Our Dave

If you met him for the first time at his worksite, you'd notice his friendly smile, the carpenter's apron, and maybe a pencil tucked behind his ear, but you wouldn't immediately see the layers of delightful talent and skills that are his.

You wouldn't know he can do impersonations so well that for a minute you stop seeing Dave and start seeing Jimmy Stewart, or Sean Connery, or some easy-going guy with a deep Southern drawl from the hills of Tennesee. 

You couldn't picture him entertaining and getting endless laughs from a bunch of giggly girls at his daughter's birthday party.  Or taking a sledge hammer to a watermelon inside a classroom so his group would get the point of the lesson that day.  (Yes, there were tarps all around...no, the tarps didn't completely do their job, as I remember it!)

You sure wouldn't think of him as a rapper delivering a silly announcement in our church auditorium filled with hundreds of people.  The rap was co-written and performed with his wife of 11 years, Leigh Ann - my daughter. 

When we first met Dave in our church nearly 13 years ago, we learned his work with fiber-optics brought him to this area, but before long it became very clear the Lord was behind it all.  Dave's heart, his character and his personality meshed with Leigh Ann's and they began to see a future together.  After some months he ended the fiber-optics work that kept him on the road and began using again the carpentry skills learned on-the-job with his dad years before.  I was amazed then at his abilities at such a relatively young age, and after this many years, he still amazes me, far beyond the structures he's designed and built.

When he and Darien, then age 11, went with a group to Mexico to build houses for homeless families, it was a life-altering experience.  Of course they saw disturbing sights that were totally new to them, but how awesome to be able to make such a difference!  In a very short time, they bonded with folks they never would have known otherwise, people they won't ever forget.  It fanned that fire already inside Dave to reach people who are hurting and in desperate need.  The dreams and desires of his heart, planted there by God, are also being fulfilled by Him as Dave takes one willing step after another.

Tomorrow is his birthday, and I wish I could write him a goofy song or just make him laugh like he does me.  I wish I could thank him without getting all sappy for being such a great husband or dad to four people we both love very much.  I'd love to find better words to say how deeply blessed I am to know him, to love him and to be family with him. 

There is one special place in my heart that nobody else can fill,and that place is for Dave...Our Dave.

Brooke

She's 14 today.  Taller than this grandma by a good number of inches, she's 14 today.  Performing dance with great poise for 5 or 6 years already, even producing some choreography...she's 14 today. 

How is that possible?  On one hand, Brooke is 14-going-on-20 in all the right ways.  And on the other, I can still picture her at age three, with the most disarming grin, sprinkling a napping grandpa with confetti from head to toe.  That day he was definitely a "decorated" Army veteran, and she was quite proud of her work of art!

For several years, puzzles were a much loved pasttime of hers, and every time we would visit there would be yet another one in progress.  These were not small puzzles!  We adults would take turns pulling up to the table to find a few pieces.  I always wondered if she noticed I was (am) the world's most reluctant, worst puzzler, but she never pointed it out, never teased me, just immensely enjoyed sharing the fun.

Brooke wasn't very old - maybe 8? - when we watched with tears in our eyes as she and her mom put sign language to music before their large church.  The way the crowd responded to her beautiful expressions that day told us we were not the only ones blessed, and no doubt the Lord was pleased more than anyone.

The dance she and her friend put together and gracefully executed for her dad's Air Force retirement ceremony was unbelievably touching.  I've long since forgotten what song was being played in the background, but I will always remember the effect the performance had on all of us fortunate enough to be there that day.  Every movement of Brooke's tender young frame was saying, "I love you, daddy, and this is just for you."

It's such a pleasure seeing this granddaughter grow in grace, inside and out, stretching her soul as well as her limbs.  She's always been a delight and has been ahead of her years in displaying that thoughtful attitude that says "it's not about me".  She truly is a Sweetheart with a sweet heart, and I couldn't be more grateful to God for placing her in my life.  I look forward to many more "ah-h-h" moments as a blessed grandma watching Brooke progress.  And I know I won't be disappointed. 

She's Brooke...and she's 14 today!