Quote of the Quarter

“I might get in trouble after the COVID passes. I think I may tackle-hug a lot of people. I have catching up to do.”  Wes Anderson

If you are a hugger or person who craves touch, you might be in trouble, too.

NEVER BEFORE – NEVER AGAIN

This is a once-in-a-lifetime event – this COVID 19 stuff. The wearing of masks, keeping distance and staying away from social gatherings has created a difficult year for everyone.The Covid virus has put enormous strain on personal and business finances and relationships. Never have we seen this before, and I never want to experience it again.  

HOPE

As we close the year 2020 in a few days, I send out this note of Hope we have for the future. It’s the message of Christmas. God’s love was demonstrated to us in that while we were still sinners, He sent Jesus. Jesus was born, lived, and died to bring us forgiveness and the promise of life forever with Him in heaven. 

There are many names and titles ascribed to Jesus throughout the scriptures, each one unique and revealing a facet of His character. One of my favorites is friend of sinners. The fact that Jesus is a friend of sinners means that He is my friend – our friend. Despite our sinful condition, Jesus desires a relationship with us and is waiting for us to acknowledge His presence and availability as a friend.

God’s love for us is almost beyond imagining. When we consider Jesus’ incarnation – His leaving heaven to be born as a helpless human infant in order to grow and experience life among us, we begin to get a glimmer of the depth of that love. When we add to that His sacrificial death on the cross, it is staggering and shouts of our hope.

Here are more titles and references worth investigation:

In Conclusion

Let’s pray for those suffering daily.  Let’s do something for those in survival mode and on the edge. For some it will take funds. For others a personal visit. For others an encouraging note, text or call. 

Thank you for your prayers and support of Code 7. Together, we are blessing the lives of our law enforcement and their families.

Quote of the Quarter:

“Food is a door opener. Get food, give food. It turns into a conversation.” Nancy Bohl-Penron PhD

Food – a pillar of Code 7 (meal break) – Supporting our cops through encouragement, one meal and one conversation at a time. Thank you for being a part of our support system for our local law enforcement. Your prayerful and financial backing is paramount to our sustained performance. 

WORLD OF WORDS

There are so many words floating, fluttering, hovering over our heads. With COVID 19, the nearing election, and soaring intensity of social and human rights issues, we all need to take breaks from the continual avalanche of rhetoric – we’ve got to be nearing the saturation point of people’s opinions. 

My encouragement is to speak life-giving words, be inspiring, and share unifying messages so you are part of the healing balm many people desperately needed. May we have the grace to see beyond our differences (be they ethnic, gender, political, social, cultural) and see one another as made in the image of God. May we put away anger and malice and instead advance in our love for one another. 

TAKE A BREAK

I have people constantly telling me they have temporarily cut off social media and breaking news interrupters on their phones so they can let their mind rest. I, too, have felt the strain. Since mental health is such a crucial component to our overall wellness, I am investing in mine. Here is one of the places I find solitude – Tiki Hut near Sweetwater Reservoir (at sunset is the BEST). 

Here is proof of my mental and physical investment – my temporary dust tan and a bushwhack but completely worth it.

PINK FOR OCTOBER

October 2020 is closing out today. This month Code 7 has helped highlight the color pink by providing pink patches to Chula Vista Police Department. We are helping bring attention to the fight against breast cancer and raising support for Loving You Through It, our local partner serving those in the battle. 

920A – Jasen Cunningham EOW

It was my honor to lead the beautiful and memorable Celebration of Life Service for CVPD Agent Cunningham. I’m humbled to have been a part of his final weeks here on earth and spend time at his bestie with his closet friends and family. He served through his service in the Marines and law enforcement. Jasen succumbed to cancer at 47 years old. He was known for his can-do attitude. His disposition about his cancer was “we didn’t lose the battle; we just ran out of time.” Jasen was honored and given the send-off he wanted by his wife and close friends who never left his side. They escorted him from his house to the mortuary, and to all the services. Well done, Jasen! Jesus is enjoying your company.

STRESS

Police stress and constant hyper-vigilance while on duty doesn’t quarantine itself to the work hours. It can also infect and disease normal, healthy, and otherwise reasonable relationships. Please pray for the members of law enforcement you know or encounter. Their exposure to the stresses of these unpredicted times needs care and support.

In Conclusion

Thank you for your kind words and generous support of Code 7 and the work we do for our law enforcement and their families. You help feed, encourage, and downright bless the people who are watching out for your safety.

The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 

“QUOTE OF THE QUARTER”

“Nobody hates a bad cop more than a good cop.” ~ A sentiment shared by many in law enforcement.

Hello Code 7 friends and family, I don’t even really know where to start this newsletter other than to say we live in a whole new world since the last Code 7 update. The focus three months ago was on this sickness that had taken over the world called COVID-19.

COVID-19 Cookies Anyone?

The pandemic has become, in many ways, overshadowed by hatred toward cops, chaos, civil unrest, racial tension, death, and destruction all around. In the midst of all the turmoil, the overwhelming majority of our police continue serving, protecting and respecting the citizens of our communities. Code 7 continues to stand and support the men and women of law enforcement – encouraging them, feeding them, and reminding them that the majority of the citizens appreciate their service.

The Eleven Hundred

An estimated 1,100 people gathered at Chula Vista Police Department last Saturday morning. They gathered on the steps, sidewalk, park and streets, surrounding the building to sing, pray for the officers, and show support. It was an amazing gesture of support from the community. The greatest part was that the police were not informed of the gathering until it was happening.

Rivers of Living Water

Code 7, along with a donation from EastLake Church, purchased a drinking fountain and water filtration system for the police department in Chula Vista. Sustaining the increasing volume of water supply we provide for the officers on duty just became more manageable. With the water system, our environmental impact was reduced dramatically, too. As a way to bless the officers, Code 7 provided new thermos mugs to transport the water for the cops, too.

Thank you for every positive and affirming comment you have daringly made public on social media about our police. Your voice counteracts the screaming rhetoric of those who have stereotyped all law enforcement as being hateful and evil people.  

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. Romans 13:1