The power of positive

No!!! I didn't have to look up the word positive to know how to spell it. I say that, not only because I'm not a good speller, but for those who know me know I struggle with being negative. My blood type is "b negative". It's almost as though it was "written in the cards"? Barb has recently been reading a book called "a positive mother" and it's helped our married and ministry. I've been thinking of late about people I admire, men and women who have really blessed me and made a difference in the way I look at things. They made a difference, because they were soooo positive! In AIM I met a man named Jay Jarboe. I didn't really like him at first, because he had just returned from being a missionary in Mexico City and was really WEIRD! I also always felt like he wanted to have me kicked out of AIM, but Bob wouldn't have it. To be really honest, I probably should have been kicked out. But God worked in me and later helped me realize that Jay Jarboe was an extremely positive man, who has since blessed me multiple times.

When I was on the field, it was my coordinator Jody Jones. His kindness and positive attitude were such a great example to Barb and I. Frequently we praise God we had a good coordinator in Toluca that has helped transform us to be more like Christ. My team mate Brian Wright also made a difference in me. To my knowledge he is no longer a Christian, but God used him to do good things in the kingdom all the same. After returning home from Toluca, I worked for an awesome guy named Jerry McCully. He was very gentle and kind and eventually God put him with people that could most benefit from the great gifts he had been given.

I remember starting the preaching school in January of 1997. We met this other really cool guy, that had the energy of a hamster making the running wheel smoke! His name was Aaron Lee. God blessed us with the opportunity to work with Aaron out in Hart, Tx. for a few years. His positive attitude and kind nature has blessed me to this day. Donavon Fox was another person that made a huge impact on me and change me for the good. Barbara Smith was another one of those people during my "preaching school years" that blessed my wife and I with her sweet spirit.

When we graduated SIBI, we left for Main & Oklahoma church of Christ in McAlester, Ok. I met Red Coleman. He and his wife were always so kind and positive despite some many challenges in their life. They were a real blessing to me. I remember Tim Maxcey, who was always kind and positive, but in recent years I have seen him shine that much stronger for the Lord and be a blessing to those around him. He has given me hope in situations that were DARK!

Last year I met a great guy named Ben Glover. He is the preacher at Lakeview in Shawnee. He has blessed my family and has been a ball of energy and kindness to us. We had a great summer last year despite everything thanks to Ben! We also had a great visit in January, because of his efforts. Nowadays I look at Tony, one of the AIMers here and see such a great heart. He is so positive and could make an old, beat up, street dog feel good. His positive attitude and innocent nature has been a real blessing to me.

And of course who could forget my parents. I always hear people say "I just love your mom and dad". I remember when I was in High School and we would be out at the mall or at a restaurant and someone would come running up to my mom and say, "Mrs. Gary". Of course, I would always ask "who was that" (knowing the answer...I taught them in 19..) or sometimes we would hear "Tommie...Cindy?!" and those were typically the "OC" people. No, not the TV show...people from Oklahoma Christian. My mom has also told me that various women have "asked for permission" to marry my dad if my mom ever passes away. It's not because he's such a handsome guy (although you are handsome dad...that's really weird to say to your dad), but rather because everyone likes to be around him and he is so positive. Nowadays its, "oh, we taught them in our newly married class". I really look up to them both and know that they too struggle to be positive at times, but have always done their best to bless their children and God's kingdom!

If your name wasn't mentioned, please don't feel like you didn't make an impact on me. There are tons more, but I can't be on the computer all day typing everyones name. Thanks for caring about me and making a difference in my life in so many ways!