It boggles my mind (and it doesn't take much to do that) that another year is coming to a screeching halt, and another one is about to begin. It seems that time moves faster and faster as I get older. I've been waxing nostalgic concerning 2016 these past few days, and there are some things I'd like to reflect on, if you'd care to join me.
I think the most prominent event this year was in January, when I became a Grandpa. While I have settled in and enjoyed it, I recall that I had always thought of grandparents as old! It has been fun being Grandpa Rue, but the title is almost sad to me. I never met my own Grandpa Rue, as he passed when I was 6 months old. In fact I never knew any grandfathers, as the rest of them passed on before my parents were ever married. I have godparents, and he was the Grandpa to me, but that's a story I'll have to share another day.
I am bound and determined to be a consistent person in my granddaughter's life and in the lives of her parents. She is a bright spot in my life, and it is fun to watch her grow and learn new things. That's why I am striving to keep myself healthy and in shape, as I want her to know me as long as possible.
I took my 3rd mission trip to Tijuana, Mexico this past August. This trip basically reinforced that fact that God is going to use me in a missions-related way. Preliminarily, I feel like God wants to use me somewhere in Mexico. However, I am prepared to go anywhere that God might move me. The fundraising is very slow. I have a fund set up through my church, and I put in as much as I can, and there are some others that donate to the cause, and that's a big help. I am praying for individuals and churches that might take me on for monthly support. The baking business was very slow as well. Very low. I picked up a bit for Christmas, but that's about the biggest increase I saw. For anybody that works as a home business, I'm open to suggestions. For my customers, I'm curious as to what I can do. I'm a big boy and am open to constructive criticism. What can I do better? I feel like the prices are fairly competitive. All in all, while God has prepared my heart for missions, I still feel as though God wants me to wait. Maybe that's why funds are slow to come in, as God doesn't want me to take off yet. I don't claim to know the mind of God, nor do I dare try. He is in control, and He knows what He is doing. He can see the big picture, and knows the end result, so I have to rely on Him. It's not fun to wait though, is it? :-)
This year, I began my 15th year in the Hutchinson school district, working in the Kindergarten and 1st Grade classrooms. These kiddos are a bright spot in my day, and I enjoy the time I get to spend with them. And, I began year 4 at the Boys & Girls Club with a promotion to Program Director. Before, I was a Vision Leader, taking kids to different programs and activities, and monitoring them. Now I teach a class called Positive Action, which teaches kids to make good choices and help others. I sure love this program. I also worked the ballfields at a local sports complex west of town. My duties were running concessions for hungry ballplayers and fans. A lot of the people were kids, and I had a lot of fun joking and chatting with them. My main area was preparing food and operating the cash register, but sometimes I was sent out to the grill to flip burgers or hot dogs. I really enjoy this job. It's only seasonal, but it's a good source of income, especially in the summer, when there is no school paycheck.
I began my 27th year as an AWANA leader in my church, my 25th year teaching in the Sunday School ministries, and my 15th year in my current class. Currently, I work with 3rd & 4th graders in church ministries, and I really look forward to Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. These are a great bunch of kids. I love my church and the kids I get to see when I am there. I grew up in this church, and I consider it a privilege to walk in the footsteps of those who taught (and put up with) me years ago. I found Christ in this church as the tender age of 5 years old.
In conclusion, I feel it was a good year. What's up for me in 2017? Not much different than 2016. I hope to go on trip #4 to Tijuana, and I'm hoping for an uptick in the baking business. I intend to continue full-force in what God has for me here, rather than pine for God to take me to Tijuana. Yes, I love Tijuana and what God might do with me there, but in the meantime, I have work to do here. God has given me a number of ministries right here in Hutchinson, and I intend to keep investing in the young lives that God has sent my way.
I truly wish you a very joyous 2017, and that you will be blessed. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog, and for the kind comments that are left. I appreciate each and every one of you, and when you post a need or problem on Facebook, it gets prayed for. Thanks for your friendship! God bless you.
