In recognition of Older American’s Month in May, we share the following article by Dr. Charlotte Stemple, a former Alliance missionary to Vietnam and Malaysia.
My transition from the “under-60 lifestyle” into the “senior life” has been slow. I am in denial most of the time because I feel healthy, have lots of friends and activities, and am still blessed to do ministry. My husband, Woody, is in the same boat, even though he turned 80 last year (I’m almost there).
A New Paradigm
I have come to realize that the passage into the senior years is like entering a new culture in that:
- You must recognize the new situation;
- Learn your new boundaries;
- Learn the new language (mostly medical terminology);
- Know your limitations; and
- Thrive at a different level.
But, oh the fun you have! We now live in a wonderful senior community where all activities are tailored for our age group. Community life is like being in college. In fact, sometimes I call our court a dorm.
Great Opportunities
As seniors we still have wonderful opportunities to do what God calls us to do. Recently, I traveled to Germany, where our son and his family serve with The Alliance, and I produced a short video about a refugee camp I visited there. Next year, I plan to take a group of seniors to Asia.
Woody and I also
- Volunteer in the local medical facility;
- Serve on church committees;
- Attend local classes for seniors, and
- Spend more time in our lifelong study of God’s Word, which is so much fun and so rewarding.
We love being with people and serving old and new friends our simple meals, like taco salad or our daughter-in-law’s “Jen’s Chicken.” We also make an effort to stay relevant and offer ourselves as mentors.
And, we find people who need to talk, initiating conversations with those God puts in our lives.
Stepping into Youth Land
We also are blessed to be snowbirds. So in May, we leave senior land in Florida and travel to youth land—Beulah Beach (Vermillion, Ohio). Now, that is entering a wonderful new world!
It’s a two-day drive, so somewhere along the way we will flip our cultural switch and ready ourselves for the music, activities, and under-50 lifestyle—happy to keep our feet in both worlds!
Dr. Charlotte Stemple has shared her story across the United States and in 50 countries. A nurse, wife, mother of two, and grandmother of four, she previously served on the Alliance Board of Directors and was a national director for Alliance Women (now Great Commission Women). In 2000 she received an honorary doctorate from Nyack (New York) College, her alma mater. Her current passions include her family, women’s ministries, missions mobilization, mentoring young women, and telling her story. Her book, My Vietnam, was published in 2010.