The Wheatland Mission

People Paul Wants To Thank...

(Some of these folks you may need to thank too. Unfortunately, I know that I will leave someone out that I meant to include before I got to the computer. If you think that you might be one--you probably are.)

Pam and Nicole...you two certainly go above and beyond the call of duty. Thanks for all the effort you put into making The Wheatland Mission children's ministry a success. As a church we are privileged to have two people of your caliber running things. As a leader I appreciate your hard work, commitment to the kids and commitment to the Lord. Thanks!

Also, all you other "kid" folk: Leigh, Michel, Kris, Chanell and Michelle (thanks for helping with the pre-kids activities!),..and I know I'm forgetting someone so thank you too!

Michele G....your tireless work beyond the scenes keeps our community afloat both financially and otherwise. You contribute so much to the life of our church though so few realize it.

Tom R...thanks for fixing my water heater, cutting my weeds, fixing the pool and being available for virtually any kind of help needed. Your a good friend. And thanks Reich family (Rox, Tom, Liz and Logan) for brewing the coffee!

I want to thank the Thursday night guys: Jim, Seth and Jason. Thanks for praying for me and buying me midnight breakfast at Jimmie's.

Brad M...thanks for being an anchor of sanity in 04-05. You and Michel have blessed our family immensely over the years and the servanthood that the two of you exemplify each week is a model for us all to follow.

(by the way, this is the point in the speech when the music comes on and the Academy Award Winner is dragged from the stage)

Sound guys! John L and Matt B, you both deserve a round of applause (and so much more) not just because you do a perfect job of running the sound board but also because doing so requires commitment and sacrifice. I appreciate you both very much.

Ty...thanks for the behind the scenes work with music and the good work of encouragement each week. Thanks for playing bass too.

Thanks to all of you singers, guitar players, and percussionistas. You make worship extra special and you are a big part of leading people into a better worship of God.

Thanks Friday guys (Kyle, Steve, and Paul) for getting together for lunch these many years. The insight, encouragement and competition mean a lot. Through friendship and conversation you have long helped me cut through the interference of life. More, perhaps than you know.

Thanks Joe for leading worship and we will miss you. Thank's also for helping me get my "yoke" straight. Thanks Mallary for teaching my daughter how to notice and for the art lessons too.

Thanks Jim M for being incapable of expressing discouraging words and for filling my sails with air at just the right time.

Thank you Calana, for starters, leading worship, praying for our church and me and thanks for too many things to mention in the past, present and future.

Ross, thanks for buying breakfast even when I called. Thanks to you and Leigh for all that you have done for The Wheatland Mission. You were in on the "ground floor" and I am sad you won't be here as the "little flock" grows up. We will miss you.

Thanks Rich for lunch for the last 15 years. It has always been good. Thanks for signing the papers, along with Michelle, that made The Wheatland Mission something legal. Thanks for being there at some of the most difficult times in my life, including K-State's loss to the Hawks. You remember the really tough ones.

If it weren't almost 12:30 I would keep going. But I really should stop. It is a magnificent honor and a real pleasure to be a part of a church like this. I want to thank all of you who are part of The Wheatland Mission. I look forward to our future together. Most importantly, it should not go without saying, I am extraordinarily grateful to God. He has given me good work, great friends, a wonderful wife and incredible kids. Thanks be to God!

"Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. I always pray for you, and I make my requests with a heart full of joy because you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again." - Philippians 1:3-6

Gratitude is a "missional practice". Again, thanks be to God!

posted by The Wheatland Mission @ 10:05 PM