Tuesday, July 17, 2012

The Amazing Eyota Ambulance

Many people equate ‘serving God’ with ‘things that people do at a church.’  On Saturday night I received a stark reminder that this need not be the case!

I woke up on Saturday morning with a load of ambition...and didn’t waste a minute!  Despite the heat, I cleaned out a shed, painted over some mildew spots, rearranged part of the garage (to make room for the clutter from the shed), sorted part of a closet inside, did some laundry, ran to Rochester to pick up a few things at the store, listed some stuff on Craigslist (anyone want car ramps??), and dealt with some rust on my trailer hitch.  Whew!  As the sun started to go down I headed out on a run to get me ready for Friday night’s Eyota Days 5K.

I knew from the start that it would be a hot and muggy run and I wasn’t disappointed.  About halfway into the race my hands started to tingle, feeling like I’d rubbed them against some wild parsnip.  A little while later my face felt the same way.  I wondered what I’d gotten into…and I kept running (and sweating).  By the time I got home my feet began to tingle as well and I felt a bit ‘off.’  I quickly guzzled a couple of glasses of water as I felt more and more woozy.  Soon I got too dizzy to stand up.  Shannon and Ben raced to get ice on me to cool me down but didn’t have much luck.  Ben did a quick Google search for ‘Heat Stroke’ and read off the symptoms.  I had most of them.  I’d done too much…with way too little water.  My body rebelled.  The website was clear…call 911.

A short time later three of Eyota’s wonderful volunteer EMTs were at my side, giving me oxygen and checking my pulse.  They had the training to help me improve.  By the time they left I was on the mend, able to stand once again (though a bit shaky).

Being a volunteer EMT is not glamorous work.  It takes many hours of training…and countless hours of being on call.  Emergencies interrupt family time and sleep time.  Pagers go off at all hours.  It takes a serious commitment!

The three men who came to my house did God’s work on Saturday night. They gave of their time to help someone in need (me!).  I certainly appreciate it!

Peace is blessed to have three members of the Eyota Ambulance in our midst (Laurie Mickow and Scott & Carla Brunsvold).  While their work at Peace is always appreciated, they daily serve God by serving the community.  Thank you to Laurie, Scott & Carla…and all those who give of their time to help the people of Eyota in times of need.  Whether you realize it or not, you do God’s work!

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Happy Anniversary Dear

It seems like only yesterday.  July 10, 1993.  A fresh college graduate (with GREAT hair) stood before an altar and uttered the words, “I do…until death do us part.”  That began an adventure abounding in twists and turns, joys and sorrows, hopes and dreams.

Shannon and I had little idea back then of where life would lead us, but we vowed to walk together into the future.  We prayed that God would guide us on the journey.

Who knew that soon after being married I would be comforting Shannon as she got news that her mother had cancer?  Those were hard days, but we endured them together.  God remained faithful…Jan’s been back and forth with cancer for 19 years now and is going strong!

Who knew my internship would take me all the way out to Boise, ID for a year?  We feared that Shannon would lose her nursing job at the VA…but God remained faithful and provided a VA job in Boise (3 blocks from the church!).

Who knew that we’d get sent all the way to central Illinois for my first congregation?  It seemed so far away from everyone we knew, but God remained faithful and provided a wonderful place for me to start my ministry.

Who knew that Shannon would start her own little business as a way to keep busy in a small town?  What started as a lark to have some fun now puts food on the table for several employees.  God has been faithful as Treefrog Treasures has become a giant in the toy soldier world.

Who knew that we would only have one child?  When we got married we couldn’t agree on whether to have two or four.  We had one…and no more.  That was hard to take, but God helped us through it.

Who knew that our cute little boy would grow into such a fine young man?  Parenting is definitely a challenge, but God has remained faithful for 14 years now!

Who knew that shortly after moving to Eyota that Shannon would be diagnosed with cancer?  For over 8 years we’ve battled it together, working through many highs and lows.  God remained faithful and has given us the strength to persevere. 

Through hair long and short (and gone)…through moving from state to state…through sickness and health…God remained faithful.  We are not the same people that got married 19 years ago, but God remains the same. 

Happy anniversary, my lovely bride!   It’s been a wonderful journey…I look forward to many more years of having you…and God…at my side!