Kudos, Credits & Confessions
Even though there is only one of me that actually builds and maintains this website, there is plenty of other credit to be shared. It would not be near the site it is without help.
Obviously, not being a website building engineer, I could not do this without praying my way through. At my age, new things don't come as easily as they used to. I could tell you some stories. Anyhow, thank you, Jesus.
Then there are the countless nameless, faceless, gracious folks out there around the world who, without expectation of compensation or recognition, just enjoy sharing what they know. I've read the Dreamweaver help files, read pretty much the whole third party manual (about a thousand pages) but still find myself resorting to Google a lot. And almost always, I find an answer to my questions. So, thank you, all you generous people whom I will never meet.
And programmers!
I get so proud of myself sometimes when I figure something out while I'm working on the computer. And then, first of all I get reminded about how much praying it takes to loosen up the old brain cells enought to absord something new.
Then comes the realization that the folks behind the scenes— the ones we don't think about until they mess something up—are the real heros here. I'm always amazed that 1's and 0's get all the work done.
Oh sure, we have to learn how to manipulate a program or an interface of some kind, but the programmers have done an amazing job of usually making it easy for us. I haven't a clue most of the time what goes on behind the scenes but I sure have grown to appreciate it. I'm glad there are the "geeks and freaks" who spend late nights figuring out how to make the computer experience better for all of us.
Yeah I know, there is a lot of frustration with "those guys" "out there" but given the enormity of the task and the unrealistic expectations most of us have for this medium, I think "those guys" do a remarkable job most of the time, and I for one appreciate them.
And then…
There are a few people that we know who get some credit too.
I get lots of input from the "office ladies"—a couple in particular —and my wife. (see sidebar)
Don't you just love Belinda Healy? I sure do. Beyond the fact that she is one of the hardest working, most dedicated people I know, she is my good friend. I respect and trust her, I appreciate her insight and the fact that she is never judgmental.
We have a great working relationship. Like I said, I trust her opinions and she trusts me to take them as intended. "I'm not real crazy about that." "I really like that." Both carry the same weight and come from the same heart. Thank you, Belinda, you make me look better than I am.
Sometimes a person doesn't know what a simple statement will do for another person.
I was standing behind our receptionist, Celyn Pendleton, when she first opened this latest version of the site. She looked at it for a couple minutes and then turned around and said, "I like it. I'm not afraid of this Web site."
That, in my book, is mighty high praise. It's exactly what I was aiming for. I want people to be comfortable here regardless of their Internet experience. If I scare them off before they have a chance to enjoy it, I have failed miserably.
So here's the deal I want to make with you. If you find something that is confusing or frustrating or "scary", or you just see something you think could be better (even if you don't know how), contact me and I promise I will do my best to address the issue.
Oh, and maybe if you like something, you could mention that too.
BTW - a little background and information about history of the site and some other people who have been and are vital to this ministry go to the history page.
Thanks for visiting. Come back whenever you can.
