Happy Birthday, Dottie

Today is my birthday. It is also the first day of my new blog.

I've decided I needed to blog. Based on several things - really. A need to express. A need to practice writing. And . . .

The recent death of David Gentiles. I didn't know him, but my first years in Pearland, people asked me: Did you know David Gentiles? What you are trying to do reminds me of him. It was comments that I simply shrugged off and I would simply think - Boy, this David Gentiles must have been really cool . . . wish he was still in Pearland.

Then I read Blue like Jazz by Donald Miller. He dedicates the book to David Gentiles. Donald Miller grew up in Pearland, TX.

Then I read 90 minutes in Heaven by Don Piper. He too refers to David Gentiles.

Now, I am really curious about this David Gentiles - my "kindred spirit". "Like minded" unknown friend.

Mostly, I thought about how cool it was that God apparently birthed something in Pearland thru David - that He choose to continue thru me. Me - who knows only God - not David Gentiles. David leaves Pearland and God continues this vision - thru Dottie. Does that not say something about God? How large and in charge He is? How nothing is lost with Him? How nothing is wasted?

David Gentiles lived in Austin. My parents lived in Austin, then Georgetown. I always thought some day, I would visit his church and say hi. I don't know what else I thought I would say.

When I had problems in Pearland, I wanted to call him and ask for advice!

David Gentiles joined Jesus in Heaven on 12/18/2009. I'll have to wait until I get there to meet him. So, I read his blog. He was a great father and a great example of love. I'm hoping to be all that. He blogged about his daughters and (lots about sports - which is losted on me) and other things. His blogs about his daughters is what stands out. He writes great things about them and their callings in life and how they were growing into great adults.

But, his daughter - Ariele is a writer and seems to always be encouraging her father to write. Her encourgement to her father, stuck on me. So, I will write. To practice. To express what is in me. To ask questions and believe me, I have lots of questions.

For this time, I will close like David Gentiles.

pling, pling.

dch