Just got back from the meeting with my Board of Directors for Whirlwind Missions. Have you noticed how I like to capitalize things?

It is always a pleasure to see my brother Tito Ruiz, Jon Paul and Carl Barrington. These guys are all super smart and have wonderful ministries. It’s a blessing to see what’s been going on in their lives. Whirlwind Missions is doing great! It’s good for me to really crunch numbers every once in a while. I could hardly believe that we’d mobilized over 2,900 volunteers so far this year!

Went out to Marietta this afternoon. I’d received a letter from the manager telling us that we had 30 days to get out. Things like this happen when they change owners. I talked to the main leasing person. Her name is Judith. When I told her that we may be moving she was very upset and told me, “My little boy goes to school there. Those ladies have helped him a lot! Your teams have done a lot of good in the community. You need to come down here right now and talk to the manager. The owner is here, maybe you could talk to him.”

“You really think I should come?”

“Right now.”

So I did. I drove over to the apartment complex and went in and said hi to Judith. She shared with me how things had been going with the new owners. She said she thought things were getting better. I was really impressed with the new manager, William. He seemed genuinely interested in what we were doing. He asked me to send him a proposal. I told him that wasn’t a problem. Overall a pretty positive meeting.

Then check this out.  The Director for the After School Program is named Kathy.  I couldn’t find her number and wanted to tell her about what was going on at Preston Chase.  After I had the meeting with the manager, she called ME!  She said that she had read on my blog what was going on at Preston Chase.  So she went into the manager’s office this afternoon (about two hours after I had already been there!) I told him how much “I love working with your kids.  They are just the sweetest ever and they have been a big blessing to me.”  Kathy went on to describe how the program worked and how the children had benfitted.

She had no idea this was the new manager she was talking to.

Later, William came over to the mission to see what was going on.  They were goggle eyed at the level of organization.  The kids were doing their homework.  The manager asked the kids, “Would you like a snack?”  and the kids said, “We have to do our homework first.”  It was a beautiful thing!

Again, she didn’t know that William was the new manager.  He was really impressed.

So hopefully, they’ll rescind the  decision.

I went over to Azalea to check on the kids. Jouvens and Bubba were helping the kids with their homework. My little kids all grown up and helping the other little kids. Does make you feel good. I guess a lot can change over 11 years in one apartment complex. 8 to 19 is a pretty big change.

I had a great time at the Board meeting. Kathy and Ashley both attended. I really appreciated them doing that. Today is Ashley’s birthday!! Probably wasn’t the best planning on Dad’s part to put the board meeting on her birthday. That’s putting it mildly.

I guess I’m so old these days that birthdays are kind of a non event.

Did I mention I turn 50 next July?

I look at that number and think, “That’s not possible.” And at the same moment think, “My shoulder feels a little stiff.” I guess it’s possible.

I haven’t run in 4 days. That’s rare for me. Felt like I needed to rest. That Impact Atlanta had an impact on me.

Read Ashley’s blog!  She rocks!  My little girl is all grown up.