Jasper Journal Q4 2021 by jasperventuresinc

Jasper 4 th QTR 2ND QTR 2021 2021

JASPYS FALL 2021 by Brent Jasper WHILE WE ARE WAITING SERVING WELL AT JASPER VENTURES

Journal

Jasper Ventures

The Jasper Journal is a quarterly publication of Jasper Ventures, Inc.

Communicating, celebrating and engaging the people of Jasper Ventures, our clients and communities.

JA SPE R V E N T U R E S , I N C .

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF

101 Glenda St. Whitehouse, TX 75791 903-939-1555

Maureen Kaiser Elissa Thompson

JA SPE R J O U R N A L E D I TO R I A L A DV I S O R Y B OA R D

André Cummings Jimmy Forgy Carrie-Ann Jasper-Yearty Liz Low James McCarty Jim Newberg Joshua VanBuskirk Melissa Winebarger G R A PH I C D E SI G N A R T I S T S

BW Design Cover photo from iStockphoto.com

TABLE of CONTENTS

3 VALUES AWARD WINNERS

7 LIVING HONORABLY

13 WHILE WE ARE WAITING

5 SEEING GOD’S GOODNESS

9 GRATITUDE

15 SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

6 JASPYS

11 ON DECK AND WAITING WELL

17 CHRISTMAS: WHY WE WAIT

VALUES AWARD WINNERS NOMINATE YOUR CO-WORKERS!

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QUINCY JIMMERSON

MAUREEN KAISER

CHUCK MCDONALD

MARTIN ZAVALA

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SEEING GOD’S GOODNESS JOB UPDATE:

434 STARTUP COMPLETE Construction was completed on Job 434 and startup was successful. Despite the snowstorm in East Texas and a couple weeks of rain during the beginning of the job, Jasper Ventures stayed on schedule to finish this job on time. Working hard and efficiently both here and in the field paid off. Way to go!

CONGRATS TO ALL THE JV DADS WHO WELCOMED NEW BABIES IN 2021!

Raul Robledo and Madelyn Rose born April 17

Pedro Ramirez and Aiden born July 3

Jacob Stillwell and William James born Sept. 23

David Jacobs and Harper Rene born Sept. 8

Kellen Weaver and Willow Dean born July 13

Darrell Petty and Bryar Reese born Aug. 18

Richard Kile and Kinsley Guthrie born Sept. 30

Evan Brazeal is expecting Amelia Rose on Dec. 2

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JASPYS When we created the Jaspys in 2019, our goal was to celebrate our values award winners in a unique way because we realized that moments matter. We wanted to create impactful moments of elevation, insight, pride and connection through the Jaspys, to provide an experience that is both memorable and meaningful for all who attend. We are immensely grateful for the time we had at the Jaspys in October and look forward to hosting again in April 2022!

HAVE YOU DOWNLOADED THE JV APP? Needing company information on a Saturday night and not sure who to call? Well look no further than the Jasper Ventures app available for iPhones and Androids. The JV app has all the info you need from HR documents, an employee directory to sending prayer requests to Beyond Business or watching past Refuel and Refocus speakers. If you haven’t downloaded the app yet, reach out to Joshua VanBuskirk or Elissa Thompson and they will get you the info you need.

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LIVING HONORABLY BY JASON COOK

Grace Community Church Pastor of Men and Theology

ave you ever seen little kids playing organized soccer? They understand the gist of the game—kick the ball into the goal. But sometimes they struggle to keep track of the finer points of the game. For instance, it’s important to remember which goal belongs to the other team. I imagine that moment when a young player suddenly realizes that he just scored against his own team. Moments before, he thought his coach and parents on the sideline were jumping up and down with excitement and cheering him on. Now he knows they were trying to tell him that he was going the wrong way.

imagine the angels in heaven jumping up and down as they watch. We think they’re cheering us on because we’re standing up for biblical morals. But perhaps we have lost track of the finer points of how to live as Christians in a secular society.

When I think about the way that believers belittle politicians and fellow citizens when we disagree with their political convictions, I

The New Testament teaches Christians to expect persecution in this world. However, our hope is rooted in our confidence that

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Yes, the moral sensibilities of our culture have been shifting in profound and disturbing ways. And yes, Christians will be marginalized. But if being marginalized for our faith provokes us to mistreat others and to fight for political power on the world’s terms, then we’re going the wrong way.

God is sovereign, and that Christ will set all things right when he returns at the end of this present age. In the meantime, Christ exhorts us to live honorably when we are slandered (1 Peter 2:11-12). He calls us to honor our governing authorities, even if they are unjust (1 Peter 2:13-17). It’s easy to live honorably when others treat us with honor. It’s much more difficult to live honorably when others disrespect us and we

feel powerless. But we should remember that our real opponents are not fellow humans created in God’s image. Instead, our real opponents are those spiritual powers that scheme to corrupt our souls (Ephesians 6:1012). The way we score goals against our true opponents is by loving our enemies, blessing those who slander us, and praying for those who mistreat us. This is precisely the pattern set for us by Christ when he endured the cross in order to conquer sin, death, and the devil.

Living honorably requires spiritual discipline. So, I’d like to offer three suggestions on how to prepare ourselves to do this better.

First, if listening to political commentary tempts you to anger and hatred, take a break from it for a while.

Second, pray for your governmental leaders whether you agree with their policies or not (1 Timothy 2:1). Pray for them the way you would want someone to pray for you.

Finally, expect to suffer for your faith. Remember that suffering unjustly gives us the opportunity to glorify God by imitating the example of Christ our Savior.

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THOUGHTS ON GRATITUDE “When I shift my perspective to one of gratitude for what I have, I find it much harder to complain about what I think I deserve.” Melissa Winebarger

“I don’t think we realize how much we receive in this life; we don’t give nearly as much as we receive. If we could realize how much we receive, we would be way more grateful than we are now.” Tracy Nicosia

“Being grateful for what you have, not what you want.” Jake Rogers

“Gratitude to me means being thankful for the things we are blessed with. It is more of a mindset than anything.” Bruce Williams

Gratitude turns what you have into enough. WE SHOW GRATITUDE BY “Words of affirmation. I have four little ones, so when they do something that is expected, I try and be like, ‘Good job, buddy.’” Jake Rogers

“One way I show gratitude towards God is by spending time with him each morning thanking him for his guidance in my life.” Dawn Allred

“I show gratitude by slowing down in this fast-paced world long enough to clearly let [someone] know how much I appreciate them and what they have done.” Darrell Petty

“Paying it forward. To show the same impact that others showed me.” Ramiro Mata

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“I show gratitude to my parents by trying to live the best I can… raising my kids rights, holding down a job, at the end of the day you want your parents to be proud of you and I think this is the best way to show gratitude toward them because they sacrificed the whole time I was growing up. I also cut my dad’s lawn.” Brody Pless

“I feel like gratitude to the Lord is living with a mindset of awe and appreciation of what Jesus did for me. When I have a mindset of appreciation, I am more likely to live in a way that is pleasing and glorifying the Lord. He is then able to use me as His hands and feet to the world around me.”

“I believe the best way to teach gratitude is to voice your thankfulness in your day-to-day life and be kind and serving to others, so they have an opportunity to show gratitude as well.”

“Gratitude means to be thankful in every situation, especially when the outcome is not what you anticipated.” Dawn Allred

Darrell Petty

Jacob Taylor

Recent research shows that having gratitude, mentally, has the power to heal, energize and transform psychologically, spiritually, physically and cognitively. Could this be why the Bible repeatedly instructs its readers to give thanks? Gratitude can turn bitter hearts to forgiving ones, it can turn a self-centered focus to one of service to others. Gratitude can build community rather than tear it apart.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” —1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR “Because I get home earlier than my wife, I usually will fix dinner and clean up the kitchen. And since I have not been working Fridays, I have typically done the weekly shopping trip to Walmart. Occasionally, I might see a load of laundry ready to be washed and will take care of it. May not be a lot but it does eliminate a few things off her list.”

“My wife is pregnant with our second child, and my son is starting to use the potty by himself.” Darien Morse

“I am most grateful for the abilities I have gained through the relationships, mentors and teachings I have had throughout my life.”

Robert Miley

Bruce Williams

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ON DECK AND WAITING WELL BY CHUCK MCDONALD, I&E Specialist

hose of you who know me will not be waiting, waiting for more information, waiting surprised that I would use my passion for for treatment options, and in my mind waiting fastpitch softball and coaching as a metaphor to for news that I was too far gone. That weekend write this article. Being “on deck” and waiting I wallowed in self-pity and depression. I laid your turn to bat can be almost as stressful as in bed that Sunday morning so far in my head being in the batter’s box itself. In that no map could get me out. the previous year I have spent The TV was on as I laid there a lot of time “on deck” and Green Acres Baptist Pictured with Chuck; his daughter Grace, wife Amy but instead of waiting Church came on, with and daughter Molly. to bat, I have been Dr. Dykes sharing his waiting and going to sermon. I don’t even bat against cancer. remember what Even after a year of it was about, but surgery, hormone a profound and deprivation stunning peace treatments, and settled over me. I 35 beam radiation felt like God was sessions, I am still telling me to just waiting to see what wait – He’s in control, the outcome my “at wait on him. bat” will produce. Waiting well requires faith, I found out I had cancer via a faith that God has a plan good or voicemail left by my doctor that I listened to bad. Even what seems bad to you may be good on a Friday evening after his office hours. His for someone else. Your wait may impact others only comments were that my biopsy results and make a difference. In a me-first world, it were not good, and I had an aggressive form is not always about you. Trust in God, believe of cancer. That weekend my thoughts and deep in your soul that He has a plan for you emotions were as dark as they could get. I was and waiting is just part of it. James 1:3-4 it reads,

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TOOLS TO COMBAT THE FATIGUE OF WAITING

“Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” Waiting well is often a test of your faith. Waiting well is a learned experience. Being “on deck” waiting on God in all things big, small and even trivial can lead to true patience and peace. It has been said we spend an average hour a day waiting on something. From traffic lights to medical outcomes, we know that all these waits are purposeful and build your faith in God.

“WAITING WELL REQUIRES FAITH, FAITH THAT GOD HAS A PLAN GOOD OR BAD.” Finally, a word to men: some doctors are recommending PSA tests before a man turns 50. Men over 45, please ask your doctor for these. Prostate cancer caught early is very treatable without the need for surgery.

Waiting can be weary. Sometimes extended waiting makes a person feel backed into a corner. If you find yourself in fight, flight or freeze mode, your brain has short circuited. You may find your thoughts spiraling to the negative. Recent brain science has discovered that using your senses gets your brain out of crisis mode. Here are some things to try: •

Exercise releases built up stress and worry while releasing endorphins to make us feel better. Even a short walk can help!

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Try looking at the sky, taking a few deep breaths, or paying attention to what you can see, hear, and smell around you. Engaging your senses will bring calm and help your brain get out of a panic state.

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Spending time with God often brings calm. The Bible app has incredibly helpful devotionals on waiting, like “Waiting on God” by Charles F. Stanley.

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RightNow Media @ Work has multiple options. If you need a specific recommendation, ask the Beyond Business team (bb@jasperventuresinc.com).

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WHILE WE ARE WAITING by BRENT JASPER

President of Jasper Ventures

HAVE YOU EVER WAITED A LONG TIME FOR SOMETHING YOU WERE LOOKING FORWARD TO? MY KIDS HAVE BEEN ANTICIPATING CHRISTMAS SINCE THE FIRST COOL WIND BLEW. Many of us have waited on COVID test results recently. We have eight employees who had new babies arrive this year and awaited the new members of their families for nine arduous months. Whether you have waited a few hours or months, we have all waited on something important and it is always challenging. I was recently reminded that I am in a season of waiting at Jasper Ventures. I was holding on tightly to what I thought would be our next big job; the thing that would get us into hiring mode again; the comfort in a backlog of projects. None of that happened, and I still find myself waiting. As a person of faith, my belief compels me to look to God and wait on Him.

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GOD HAS A PURPOSE Oftentimes, waiting can be difficult because we desire a certain outcome, and we know there is a chance the outcome will not be what we want. The God that created heaven and earth has a purpose for each of our lives. He cares greatly for us, and we have great value to Him. In Matthew 6:26, Jesus says, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” I love the outdoors because I can see the unique ways that God provides for every living thing – bees landing on flowers, rivers

“Sometimes trusting God is having faith in what we cannot see.”

running through lush valleys, fish grabbing bugs off the top of the water. There are seemingly infinite ways that God’s provision for life can be seen. Yet, He loves us the most. GOD IS IN CONTROL A recent speaker at Refuel and Refocus used a ladder to describe faith and trust. If I look at a ladder and see that it is load rated for 300 lbs. and it is marked where I should and should not stand, I can confidently climb that ladder. On the other hand, if I hop on a handmade wooden ladder that has no such markings, my level of faith looks quite different. Our trust in God is similar. Sometimes trusting God is having faith in what we cannot see. A verse that comes to mind is Jeremiah 29:11 where God tells the Israelites that He has a plan to prosper them and not to harm them, plans to give them a hope and a future. The next verse says that, “You will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” I often tell my kids that my 45 years

of life has given me much greater vision for what is and is not good for them. I think of God in the same way. His infinite perspective and wisdom are so much greater than my very limited vision. GOD WANTS TO BE IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH US From the beginning, God said that it was not good for us to be alone (Genesis 2:18). That’s a purpose He gave us. If I were to make all the decisions in my household without consulting my wife, she would not feel close to me. In fact, it would be the opposite and we would push each other away. Just as God created us to be in relationship with each other, He created us to be in relationship with Him. It would be a very one-sided relationship if we did everything on our own without consulting or waiting on him.

Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait on the Lord.”

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SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES Service is part of who we are at Jasper Ventures, and we are always encouraging our employees to find ways to serve in the community. Maybe you don’t know where or why to begin to live out this core value. Here are some ideas from other JV employees to spur you on to serve others.

“I enjoy coaching youth sports. It is very rewarding to see the positive influence you can have on an athlete’s life.” —RJ Cheatham

“As Christ pours his love, mercy, and grace onto me I feel obliged to share his blessings with others.” —Aaron Brown

“There are so many souls in prison that feel like they are unsavable and unlovable that the stories from people like Alicia Cochran show them that it is possible to become an active member of society.”

“We all have faults and failures and I try to do better every day and try to set a good example for my children. Christ has blessed me in so many ways, if I am able to help someone else, why not?” —Jeremy Allen

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“I just want help others and try to make a difference somewhere. I have been very blessed in my life and always had people step in when I needed help over the years while raising my children. I hope that I can give back in some small way through my volunteer efforts.” —Maura Humphrey

“It is easy to get caught up in acquiring things for myself and my family and enjoying what we have here on earth. One of the most valuable treasures we have on earth is time. In giving my time, I try to be a light in a dark world and in particular, a mentor to young people in need of direction, when and where I can.” —Andy Jenkins

WAYS JV EMPLOYEES ARE SERVING

Service Hour Reminder // All employees are given eight paid service hours a year to volunteer or serve at either a company event or a 501(c)3 non-profit. To utilize these hours, you will just communicate with your manager and submit a time off request, like you would with PTO. It is free, easy, and available for all employees.

USING DOWN TIME TO HELP OTHERS The Structural and Coatings departments used a lull in scheduled work to aid Habitat for Humanity. Coatings Superintendent Jimmy Forgy offered to blast and paint something for a nonprofit, and Habitat happily responded by bringing in a rusty trailer. The Structural shop fixed the metal and the coatings department made it look sharp and protected it from corrosion.

They did such a great job that Habitat for Humanity brought in a second trailer that needed some work! Habitat for Humanity offers low-income families the opportunity to become homeowners through sweat equity in building their own home. These JV shops were able to turn idle time into a blessing to others.

Coach, umpire, or referee • Sports league or nonprofit board member • Community sports field or pool maintenance • Mentor (many organizations help people do this) • Smith County 4-H Extension • Royal Family Kids Camp for foster kids • Babysitter for foster children • In church: Deacon, security team, usher, Sunday school leader, raising funds for and sending missionaries, and church workdays • Lead a Bible study for teens or kids at your home • In a school: security (Watch DOGS may be available at a nearby campus), safety advisory committee, grant grader for local Education Foundation, athletic booster clubs, working concessions, reading to young children • Food pantry • Prison ministry (especially impactful when done by former convicts) • Jasper Ventures Employee Directed Giving Committee

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WAITING for

CHRISTMAS by ELISSA THOMPSON Internal Communications Specialist

Do you remember as a child waiting for Christmas? The week before seemed to be the longest week of the year. Do you remember the anticipation and the excitement you felt that week? The struggle was real. The buildup and anticipation of what is to come with the season is probably the most exciting part but as we all know, waiting is hard. Even as adults we seem to still be always waiting. Whether it’s waiting on another project, waiting for a corner office or that dream job, waiting to save enough money for a new car or bigger house. Waiting, waiting, and still waiting. For years, the Israelites had known about the coming Messiah, but there was never a clear sign of when. So, they were waiting for years … and not just a few, but hundreds of years. The neatest thing about the Christmas story is that it was an exercise in waiting, too. Others in Scripture were noted for waiting for the expected Messiah. Take Simeon, for example. This “just and devout” man (Luke 2:25) was waiting, so longing for redemption in Jerusalem that the Holy Spirit assured him that he

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would live long enough to see the Messiah with his own eyes. Thought to have been incredibly mature in age, historians believe Simeon was well over 200 years old when he was led by the Spirit to the temple at the very time that Mary and Joseph brought baby Jesus there. Simeon’s patience and trust had been acknowledged by God and he was rewarded by being allowed to bless the child. Anna was at the Temple that day, too. Anna lost her husband early in their marriage and since then had lived at the Temple faithfully serving the Lord as a prophetess. For decades she too had yearned for the Redeemer’s appearance. Now in her 80’s, she came face-to-face with Him as He lay in His mother’s arms. Anna’s long wait was rewarded too.

And then there was Mary. For centuries believers have been in awe of this faithful girl who was willing to wait upon and be used by the Lord—graciously accepting His will for her life. Think of it: using Mary’s obedience, God fulfilled the longawaited prophesy—sending the Deliverer of Israel. Waiting builds trust, teaching us patience and strengthens our faith while we learn to wait well for God’s perfect will. We wait because we know what is to come. Unlike Anna, Simeon and Mary, we know the ending. Christmas comes and then Easter. We wait because God sent His most valuable treasure, His Son Jesus to be our Prince of Peace and our joy. He has already given us all that we need to wait well.

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REFLECTION Questions

Waiting is one of the most loving ways God draws us closer to Himself. Consider the following in the areas you find yourself waiting: In what ways do you find it difficult to wait? • •

What part of your character has developed as a result of waiting? What could God be developing in you right now?

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What’s in front of you?

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How are you interacting with God while you wait? Do you need/ want to make adjustments in this?

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Is there something you need to learn?

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What do you need to do to wait well?

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Jasper Ventures

GAS PROCESSING

FIELD CONSTRUCTION

PROCESSING SOLUTIONS

DEW POINT CONDITIONING

KINGDOM PURPOSE Building people and products for God’s purpose.

VISION Delivering solutions. Impacting lives.

MISSION Offering the oil and gas industry an unmatched service experience through world-class turnkey solutions.

INTEGRITY Behaving honorably, even when no one is watching.

SERVICE Considering others’ interests as more important than our own.

EXCELLENCE Doing our best work efficiently and safely and expecting the same from those around us.

RESPONSIVENESS Meeting needs and solving problems in a timely and professional manner.

INNOVATION Encouraging and applauding the exploration of new ideas and creative solutions.

Faithfully managing what God has entrusted to us.

STEWARDSHIP

JASPER VENTURES INC. 101 Glenda St., Whitehouse, TX 75791 jasperventuresinc.com · 903-939-1555