YMCA

I suppose it's time to put some thoughts on paper (blog)about the past 22 years of YMCA LIFE! I'm going to try to keep this short but we will see. I began my career at the Ft. Madison Family YMCA in 1987 at a Lifeguard / Swim Instructor. It is amazing that over the years I have never left the Y. I have worked in just about every porgram area and found my truest joy in talking one on one with individuals who seek conversation. You might say I'm just like my dad, he doesn't know a stranger and can sit and people watch for hours. I love people, plain and simple all shapes, sizes, poor, weak, wealthy, whiney, fit, un-fit, christians, non-christians, smart, arrogent, no-it all, and with the YMCA I have been able to interact with the most amazing individuals each and every day of my being. YMCA Camp Duncan is one of the most remarkable places on earth, the responsibility that is put on a 19-21 year old to care for 8-10 young children for weeks at a time is unbelievable. Y Camp is where I became and adult and realized life is truely good. I have always tried to surround myself with those that are for the most part positive if you know me I'm not too big of a whiner, and I believe I always try to see the good in people and things. After Eric and I's trip with the YMCA to India in 2000 I never thought I would again experience such an amazing eye-opening life changing time. But as I look to the future I realize the time has come again. The YMCA has done so much for me the organization is just that but the PEOPLE are who make it. Many of those individuals will always hold a very special place in my heart:
-Bill Otto, John Luna, Kim Kiser, Rona Roffey, Jill Madden, Scott Gallaass, Rachel Weeda, Alex Decorravont, Boon Chin Tan, Berti Devadas, Aju Jacob, Matthew, Laura McClurg, and Tony Calabrese.
God is so good to have put each of these individuals in my life, they are all such good people, I have learned from them all.
And now it is time to close the YMCA Chapter... and open the next. I look forward to blogging about my new position with World Relief. I am very nervous about this change but know it is so right, my heart is leaping out of my body ready to serve the most vulnerable.

World Reliefs Mission:
Empowering the local Church to serve the most vulnerable

I encourage anyone reading this to visit the World Relief Web site, because my family and friends we are about to embark on a new service! People that need us more than ever. I can hardly wait!