Tuesday, April 10, 2018
A Salute to my siblings: Jan, Phyllis, Donnie, and Richard
So today is national sibling day. So here is a quick shout-out to my four siblings.
Jan Frank. OK. She is my sister, and the only blood sibling I have. The first thing to say is that it was a good thing I was born first. She was and is way smarter than me. More popular, better looking. Well, you get the picture. Not someone I could have followed because everyone would have expected me to be more like her. High expectations. I admire her today because of the way she loves her family and her church. I admire the way she works hard. She raised three smart and talented daughters. Love you Poo (Sorry, I had to throw in the nickname).
Donnie Herttenberger. I got Donnie as a brother when I married Marsha. There are a lot of things I appreciate about him. Loves sports, loves Jesus, loves family. But I really appreciate that he is a constant supporter and encourager of my ministry. And he shows up at a lot of my grandkids activities. Most of all I love him for being a faith fighter. Love people that never quit on Jesus. Love you brother.
Phyllis Herttenberger. I got her too when I married Marsha. Phyllis loves God and loves her family. Doesn't have grandchildren so has adopted ours. Shows up at games, keeps up with them, supports them. I so admire her for the way she took care of her parents till they went home. Love the way she takes care of my Mom and of her Uncle Jerry. She does for people. Love you Phyl.
Richard Blaisdell. And everyone has that person that you grew up with who was not your sibling by blood but really was in every other way. For me, that brother was Richard Blaisdell. Met him when we were in the church nursery. Best friends all the way thru. College roommates. Richard was, and is, the most consistent person I have ever known. In lots of ways, he was what I really wanted to be. It was probably hard for him to realize it at times, but I cannot imagine where I would have ended up were it not for his example and influence. Great follower of Jesus. Love you Blais.
So thanks to my four siblings. I wrote about you today, but truth be known ... I love, admire, and appreciate each one of you every day.
Thanks God for the two I got to grow up with, and the two I got when you gave me Marsha. Bless them and their families every day.
Jan Frank. OK. She is my sister, and the only blood sibling I have. The first thing to say is that it was a good thing I was born first. She was and is way smarter than me. More popular, better looking. Well, you get the picture. Not someone I could have followed because everyone would have expected me to be more like her. High expectations. I admire her today because of the way she loves her family and her church. I admire the way she works hard. She raised three smart and talented daughters. Love you Poo (Sorry, I had to throw in the nickname).
Donnie Herttenberger. I got Donnie as a brother when I married Marsha. There are a lot of things I appreciate about him. Loves sports, loves Jesus, loves family. But I really appreciate that he is a constant supporter and encourager of my ministry. And he shows up at a lot of my grandkids activities. Most of all I love him for being a faith fighter. Love people that never quit on Jesus. Love you brother.
Phyllis Herttenberger. I got her too when I married Marsha. Phyllis loves God and loves her family. Doesn't have grandchildren so has adopted ours. Shows up at games, keeps up with them, supports them. I so admire her for the way she took care of her parents till they went home. Love the way she takes care of my Mom and of her Uncle Jerry. She does for people. Love you Phyl.
Richard Blaisdell. And everyone has that person that you grew up with who was not your sibling by blood but really was in every other way. For me, that brother was Richard Blaisdell. Met him when we were in the church nursery. Best friends all the way thru. College roommates. Richard was, and is, the most consistent person I have ever known. In lots of ways, he was what I really wanted to be. It was probably hard for him to realize it at times, but I cannot imagine where I would have ended up were it not for his example and influence. Great follower of Jesus. Love you Blais.
So thanks to my four siblings. I wrote about you today, but truth be known ... I love, admire, and appreciate each one of you every day.
Thanks God for the two I got to grow up with, and the two I got when you gave me Marsha. Bless them and their families every day.
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Steve,
I am deeply humbled and grateful for your kind words! I cherish those memories of growing up together-sports and more sports,sleep overs, baseball cards, church stuff, torturing poor Ronnie Dugger (I cringe remembering some of the things we put him through). And then there was ACC. I couldn't have asked for a better roommate (except for Teresa) I doubt if I would have made it through college without you and I don't mean academically, I mean socially. You helped bring me out of my utter introvertedness (is that even a word?) You know what a complete nerd I was and still am in many ways. But all I had to do was follow you because you knew everybody! Remember when our room at Mabee dorm was placed off limits? And spiritually I'll forever be grateful for your example. No way that I would have been in ministry for all these years without your influence. I still look up to you! I'm eating lunch at my desk right now which I do every work day. During lunch I always look at the computer and the first thing I check before going to the Mavs, Rangers and Cowboys in that order,is your blog. Rarely, I write something in the comments. Do you see these? I hope you see this one because I too consider you the brother I never had. I've got to throw Bob and Charlie in that mix too. My three amigos. I apologize for not staying in touch more and would promise to do better but know I would blow it. It's hard to believe we've gotten so ancient. We're expecting grandkid # 11 in June. I really enjoy reading your tributes to your family members. Warms my heart every time. Anyway, thanks for being my friend and brother. I love and appreciate you. Keep up the good work with Hope For Life and keep telling folks about Jesus! I know you'll never stop!
Blessings, Richard
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I am deeply humbled and grateful for your kind words! I cherish those memories of growing up together-sports and more sports,sleep overs, baseball cards, church stuff, torturing poor Ronnie Dugger (I cringe remembering some of the things we put him through). And then there was ACC. I couldn't have asked for a better roommate (except for Teresa) I doubt if I would have made it through college without you and I don't mean academically, I mean socially. You helped bring me out of my utter introvertedness (is that even a word?) You know what a complete nerd I was and still am in many ways. But all I had to do was follow you because you knew everybody! Remember when our room at Mabee dorm was placed off limits? And spiritually I'll forever be grateful for your example. No way that I would have been in ministry for all these years without your influence. I still look up to you! I'm eating lunch at my desk right now which I do every work day. During lunch I always look at the computer and the first thing I check before going to the Mavs, Rangers and Cowboys in that order,is your blog. Rarely, I write something in the comments. Do you see these? I hope you see this one because I too consider you the brother I never had. I've got to throw Bob and Charlie in that mix too. My three amigos. I apologize for not staying in touch more and would promise to do better but know I would blow it. It's hard to believe we've gotten so ancient. We're expecting grandkid # 11 in June. I really enjoy reading your tributes to your family members. Warms my heart every time. Anyway, thanks for being my friend and brother. I love and appreciate you. Keep up the good work with Hope For Life and keep telling folks about Jesus! I know you'll never stop!
Blessings, Richard
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