Two years earlier President Nixon. who resided in a large estate in San Clemente a few miles away, was in town with his whole family on vacation. The minister of San Clemente Presbyterian Church who was on vacation had asked Charles to fill the pulpit for him. President Nixon having read that a missionary was a long-time resident of China, came with his family to attend the service. Charles preached at the 9:30 a.m. service, and was about to repeat his message for the 11 :00 a.m. service when Secret Service personnel of the President suddenly arrived, and they asked to reserve the front rows of the church for the President and his family. and would the minister delay the start of the service until the President and his family arrived. Charles always seemed to have an inner presence and self-confidence in the many important moments of his life--of course. most welcome! He preached on John 1: 14-18 "What Is Glory?" After the service. pictures were taken with the Nixon family. Charles enjoyed the experience and felt privileged to have had this opportunity to preach to the first family. Many parishioners said later they stayed for the 2nd service when they saw all the limousines outside. and some remembered his sense of humor when he remarked from the pulpit on the "doubly pious members of the church". Christmas season was always full of celebrations as Grace's birthday was the 24th of December and Charles' birthday was January 2nd. He was now in the role of Grandpa and enjoyed creating decorations and toys that he never had as a child. Grace would play the piano and sing with the grandchildren to their delight. One Christmas, daughter Jean with two young children and husband joined the holiday celebration. On another occasion, Janet took them both to Hawaii for two weeks. and then they continued on to Hong Kong for a 6-week visit with beloved church friends and Chinese daughters. Although Charles was in very good health. Grace was using a walker now with an arthritic hip shortening one leg. It was a pleasure for them to meet all their old friends. Charles always enjoyed teaching and preaching wherever he went in the U.S.. Hawaii and ~ Hong Kong.
At 77 years of age. Charles found that looking after his wife who had a disability was a bit taxing. He did a great deal of the housework and entertaining of visitors, of which they had
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