Story by Marla Ballard Special to the Times-Journal

Sunday school teacher Chuck Hester recently became a published author. Hester is a Sunday school teacher for both adults and children and said the persistent encouragement of one of his students prompted him to put his thoughts and teaching methods into book form.

 “I began teaching Sunday school around 2002,” said Hester. “When I teach, I commonly use my dog Rusty as a subject to teach life lessons. I feel God can use anything or any circumstance to illustrate truths. I use anecdotes about our dog that I feel have helped me in my own growth as a Christian and to teach others.”

 The book is a collection of short stories about Hester’s red-colored, miniature Dachshund. Hester said he had never written before but found the stories flowed easily from him once he began. The title of Hester’s book is “What Rusty Taught Me About God.” He said his book is designed for adults, but feels it is kid-friendly as well.

 The 118-page paperback includes photos, taken by Hester’s son Zac, of the family dog. The Hester family got Rusty when he was just a puppy. Rusty shows his age these days with his gray muzzle and lack of hearing at age 16. The book blends the family pet, life lessons, and Bible lessons in a variety of light-hearted and some not-so-light-hearted narratives about coping with life.

 Hester has lived in DeKalb County since he was an infant and worked at the Fort Payne Sara Lee Bakery plant for 13 years. He has worked for the United States Postal Service for 16 years and says the lessons he has learned from other aspects of his life may lead him to producing more books both fiction and non-fiction.

 Hester said his own life experiences of losing his father in death when he was only age 12 and dealing with his own chronic health issue have helped him find his words and put pen to paper to help others dealing with similar problems. “Writing has given me a purpose,” said Hester. “The experience of writing has been a blessing to me.”

 A book signing has been scheduled at The Bakehouse at 110 1st W in Fort Payne on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. “When Chuck told me he had written a book I offered him the opportunity to do a book signing at the shop,” said Crestah Taylor, owner of The Bakehouse. “He is a kind soul; I hope his book is a great success and the community will come out and support him. I love to promote anyone local in any way I can.”

 Hester’s Christian living book is for sale on Amazon and is published by Covenant Books. He will have books available for purchase at the book signing.