I heard on the radio this morning about pastor appreciation, but am not sure where I go to "bless my pastor" So I'll just write it here. My pastor is amazing!! I was raised by a non-practicing Catholic Mom, and an Atheist Dad. My siblings and I were basically forced to go to CCD classes and make our communion and confirmation, but none of us ever liked doing it. I watched my younger brothers cry about going too! Once we all made our confirmation, we were all more thankful about being DONE than understanding what confirmation and Christ was all about. We were CEO's after then. (Christmas and Easter Only) And my Dad would chomp on his gum and has his arms crossed the entire time. Finally about 3 years ago my older sister invited me to Community Christian Church in Shorewood,IL. I was shocked! The whole set up was soo different. A stage with a band, a projector screen with the lyrics, no alter or robes. Just soo different. But I continued to go and now I absolutely love it! I was singing in the ensemble there, and am going to audition next week to lead worship sing! But let me get back to my pastor. He is the most warm, welcoming, and helpful person I have ever met. His name is John Ciesiewski and I am soo envious of the great husband, father, friend, and pastor that he is. He welcomes everybody with open arms, and his message just hits home ever week. I feel like a family here, which is something I have never felt before. He stood up there one day and said "If somebody came to me in need, and I wasn't willing to find some sort of way to help them. Then I wouldn't be doing my job very well." And I am living proof of that very quote. I am a single Mom of two boys (5 and 2 1/2) and I have been living on Section 8 and food stamps for quite some time now. At one point I didn't even have a car! But I told John my struggles and he helped me get on a waiting list for a donated car(who almost gave me a car, but my Gramdpa beat them to it! God bless him!) and also gave me a speedy gift card with $250 on it! Now that I have a car I am back to work at MaidPro, cleaning residential homes, and this is the best part!! John has been paying he $447/week tuition for my boys' Daycare! It all will be reimbursed once the paperwork for the state aid goes through, but God has truly blessed his heart to be willing to help me and my family out! This is really having an impact in soo many good ways for us, and I am so happy to be able to see him every Sunday and share our memories with him. He is a wonderful person to know. And I would definitely recommend coming to one of our services! P.s. I love your station. If ever I'm feeling down, or lost, I turn on your station and it lifts me up right away, and I'm again reminded of what God wants of me. I love the stories I hear, they really touch my heart, and maybe mine will touch somebody else's heart. I truly believe in your stations idea of being "stronger together". You give all of your listeners strength just by listening! That's pretty impressive! So thank you for always being there.