Today's your birthday.................

or in this case, mine. I was born in Keokuk, Iowa this day in 1965. Forty-four years ago.......@ 7:26 am. Son of Charles Arthur and Ruth Oraleen Tripp Menge. Raised an only child.....mom & dad lost twins, Jerry and Julie, in 1963. Moved from Warsaw IL to Arenzville IL in 1967 when dad transferred with the railroad. Parents divorced in 1973.....mom and I moved back to
Warsaw in 1975. Lived there until Mom's death in 1981.....moved in with Dad and stepmother in Arenzville....graduated HS in 1983. After washing out of army basic training, I moved to Springfield IL in January 1984 to attend community college. Got a part time job at Hardee's which became a full time job.....I dropped out of college. Continued working at the restaurant until i was let go in July 1987. After a futile attempt to find work, I moved to Rantoul IL in October 1987. Three days later, through a temp agency, I got work in a local factory. I was hired full time in January 1988, and remained there until the plant closed August 31, 2007.

I became involved with, and joined, Bible Baptist Church in Rantoul in November 1987. Easter Sunday 1988 I led singing for the first time. I have done so (with a few brief sabbaticals) ever since. I first met Ingrid in 1997 when she visited the church with her mother. We got to know each other later that year, after she came to faith in Jesus Christ. I proposed on Valentine's Day 1998, and we were married six months later.

Over the years we have had highs and lows. We have each lost a parent; yet we have had wonderful times with family and friends, and with each other. I am so grateful and thankful for my wife. I cannot adequately convey what she means to me.

This has turned into a brief biography of my life. I hope I have not bored you. Just some insight into this life placed here by God.

Happy Birthday to me.

Until next time, keep your stick on the ice.