“QUOTE OF THE QUARTER”

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including YOU.” Anne Lamott

How is your mental, emotional, and spiritual health? Are you taking time on a daily/weekly/monthly basis to recharge your system and replenish your tank? Our resources can become depleted each time we encounter another human whose view or energy is contrary to ours. If you are in law enforcement, having your resources depleted is a daily occurrence. 

Here is a short list of activities to help replenish your system:

1. Breathe – intentionally pausing to take in a few slow, deep breaths (4 seconds in, hold 4 seconds, 4 seconds out) can help not only re-oxygenate your blood, but it can also be the pause you need to reset your thinking. 

2.  Be thankful – briefly taking inventory of 5 blessings in your life will help re-focus your mind onto your most valuable treasures.  

3. Pause for prayer – contemplating our dependence on our Creator for all things can recalibrate and remind us to lean on Him for wisdom.  

4. Reflect on your relationships – taking a quick review of the people closest to you will reveal where you get a large majority of your influence and strength. Choose your friends wisely, your resilience and fortitude counts on it.

LE Annual Memorial Service SD

Each year at the San Diego County Law Enforcement Memorial wall there is a service remembering those from our county who have died in the line of duty. I was able to attend this year with a few hundred peace officers and family members of the fallen officers. There are similar events that are held in our state capital in Sacramento and in Washington DC during police week yearly.

Pictured here is my friend and chaplain Chuck Price saluting the commemoration of the officers.

½ Marathon Sponsorship and Code 7 exposure

Code 7 was invited to host a hydration station at the San Diego Beach & Bay Half Marathon. It was our first venture into serving cups of cool water to runners along the race course. We had a dozen Code 7 volunteers who were able to provide water and generate funds for our nonprofit. Here are a couple of my favorite volunteers!

Grief is Messy!

Part of Code 7’s overall vision and a passion of mine is to help hurting people going through the dramatic stresses of life and grief. Death of a loved one, the break-up a relationship, traumatic incident, and even perceived losses can be life distressing issues. I have experienced my own handful of challenges, and they were, at times, debilitating.

I snickered when I saw this graphic and thought I would share it with you. Reminder – there is hope along your journey, and people who care about you will help you along the way. Keep walking, keep your eyes open, keep pressing forward. You are worth it.

Challenges of LE

I was out on a ride along with a couple of officers a few weeks ago and observed these two officers going the extra mile – doing something that is certainly not in the recruitment brochure. Putting on full body X-ray blocking gown, they helped a marginally compliant suspect stand in the correct position so an x-ray could be taken and his status evaluated.Also, here is a display how our cops can adapt in the field and work on the reports while guarding their (now sleeping) in custody assignment. Thanks, guys, for not complaining and just getting the job done.

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California Chaplain Corps

I was called upon unexpectedly to serve with the California Chaplain Corps and went into the Donovan Correctional Facility to serve as a chaplain. My role was to support the prison guards in the aftermath of one of their co-worker’s suicide. The California Chaplain Corps is new for the State of California, and a business colleague of mine is running it out of Sacramento. A few local chaplains are being utilized to serve the law enforcement inside our state detention facilities behind the fences and razor wire.

My first full day of service there reminded me that whether inside or outside the prison walls, everyone takes the loss of a loved one in similar fashion. Some were shocked, some in disbelief, and some of the prisoners rudely suggested other guards copy the behavior.

San Diego County Women Leaders of Law Enforcement

I had the opportunity to join my friend David as he spoke to the San Diego County Women Leaders of Law Enforcement.  He retold the details of the dramatic and tragic experience of nearly two years ago when he was attacked by a suspect with a knife. Listening to him share the experience, and being invited to add my perspective, continually reminds me of the value of life, friendship, and camaraderie we share. It’s an honor to serve these brave individuals. I can’t say enough about them. Much honor and respect is due for every person wearing the badge.

RUN, WES, RUN!

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I did run. I ran a 5.3 mile leg of the Annual Law Enforcement / Special Olympics Torch Run through our city with a good posse of folks.  Many law enforcement agencies from around the county participated in this unified event. I love that our community supports the Special Olympics.

Only 5.3….?

Continuing my fun running –  on a personal note, I ran with my daughter and a friend through the streets of San Diego and completed the Rock’ n Roll half-marathon -13.1 miles.  It was a bucket list item for my daughter and an extreme adventure. We, of course, had to pause at mile marker 7 for a photo in commemoration of Code 7.  Fun times always with this girl!

In Conclusion:

Serving our police officers and their families as they trek through this life is an honor to me. Knowing they are comfortable talking to me and being able to be an influence is honestly a privilege.  Thank you for encouraging them and me through Code 7.

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valleyI will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23 1-4

Blessings,

Wes

Quote of the quarter:

“So, what the hell is a chaplain anyway?” – well… let me explain…

I get this question from unknowing people regularly. To have pictures capturing the expressions I receive when explaining would be the best photo gallery ever!

 

When it rains, it pours Niagara style

As many of you know, a key daily connection Code 7 makes with the police departments we serve is the bottled water we supply for the cops.

I met a pastor the other day that recently relocated to our area and wanted to know about what we do for our police. During our conversation I mentioned some of the support services we provide for our local law enforcement. I mentioned I solicit cash donations for water, power bars, and other items I regularly supply. He said he would see how he could help.

About a week later he contacted me saying he had some supplies coming our way. He mentioned a truck would be arriving in a few days with some water and power bars. I thought it was a terrific gesture, but maybe he didn’t hear me when I mentioned I fill my truck with a load of water every 5 days.

I have come to recognize my conservatism keeps my heart from rollercoaster rides when people make offers to help. When he invited me to see what the truck delivered, I nearly drowned in gratitude.

As you can see, the Lord provided in a great way. I received the largest water donation – EVER – an incredible flood of 17 pallets of water to be exact. That equates to nearly 3 months of hydration for the police department.

In addition to the water, he said they delivered some power bars too. The pastor took me to a single-car garage and opened the door. Inside were “some” eight pallets of power bars! Creativity and sharing is the overwhelming theme, as I set out on a quest to adequately share this unexplainable and protein-rich random donation with others.

LODD Training

I attended two days of training last week I hope I never need to use. It was line-of-duty death instruction from pre-planning to follow-up and everything in-between. The training and trainer were stellar. The best take-aways are the terrific new family additions to an expanded network of police, fire, chaplains, and mental health providers. I’m very blessed to partner up with these comrades and very encouraged to be journeying with them in support of others.

If a picture is worth 1000 words – how’s this?

Here are a few photos as reminders of God’s articulate imagination gloriously showcased in nature. He has blessed us with unique flowers reminding me of how, as originals ourselves, we are perfectly created by Him. May these pictures cause you to pause and breathe in the love of God through His creation. May you be inspired to look humans in the eyes with the same awe of the beauty He created.

Sweet Unusual Blessing

 

I received the message from a police officer asking if I would like some candy. My response to nearly every donation I’m offered is an immediate YES! I figure the details can work themselves out later. In this particular case, or should I say cases… I was given a pallet of 50, 31-pound cases of individually wrapped candies. I know, you’re thinking – what in the world did he do with all those… well, lemme splain.

I connected up with six local churches, and four nonprofits who were overjoyed to receive such a sweet blessing the week before most of them had Halloween parties planned around the end of October. A whopping 150,000 candies were never on my requested donation list but certainly put a lot of smiles on a lot of kids’ and adults’ faces as they received the bounty of sweetness from Code 7.

 

CAST calls

I once again had the honor of connecting with individuals and families through life’s worst occasions. I had multiple CAST callouts by the police department, where I provided care on the scene of a death. I helped by being present for the loved ones and also helped facilitate and lead multiple funerals this quarter.

Make sure you take an opportunity today to thank God for your loved ones, and remind them how valuable they are to you. Death has no do overs.

CNT – Roll Player

 

I was asked to play a role during the Crisis Negotiation Team training this week. The training Sergeant asked if I would be the religious fanatic. Not my most amazing quality, but I gave it a go. In the scenario I had to be argumentative, angry, hostile, threatening, and irrational. The role-play was quite outside of my comfort zone and actually stressful. My personality and style as a person and a chaplain are much more neutral, calming, relational, and helpful.

When creating the narrative I would use, I couldn’t help but think of the mixed messages I would be sending my friends on the negotiation team. They said I did “crazy” real well. I’m not sure if that compliment is a good thing or not. Fun times were had by all – I think.

Hopefully everyone forgives me for my foolishness and the stress and anxiety I brought to everyone attempting to reason with me. It was good training in the art of verbal Judo and the refinement of negotiation skills.

Donny’s Café and Code 7

I found out Code 7 is the honored cause or the annual giving-back fundraiser Donny’s Café does each year. They are selling t-shirts, and our name is on the sleeve. Proceeds go to us as we support our law enforcement. THANKS, DONNY!  If you have never been to Donny’s, in Bonita, my only question is – why not?

In Conclusion

Tomorrow, December 15, is the anniversary of Code 7!  Six years ago we launched out with 7 Objectives:

1. CODE 7promotes the physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional health of the law enforcement personnel.
2. CODE 7cares for and encourages law enforcement personnel as they fulfill the duties of their vocation.
3. CODE 7 engages in prayer regularly for the law enforcement personnel and believes prayer is a vital source of strength.
4. CODE 7provides chaplains for support and a spiritual presence within the law enforcement community. 
5. CODE 7 offers education and referrals to assist in developing healthy families and relationships within the law enforcement community.
6. CODE 7recommends law enforcement take CODE 7 breaks for rest, reflection, and renewal.
7. CODE 7develops partnerships with pro-law enforcement sponsors to support those who protect us.

Thank you for your interest, partnership and support. Together we ARE helping create an environment where our police know their community supports them and values their service.

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 1John 4:9

Blessings,

Wes Anderson
Founder/Chaplain Code 7

“You are not here to save the world, but you are here to touch the hands that are within your reach”~ Kathleen Price