my friend Dano

How long have I known Dan? I don't know. It's been within my eight years of living in Wenatchee, but it seems longer. Not in a bad way, but a good way of course. I guess the first time I met Dan was on a visit to a youth staff at her work place. Dan was her boss. Her words were, "you both are so much alike, it's just that Dan is the 'bizarro johno'." Huh? (If I only knew the true meaning of that statement at the time). It was then a friendship began. God had placed each of us at a certain place and a certain time. I've learned a lot about myself through Dan and even more about God. I remember golfing one time with Dan, I was left with about a 3 foot putt for par... easy enough. Then Dan, who by the way had not said much until hole number 7, said, "I know Christ died, but tell me how Christ died for ME?" Did I mention I was just about to putt that 3 footer? I looked up at him and said... JERK! I'M ABOUT TO MAKE MY FIRST PAR WITH THIS 3 FOOT PUTT AND YOU WAIT UNTIL NOW TO ASK ME A QUESTION LIKE THAT? UNFAIR AND UNSPORTSMAN-LIKE!... I missed the putt so I tried to answer the question. It has been a great journey walking with Dan and seeing him ask, listen and respond to books I would suggest and walking through the story of Jesus, God who came to earth. I will never forget him saying, "I'm ready to be baptized." We set up a time went down to the Columbia river and responded to the question asked on the months before on the golf course. Christ died for you so that you might LIVE. (That's the short version) Dan and his wife were both baptized that day and their embrace is not only captured on film, but in my life. Dan, is a true friend and he is a true servent. He is so... Gentile. It messes with me sometimes but that's ok. He is a family man, a strong husband, a great father. He wears a set of lenses that allows him to see things in a way that many cannot. I love that. It is a gift. He's creating a legacy, he is growing his family tree in a way that has never been done before. It is solid, it is built on Christ. Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. -Psalm 1 Every tree needs a trunk... Dan is that trunk. peace. johno~