Grampa

My Sailor. My Popeye. The strength, the tatoos, mementos of a vanquished foe and past. The twinkle that becomes a sparkle, then quickly disguies itself as a deadpan face for a dead-on delivery of mirth and mayhem. He sacrificed, endured and continues to endure trials, so that I may live and live better. And I WILL.

Pilipino Power

Most people have two sides of the family. I have three. The Raguis adopted a lonely missionary in the Philippines and have loved me like another son. I can't really put into words their impact on my life, but if you can imagine laughs that taste like mangoes, hugs that warm like the perfect chili spice and love like the neverending dishes at a Filipino potluck, you might a taste of their fellowship. And I'm stuffed on it.

Michaela V. Lawrence.

Her friendship has been a constant blessing the last couple years. In so many ways, she points me to God: her marvelous music, her luxurious laugh and her soul-search for God. Her ministry has led her to Andrews University in Michigan for her Masters in Divinty, so I'm sure one day the Adventist church will have its first black female president!

Happy New Year

Since I've been on vacation the last couple weeks and not had easy access to a computer, I've fallen off the wagon. However, I've been taking notes of some of the outstanding people who've blessed me over the holidays, so here we go!

Mum

My mum. Imagine if you will:

a woman of towering strength, whose faith in God slays demons and naysayers.

a woman whose love breaks my heart when I think of what she's endured to give it.

a woman who puts herself last all too often, but she'll be put first in the Kingdom.

and finally a woman who's got the best-worst joke of all time:
" Is it further to Leduc...or by Bus?"

Don't worry if you don't get it, she does, and the laugh it gives her, is joy encapsulated.
And her joy is mine.

God's Gang

Matthew 18, verse 20 says that "wherever two or more are gathered in My name," Christ will show up, hang out and fill up anyone who is present with an open heart. So thanks to Melanie, our group shows up, hangs out and fills up on Christ every Tuesday. She started the group, shepherds it and bakes us cookies. She's introduced me to new friends. And she's brought me closer to God.

Gammaw

Eye for excellence. That's Gammaw. She's met with kings, queens; entertained presidents, ambassadors. Swarovski crystal, finest of crystals, highlights her home. She could decorate a room with her eyes shut.
Gammaw birthed one son. Got it right the first time; her excellence lives on. A woman of her refinement chooses carefully, then is loyal to a fault. So she's chosen to love her one and only grandson as if he were perfect in every way. And though I'm not, I feel like it, everytime I'm with her.

Rodney

If Brian Inc. ever got started, I'd want Rodney as the Chairman of the Board. The fella's just a joy to work with. He's a Rottweiler on problem-solving, can explain computer code to anyone who wears plaid, and should have his own character on Looney Tunes. Tenacious, insightful and kooky...And I'm his teammate.

Jaren

How long have you lived? And I'm not talking about how long your heart has been pumping blood. How many minutes or hours have you spent soaking up the most meaningful, precious, exhilarating moments in your life? I just added 3 hours to my life. This bundle of joy actually gets tired, believe it or not. And he fell asleep in my arms.

Sister

Everyday she blesses me, through pictures, memories, phone calls. God's exquisite handiwork radiates from her face. Her guffaws and giggles are joyful synergy, we share them often. She saves lives, literally. She's lost them too. Her pains vastly outweigh mine. But she endures, because she is destined for greatness. Her strength has, does and will continue to change the world. And she calls me "bruzzer". I am blessed beyond measure.