By David Ettinger
Today, May 28, 2021, marks my 20-year anniversary living in Orlando, Florida. It is the third state in 3 entirely different parts of the country where I have lived for at least 20 years.
Of course, one thing this means is that I am getting up there in age (I’m 63)! But for me, more than anything else, this occasion is an opportunity to thank God for His years of provision in my life, guiding and directing me according to His will.
My 3 Homes
My first home was New York City, where I lived for just over 21 years. Though raised Jewish and educated in a Yeshiva (Hebrew school), I left New York bitter, disgusted with religion, and a full-fledged atheist.
I arrived in Las Cruces, New Mexico, on January 12, 1979, and lived there 22½ years. It was there in the beautiful Southwest where I met my wife (though we later divorced), began my journalism career, earned 2 college degrees, became a father, and – most crucially – gave my life to Jesus Christ.
In September of 1989, renowned Bible teacher Marv Rosenthal offered me a job in Orlando, Florida – to join his spanking-new ministry Zion’s Hope as a writer/editor. However, my son Aaron was only 6 at the time and I shared joint-custody with my ex-wife. Marv invited me to write for his magazine Zion’s Fire, and promised he would keep the job open until I was able to move.
That happened 11½ years later, in 2001, just before Aaron’s 18th birthday. On Friday, May 25, Aaron and I set off on our 3-day drive. The moment I crossed the border from New Mexico into Texas, I began crying – an unexpected wave of emotion. Aaron patted me on the back, I regained my wits, and we continued with the first leg of the drive.
We arrived in Orlando on Memorial Day, 2001. Unlike my move to New Mexico, which I wholeheartedly embraced, the move to Florida was difficult because I still had great love for New Mexico.
But it did not take long for me to get acclimated. The transition from desert and mountains to oceans and vast greenery was startling, and I embraced the beauty of my new surroundings. I also enjoyed the transition from the “secular media” to full-time Christian ministry.
Furthermore, my son immediately adopted Florida as his new home and never looked back. He is now 37, married to his wonderful wife Kati, and together they have given me my precious grandson Zac, now 4.
So there it is: 3 home states, 20-plus-year residencies in each. God has been truly gracious as He has taken me on a journey I never could have conceived on my own!
ken riddles
May 28, 2021
God Bless you and give you another 20+ of blessings!
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dettinger47
May 28, 2021
Thank you so much, Ken. And may God’s richest blessings be upon you and your family as well!
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Blue Collar Theologian
May 28, 2021
Beautiful testimony, David! I love hearing how God has worked in the lives of His people! I love how God has gifted you in writing (from your video the other day you still sound like a Queens/Long Islander versus Southern!!)! I am also encouraged with how Zion’s Fire held the position for you. That speaks volumes! Happy Anniversary and glad you will see Zac, Aaron and Kati this weekend!!!!
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dettinger47
May 28, 2021
Thank you for the kind words, Mandy. Regarding my accent, I think it’s still primarily there, though I have learned to do a better job pronouncing my R’s.
Shortly after arriving in New Mexico and meeting my wife-to-be, Barb, I kept calling her “Bob.” She finally said, “David, you’re marrying a woman not a man, so learn how to pronounce your R’s!”
So, I actually began practicing doing that, and still, for the most part, do pronounce my R’s, though at times I let them slip.
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Blue Collar Theologian
May 28, 2021
Ha!!! That’s fantastic!!!! Kudos for working on your R’s! I gave up speaking Spanish because I absolutely cannot trill/roll R’s even with practicing with a tutor!!!
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dettinger47
May 28, 2021
Same here. Living in Southern New Mexico, I was surrounded by trillers and rollers. I couldn’t do either one of those for the life of me!
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seekingdivineperspective
May 28, 2021
You have stayed in some nice motels along the way, although as Corrie Ten Boom said, we are never allowed to call any of them “home.” 😉 See you when we get to our forever home. 🙂
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dettinger47
May 28, 2021
Ah, yes, I agree. These days, I think more and more about our forever home!
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dawnfanshawe
May 30, 2021
Blessed be God forever
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dettinger47
May 30, 2021
Thank you, Dawn.
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Crissy
May 30, 2021
God is so amazing as He takes us on journeys and situations we never ever imagined. And the journey never comes to an end until the day He calls us home. Our final destination “home “
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dettinger47
May 31, 2021
Well said, Crissy. Amen!
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jarilissima
June 1, 2021
It’s so interesting to know a little more about you 🙂
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dettinger47
June 1, 2021
Thank you, Yari.
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