Billy Blurb

I was reminded of this verse recently in the face of unexpected adversity.

A few weeks ago we had great plans to spend with children and grandchildren on a vacation. But then Lolly got a virus which resulted in a 4 day hospital stay. Then another 4 day hospital stay. And all those great plans of the vacation evaporated.

I am a planner, especially when it comes to future events and activities. But God, yet again, has reminded me that he gives us today. There is not a guarantee of tomorrow’s plans, but we have today. So I want to live today with a thankful and grateful attitude. I want to love the people he has blessed me with to accompany this journey of life. And I want to do this regardless of whether my plans work out or not.

In this life we get to experience trap doors with unexpected twists and turns. But we also get to experience amazing sunsets and blessings. Tell everyone that you love that you love them, and find a way to serve them today!

And If you know Jesus, then enjoy Him to the fullest…..today! And that will make all the difference.

Benefits Highlight

$500 KID’S COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP is provided to the children of employees at Tri County Air. This is per/child, per/year, for either a higher education or trade school. We want to partner with you in the development of your kid’s success in the world, and if a degree or certification is the way they are going to add value to others, count us in as partners. CLICK HERE to find out more and to apply. Applications must be filled out by June 15th this year (normally June 1st). Reach out to Rich Hart if you have any questions.

Invest In The Eternal

We are in the middle of a campaign delivering fresh clean water to a 6th community in Chad, Africa. This goes along with our mission statement to comfort all, and what we’re accomplishing in that Sahal region of Africa is way more than air conditioning. It’s life-giving, in so many ways. Remember that every singe job we do has a portion of it going to make a world of difference for people a world away. The following is from a recent update from NeverThirst.

”In the communities we serve, clean water is difficult to access and reaching it can require heavy drilling equipment. Often, our partners may face multiple failed attempts before finding reliable underground water. Surrounding communities often gather to watch and pray during the drilling, aware of how much is at stake.

When drilling finally strikes water, it bursts to the surface — a visible sign of the transformation now possible. For the first time, shorter water collection times, improved physical health, and greater economic opportunity feel within reach.

And because of your support, this kind of transformation becomes a reality. What begins with discovering clean water leads to the construction of localized water systems and lasting access close to home. And through our local ministry partners, it opens doors for the hope of gospel to go forth.”

Thank you, Tri County Air, for being a generous company by investing in the eternal in this partnership. Follow our progress here!

We get to celebrate some very special people through their birthday and work anniversaries. Give these people affirmation and encouragement as they mark these special milestones.

Pics From Around

We had a Cinco de Mayo Lunch, a Sharks Tooth Festival, a Golf Tournament, and some random pictures from around work. Please send any pictures you have that you would be willing to have shared in future newsletters to Rich.

From The Hart

“Watch Your Step!”

I‘ve heard it a thousand times in my life. Someone sees a potential danger or possible traumatic outcome from not paying attention to where I’m walking, and they kindly and compassionately extend a warning. From stepping across a threshold, climbing a ladder, walking on ice or snow, wet surfaces, on gravel or rocky paths, descending stairs…you get the point. It can get dicey out there if you’re not paying attention.

At the beginning of every year, Barbie and I try to pick a word to reflect on during the coming year. This year my word was “steps”. Weird one, right? Except the reason for it was that at the end of last year, my youngest son asked me if I wanted to hike the Grand Canyon with him this year. We had tried to do it a few years ago, but were unable to obtain the permits you need to spend the night at the bottom of the canyon. We did get to hike down to Plateau Pointe and spend some time jumping around the rock cliffs overlooking the river below, but we had to hike back out the same day, and its been an unfinished bucket list type of thing for both of us to camp at the bottom. So I told him “Yes”, knowing I’d have to get in shape, lose some weight, and make sure my bum knee wouldn’t give out in the preparation of it. After all, I had turned 60 last year, and needed to get the creaks out of these old bones. So I’ve been taking a lot of steps, thousands every day, to get in shape. We’re going at the end of this month, and I’m feeling pretty good about making it. And I’m anticipating we’ll be saying “Watch Your Step” to each other more than just a few times.

But the steps I take on that hike into the Grand Canyon won’t be the most important steps I take this year. In fact, it’s the steps I take every day in countless situations that will carry far more weight than the backpack I’ll be hauling with me into the canyon. Not literal steps, necessarily, but the ones I take in my words, my relationships, my finances, my time management, my thoughts, my reactions, my choices on a hundred different things has a bearing on where I end up as a man, and what kind of man I will be. Each decision in any and all of these areas is step in a direction. The question will always be, which direction? And what is the ultimate destination if I keep making decisions that are either wise, or foolish. Each step matters. Every step takes me closer to someplace, and I want to make sure that its a someplace I want to be, instead of a place I ultimately regret.

There is a proverb in the Bible that says “Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.” (Proverbs 4:26) It’s an invitation to wisely slow down, consider the direction my decisions are taking me, and redirect them toward a solid path. I’m honest enough to know I’ve had a number of missteps in my life, and yet I can still deceive myself to try to downplay the impact of certain decisions if I’m not careful. So I ponder the path of my feet. And I’m thankful for the “Watch Your Steps” from others who both warn me and encourage me towards living with wisdom. It makes all the difference to walk with others in wisdom, pondering the path of our feet together. Sometimes we need wise counsel from those who have been trained, and other times its simply giving someone else who knows and loves us the permission to speak into our lives. It’s saying “Yes” when someone invites you to walk together. Step by step, even when we stumble. Maybe, especially when we stumble. And we all do.

And this is just a reminder that we have something called Ten-Til-Tuesdays every Tuesday morning at 6:50 am & 9:20 am, where everyone is invited to join us in the Comfort Care office for a quick 10-minute devotional and prayer time before you get to work, or get back to work. It’s really a time to help us all watch our step, and ponder the path of our feet.

Looking Ahead

Every year there are beach baptisms up and down the Gulf Coast where people come to express their faith in Jesus through water baptism. It is a public demonstration of a surrendering of one’s life to Christ. One way to describe baptism is like putting on a team jersey before getting on the field, so everyone knows what team you play for. Your name is on the back, but the logo and colors are of the team. If you are a follower of Jesus and have never been baptized, this would be a great time to do it. Our own Jim Foubister organizes this through One Christ Won City, so reach out to him through this link, or if you have questions, feel free to connect with Rich Hart to find out more. It’s on June 7th at 4pm just north of the Venice Fishing Pier.