Watch out world...our little Zay is ONE TOUGH COCO-PUFF! He may be under the weather, but he doesn't let it get him down! :)
Yesterday was Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.
In years past Shane and I have challenged ourselves to give things up and sacrifice some of the pleasures of life during the Lent season. Not because we have to, but because we think it is good to experience a little sacrifice. Just a microscopic, teeny-tiny, itsy-bitsy comparison of what Jesus sacrificed for us…his life. As one saying I read yesterday said…”Lent is about saying "no" to some things so we can say "yes" to others.”
I’ve challenged myself in many different ways in the past. I think I started out a long time ago giving up ice cream (this was a big deal for me). Then I advanced on to giving up all sweets (this is a REALLY big challenge for me!). Traditionally in high school, I gave up pop, mainly because it was also around the start of track season, and I wanted to be somewhat healthier to get in shape…I suppose this makes it sound like it wasn’t even a sacrifice, but believe me it was! Anyway, the list goes on…
This year I thought I’d try to give up something a little different. Non-food related. So…I’m giving up TV! Yep, no TV for me for more than 40 days! I think this is going to be a real challenge for me. I don’t watch a TON of TV, but there is no doubt I will miss my frequently watched shows…top of the list - Wheel of Fortune! Yep, I know I’m a nerd and my husband constantly asks me why I am not a “Wheel Watcher” yet! One of these days you will probably see my name flash across the screen for being a wheel watcher! :) I'm also really going to miss our DVR’ed shows that we catch up on every so often. And I’ll miss just sitting down and ‘zoning out’.
Yep, I do believe this will be hard one for me! I suppose that is the point! I think it will be a great reality check. It is good to challenge myself in this way – it gives me a great idea of how much of a grip the world has on me!
Someone else pointed out to me, that many times sacrifice is great, because it makes you realize and appreciate all of the blessings in your life...even the small ones like sweets and TV! Isn't it true we consider them "small" until we take them away!
Are there ever times when you just stand in awe of what humanity is capable of?
It’s quite alarming.
Controversy…this is not my strong point. I won’t pretend that it is. I tend to steer clear of arguments, disagreements, and especially deliberate discussions on political subjects. With that being said, I also believe there is a time and place for standing up for what is right. So many times people shy away from these disagreements because they fear of not being accepted. I tend to believe this happens in a number of different areas of people’s lives. Not speaking truth, for fear of being dissected, exposed, and made to feel inferior. I don’t believe this is how God intended for us to live. When something is wrong, someone has to say something. Only those who are truly strong can face this kind of opposition with grace and love. One must choose the higher road and tell the truth with love.
I’ve been relatively silent on the attacks made upon my Dad this past week. Most people I come into contact with on a daily basis, aren't aware of what is going on at Lake Delhi. I live an hour away from the happenings of this controversy, but I live close in heart to my Dad. For this reason I choose to not be silent in defending my Dad. I’ve known him and my mom longer than I’ve known anyone else. Therefore, I know my Dad’s character and it deserves to be heard.
It is clear that my Dad doesn’t need his daughter running to his defense, as there have been hundreds of statements reflecting support of my Dad’s 100% commitment to his own values and beliefs. Not to mention his commitment to his love of Lake Delhi. However, there are those that have to point the finger outward, all the while knowing the truth stands firm in opposition to anything they can loosely compile against it. I’ve never known him to falsely inform anyone about anything. I’ve never seen him purposefully hurt anyone. Even while trying to defend the truth, his intensions are not to cause harm, but to let people have their rights and at the very least let them have pertinent and truthful information so they can form their own opinion. This should not be disallowed, but rather encouraged.
It’s my hope that people will understand the commitment and loyalty my Dad has shown to them. And realize that he is one of the few that are willing to literally go to bat for them.
I feel for my mom and dad right now. They’ve taken on so much more than their share. They’ve poured their heart out in helping the Lake Delhi situation. They want the lake back just as bad as everyone else. But I commend them for not standing behind dishonest people, who clearly cannot answer the questions of those supporting them.
Life is about more than just a Lake. Life is about standing behind what you are doing. Life is more than merely spending a summer boating. Life is about being able to sign your name at the end of the day…knowing your actions are who you want to be. Life is about people. Loving them. Supporting them. Encouraging them. Life is not about deception and secrets. Life is only for a moment, we have eternity with God. Therefore, I choose to stand behind what is right on this earth, and know that God will bless us in eternity for it.
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." -Martin Luther King, Jr.
"Mom, did you give me the right stuff?"
"Let's have a taste..."
"Yep...I think I'll kick back and enjoy!"
Many of you know that I am from a little town in Eastern Iowa called Delhi and grew up on Lake Delhi. Some of you might know the catastrophe that happened there last summer...the dam breach. Some of you may not know, that my Dad, Jim Willey, was the president of the Lake Delhi Recreation Association, which owns the dam. I say was, because as of this morning, he has resigned.
Such a sad day for Lake Delhi. Also, sad the circumstances which caused his resignation.
I know few people that work as hard as my Dad. I am constantly telling my Dad to slow down, get some rest, and take some time for himself. Taking care of Lake Delhi was no different. He has worked endlessly to restore the lake for so many people. Some that appreciate his efforts, others that have no idea what type of on-taking such a role requires. Either way, today it is done and it is someone else's turn to step forward.
My reason for this post?
Simply to say that I'm proud of my Dad. He is intelligent, strong and wise. I have watched him persevere with grace and honor. Few people could have helped Lake Delhi the way my Dad did and he will be greatly missed in leading the mission to restore the lake. Even fewer people are willing to take the scrutiny of such a public position. Thankfully, my Dad stands by his beliefs and is willing to step aside when the things that are happening are questionable. For his example, I am grateful.
My Dad's resignation letter reads...
Friends of Lake Delhi –
For those who were not at the LDRA meeting tonight, or at what followed the meeting in February, this may be difficult to understand, but it has become painfully aware to me that those who are intent on taking control of Lake Delhi will not rest until their ambition is realized. For that reason I am submitting my resignation, effective immediately, as President of the Lake Delhi Recreation Association and resigning from the Board of Directors, not as a concession to those who seek control, but because it is my opinion that given the restrictions imposed by the LDRA Board of Directors at the meeting earlier this evening, I cannot function effectively as President, and I will not pretend to agree with the intentions and tactics of those seeking power. This evening Larry Burger and a majority of the LDRA Board going along with him succeeded in doing what the LDWC had attempted to do in February, imposing restrictions which I not only take as a personal insult, but more importantly indicate a lack of support from those who had elected me to a leadership role. When you are no longer allowed to lead, you are just the one out in front.
For some time, certain individuals have criticized my communications and asserted that I share too much information, and that they do not want me to send messages as LDRA President because my messages make them look bad. At the LDRA meeting this evening, Pat Dede was put in charge of all communication for the LDRA. Further, I was restricted by the LDRA Board to not put any messages out from the LDRA. If you would like to be put on Pat Dede’s email list, please send her an email to be added to her list. For those who would like to occasionally receive a personal email from me, when I have something to share, I will keep you on my personal email list unless you contact me to let me know that you would like to be removed from my list.
Having said all of this, none of this is actually about me. My participation on the LDRA and the time I have invested in the Board and as LDRA president has always been for the betterment of Lake Delhi. What I have done in the past, and what I do going forward, is what I believe is in the best interests of Lake Delhi.
I leave the LDRA Board with no regrets. I did the best I could with the circumstances we encountered. I will take these last lines to thank Bob Galiher, who only stayed on the LDRA Board for one last term as a personal favor to me, who always has the best of intentions for Lake Delhi, and who will always look for the best solution and see only the good in those he deals with. Likewise I appreciate the minority on the board who supported me tonight. For those who conspired against me for this meeting and at the previous meeting, you now have what you wanted. You will have God and Lake Delhi to answer to for your actions. Good Luck with that. Mostly I would like to thank Dave Fink, who more than any other person has made sacrifices for Lake Delhi. No one knows more about the Lake Delhi dam, has donated any where near as much time and effort, or is more deserving of your continued support than Dave. If you truly want Lake Delhi back, do not let anyone undermine or alienate Dave, or the future of Lake Delhi is truly in question.
As we all know, the fight to restore Lake Delhi is not over. My commitment to the people of Lake Delhi to work with you in every way that we possibly can to restore our Lake and community is not diminished, but I will have to continue my efforts, like you, as an individual working to restore what is so important to us all. I will continue to do what I think is in the best interest of Lake Delhi whenever and wherever possible.
One of the comments from my detractors has been that I am long-winded, so I will end this here. The sun will come up tomorrow, and with Dave Fink’s continued efforts, and in spite of some other’s agendas, Lake Delhi will be back –
I would like to thank the many people who have supported Becky and me with their kind words and prayers as we have gone through this difficult time together.
Lake Delhi will be back.
See you on the Lake –
Godspeed and God Bless
Jim Willey
Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it is about learning to dance in the rain
