“QUOTE OF THE QUARTER”
“Well, good morning chief, nice to see you here.” – an enthusiastic and enamored conference attendee greets me as I stand in full uniform preparing my final thoughts for a public invocation.
Apparently, the shape and position of the gold cross on my lapels are analogous to the stars of a Chief. I had to conceal my chuckles as I initiated the prayer.
December 15, 2019
I was lying in bed awake in the early morning hours as I have many other days. At this point it feels natural – it’s something I’ve grown accustomed to. Awoken with faces and situations circulating through my mind. I blanketed each image with prayer.
I made a note of the date today, because seven years ago today, I sent out an email to my family and friends informing them of what I believed my next step in life was – Code 7. It was my opportunity to initiate a support system allowing me to stand in the gap for those experiencing crisis and trauma as well as consistently serve our law enforcement.
Is it me or has the past seven years really gone by fast?
A SPECIAL NOTE:
To the handful of you who captured the vision and helped jumpstart Code 7 on December 15, 2012 – THANK YOU! For all who began supporting and never stopped – THANK YOU! For those who heard about us along the journey and joined for a season and those who share when you are able THANK YOU! For everyone across the board who pray for this ministry and for our law enforcement across the nation – THANK YOU! I am inspired to continue by your faithfulness – THANK YOU!
899,360 Bottles of Water
I lost count of the exact number of water bottles we have provided to the police departments after the second year, but averaging the weekly consumption rate and utilizing some simple math, I came up with a fairly accurate estimate of bottles we, together, have provided for our cops since inception. (40x44x73x7) = 899,360
THE WHY?
Why do we provide water for the police officers anyway? Well, studies reveal there are a couple ways to process the storm of stress hormones and neuro-chemicals activated by the occupation-specific traumatic-stress exposure cops endure. The two main remedies are 40 minutes of cardio exercise (which I can’t really influence), and flushing the chemicals through constant hydration. It’s a bit more complex than that, but I realized, water I can do – So I did. We do.
Tis the Season:
If you work as a cop, this is the time of year for extra sacrifice. Tis the season to miss Thanksgiving, Christmas morning, and the New Year’s Eve get-together. These are the months when you will probably miss the family gatherings, celebrations and, well, the in-laws because of your work schedule. While our families are roasting chestnuts on an open fire, our public servants are festively arresting shoplifters and ushering urine stenched Santa capped panhandlers out of the roadway so they don’t get smoked by a last minute Christmas shopper. It’s all just part of their sacrifice.
REST | REFLECT | RENEW
Sometimes we all need a minute to rest, reflect on the great things around us and focus on renewal. I took time the other day to get to the beach and accidentally came landed on this terrific sunset in Imperial Beach. Enjoy!
K-9 GRILL
Last week I noticed a nice homegrown addition to the grill of the CVPD K-9 vehicles.
Formula C10H15N
It’s not a lump of coal and it’s not a lump of sugar called rock candy. C10H15N is today’s 15 letter spelling word – Methamphetamine. Here is a chunk of ice I saw the other day that will landed its possessor in a heap of trouble. There is so much meth on the streets nowadays, it’s easy to understand how easily people get trapped in the circle of drugs. I pray at calls like this for deliverance from the grip of the enemy and his schemes.
In Conclusion
Code 7 plans to continue promoting the physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional health of law enforcement personnel. It’s what we were formed to do. We are able to do this because citizens, businesses and churches participate in financially supporting our cause.
The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. (NLT) Proverbs 11:25
Blessings,
Wes Anderson
Executive Director Code 7