A Special 65th Birthday Tribute to by Husband,
James Elias Bollinger, Jr.
(Better known to me as Jimmy or "Babe")
April 14th
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
Jimmy is not concerned if anyone even knows what he does and he never seeks the credit. Friends, neighbors and relatives are always recipients of his service and also people he barely knows. He just likes to serve and meet needs. Oh, I love this sweet man!
Jimmy was the third of six children born
to his parents, Jim and June Bollinger.
I love hearing the stories of Jimmy and his siblings growing up and the funny
things that happened, as well as looking at all the family pictures of their
great times together and the many stair-step pictures of them all.
If you have gotten to know him well, you know how much he loves to tease. His three sisters, Kay, Connie and Patty thought that when he got married, he would no longer tease them, but that wasn’t the case. Yes, he teases me, but he still teases them, too.
Of course, ALL the Bollinger boys,
including Launny, Kenny and Dad are big teasers!
including Launny, Kenny and Dad are big teasers!
When Jimmy found a long wig in my
high school keepsakes, he couldn't help
but put it on. Look out, Oak Ridge Boys!
Mom and Dad Bollinger came to know Christ as their Savior in the late 60’s
after all the children were grown. Soon afterwards all the kids were also saved
and of the 64 in the Bollinger Clan, only a few have not
trusted Christ as Savior yet, mainly the newest young ones recently born. It truly is a
wonderful family that I have married into. I love my hubby and ALL of his
family!!
Jimmy trusted Christ as his Savior in November of 1971 and a
few years later dedicated his life to serve the Lord. Since our marriage in
July of 1978, he has always loved and cared for me. I know that He loves his
Savior and that he is a one-woman man. No, he is not perfect, but he is perfect
for me! We are so grateful for the two wonderful children God blessed us with!
Our wedding day, July 15, 1978
Our 10-Year anniversary
celebrated with our kiddos!
Throughout our 35 years of marriage, Jimmy and I have enjoyed serving the Lord together wherever God has us...church visitation and Christian Youth Ranch ministry at Colorado Bible Church in the 80's, teaching AWANA classes in Neosho during the growing up years of our kids in the 90's, and now working with Prison to Purpose since the early 2000's. Jimmy grew up in a home that practiced hospitality so he has always had us open our home to many missionaries which became some of our family's richest times of fellowship and learning God's ways.
When Nathan and Chiree were young children growing up, I honestly can’t remember any times of conflict they have had with their dad. Jimmy lovingly taught them what was right and wrong and then disciplined them when they needed it and they greatly respected him. We weren't a perfect family by any means, and we had challenging life situations we dealt with, but through it all, Jimmy led our family with God's wisdom in such a way that we have had a happy, peaceful home. I don't take that for granted and thank him often for being that kind of husband and dad!
 |
You may find this hard to believe, but when normally quiet Jimmy watches a Bronco game (he’s been a Bronco fan for many years), he has been known to lose his voice completely from cheering them on... or from setting the
referees straight!
Now, if you need a good electrician, he is the BEST!! I can’t tell you how many times people call with electrical needs that have used him in the past. When his schedule is full, they will say that they will wait until he can get to them, as they don’t want anyone else! He has had some customers bless him in some very special ways, including one year a customer gave him a surprise birthday party and other times gave generously of their resources to bless him and our family.
Most importantly, though, is Jimmy’s commitment to share the gospel with those he works with and for. He carries his tracts and looks for opportunities to make sure others understand the gift of righteousness that is found by faith in Christ. Often he comes home to get a book to take back to someone who has questions about things of the Lord or who has a desire to learn more. Jimmy is a faithful servant of the Lord!
Now, if you need a good electrician, he is the BEST!! I can’t tell you how many times people call with electrical needs that have used him in the past. When his schedule is full, they will say that they will wait until he can get to them, as they don’t want anyone else! He has had some customers bless him in some very special ways, including one year a customer gave him a surprise birthday party and other times gave generously of their resources to bless him and our family.
Most importantly, though, is Jimmy’s commitment to share the gospel with those he works with and for. He carries his tracts and looks for opportunities to make sure others understand the gift of righteousness that is found by faith in Christ. Often he comes home to get a book to take back to someone who has questions about things of the Lord or who has a desire to learn more. Jimmy is a faithful servant of the Lord!
Jimmy always has his daily quiet time with Bible and books spread out on the table and coffee to his right side. For years Nathan was right there by him and thought that you couldn't read your Bible if you didn't have coffee by your side. So, even as a little guy, Nathan "read" his Bible and had his coffee, too (which was mostly milk). When Jimmy had his foot crushed in 1989 in a work-related accident, Nathan wouldn't let us go to the emergency room without his dad's Bible. He kept telling me, "Dad has to have his Bible!"
For this Special Edition to our family’s blog of Jimmy’s 65th
birthday, I did want to focus on how Jimmy loves his children, Chiree and Nathan
(and Katie and baby Caleb, too) and how much they love him.
Nathan and Chiree loved being with their dad, whether working or playing. That was their special time where he taught them skills and met their hearts' needs. Since Jimmy has always been a good listener, they had his ear whenever they were needed his guidance.
Jimmy began teaching Nathan electrical
work at around age 3, which was when
Nathan helped him re-wire our house.
For years, Legos was a great past-time with his dad!
The official "Tooth-Puller!"
Jimmy would grow his beard in the winter.
Nathan loved watching him shave it off!
Papa Bollinger, Jimmy and Nathan, all three had their appendix rupture at the age of 8. Jimmy was the caregiver for Nathan's week-long stay in the hospital recuperating from his surgery.
The day Bollinger Electric in Neosho began...
Jimmy taught Chiree how to wallpaper when she was 9. By the time she was 15, he was able to let her do all the wallpapering of Granddad and Grandma's new home.
Hunting wasn't just for the guys. Chiree made sure her dad taught her all about shooting guns.
Now that he is a grandfather, he has the wonderful opportunity of loving Caleb, teaching him things of the Lord and showing him how to do the skills he knows best.
My prayer for my husband is that God continues to give
him good health and the ability to share the gospel and the Word of God. I pray
that he and I would have many more wedding anniversaries together and that his
grandchildren will know him, as his children now do, as a man of God who loves his family and his Savior
with all his heart.
And now a note to my dear husband:
Thank you for asking me to be your wife and
being such a wonderful husband to me
and father to your children!
Happy 65th Birthday, Babe!
I love you so much!!!
Annie
Annie
