I am excited to tell you about Kathleen Newman. She is 86 years old, and was born on the southwestern side of Jamaica. She graduated from college and became a teacher. She has taught children of all ages including college students. She married Vernon Garfield on December 26, 1945, and is looking forward to celebrating 60 years of marriage at the end of this year. They have two daughters that were born to them while they were missionaries in Belize. They also have seven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. Pastor and Mrs. Newman spent 40 years in the mission field. They used their talents for the Lord in Belize, Panama, the Cayman Islands, the Netherland Antilles and Guanaja.

When I asked Ms. Newman about her eating habits, she said that she was raised on a mini-farm with cows and a garden; her diet consisted mostly of milk, fruits, and vegetables. Because she began to eat like this early in life, she continues to eat these foods and is not a heavy meat eater. When asked about physical activity, she feels that "walking around is useless activity," and prefers keeping busy and active by doing housework, gardening, and watering the many plants that line her porch.

Mrs. Newman is also very active in her church. She teaches a Sabbath School class and always tries to uplift her students. She helps her daughter with her ironing, gives piano music lessons, and specializes in cake decorating (making and showing). She is a very accomplished songwriter. She has published two music books and specializes in writing music to Bible verses.

Mrs. Newman has overcome depression and cancer. Both experiences allowed her to help several other people. When she had a hysterectomy at the age of 34, she felt depressed. She felt torn inside and out, lost, and wondered her purpose in living. She took it to the Lord in prayer, and asked him to show her the way to go. She soon realized that God had not forsaken her, and she leaned on him to pull her out of darkness. She soon started telling others of his goodness, and continues to praise him now.

Mrs. Newman's advice to others and key to successful aging is to keep your mind focused on God; go to him with your problems, and he will help you.