Sue
Sue was living in Michigan, working at Michigan State University, but had one foot in Texas for many years, while her husband was President of UTA. When in Arlington, Sue and her husband would often stop by to visit and pray with Tillie. When in Michigan, Tillie would occasionally write her a note saying how she was praying for Sue and praying for her permanent move to Texas – before Sue had any intention of moving south.
But move south she did. Now Sue and her husband are in Texas together. It made sense in her retirement to spend time volunteering at Mission Arlington® so she came to see how she could help. She found more than just a volunteer opportunity.
Sue says, “I found a connection here at Mission Arlington®, at my church, and to people in my community.” She is here at the office every afternoon loading the food pantry with food, keeping it stocked with a good selection, and helping organize donations as they come in. Although, while she’s working with food, she’s really working with people – recruiting her neighbors to volunteer, finding the passions of people who are volunteering, and encouraging them to come back.
Sue’s occupation in Michigan was an important one, with much responsibility and directing. It was rewarding and kept her quite busy. Now she says she can focus her energies on getting closer to God, being quiet and still, and learning what he has in store for her. Sue says, “This is the first time in my life that I have been still and quiet enough to listen.”
Sue feels like she’s in a quiet place in her life, but she never sits still at the Mission office. She’s literally always walking a cart of food from one building to the next, while chatting with a volunteer, while double-checking on the pantry, all with a huge smile on her face. Her rest is not in “sitting still.” Her rest is in doing God’s work.
Her smile grows as she says, “This has been a rewarding second career.”
