My husband Chuck when he received his award from the Utah DOT
September 15-21st is truck driver appreciation week. My husband is a truck driver. He has been driving for many years. Each and every day he is out he faces obstacles and stupid drivers. An ongoing comment around our house is that if a plane went down in the middle of the ocean, it would be because of a truck driver.
Truck drivers get a bad rap most of the time. I know I have heard some pretty sad and inaccurate things about truck drivers. Some people think that a truck driver has a women in every port (truck stop), and that is far from the truth. Some people think that because the truck is so big that they are driving carelessly and without regard for the safety of others. When most times it is smaller cars that cause the accident by cutting off drivers and not giving enough time or space. Driving a big truck is not as easy as it may seem and the industry is highly regulated when it comes to the size of the truck, weights, hours driven and so forth. Each driver in this industry has to pass physicals and go through testing.
I will concede that there are some horrible drivers out there that never should be on the road. There are more good and honest drivers than bad. They are trying to make a living like anyone else. It is a job to them and for their families it is a difficult lifestyle. These families give up a lot of time with their spouses and families so everyone can buy the things they need and to keep the economy going. For the most part it isn’t just a day they are gone from home, it is weeks and months on end. My husband would be gone for weeks on end and he missed many family events and school things for my girls. But we knew what we were getting into before he chose to drive truck. It isn’t for those who can’t be both the mom and dad while the dad is working.
Truck drivers are highly-skilled and bring to us the food, medicine, toys, household goods and equipment that we need to live. Think of the what is involved driving in varying conditions – through rain, fog, snow and scorching temperatures, black ice and whatever may come – it takes additional skills above and beyond driving to get the mail delivered that has to weather these conditions. Truck drivers do too! Not to mention having to interact with non-professionals in passenger cars and on motorcycles. It isn’t just the postman that has to drive in these conditions.
My husband has been working for Andrus Transportation for over 18 years now. Even though there have been a few glitches, but for the most part they have been great. Chuck was the driver of the month in August 2005 for the state of Utah. When I think of the good at Andrus, I think of the people that work there. When my husband first joined Andrus Lynn Shrum was the recruiter that hired him. She is still there and is very much on the ball. She has heard a number of my rants and getting upset. I adore Jim Black and Susan (no longer there). If I needed to know how to get a hold of Chuck or where he was, I could call them up and they were happy to help. Jim Black is still there and even though he is no longer Chucks dispatcher, I still call him. Jim and Mary Andrus are the owners of Andrus Transportation and they are wonderful people that value family and are strong their faith.
Speaking of dispatchers and recruiters. It takes these very important people to get the loads going and route the trucks. It takes the mechanics to keep the trucks running safely and efficiently. It takes payroll to keep us wives and drivers happy on payday. I had to throw that out there, lol. There is much to the trucking industry that others don’t see. It takes a whole lot of people to get us the things we need. Andrus goes out of their way to show appreciation to their employees and i want to thank them for that. It may not seem like you are appreciated, but you are.
Since I am mentioning Andrus a number of times in my blog, I thought I would put out there that if anyone is looking for a job, they are good to work for and mention Chucks name, lol. I would like to score some sign up bonus’s that Andrus pays out to drivers who sends others their way. If you are a crappy driver, I would stay clear 🙂
A closing thought before providing some links is that there are good companies and drivers and there are bad companies and drivers too.
Helpful Links;
I put a couple of videos of actual drivers and what they experience on the road. I don’t know these drivers and they don’t work for Andrus. Just thought you would be interested to get a first hand look into the lives of a truck driver.
This is Brandon… He served a mission and was super stoked and so happy when he got his call. He is a super nice kid that has a funny side to him. When I think of a happy missionary, I think of Brandon. So young and so happy…
I live in Southern Utah and when most people hear that I live in Utah, they think that I’m LDS (Latter Day Saints) or Mormon. Of which I’m not. I attend a non-denominational church. I do have many wonderful friends that are LDS and have been a blessing in my life. While there are differences I try to accept people for who they are and I think all my friends just accept me for who I am. There is a reason I’m writing about this topic though and that is because of the missionaries.
For those outside of our area and those who don’t know, missionaries in the LDS church get called to the mission field for up to 2 yrs. I guess there are exceptions depending on age, married or not and so on. The church sends them out a letter after they have turned in their papers and they are notified where they will be going to and for how long. Since I’m not LDS I have never been to a home when a Elder or Sister gets their call to serve. Here is a video (Zoe’s Call ) of what I’m talking about when they get their calls. But I have seen many videos that have been posted by others as their family member or friends get the call to serve. When you put in a search on you-tube for missionaries. Not LDS Missionaries, just missionaries. You will find 231,000 results and most of those are LDS. I don’t like seeing that. And that is because all Christians should be willing to be missionaries and wiling to serve others and serve God. Going to church shouldn’t be the only thing Christians should do when it comes to their walk and relationship with Christ.
Jim- He has a pretty awesome blog too… When I think of a missionary that is following the call, I think of Jim. I hope he doesn’t get ticked I stole his picture, lol. Not cool stealing a missionaries picture, lol
I think it would be interesting for my LDS friends to post about what it was like to get their calls. There is one guy that my husband works with and I have nothing but respect for him. Jim Black is on my Facebook and when I read his posts and when he was called to teach, I could feel the joy and honor he had when he got his call. I even had some missionaries come to my house and they were as sweet as can be. It’s been awhile since they were last here, only because of me not answering the door and being in bed, lol. That’s another story for another time. My friend Jennifer served in a mission many years ago, but she is always happy to help anyone when needed. My dear friends Tom and Patsy are just the sweetest and they are willing to do whatever the Lord calls them to do. Shoot, I’m glad the Lord called them to bring me my tree and a pie from Veyo Pies… That is another story for another time too, lol. I see all these examples of befriending and going out of their way and still being overjoyed. But at the same time it is sad to me. You may be wondering why I say it is sad and let me take you there in my mind. Not sure how bumpy of a ride that will be though, lol
The Fowlers (only white people) are missionaries to Ethiopia. Our church supports these missionaries among others. I don’t see most people serving these kinds of missions. But there are plenty in our own back yard.
The reason I say it is kinda sad is that all believers in Christ should be overjoyed and happy to be worshiping and spreading the Gospel. We all should be willing to go out there and do what God wants us to do. We all should be asking God, “Where do you want me to go, and I will be there!” We all should be out there meeting our neighbors and seeing if they need any help. We all should be willing! I know with myself I get a tad bit over zealous, but that is because I want people to know who Christ is and what He did for me. I feel very blessed to be able to worship God and to share my faith.
I was watching a movie called “One Nation Under God” or should I say a documentary about these 4 college guys that was on break. The link I provided is the trailer to the movie. Anyhow, they wanted to find out for themselves who God was to them. They were always told by parents, teachers, church leaders and so on who God was. They went to church and did everything they were told. But these four guys went into the world on a road trip to talk to people and visit people they never met before. They found themselves wondering where they would sleep and what they would eat. These guys got the prompting to go out and reach people and find out who God really is to them. They were able to serve others as we are told in the Bible.
Verses about Serving Others;
Blessed are the Givers
Acts 20:35 “In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”
Love Your Neighbor
Galatians 5:13-14 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
By the Strength of God
1 Peter 4:10-11 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God; whoever serves, let him do so as by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Showing Love to one Another
Philippians 2:1-4 If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
I can completely understand that not everyone can go out to all parts of the world and serve. It may not be physically or financially possible. But we live in an area where mission work is needed and can be done. All areas of this planet we call Earth is a mission field. We don’t have to go traveling all over the world to be there for someone else. We can show love and care to those around us.
Members of my church serving in the community by helping out at the Steps for Hope. Hope Pregnancy Care center is always needing volunteers and help in raising awareness. Serving God while serving others.
Thankfully not all people at my church reads my blog, because I’m going to do some name dropping. I apologize for this, but not sorry really, lol. So here is the beginning of my name dropping. First we have my two sweet Miss Shirley’s. Shirley M is there at anytime and willing to do just about anything for anyone. She listens to what and where God is calling her. She is in her 70’s and doing whatever is asked. My other sweet Shirley is a true joy. She loves to talk to others and share her faith. Then we have those who visit shut ins and will call a person who needs to hear a voice of compassion or some hand holding. Sheryl is great about listening to Gods voice and being there for those who may not have anyone else or they just need a cup of coffee. My daughter Jessica loves to witness to others and share the Gospel and her love of music. My other daughter is the same. She and her family are willing to do what God asks no matter how hard. I have to mention Evelyn. She is such a sweet lady and even if it is sharing coffee or helping at the Hope Chest, she is there. Barbara is always there to serve goodies and home baked items and has a hug waiting for you. The list goes on and on.
The reason I mention these things is that we live in a mission field. All places are mission fields. Some of these people can’t travel and some may not be able to get out of bed. But they are still doing something. While I know many that are serving in our area. I know many at the same time that find it a chore. They find a lot of excuses for not doing or listening to Gods voice.
This is my mother in law Marjorie and she was very sweet
My mother in law use to tell me that she is too old and frail to do anything. She can’t do anything for anyone because she doesn’t drive and she can’t hear God’s voice. She was over 80 when she came to live with me and one night she thought she was missing Gods voice. She was in tears. She never understood that it wasn’t the kind of voice in the way we talk, but its the kind that speaks to our hearts. His voice is there, just not in the way she was thinking. After an hour, she was feeling better. She wanted to do more with the church, but had a hard time. So mom did what she could do and that was to send a letter to those who are sick. She wasn’t someone that liked the phone, but she loved to write. Mom loved to pray. Now that she knew God wasn’t a voice like ours or the burning bush kind, she felt better. She would pray for anyone and anything. She was serving others through prayer. Serving and being on a mission doesn’t have to mean you leave. You can serve anywhere.
Support those who are trying to serve Him such as local and international mission fields and missionaries.
Make sure what you’re doing is inline with biblical principles.
Show love to those who are not “godly” and don’t shun them for who they are.
Be helpful to those that need it and don’t expect anything in return.
Make disciples of those you come in contact with by sharing your faith.
Don’t hide your true self for fear of rejection.
Stand up for what you believe in, in a loving and heartfelt way.
Take time out of your day to pray for others
Never compromise biblical authority for anything.
Doing these things will not only help us to serve the community around us, it will effectively make us more like Christ. And it will help us to keep the distractions to a minimum. Being intentional with serving for Christ will effectively make us want to be more like Him in all areas.
If you don’t think you can be used by God, you are mistaken. We all can be used by God. We all have been called. Sometimes we listen and other times we run like Jonah did and he got swallowed by a whale. I don’t want to be a Jonah! I would love to see people in our community that go to non LDS churches excited and break down in tears over what God is doing in their lives. I would love to see more people willing to just say, “What do you want me to do Lord? And do it!” Maybe I expect a lot, but I think I should. As a Christian, my inner most desire is to witness to others and if I have to hit them over the head with a hammer to get them to listen, then I may have to do that. Besides God can heal a concussion. He is a great healer and the best physician ever.
I’m going to end this topic now, because I can tell I’m heading into the area of soap box preaching and knocking sense into people. Hopefully this didn’t offend anyone and it gives someone something to think about.
Senseless Ramblings of the Mindless 