What Can You Do with a Day?

Start by watching this 1:13 motivational video and it will help
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEa0xpWi7C4&feature=related

Interview on Selection as Citizen of the Year

In answer to questions of Azle News, my responses are provided below:

Edwin,

   In answer to your questions let me address them in a different order than you posed them. As I begin, let me say this is bigger than I am and will be hard for me to capture in words.

3) Your response to getting the award???

   Answer: I am very humbled for [three] reasons, first, there are several others who come to mind who possess outstanding characteristics as a ‘Citizens of the Year.’ Second, I respect and admire those who have received this honor before.  Both are groups I try to emulate which includes my good friend Rouel Rothenberger who has be steadfast in his support and prayers for me. We are blessed with generous hearts in this community and I thank God for the opportunities to serve with them. I thank God that He has lifted me up for His work; His glory. And I beg His forgiveness when I fail. I pray that this honor allows me to serve Him better.
  [Third,] When my efforts are recognized and the spotlight is one me, I am humbled for yet another reason. For it is not only me who should be honored, but also my wife. For I am little with without her and am so blessed with her support, caring heart and wisdom that God gives through her. She has contributed immensely to my success. Let that never be overlooked or understated!

1) A little background about yourself and you're lovely wife. (I attached a bio sketch)

2) What community oriented things you are involved in?

            a. Currently: Area Ambassador for the KidsHopeUSA school-church mentoring program,  Azle Ministerial Alliance (AMA) Follow the Flag planning committee and the new AMA Baccalaureate program in May 2012 (in lieu of the one at AHS), Eagle Mountain Pregnancy Help Center Bible teaching program, Boy Scouts of America annual fundraiser, Father’s Heart Ministries, Azle Education Foundation, Azle Community Caring Center, the Azle Church of Christ and the Azle Optimist Club (currently serving as president); Azle Chamber Economic Development Committee. Graduation speaker at the Azle Hornet Academy; the Hornet Academy Outreach Initiative (mentioned in February 7th edition of Azle News)
            b. Past: Building the current Azle Community Caring Center, assisting on the City of Azle Park Advisory Committee in developing our new City Park on Main Street; Azle Christmas parade planning committee; serving as an Elf at the Azle Christmas Parade and Celebration Party at 404 Main Street; assisting in Food Backpack Program; serving on the Jumpin’ Jack Jamboree for three years; Azle Chamber Economic Development Committee; Planning committee for the Father’s Heart Conference 2011; assisting in fundraising and other efforts for the Russell Eagleton Playground for All at Shady Grove Park.

4) Do you have a philosophy of community service -- something that "drives You" to go the extra mile for your community even after retiring?? (I may know a little of this.. but remind me).

  Answer: My father died when I as two, and I watched my mother struggle to make ends meet. She and my grandmother did a good job of raising me and instilled a basic Christian philosophy of being considerate of others and leaving a place better than you found it.
  God has blessed me exceptionally and I am drawn to give back, but specifically to those who struggle each day just to get by.
  Lew Shaffer published a book several years ago entitled, "Reach Out Your Hand." I am honored to have a story on pages 108-111. In that story, I tell of how my life was saved one day in Vietnam (see the complete story attached). I concluded that story with:

“I had survived that day due to the commitment of a few who willingly risked their lives to save me.  Don't we have "people down" today in need of saving?  I think that we are the ones in the aircraft looking down. We have the option to fly away to save ourselves or to choose to do some risky work; expend some of our resources; and reached out to lift another life up. Will we do that? We are answering that question each day as an individual; as a community; as a state; and as a nation.”

“Will we overpower people with military, economic, or military controlling forces? Or will be take the great blessing of God and overwhelm people with the sacrificial giving of Jesus Christ. Will we risk our lives for another?  Christ did. He stretched out His hand and died to save me.” [Then I appealed in the article as I continue to do today, 2012] “Join your church or the Community Caring Center in Azle, or other groups that act in the name of Jesus to reach out a hand in the spirit that Jesus was speaking of in Matt 25:35-40.”

  I retired from a job, but not from life.

  So Edwin, I hope this addresses the question of what drives me.

5) In a perfect world, what would you like to see Azle become?

   Answer: I think we are there in many ways. There are initiatives to fulfill Matthew 25; 22:37-40 and last three paragraphs of my story above. We need only to look at the CCC, EMPHC, the backpack program, the Christmas angel tree project and others. But we can do better and we can do that by nurturing a caring heart that is guided by Christian love.

Our model could be the Macedonian churches found in 2 Corinthians 8:1-6 where we read:

“1 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.   5 And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will.” NIV

There are many in Azle who give like that including " they gave themselves first."

What a great place to live!

Serving Others; Serving Him by Servng His
   Ray Ivey
   Joining Others on a Journey to a Destination in the Future

 The 'selection' was covered in Azle News at http://www.azlenews.net/news.asp?Story=19743

The 'interview' has not been published yet.

Characteristics of Successful Operations

Customer Service and clientele who see you as acting in their interest; in a way they can trust.
With that comes loyalty an thus repeat business and PR chatter on your positive qualities. Competent service that delivers what is expected is always embedded in success. Let's talk more on this - later.