Gibbon is answering the call

Gibbon is answering the call

This year I joined a Christian Art Group and the leader once said “Faith isn’t praying and trusting God to hear your prayers and solve your problems. Instead Faith is feeling the call and moving forward not knowing where it will lead, but that all will be provided as needed if you follow.” There is nowhere that this is truer, than in Gibbon.

When I came here nearly four years ago, I had no idea how I would find my place in a tight knit community that considers you “new” even after 15 years. How would I find my purpose, as decided by God. Never the less I waited and listened. Sure enough the call came.

By now everyone knows that Greg and I are the SVPs of the Energizer Bunny’s Fan Club. We most often can be seen doing three things at once, while planning for another two. Although it has been proven that we are not morning people, it is also true you can see the house light burning at 1:00 a.m. and small explosions happening at all hours of the day when our next hair brained scheme comes into focus.

What you might not know is what a fantastic role God has played through so many of our neighbors and community members. I THINK IT IS TIME YOU KNOW.

God Called: Find a way to give back to the community, where families come together and people can congregate.

We answered: Greg bought the bowling alley and started formatting a plan to bring it back to its youth. BUT DID YOU KNOW THAT Tom Lindmeyer not only sold it to Greg at a price which you could only says “was a gift” but that he has mentored Greg on the trials and tribulations of the machines for over five years and has never once given him a bill. If that wasn’t enough, he also shows up at Kid’s Kamp and Afterschool Programs sharing his laughter and joy with the entire bunch. GOD CALLED AND TOM ANSWERED.

God Called: It’s time to stir things up, do something with the City Hall Building.

We answered: I applied for a grant and was awarded funds that paid for all of the paint needed to create the window panels. BUT DID YOU KNOW that our Gibbon EDA paid for all other expenses to improve and protect our historic building? I quickly drew the panel and prepared to work, BUT DID YOU KNOW that Diane Isakson, Cheryl Dingels, Jim and Karen Schroeder, Megan and McCord Johnson, Terri Alhstrand, Dan Buetner, Joey Kent, Terri Bruns, Tom Schaffer, Bruce Black and I’m sure others I am forgetting to mention, donated time, money and sweat equity during this three month project? GOD CALLED AND THEY ALL ANSWERED.

God Called: Take your love of art and share it.

We answered: We opened the Homeplace. We offered artists a place to share their joy of creation and shoppers a place to find those special one of a kind gifts. Artists are now significantly helping their families with extra income and folks outside of the community are finding their way to Gibbon. BUT DID YOU KNOW THAT Loren Ludwig allowed us to use the building for one year without charging any rent? And when it was proven that the store was working, he sold us the building, like Tom, at a price which once again “a gift”. GOD CALLED AND LOREN ANSWERED. AND DID YOU KNOW THAT Tom Schaffer, Pat Reinhart and Dave Black donated almost all of the shelves, cabinets, hooks and knobs needed to build out the store? GOD CALLED AND THESE LOCAL BUSINESSMEN ANSWERED.

God Called: Keep reaching out to the community – keep drawing them together

We Answered: We opened Mary Jane’s. Now we have art classes, exercise, private parties, community events and more taking place in Mary Jane’s each month and it continues to grow.  BUT DID YOU KNOW THAT Manny Munoz donated the building to us? Just $1 and the deed was ours. He commented that it was once given to him to help the town and he felt good passing it on and hoping for the same. No doubt about it……… GOD CALLED AND MANNY ANSWERED.

God Called: Support the businesses. Appreciate the Business Owners. Help them Flourish

We Answered: We joined forces with the Summerfest Committee and brought the “Minion Reasons to Love Gibbon” campaign to downtown Gibbon. It was a success with lots of out of town visitors and a lot of eyes on our businesses. BUT DID YOU KNOW THAT two days before the event we lost the building downtown for the vendor show and Nate Lauwagie and John at Gag’s, opened up the building across the street – NO CHARGE. With the agreement and teamwork of these two men, we were able to move forward, the vendors had a great event and we were able to donate all proceeds to Alzheimer’s and The Summerfest Committee. GOD CALLED AND NATE and JOHN ANSWERED.

Now you’d think our work was done. That we could sit back and just ride the wave, take a break, maybe retire. But nope, everything is busy, all of the businesses are flourishing and we’re looking to God asking why at our age are we made so busy, but he’s not done with any of us yet.

God Called: Continue to support the community thru the school

We Answered: We volunteered at the school, teaching art classes, working in the lunchroom, sponsoring the bowling team but it wasn’t enough. There was still a need to purchase new jersey’s for the GFW bowling team. Having been affected by Covid like everyone else, we prayed about how we could make this happen. BUT DID YOU KNOW THAT without asking an anonymous donor came forward providing all of the funds needed to purchase new jerseys in 2022. GOD CALLED AND THIS ANOMYOUS DONOR ANSWERED.

Although the callings are never ending, sometimes they aren’t even ours. This month Sara and Dave Dalgleish came to the bowling alley. With great humility they brought a check with them which will allow us to install overhead monitors in the bowling alley in the spring of 2022. These overhead monitors will make our competitions easier, league more fun and add a whole new perspective to the lanes. There are no words of thanks that could be enough, but they don’t want them. They love this community too and they are doing it for everyone in Gibbon!  SARA and DAVE GOT THE CALL AND THEY ANSWERED.

So here is my challenge to you. ANSWER THE CALL

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