It is that time of the week again. Time to get motivated!
When I started sending the California State Team emails in the form of a "motivational," I knew that discovering fresh, new material weekly would not be an easy task. That is why each and every one is not an idea that I alone think of off the top of my head. I wait until God places that idea within me, and then I run with it.
This week’s motivational is not different, but it is meant to motivate us all as it is about a very strong, nature-loving, patriotic, Constitution-abiding, God-fearing family man.
Mike Ruthenberg
Mike Ruthenberg, Executive Vice President and Chief of Operations for COS, was diagnosed with a brain tumor about three years ago. After an operation and many prayers, the tumor was removed.
As I am sure most of you all know, Mr. Ruthenberg recently has been diagnosed with another brain tumor.
His prognosis is very positive, but please, continue to pray and show him and his family your support.
I have met Mike Ruthenberg only one time in August of 2021 at the COS Western Region Conference in Sacramento. It was easy to see that Mr. Ruthenberg is a patriot who loves his country, the COS team, his family, and God.
He is a very kind, gentle man who I know would give the COS shirt off his back for anyone.
Recently, I was asked to set up a booth on behalf of Convention of States at an event and was also asked if someone would be interested in speaking at that event. I contacted Ramona DeSalvo, Mr. Ruthenberg’s Director of Operations, nearly a month ago to see if he would be available.
While waiting for the event’s organizer to confirm a yes or no if COS would have a speaking spot, I learned of Mr. Ruthenberg’s diagnosis. To my surprise, I received an email a few days ago from Ramona asking to confirm he would be speaking at the event.
I honestly did not push to find out or to try to get Mr. Ruthenberg on the schedule, because I thought with his diagnosis, he would be taking a break.
Well, I was wrong!
Ramona and I attend a Zoom Bible Study together once a week, and the group was discussing who we would like to pray for yesterday. Of course, Mr. Ruthenberg’s name was shared, and I decided to share the story about how I was wrong to assume that he would take a break from COS because of a challenge in his life.
As I was sharing my story, Ramona placed in the chat, “He asked again today.” Once again, I was surprised but should not have been.
This motivational is not about me or you or challenges that we may face in our lifetime.
Read these words, and you will see that Mike Ruthenberg, Executive Vice President and Chief of Operations for Convention of States, handed everything over to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our work for a Convention of States continues.
"Duty is ours; results are God's." -John Quincy Adams
