The Stories

Joesixpack says—It’s the side of mountains which sustain life, not the top! We all have a story folks. SusieQ says—What does praise God mean? It means being grateful for all the wonderful things in the universe and for all the blessings in your life. So praise God by being grateful and humble. Such is life.

MyWiseFriendJean says—Forgive your enemies. It messes up their heads! A friend told me he helped a guy who he really dislikes. So why did you do it guy? It was the right thing to do! I think this guy is going the right direction. You can see why he is one of my buddies. I read this while eating my oatmeal with blackberries on it—Sometimes, amid the demands and the frustrations of everyday life, we forget to slow ourselves down long enough to talk with God. Instead of turning our thoughts and prayers to Him, we rely upon our own resources. Instead of praying for strength and courage, we seek to manufacture it within ourselves. Instead of asking God for guidance, we depend only upon our own limited wisdom. The results of such behaviors are unfortunate and, on occasion, tragic. Such is life.

I asked Ben (i.e. husband of a Northwestern College friend who we have had the pleasure to get to know some) if he would write his story for us. Here is Ben’s story written by him to be shared with you. ~ I grew up on a farm in Sioux County, first attending a country school where I was the only student in my class, total of 9 students in the school. I was baptized and raised in a God filled Christian home, Reformed Church in America. My parents always read the Bible and prayed at both the noontime and evening meal. We attended Sunday worship, Sunday school, catechism and mid week prayer services. At age 13, I confessed Jesus Christ as my personal Savoir, I was a Christian youth until about age 17 or 18. I was fortunate/blessed to have local Sioux county people who believed in me, encouraging me to further my education. A local dentist, whose daughter I dated, was the first to encourage me to enter a profession such as medicine, law or dentistry. After high school I was fortunate to attend Northwestern College and the University of Iowa, graduating from Medical School in 1970. Subsequently after Internship, I was active duty military, ER physician, Diagnostic Radiology Resident UCI finishing Residency in 1977. I had a fulfilling, wonderful career as a Diagnostic Radiologist, retiring at age 64 in Oct, 2009. At about age 17, I became Godless, still believing in God but not feeling I needed him in my life. I was in a Godless marriage for 28 years, raising 2 children who did not grow up in the Church or learn about Jesus. I began recreational use of drugs such as nicotine, alcohol, pot, in college and medical school. This also led to occasional use and abuse of other drugs such as cocaine and psilocybin[mushrooms] in the late 1970s. I stopped using all drugs but alcohol when my children were about 4 or 5. I became dependent and addicted to alcohol in the 1980’s. I was fortunate to be directed into AA in 1988. I have been blessed to remain sober since, AA sobriety date September 5, 1988. I had 2 Christian sponso4rs in AA who helped me to renew my faith in God, encouraging me to again establish daily prayers, Bible reading, and attend worship services. In 2003 I renewed acquaintance with a devoutly Christian high school friend from Sioux County. We had not seen or talked to each other for 38 years. We were married in June 2004. My faith in God has been renewed. I am a believer, follower and servant of Jesus Christ. WE feel blessed to be in a Christian marriage, praying together, reading the Bible, attending church worship, participating in small groups in church. We thank God daily for great health, wonderful family and friends. We both feel having grown up in Christian home has directed us and led us on the path to where we are today. Ben VZ benvz@mchsi.com

I got to know Rick Vesely a little through church meetings and having lunch with him (i.e. I try to pick his mind). He’s the guy I asked you to vote for the cruise if you remember. ANYWAY We had the opportunity to have COFFEE AND DONUTS WITH RICK at the golf course and he told us his story. He is suffering from ALS (Lou Gehrig's). He now has a hard time talking and is losing the use of his left hand. They have put a feeding tube in. He is learning to communicate with the use of a commuter as it looks like he will lose his voice. He told us to live our lives so we have no regrets. He has such a great attitude facing death but he said—I’m not sure how I will handle it. He said he isn’t scared to die but isn’t very excited about the process. He also said—I’m terminal and all of your are too. In fact there is a good chance one of you will die before me. So, make sure you have a relationship with Jesus so you are certain that you will spend eternity in Heaven. Rick is a very humble person besides being very creative, exciting, and enthusiastic. I said when I introduced him—When I think of Rick I think of the statement he has made to me several times—Do it right. He said in his talk—I hate it when folks say – That’s good enough. It’s not just good enough, do it right. He said the kids talk to him about his disease and ask to see his feeding tube but the adults who use to talk to him seem to avoid him. Are we something else folks! You may read the newspaper article that was done on him a short while back at the following link if you like http://www.wcfcourier.com/news/local/article_47acbb0c-52c5-11df-8e8f-001cc4c03286.html

Rick Vesely rickves@traer.net

I saw that Rick wrote this in a public thank you--Don't take any opportunity in the sharing of the Gospel for granted. Make Every Opportunity Count!

I substituted a half day recently and taught three sections of 6th grade Iowa History. I enjoyed the subject and told some stories (i.e. stories about me). They were so interested but when I told them that when I graduated from high school in 1963 and that fall my Daddy, Chester, died, well, they listened intensely. Actually I told them that my Mom, Anna, sold the farm for $350 an acre in 1964. I got a email from my big sister maybe 5 years ago that the owner sold the rock piles off the farm to a landscaper in the Twin Cities for more than he paid for the farm. They all said –rip off! The early settlers paid $1.50 per acre (i.e. that is why we were talking about the price of land—the settlers probably said it was way too much). Everyone has a story. Such is life.

A neat business owner sent this to me. This is the gal’s story in one minute. I think you’ll enjoy.

Http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUQYJ77qa50

Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:

erv

KR’s thought of the day—When you cry, God cries with you. But he cant wipe your tears unless you let him.
TheProfessor’sPitySaying—A learned person never suffers from boredom.