Where does my help come from?

The nights are long in January but sometimes it seems like it is the days that go on forever. This is Annual Report Week and that means that in between every meeting, every Bible study, every gathering, I am working on pulling together the report booklet and slide show for the Annual Meeting on Sunday.

This morning Sandy Stone was in the office making last minute phone calls to solicit information and final reports for our booklet. This is crunch time. In the next two days we will have pulled together a 50-60 page booklet that will recap the ministry of the last twelve months. When it is finished, it is impressive to look at. Right now it is a mountain to be climbed.

Over the years I have been very fortunate to have good help in the office. In 1985 Chris Montalvo came on board as the church secretary and served for two years before heading out to find a "real job." Amy Rezendes had three young children at home when she volunteered to work in the church office. She was paid for six hours a week but she probably worked ten or more. Come Annual Report week she moved in at church. Amy was with us 6 1/2 years. Debbie (Muyres) Sandherr followed and worked with me for a year. In 1996 we hired Buffy McFalls and she was my right hand lady for nearly nine years. Buffy saw the position grow in hours but didn't see much of a pay raise. It was still pretty much a volunteer job but she gave it her all. As a result she became youth adviser, book keeper, part time janitor, and jack of all trades. Sandy Callendar followed and she brought a creative flair with her and a fresh perspective. She was also the first administrative assistant and a non church member. She left in 2005 to relocate to the West Coast.

Sandy Stone is our Administrative Assistant now and she is in her third year on the job. I haven't been able to corrupt her with my sense of panic yet. She is sure and steady and i know we will get the job done. After all, it is only Wednesday.

Cal