Update! Church, Broken Leg, Shingles, Business
It’s been a while since I last posted here on One Christian Dad. It has been just over 2 years since my last post! That coincides with our congregation in Surrey becoming vacant, my joining council/consitory as corresponding clerk, and joining the Pastoral Calling Committee in our search for a new pastor at Maranatha – Surrey. I am grateful to share that Candidate Taylor Bredenhof has accepted our call to serve as pastor, and Lord Willing, will be joining us after passing his Peremptory Exam in September.
SO What has been going on in the in between of my last posting and now? Between the pleasures and duties of being a husband and father, running a business, church activities, and homeschooling, life is certainly full. It became exceptionally difficult just over a year ago in the month of May. Teresa, my wife, sustained a serious injury – she broke her leg at the ankle in 3 spots, with several additional fractures in the foot. After surgery of 3 plates and 18+ screws, we had a long 12 month recovery of physio and massage. She could not bear weight for about 7 weeks and it was my turn to do the “for better, or for worse.” Then the Lord made things more difficult. I got sick with shingles. Seven weeks of pain, and no sleep. ANYWAY, the Lord does provide and we have both made a full recovery. She still has swelling in the ankle, and I still have nerve damage in my back from the shingles but we are doing well. We even went for a 10k hike in Whistler last month.
Life has been full, we have been blessed, and while I haven’t been writing much on the blog, you can still find me writing the news column for Maranatha in the Fraser Valley Church news as corresponding clerk. As I write this, it kind of feels like one of those Christmas Update letters you get from your extended family. Anyway.
As many of you know, since my cancer diagnosis 8 years ago (has it been that long already?!) I started a company called New Again Services, grew it, faced many challenges, like keeping Christ central, setting boundaries around work and family time, making profit, employees etc etc. Last year when Teresa got hurt and I got sick, I had to get myself out of the business, and have it run without me. It did run, like an old rusty pick up truck! Despite the challenges, it ran without me. Thanks to a business coach, and systems in place I was able to get out of the business to focus on Teresa and the family.
As many know, we have been blessed with three neurodivergent children. 2 with ASD1 and one with ADHD Inattentive.
Now I wasnt lying, there were some challenges, (theft by employees, too many hours approved by managers, damaged vehicles, CRA debts etc.) but we have been blessed to have overcome the challenges. We grew to 12 employees last year, but have downsized this year as I am selling the landscape division and am looking at possibly selling the entire thing off. My goal with the business was to sell it within 5 years and head to seminary, but COVID threw a wrench in those plans!
So while seminary is on the back burner, on low heat ( I am not getting any younger!), I found different ways to serve others, like being an office bearer, ministering to the visitors in our church, and helping in different ways. In addition to that, over the past couple of years, I have found that I enjoy helping other Christian business owners to keep Christ central in their businesses, and free up time for the things that really matter like church and family. So I’ve been working on a new project—building a community for Christian business owners. I know how challenging it can be to juggle everything, and that’s why I’m creating this space for Christian Business owners to come together.
This community is on Skool and is still in beta mode, but it’s quickly taking shape. It’s a place where like-minded Christian Business Owners can support each other, share insights, and work towards achieving time and financial freedom, all while keeping Christ at the center of our lives and businesses.
If this sounds like something you’d be interested in—or if you know someone who would benefit from being part of such a community—I’d love for you to join us. Together, we can build something truly special, where faith, family, and business all thrive together.
Well, there you have it. I am currently writing this from my hotel in Osoyoos. THe kids are still sleeping or hanging out in the room. Teresa is on the beach below me reading her kindle on the beach, and I want to join her. Enough writing! Have a blessed summer!
Ryan
