January 01, 2024

January 1, 2024

I can’t believe we are now into another year. I was just remarking to Mandy last night that it seems like just yesterday I was sitting at my desk in the studio in Arlington, TX on New Year’s Eve awaiting the countdown to the new millennium where all computers were supposed to stop working, as they wouldn’t know what to do with the year 2000. Of course, we watched as the computers continued working just fine after the countdown to the top of the year.

24 years later. It’s hard to believe it has been that long. Now, what can we expect from PBN in the new year? I’m going to try and use this Blog a bit more to let you know what is going on, here, as well as post some pictures from time to time.

This last year we purchased some new software to replace our old, failing software we had been using for over 25 years. This new software allows us to do things with the music and programming we weren’t able to do, before. I was really excited to add “Nightsounds” and “Unshackled” to our lineup. They can be heard just after Midnight ET on both PBNclassic and PBNpure. I have also been playing some of the previous Praise Until Dawn programs just after Ushackled, about 1 AM ET. Honestly, I have always preferred that time of the night for Praise Until Dawn. Things are quiet, and it is you and me talking together and listening to some music.

Just a little news about the end of last year. Dad passed on Thanksgiving Day. It’s ok. He was 96. He is missed, yet, he lived a long and wonderful life. Mom had passed a few years previously, and he was reunited with her, at last. Dad had advanced Alzheimer’s, and he just didn’t know where he was or what was going on. He had no idea who Claudia or me were, nor any of the grandkids. We were just some nice people who wanted to take care of him, as far as he knew. He now has shed that ugly disease, and he is having a blessed eternity with mom.

Claudia still has chronic pain, and she spends much of her time in bed. We continue going to doctors and praying over her. We will not give in until we see her healed. Over Christmas she contracted Covid, sharing it with me. Our Christmas with the kids and grandkids was put off until New Year’s Eve, when everyone was sure we were not contagious anymore. It was great being with everyone, again.

Mid December Claudia and I were contacted by a very long time, very close family friend who lives across the continent from us, that his wife had passed of cancer. This was a very unexpected bolt out of the blue. We knew she was having some difficulties with cancer, yet we had no idea it had turned so threatening. Our kids grew up with their kids. Holidays and weekends were spent with them at mom and dad’s place. These two were used by Jesus to bring them to Him. Her reunion with mom and dad must be a great one.

Then, to top that off, we were notified of another long time family friend who had a very life threatening medical emergency happen to turn their family upside down this Christmas. Recovery may take awhile.

Pat, Mindy, Claudia & Patrick at the RDU airport where Patrick has to fly home to Dallas.

And all the while our friends and family are suffering, this world is aligning against God’s Chosen People. What’s wrong is right. What’s down is up. While Israel is taking care of business without American help down in Gaza, Hezbollah is poking the lion along the Lebanon-Israel border, just 37 miles from Har Megiddo, the site of the great onslaught of the Jews. Yet it doesn’t turn out quite right for the invaders.

Many, many prayers, til next time!

Pat