Drum Roll Please

I marked this update urgent because I wanted to bring a sense of urgency to good news! It seems so often that only desperately heart wrenching news gets the "urgent" post. It is with great joy that I get to announce that Steve has been selected Fire Chief of Lacey Fire District 3. A lengthy national search garnered 25 candidates and then that was narrowed down to five finalists. The five final candidates participated in a two-day interview process last week that consisted of a public forum and then all day interview panels with different entities. The Fire Chief is selected by the Board of Fire Commissioners; the elected body that governs the Fire District.

This is my chance to share how proud I am of my beloved. For those of you who have been in our lives for any length of time knows what a rock Steve is in my life and what incredible care he takes of me. Never do I feel second place to his work and I am pretty sure that the people at work never feel like they take second place to me. And amazingly, his faith always takes first place above all of this. He is truly an amazing man and I am so blessed that God choose me to be Steve's wife and life partner.

It has been the sweetest gift to be a part of watching someone see his childhood dream actually come true. I have watched him prepare educationally and vocationally for this opportunity for many, many years. In addition to being a firefighter, paramedic, and flight medic, I've watched him pursue his Bachelor and Master's Degrees. I've watched him complete all of the requirements and certifications to be a Chief Fire Officer and a Chief Medical Officer. He is only 1 of 31 individuals in the entire country to hold both credentials. But degrees and credentials aren't the only mark of a leader. Steve believes in leading by example. He believes in servant-leadership. He said something at the public forum that really stuck with me. He said if he was Chief he realized the responsibilities would change but his leadership style would not. It would still be based on leading with integrity by example.

We love our fire family here in Lacey and we are thrilled to be staying here. This is a good time to give a special hello and thanks to our Oak Ridge Fire Family that gave Steve his start in fire service and was a very special part of our lives and will always hold a unique place in our hearts. We love you!

I also want to thank our families for all of your support and the many prayers during this process.

A verse we clung to during this time "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9

This is the verse we prayed as we sought out this position; that we would be faithful in seeking God's will for us.

(I have some upcoming appointments so I will post another update later ... this update is all about Steve!)

Join me in congratulating Steve on a job well done!!

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Messages

Royce Brooks

November 18, 2011, 1:38 PM

YAHOO!! CONGRATULATIONS!!

Sandy Temple

November 18, 2011, 1:43 PM

Yay!!!!I am sooo excited and happy for you both! What great news....thank you for sharing! Hugs to you both! Keeping you both in my prayers! With love, Sandy (Tiff's mom)

Betsy michalik

November 18, 2011, 1:47 PM

Congratulations Steve! We always knew you were on the road to great things. You are a servant leader and that is a Jesus style leader. Hope you enjoy!

Jill Shelton

November 18, 2011, 1:47 PM

AWESOME JOB STEVE! I know you've worked hard and trained hard. I know your sweet wife Lee is so very proud of you! I'm proud of you too, Congratulations! I continue to pray for you all, please update as you can! Love you both!

Melissa Marks

November 18, 2011, 1:57 PM

Way to Go Steve! What an amazing opportunity God has given you to be his image bearer in that sphere of our community. Praying for the many lives God will bring across your path. Gene and Melissa

Rae Jean Bettmeng

November 18, 2011, 2:03 PM

We are SO proud of you! What an incredible witness to God's faithfulness! We love you guys! Blessings! Rae Jean Bettmeng and family

sam spires

November 18, 2011, 2:06 PM

Congrats Steve. I can't imagine anyone would be a better choice. You are an example we would all do well to follow. I hope the guys of Lacey fd know how lucky they are to have you guys. Sam

Amy Moore

November 18, 2011, 2:22 PM

I am so excited for you Steve. Congratulations. My only wish is that you were the Fire Chief in my town. We call could use men with faith and integrity like you in our leadship postions. Take time and celebrate with your beautiful wife this blessing you have been given. Love you guys

Kelly Anderson

November 18, 2011, 2:23 PM

Congratulations Steve! We are so happy for you and Lee. They picked the right man- Your Friends, Kirk & Kelly

Linda Surber

November 18, 2011, 2:35 PM

Congratulations Fire Chief Steve and thanks to Lee for being a "wife of noble character and worth far more than rubies." Love, Linda

Sandy Moye

November 18, 2011, 2:57 PM

That's awesome! Congratulations Steve! We're excited for you both.

Tamara Longworth

November 18, 2011, 2:58 PM

Congratulations to both of you! I am confident that he made this journey with the help of loving support from his wife, so you also deserve recognition, Lee! Steve, we all have known for a long time what a great man you are...you deserve this, and proud that the folks of your town get to experience your greatness as well! Hope you guys can celebrate such a terrific accomplishment, and praying for many more upcoming celebrations for you both!

Alyssa Buller

November 18, 2011, 3:34 PM

Yay! Congratulations Steve. Love you both!

Bill Kelly

November 18, 2011, 3:46 PM

Congratulations you guys!! Great work Steve. Blessings to you both. Bill & Jane

Emily Vahey

November 18, 2011, 3:47 PM

YAHOOO! We are so excited for both of you! What GREAT news! Love you guys! The vaheys

Todd Derrick

November 18, 2011, 4:04 PM

Great news, congrats to you both. We firefighters know who's the power behind the throne. Love you both, Take care, Angie and Todd

Jennifer Evans

November 18, 2011, 4:24 PM

Thanks you for sharing your blessings. We need leaders like your Steve and it is always encouraging to hear that one is being recognized!

Crystal V

November 18, 2011, 4:30 PM

Yay! Congratulations!

Tim Hatmaker

November 18, 2011, 4:33 PM

Congratulations Steve and Lee.

jim maples

November 18, 2011, 5:06 PM

Steve & Lee: Praise God! What a faithful God we serve. Steve is the epitome of Prov. 20:6, Many a man claims to have unfailing love but a faithful man who can find? My precious daughter found one and he is indeed faithful. I thank God every day for you, Steve,

and join with you in rejoicing. We love you both. Dad & Robyn

Link Hudson

November 18, 2011, 5:09 PM

I am so very happy for you guys! Congratulations!

Ruth Warner

November 18, 2011, 5:49 PM

This is awesome news. Bless you for giving Steve honor and praise with all the personal issues you deal with. You are a special couple. Bill & Bev Matney November 18, 2011, 5:57 PM Congratulations! Steve will do an excellent job and bring some heart to the fire service. Bill and Bev

James Broman

November 18, 2011, 6:03 PM

Really great news...congratulations to the Brooks Team and best wishes!! Jim Broman

Betty Garrett

November 18, 2011, 6:35 PM

CONGRATULATIONS STEVE!!! We are blessed to have you and Lee; your faith & your leadership as part of our fire department family!! You & Lee have shown us great strength & endurance and we wonder how you cope with it all - you both are amazing in what you have overcome & what you have achieved. You not only deserve this position - you have earned it!! Many more Blessings!! Dick & Betty Garrett

Joan Bouck

November 18, 2011, 6:51 PM

We are so proud of both of you and couldn't be happier with the selection of our New Fire Chief and First Lady! Joan FD3

sue ensign

November 18, 2011, 7:54 PM

Praise God he leads us in His steps and course. Praise the LORD! Susan<><

Steve Braden

November 18, 2011, 8:22 PM

Uncle Steve and I want to say, "Praise God" for Steve being part of our family. Both of you are an inspiration to use. Congratulation!!! Aunt Helen and Uncle Steve

Betsy Ramsey

November 18, 2011, 8:32 PM

congrats!!!!!!!!

Debby Swecker

November 18, 2011, 8:45 PM

Steve, Congratulations. This is great news for Lacey! I am very proud of you. Thanks for sharing Lee. Kimball & Elizabeth Parker November 18, 2011, 9:46 PM Proving once again, the best man does occasionally win! Huge Congrats, and a big selfish sigh that we locals get to enjoy you guys for years to come. ... Tom Wright November 18, 2011, 9:48 PM Awesome! Great news, Chief Brooks! ~ Tom W.

Sandi Henry

November 18, 2011, 10:22 PM

Congratulations to Chief Steve and his lovely wife! Thankful that the powers-that-be made the right decision!

Martha Foust

November 18, 2011, 10:50 PM

Congratulations!!!!! We are so very proud of you both! And God gets all the glory! Joe and Martha

Tammy Ballard

November 18, 2011, 11:25 PM

Praise God! Congratulations! Tammy Ballard

Jason Benjamin

November 18, 2011, 11:28 PM

That IS great news! I am so happy for you both. I know Steve will be an awesome Chief.

Vickie Hill

November 19, 2011, 12:36 AM

In case you hear this faint yell all the way in Washington...it is just me(here in Georgia) shouting praises for the wonderful news! Wayne and I have been praying for you both.

We are so thrilled for we know they have selected the right man for the job...I just don't know what

took them so long. Lee, we continue to pray for your health. We love you both dearly, Aunt Vickie and Uncle Wayne

Mary Ellen Costa

November 19, 2011, 12:58 AM

Hi Lee! I'm so glad that this update is a positive one - I was concerned when I saw it marked "urgent!" Congratulations to Steve - how impressive! Though I am not surprised! I only know of both of you through the carepages and you both seem like amazing people who have touched my life! You both deserve only the best! Fondly, Mary Ellen Costa

Barbara Faubert

November 19, 2011, 1:35 AM

Congratulations!!!!!!! It is always great to hear good news. Barbara Faubert

Sandy Cooper

November 19, 2011, 1:55 AM

Just a note to tell you both how proud we are of Steve. The news was great. Uncle Sandy and Jay.

Bruce Ensign

November 19, 2011, 2:53 AM

Very good news! Congratulations to both of you. Yeah!

Bill Henry

November 19, 2011, 3:16 AM

Congratulations Steve and Lee. Lacey Fire picked the right guy...do you need a driver? Good Luck!

Teresa Smith

November 19, 2011, 3:41 AM

Fabulous news!! Congratulations on this tremendous accomplishment. I'm so proud of you and wish you both the very best. Thanks for sharing this great news. Love, Teresa

Jeanne Blanton

November 19, 2011, 6:17 AM

What wonderful news!!! I am proud to hear Steve is the new chief! I have been hoping to hear the announcement soon and what wonderful news it is! We have so much to be Thankful for and I continue to lift you both up in prayer. God bless you both in the days ahead as you start this new adventure. Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

**Wendi Phillips** Bowerman November 19, 2011, 11:39 AM Congrats Steve! Very impressive! I am very happy for you. Wendi Phillips Bowerman

Susan Jenkinson

November 19, 2011, 3:23 PM

Such wonderful news. I know you are just beside yourselves with joy. Excited for you but part of me, (the selfish part), wishes you were back in tennessee.

Norma Eaton

November 19, 2011, 8:38 PM

How wonderful, He truely deserves this position. Love Norma Eaton

Krista Maggard

November 20, 2011, 4:21 AM

Hooray! I'm sure God will use you in this special appointment of life. Take care, guys. Still praying for you.

Beth Dunlap

November 20, 2011, 5:45 AM

Very happy for you! Congrats Steve! That is an amazing accomplishment and I do not doubt that you will be fantastic at it!

Linda Hamilton

November 21, 2011, 3:11 AM

Congratulations Steve!! Very awesome!!

Dolores Burtnett

November 21, 2011, 5:54 PM

Congratulations Steve! This is truly deserved. They could not have chosen a better man!

**Lisa Taylor** Brown November 21, 2011, 7:48 PM Congratulations! I think of the two of you often and so glad to hear that things seem to be going well. Hugs and love!

Sally Brabston

November 22, 2011, 12:25 AM

Congratulations Steve!!!!! You and Lee are such a inspiration to everyone. Claude & Sally Brabston

Cheryl Whitaker

November 22, 2011, 4:54 PM

Congratulations Steve!! We continue to pray for you both! Thanks for sharing this great news!

Shirley Keith

November 22, 2011, 11:42 PM

CQuestion, where did you get all those smarts?ongratulations, Steve and Lee too! I admire your knowledge and stamina but I think you got your ethics from your wonderful parents!

Cherie Leyva

November 23, 2011, 1:47 AM

Congratulations Chief Brooks! Our best days are yet to come:)Looking so forward to following you into our future at LFD3. Cherie Leyva

Ron Mouser

November 23, 2011, 9:47 PM

Congratulations Steve! May God's guidance continue to be with you. Ron Mouser

Danesa Marshall

November 24, 2011, 1:26 AM

Congrats Steve!!! Prayers being continued for you & Lee!

**Martha Foust November** 24, 2011, 5:32 PM

-A note from Grandmother I've always known your ability to be a leader and I'm so glad the people in Lacey have discovered your capabilities and have given you the position of Fire Chief and I also thank you for the love and devotion you have shown my granddaughter. I love you both so much! Grandmother

Danae Hischke

December 2, 2011, 1:16 AM

Wow! Congratulations Steve! And you are right, Lee, it's VERY nice to get good news :) God's richest blessings on you both, Danae

D Ward

January 13, 2012, 7:49 PM

We are so proud of you both- congratulations!!! God's blessings on you in this new year- you both are loved so much. Prayers, Hugs, Deborah and family

Lisa Currall

January 16, 2012, 5:21 AM

Lee~ So thankful to read you are still in the fight and now have more information about your very difficult medical conditions. Since I last saw you in 2007 we too have been diagnosed with mitochondrial myopathies along with the ACM/CCI/EDS etc. I suppose we are all just a medical mystery. I am thankful God let me "stumble" upon your site. I'll be praying for His will for you and Steve. The pictures here are just lovely! Blessings~ Lisa Currall