What chores did I do when growing up?

The first chores I remember doing was filling up two 55 gallon drums with water that were setting on a skid. The water was to water the animals in the barn. My Dad would come home from work and take the water up to the barn by pulling the skid with the tractor. I didn't have many chores until later when we moved to town. Then we had a large yard that needed mowing and so yard work became my chores. Inside the house the only chores I recall were the weekly burning of papers and drying the dishes to put away. Later the year before College, I had the duties of milking morning and evening 13 cows and feeding hogs. After I left for college, the herd was quickly sold. Allowances started at the age of 9 years old and consisted of 35 cents a week. I managed to save enough to by a bee bee gun for $15 out that allowance. I still have that gun.  I worked my way up to a whopping $10 dollars a week during the cow milking year. It was enough to keep gas in my car. Back then gas was .30 a gallon unless there was a gas war then it would get down to .20 a gallon. You just got to love the 1960s. 

Did I ever get into fights with other kids?

I can only remember being in two fights both of which were in grade school and both of which I lost. I decided it was better if I didn't do that any more. I came close to fight with a bully in Junior High but became friends with him after I decided to standup to him and his buddies. I expect angels were present and help to protect me from the decision I had made. I thoughly expected to be beaten up and was quite surprised at the outcome.

What about Mom's cooking?

My Mom's cooking was mostly very good. At times she would have some real blunders. Kool Aide without sugar, potato salad with raw potatoes, exploded eggs in the microwave to just name a few. She still made the best apple pie and that became my favorite thing she made. I have yet to find anyone that can compare with those pies. She could bake just about anything from scratch, but had a bad habit of not watching the time and would come rushing into the kitchen when Dad would say, "Do I smell something burning?"

What animals were in the home while growing up?

We always had animals in the home while I grew up. They were dogs that mostly stayed outside until my Mom became interested in Toy Manchester during my High School years and after I had left home for College. The first dog I can remember was a Cocker Spaniel named Hazel. I never knew what become of her until my Dad said she was killed. She was an outside dog on the farm and would disappear for days at a time. Next came a boxer named Mitsi, then an Irish Setter name Cocoa that loved to chase cars and eventually got run over by a tractor. After that came Taska the German Shepard with a litter of pups soon after we got her. After leaving home and having my own family, we acquired a mixed breed dog named Lucky which we got to help my oldest daughter get over nightmares of dogs biting her. Then there was Gidget and Bootsie mixed breed dogs and a black cat named Casey Mae. We then were given a dog named Gretchen who had a litter of pups which a dog named John Jon was born. This dog was part of the family the longest of any of the other animals. He finally had to be put to sleep around 15 years old after Dottie had died and Lydia the last of the children left home.

I don't expect to have any more animals in my lifetime.

Did I go to ball games as a boy?

I didn't go to ball games to watch until well into my twenties. I played football in High School and played in many games in those years. The town that I lived in, Sioux City, really didn't have any ball games or stadiums for that matter outside of School. It just wasn't big enough to support such activities.

When did I become a Christian?

I always thought that I had become a Christian when I was 12 years old. The Caticism class for the Luthern church I attended was coming to an end. The pastor asked if we were standing at the door of heaven and God asked, "Why should I let you in? What would your answer be?". Most said they weren't sure, but one girl said, "Because Christ died on the cross so we could ask for forgiveness of our sins." It clicked in my brain that it was the correct answer. Forty some years later upon reflecting on my childhood life with a friend, I began telling him about praying for family members and pets at the age of eight. It was at that time that I began to understand that I had a relationship with God much earlier than I thought. So I guess my answer would be I don't know when I became a Christian. It appears at an early age. I know that in my early 30s I prayed the prayer of repentance and asked Jesus into my life and was baptised by immersion. It was all pretty much a conformation of what I had already knew to be true. It was more of a public confession of what had been in my heart for many years.

When did I get my first bible and who gave it to me?

I don't remember who gave me my first bible. The first bible I can remember given to me was from Dottie. That bible inspired me to learn more about God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit. It was probably the first bible I read cover to cover. It was the American Standard verison. I still have it and after 20 years and most likely will have it until I die. I don't use it much now as I do most of my reading and study on the computer. The Bible has brought me to a place of no turning back. It's only forward to eternal life and glory with Jesus.

How far did I travel to school?

I started school riding a bus to kindergarden. We lived on a farm 3 miles from school. I changed schools in 3rd grade to a one room country school about one mile away. The Junior High was about 5 miles away and I would ride my bicycle to school when the weather was nice. In 8th grade school boundries changed and I went to a different school but continued to ride the bus and bicycle. I went to Central High for High School and started driving myself to school the beginning of 11th grade. At the beginning of 12th grade we moved to the farm outside of Sioux City but I still finished High School at Central High so that was about a ten mile round trip each day.

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.