Greetings

Hello, friends. I have wanted to write a newsletter for several years now but have never taken the time to get it done. Perhaps this will become an annual tradition. This letter is written for a broad spectrum of friends, so please understand if some of the information doesn’t seem like news to you.

This has been quite a growing year for me in all directions. For those of you that don’t know, I run a small business called Vertex Electric, Inc.. I am a one-man-band and work mainly as a residential and commercial service electrician. Recently, my niche has been more specifically focused towards troubleshooting. I hope to someday do only troubleshooting, as I am always game for a good challenge.

Early this year, I attended the first level of classes from an organization called VCL (Victorious Christian Living). The course teaches how to live a Christ-centered life. I have benefited immensely from the training, and am currently going through the second level, which offers training for ministering to others, using the VCL principals. I am thankful for this opportunity that has been made available to me.

In March, I enjoyed a fun filled event called a road rally. The object was to follow specific driving instructions and solve problems along the way with the people in the vehicle. It was such a blast, and I look forward to the next one.

Easter weekend found me visiting my two sisters in southern California. I also had the good fortune to visit other friends in the area, while there.

In June, I attended a men’s retreat with members of VCL. It was so restful to camp out for a few days and enjoy nature with friends.

In July, I spent a weekend with a friend living near Sacramento and had a great time visiting and touring the University of Davis. A short jaunt to Bodega Bay was especially memorable.

In August, I took a weekend vacation to the southern California beach town, San Clemente. Accompanied by my younger sister and brother-in-law, we stayed at a youth hostel. The beach is within easy walking distance of the hostel. Every year this town holds a street festival with many fares to enjoy. This has become an annual tradition, and next August will not come any too soon.

In September, a second trip was made to the Sacramento area. A day was spent in San Francisco and the outlying regions. Downtown was a bit frustrating to navigate, but the other areas were nice to see. The beach at Marin Headlands was especially enjoyable.

Coming this December, I look forward to going to Empalme, Mexico with fellow church members. We are working with an organization, called Maranatha, to construct a church building. We plan to leave before Christmas and return after New Years. I have never traveled so much, in one year, as this. This could be addictive.

I regularly enjoy playing chess via the Internet, and have met many wonderful people from all over the world.

Most every Sunday evening finds me playing basketball with men from my church. It has made for good exercise and an opportunity to make new friends.

One of my favorite pass times is going to breakfast, lunch, or dinner with friends. I do this quite regularly and always enjoy the time spent.

At the cooler times of the year, I enjoy going to the desert at night and hiking, star gazing, having a barbecue, etc. If only it was cool all year round…

I especially enjoy reading material that is spiritual or psychological in nature. I am currently reading a book called The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen Covey. I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking personal growth.

I also enjoy listening to music every chance I get. This year, Petra has been the group that has really grabbed my attention. If you like a little rock with your roll, you may want to check them out.

All throughout the year, I look for things to be thankful for. With Thanksgiving close at hand, it seems an especially good time to reflect on those for whom I am thankful. Here are just a few of them.

Bob Conti- Thank you for being a sounding board to me so often and for all the night hikes together.

Chris Cox- Thank you for being there to listen to all my ups and downs. You have been a big brother to me.

Stephen Deubel- Thank you for all the leads. It has been such a pleasure working with you.

Len Ehrfurth- Thank you for all the wisdom that you have so unselfishly imparted to me.

Carol Finlaw- Thank you for being Esther’s hands.

Esther Finlaw- Thank you for the inspiration you bring me by remaining cheerful in all things.

Maya Golding-Laughery- Thank you for being so much fun to chat with and for all your encouragement.

Coleen Hager- Thank you for your unparalleled service and professionalism. You have gone beyond the call of duty. I can’t wait until next February.

Brett Johnson- Thank you for your guidance and caring. I am certain the Spirit worked through you to nudge me in the right direction.

Kathie Lange- Thank you for your friendship and for your lovely poem.

Nathan MacPherson- Thank you for keeping me straight and for giving me hope for your generation.

Bob McGhee- Thank you for all the thankless things you do. Your love for humanity is obvious to see by all.

Brian Panuska- Thank you for timed shared at the dinner table and for all the technical information you have shared with me.

Laurie Rothe- Thank you for doing such a good job cutting my hair and for good conversation and picture sharing.

Letha Sanders- Thank you for doing such a good job with the books and for all the other extras. Oh yeah, thanks, too, for being such a great mom!

Jack Tesch- Thank you for providing such a good demonstration of selfless love. I continue to look up to you, and look forward to knowing you better in the future.

Tobia Vaughters- Thank you for having the kind of openness that I have so long sought for. You have brought me so much joy.

God- Last, yet first, thank you for loving us before we were even created and for making possible everything that is.

There is a great lesson I have been learning this year, and I would like to pass it along to you. It is hopeless to be concerned about that which you cannot change. I will share a couple quotes to you from The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.

"Our behavior is a function of our decisions, not our conditions…. …Look at the weaknesses of others with compassion, not accusation. It’s not what they’re not doing or should be doing that’s the issue. The issue is your own chosen response to the situation and what you should be doing. If you start to think the problem is ‘out there,’ stop yourself. That is the problem."

In closing, I challenge you to concentrate your efforts where you can actually exert your influence to the better.

Sincerely,

R. Paul Sanders

For anyone wishing to contact me, I may be reached as follows:

Home phone: (602) 788-6313

Work Phone: (602) 788-3325

FAX: (602) 788-7217

Email: vertex@phnx.uswest.net