Players – Part 1

For readers whom have joined since Blog series 3, (ok, Robin is my only new reader I know of!) here is the list of characters in my life and appearing regularly in the Blog:

Dutchman is actually Irish but married a Dutch girl, whose father is a minister in the Dutch Reformed Church.  He is now so immersed into the Dutch life - he would wear wooden shoes if he could (I seem to remember his size is 58! 15’s in America!).  We met the summer before he started at the University of Washington.  He thought I was hitting on his girl friend, it was actually the other way around, and once he understood this – we became friends for life.  He dropped ex-girl friend and I had some bruising to get over first. Extremely sharp, loves mental challenges, married, and two boys.

Swedish rocket scientist, is just that.  However, he was a junior at the University of Washington in nuclear physics when we met.  We both were at the same church, at the same time, when we made the commitment to change our lives and follow Jesus.  He, Dutchman and I have been brothers for 35 years!  He has a brilliant mind and accomplishments are never talked about – yeah all military.  He is now terminal with cancer. He prefers internet computer games involving him taking over the world…

Timothy is a close brother in the Lord.  Through working with me for a decade in the youth ministry at our church, through his divorce and the year that has followed.  He has been smacked around rather badly.  Currently on an extended trip around America photographing all of the national parks.  Wonderful photographer – however we are still awaiting Oldest Daughter’s wedding photos!  Just a subtle hint …..

Gaelic Girl, is another Irishman, however advertises herself as being Scottish.  Certainly, she can trace her ancestry directly to the first Lord of the Isles, but then again he was French!  As are the majority of her ancestors, they just all lived in Ireland or Scotland.  She had been a scientist with a company which just started its death throws and laid off their scientists as a first step.  Keep her in your prayers!  Probably in the top 5 smartest people I have ever known, understands things I never will!  Although she does know about this Blog, even erasing it once, she never reads it.  Ultimate form of criticism?

Oldest daughter is from the eastern Black Sea region of Russia.  She was 10 when she became my daughter.  She is now 20, married to a Frenchman whom thinks he is Italian, and has a pretty cute daughter.  (Aren’t all grandchildren?)  She and I did not see eye to eye on much during her teenage years but we are continuing to work on repairing our relationship.  She needs prayer (as do we all, I think she just needs a little more!)