Changes

As I finish my last day as president of the University Kiwanis Club of Wichita Falls, I reflect on this and other interesting things happening in my life and that of my family. I certainly enjoyed leading this club which focuses on improving the lives of the citizens of Wichita Falls, particularly its children.

The club started one new project in December while continuing existing projects. That new project was a Christmas party at one of the poorest elementary schools in town. The students and staff were overwhelmed so much so that the staff helped us at our big fundraiser. We continued existing projects of monthly bingo at the state hospital and concessions for YMCA spring baseball games at Kiwanis Park. We served a record crowd of 12,000+ people and almost a world-record number of pancakes at our annual Pancake Festival in January despite icy weather just across the border in Oklahoma. We also formally approved new by-laws that will guide our club. While I received many thanks for my service, the club is full of self-motivated people that are fully capable of seeking and serving. I thank them for allowing me to lead them for a year.

Another big change is that our church is finally completely replacing the HVAC system in the sanctuary. That work has been needed for at least the past seven years. We elders discussed how we would adjust the worship setting at our meeting earlier this month thinking it would be much later in the year. Well, the contractors had an opportunity to start in the middle of this month to which the building committee agreed. Where we formerly had an early service, Sunday school and a late service, we decided on a two-week trial of one service with a mid-service Sunday school break. After two weeks, we elders have been pleased with the congregation's response to this change which Lutherans tend to resist. Before any of these changes were even considered though, I agreed to lead a new adult Bible class, now one of three from which adults may choose. However, it is now in the rotation on this new Sunday school break which hosted a crowd of 100 people last Sunday. I was a little nervous, but I really enjoyed leading the discussion on the topic of faith and reason.

Last but not least on the list of big recent changes is that my youngest child, Reagan, turned one year old on September 21st. It seems that I enjoyed her company during her first year more than I did Nick or Jenna during their first years. It's not that I love her more than the other two. I simply see how fast they grow, and I don't want to miss a moment. We had a great party for her on the 18th with her sponsors and grandma and on the 21st with her grandpa. These grandparents drove half to full days to be here with her.

Despite these changes, good or bad, we can count on the Lord to stay the same, perfect.