The best Valentine Day I remember

Valentine's day was not a holiday that I really got into. I, like most guys, was not much of a romantic. My second wife, Dottie, taught me much about romance. I mainly had to watch what others did to learn how to be a good husband. It took many years of watching and learning and doing before I became any good at romance. With the death of Dottie I am not expecting to have to continue learning in that area of life.

My best memories of Valentine's Day was the parties that my wife Dottie would have for the singles of the church we were in. She would have a special Black Forest cake made in the shape of a heart and play games. 

What is my calling or purpose in life?

At age 54 I started a search for what God would have me to do. This was right after Dottie had died. I connected with Pastor Eric at Trinity church and began a journey into prayer. It seems only natural now that this would be what the Lord had in mind for me all along as I began my life by praying for family and pets. My search lead me to a point where the Lord gave me a new name of "Worshiping Warrior David". I have been drawn into being and intercessor and a watchman. In the year of hurricane Katrina and Rita, 2005, I volunteered to go on a Rapid Response team to help the areas hit with recovery. This hit a chord in my heart and now I believe that the Lord has put me on course to be engaged with this type of activity full time.

I believe that God equipped me while I was being formed in my mother's womb to help others in many different ways. whether it be disaster relief for just being available to take those without a car to run errands, help family with transportation, or just sit with an aging mother in law to help ward off loneliness. Long phone calls and encouraging email messages for the heart lonely. Life changes as we live it. 

Did the Pastor or visiting Missionary eat at my house

I can't remember a Pastor or Missionary ever eating dinner at our home. My parents were not ones to get involved in church activities when I was at home. I grew up with a belief that I should go to church every Sunday, but church involvement was for others. As a child we lived some 50 miles from the church we attended. At 30 years of age, by spiritual life awakened through the help of a Baptist church and my attitude changed about church involvement. I drove the church bus, and even helped with back yard bible classes. Later in life I lead a grief share class, was in a home bible study, was part of a small group, and was a squad leader for a group of ten intercessor men.

Five important lessons learned in life.

1. Pursue God with all your heart, soul, and mind. 2. Life doesn't remain the same. I have lived several different seasons of life and probably will have more to come. 3. Relationships are the most important thing. 4. Communication is the most important thing in relationships. 5. Do not believe what people say but instead watch what they do for the truth in the matter.

What was my greatest fear?

My greatest fear was the bully in Junior High School. He would stand at the door to the play ground and would not let me pass by intimidating and indicating bad things would happen if I tried to pass so I would stay inside until time for class to start. He always had 2 or 3 buddies with him. There came a day when I decided it was enough. I challenged him full well knowing that I probably would be beaten to a pulp. To my surprise he let me pass. Some time later he and his buddies came and sat at the same table for lunch with me. All in the room were watching to see what would become of me. After a few minutes he offered me part of his lunch that he didn't want. This became a normal thing and we became friends. It really shocked me for sure.

Description of my Grand Parents

Grandparents on my Mom's side were the ones that taught me to fish and have a good time in living life. Grandparents on my Dad's side owned a restaurant in a small town. It was most enjoyable to visit their restaurant and eat dinner. My Grandma cooked and Grandpa collected the money and took the orders. My great Grandparents on my Dad's side were similar in situation to Dottie and I. His wife was sick for years and he too had to care for her as well as run the household. My Aunt Barb indicated to me that this was a learned trait for Great Grandpa as before his wife got sick, he didn't help much around the house. I guess we all can learn new things if we have to.

Praying in my childhood

The earliest I can remember praying on my own was about 3rd grade. I always prayed for my Mother, Father, Sister, and pets. I once prayed to see a vision of my future wife and actually saw her in a dream that night. I wasn't really able to see the face and only from far away. The only feature I knew to look for was dark hair. Both my wives had dark hair.

Where were my childhood homes?

I had several homes growing up. The two most enjoyable places were the one in Sioux City where I met my best friend, Bill and the farm just outside of Sioux City where I spent much time learning about farming. When I was younger, I wanted to become a farmer. The fascination of new technology and school lured me away from that desire. I often wonder what my life would have been if I had pursued that path.

My favorite sport

My favorite sport was fishing up until high school. Then it was football. I played right guard on the offense first string team for four years. Turns out my senior I was the fastest on the first string. Other players were faster, but weren't on the first string. It was an exciting time that has left me many good memories. We were undefeated my senior year. I heard that the next year was a undefeated year as well.

My Mother's Occupation

My mother was mostly a homemaker. She did occasionally do house cleaning for extra money. Her days were mostly spent cooking, sewing, and cleaning for our family. She was actually the most organized person I have ever known. Everything had it's place and was in it's place. I don't remember my mother being gone from the home very much. She did belong to many clubs such as stamp, coin, weight loss, etc. Her life was continually filled with organizing things.

Memories of church in my childhood

I attended a church at a small Luthern church in Walthill Nebraska. My memeries of this church were of the Sunday School classes in the basement which were partioned with hanging curtians. I learned the basic foundation of Christ and what His death meant for me. I believe I became born again in this church. These teachings have continued to be a part of my life to this day.

My favorite childhood room.

I had many homes in my childhood. The earliest was a farm house in Winnebago Nebraska. The next was a house near Dakota City Nebraska. Then it was another country house in Jackson Nebraska. After that a house in Sioux City, Iowa at 3096 Myrtle St. During high school we moved back to a farm house in Correctionville, Iowa. My favorite room was probably my bedroom. It was quiet and many books were read there. The next favorit room was the living room because that's where the TV was.

What was my father's Occupation

My father was mechanic all of his working career. He first worked at a dehydrating plant as a mechanic on tractors and other equipment. When I was about 10, he changed jobs. He worked for a fruit company and repaired their fleet trucks. After I reached adulthood, he started his own business which lasted over 20 years. I was interested in mechanic work and my Dad and I had many special projects together.

Where I was baptised.

I was baptised at a small church in Walthill Nebraska by Reverand Warner. I later at age 12 was confirmed into the church body at that same church. Later in life I came to believe that baptism should be done after receiving the Lord known as being born again. At that time I was baptised again with my wife, Dottie. I believe the second baptism was the corect and biblical way.

What I remember about my first kiss

I was Sixteen at the time and knew nothing about such activities. However my high school buddies decided one night after they were off work to hook up with a group of girls and ride around the town. Well, of course, as it would happen the driver of the car stopped at a convenient spot to aah, well you know. I being really naïve and didn't have a clue what was going to happen. Anyway the girl next to me looked at me in anticipation and I just looked back. I happened to notice all the others in the car were swappin' spit. Well, I figured I'd give it a try. I puckered up, shut my eyes and leaned into it. It was probably the worst kiss the poor girl ever got. After about 5 minutes of trying to figure out the whole procedure, I was glad to end the adventure and head back to our cars to go home. I don't think I ever became a good kisser.

Insights for working well with others

Working well with others in my opinion has to do with making the job fun. I have developed over the years a knack to work hard but make it fun. If I can make the job fun then others will have a good time working with me and the job will get finished and leave others in a good mood. I learned that from my Uncle Don.

Who was my name sake

My mother worked for a country doctor's family in Bancroft Nebraska as a house keeper. She did house keeping chores for the family. This family had three children as I recall. One of the children was named David. My mother always liked that name so when I was born I was named David. This same doctor delivered me when I was born and continued to be my doctor until I became an adult. I have fond memories of visiting the doctor's house and playing in the basement with the doctor's children. They had the neatest horse swings hung from the ceiling and would swing back and forth almost up to the ceiling. The doctor's offical office was on the second floor of a store front in down town Bancroft. I can remember climbing what seemed like the longest set of stairs on the planet every time I went to the doctor. The remedy to what ever I had was usually a shot the bottom.

Most memorable books read as a boy.

 When I attended a one room country school, our teacher would read to us while we ate lunch. The book she was reading when I came to the school in the middle of 3rd grade was one of the Hardy Boys books. It sparked my interest and my Mom encouraged me to read by taking me to the small town one room library at Dakota City, Nebraska. Population only a few hundred. It was the coolest library and they had a whole shelf of Hardy Boys books as well as a series of Poppy Ott books. I don't remember that thirst continuing when we moved to the city. Over the years I've read more books but usually not for pleasure. Now in my aging years it's mostly magazines as my attention span is about as long as a magazine article.

Special person that helped with Christian walk

Family finances while growing up