a bunch of my nephews and nieces, and we both consider it a blessing to be so related.
In fact, Daddy and Ted’s grandfather were double first cousins—how about that.

Ted and I went to a Christian school together in Temple—he was two years ahead of me.
We talked about those years, how we both treasured the commitment our parents had for Christ-centered education, and the thriving school where God blessed the priority the church placed on the school.
Side note—the school was outgrowing the building, and there was discussion of adding a second floor—Ted remembered this better than I because he was older.
Imagine that discussion, that emphasis, before the church had a church building—I remember the school desks moved aside on Friday and replaced with chairs for Sunday worship—God blesses such focus on Christian education.
I shared with Ted how Daddy told me several times on the phone when I was teaching in a Christian school in South Florida, “I’m so glad you’re telling those little lambs about Jesus”—that kept me going as a teacher, and Ted loved it.

While Ted and I were in this school, the church did build their building—very nice, and it remains beautiful to this day, on Ave. H and 43 St.

Interesting awareness that comes to me as I write this tribute to my friend, Ted Winkler—so alive with the love of Jesus, and so filled with joy like he’s already in heaven—“Lord, lift me with your Spirit like that, and let it show.”
Another interesting awareness as I write this review of the school and church that Ted and I shared—around the time of the new church building and the years after, I had no idea that there was an erosion of support for the school by some in the church—loss of spiritual vision/support led to loss of commitment/financial support—leading to complete loss and closing of the school when Ted finished seventh grade and I finished fifth grade.
Our loss as students, along with the others, and especially for Daddy, was devastating—we shared that on Sunday.
SO VERY SAD !

I also shared how my own children were very blessed when we moved from Florida to Texas and found the same school and church had new leadership and both were thriving.
Three of my children attended the school, one for all nine years.
I learned a long time ago with the ‘old school’ principal in Florida—
GOD HONORS WHAT PLEASES HIM !
Ted heartedly agreed.

Sadly, we also discussed the swing in the other direction once again, with the loss of support and vision for Christian education, and complete loss of the school.
SO VERY, VERY SAD !

– – –

I could go on, but must close now.
I knew Ted is a solid gold character, and a solid gold Christian.
I had no idea that I would be so blessed with the heavenly treat of the visit with Ted.
Thank You, Jesus.
Praise the Lord.