“The RoseBouquet”

Business-wise, it looks like I may soon have a paying client for my web design services, but of course, they want a really-really good deal too. Otherwise, everything is revolving these days around my own personal life, and the sale of this house.

If you’re waiting for me to mention my little dream house again… the update on that right now is that Mennonite Trust, the executor of Dad’s will, has hinted that once they know the total value of Dad’s estate, they might consider giving me an advance on my share of the inheritance, and a loan for the rest. I had no intentions of taking out a loan, but if that is offered to me, and the Lord shows me it is okay, then I’m prepared to accept it.

(I might add that I have absolutely NO credit rating because I have refused to borrow any money for over 30 years, so the fact that Mennonite Trust is willing to offer to do this is a minor miracle too).

Ah, but something else has happened that may have a bearing on all this. On Friday evening at the Western Tract Mission’s Annual Meeting, the director, Arnold Stobbe, moved that I be officially made a missionary of the mission. It passed by 100% show of hands!

I have already been donating at least one evening a week, often more, to volunteer for the mission, and have been a Board member and secretary on the Board. My basic duties will remain the same, web designer/maintainer, and desktop editor of the quarterly Reflections newsletter, and of the monthly Praise & Prayer Report. But added to this, once I live in the city, will be to help the office staff with things like computer backups, to re-write the Policy Handbook, and I’ve offered to be available for speaking engagements on Sundays, and to do more public relations work to build up the image of the mission generally.

This means that I am to raise up pledges from friends who are willing to send in regular financial support. If they send that to the WTM office and it passes through their books before I receive it, the donors will get income tax deductible receipts because WTM is a registered non-profit charity. However, I will no longer have voting privileges at the Board meetings when I benefit financially, so we’re on the lookout to find a new Board member to add to the Board. Arnold says he still wants me to be the secretary (they like my Minutes!) and to share my input in the discussions at the meetings. I just don’t get to raise my hand on motions any more.

Since I’m only a part-time missionary, but this is a move to help me get finances to cover my basic living expenses, I’m thinking that if enough people send in pledges totallying $500 I’d be thrilled to pieces! Knowing myself though, and how I tend to get more and more involved once I commit myself to something, it is quite possible that with time I may end up as a full-time missionary.

I’m pleased with this arrangement because it will still allow me to run my online business ventures. In fact, I’m hoping that eventually I will be able to say, “thanks, but I can support myself now, and others besides!” Then I would return to volunteer status with the mission.

Because the other two couples who are missionaries with the mission were present on Friday, we had a quick, impromptu photo op. You can see one taken on my camera if you go to the mission’s site, WesternTractMission.org