This is an I-Heart podcast.

And we're back with our American stories.

And up next, Robbie brings us the story of Joel Wegener, an educator and

fundraiser who lives in Cincinnati with a beautiful story of facing the unexpected challenges

life throws our way. Here's Joel.

So I grew up in southeast Kansas, went to college there and became a teacher.

I taught in Kansas for a few years.

Then I moved to Cincinnati right after I was married for one year.

Then we moved from Cincinnati to the St. Louis area and took a teaching position there.

We stayed there about 16 years.

Many of our 10 children were born in St. Louis area, and we still have friends back there,

and one of my daughters is also living back in that area.

Then in 2002 we moved to Cincinnati. I started a fundraising business and was also doing some

teaching at a local Christian school.

Now, while I was in education and then also now that I'm doing the fundraising business, most of my time was filled up during the school year and I had time during the summers

to do other activities and try to make a

little extra money to support my family. I've done a lot of different things in the summers.

One of the most interesting things that I have done before the ice cream truck was I ran a

fireworks business in Missouri, a tent along Highway 61.

My children helped me do that and we have a lot of stories, a lot of fun, a lot of hard work,

and on a good year made some pretty good money doing that.

I sold that business several years ago, so over the last few years I've been looking for something else to occupy my time.

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