This past year has not been easy, but this morning I kept mentally going through the past year, and could only focus on the many blessings I experienced in the past 12 months. Please understand, I don’t list my blessing here to be boastful, but to remind myself in those seemingly very dark days, that God is good.
On a professional note, I was elected as the President of the MN City/County Management Association at their Annual Conference in May. I told the members, that I was both proud and humbled to be elected president, as I know my own shortcomings, but am inspired by the work of the Association and the members.
And even though, I completed 30 years in the profession in January of 2021, I received my plaque in May of this year.
As part of my involvement in the International City/County Management Association, I also was able to travel to Columbus, Ohio twice this year. You might think Columbus, Ohio isn’t that exciting, but it was a very fun city to visit.
I have some great friendships dating back to my days in college. I think those friendships thrived because we shared a time of growth of who we are and what we believed, and in that process, we believed in each other. In August, I was able to spend time with 4 of the best friends I guy could expect to have. We spent time fishing, golfing, and just talking. (and sharing a few drinks). I can’t thank them enough for their friendship.
I continued to watch my children grow. Our oldest graduated from high school from Lake Superior College, spent five weeks in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, and then started as freshman in college, where she is on the rowing team.
I got to spend a couple of days in St. Paul with our son watching the state hockey tournament with the rest of the family, where our school won the championship. Later, in the year, he got his driver’s license, and a new level of independence. (I’m not so sure if I think that is a blessing or not).
Our youngest had a lot of medical issues, and without going into the details here, made this year very difficult. On her best days, she is a joyful young girl showing her intelligence and wonderful sense of humor. We have made some good progress, but still a ways to go to a new self. (as opposed to her old self). And in that process, Rebecca and I will do our best to adapt, with God’s help, to be the best parents we can be.
We celebrated our wedding anniversary last night with steaks on the grill for steak fajitas, The two older ones were doing their own thing, so we went to Menard’s and then came home for ice cream. Rebecca and I went to bed together and fell asleep like an old married couple. That was celebration enough.
To those of you who have walked through this year with us, we are deeply grateful for your prayers and support, and we count you as part of our blessings.
Re-counting our blessings at the end of year, is more that just good memories of the past year, but also a realization that we are loved and belong to a good and loving God.
It is my sincere hope, that you have a sense of being blessed by God over the past year and that you know that you are loved.
A Long Intentional Walk 