Getting to Know You

It's time for another

GETTING TO KNOW YOU!

The person I want to introduce to you today is one of the most important people in my life. His name is....

Randy

My first meeting with Randy was when I was so young that I don't remember when it was. But I'm guessing it may have been at the Shuyokai in Japan in 1985. Randy came to Japan with another dear friend named Frank as missionaries. It was about the same time that my family moved back to Japan when I was 4. (sorry for the lack of last names...I do it on purpose to keep some anonymity on the internet)

Randy quickly became friends with my parents and stayed at our home a lot. I remember he always made us laugh and my sisters and I adored him...we still do :) He used to do this little "skit" thing where he would pretend he was in an earthquake and make his glasses fall crookedly on his nose...sounds corny but it got a HUGE laugh everytime and we begged him to do it over and over.

Randy was the first man to take me on a date. He took me to the top of a very tall building and we ate at a very fancy restaurant. I remember they gave us wine glasses to drink our water from and I felt so grown up (I was probably 6 or 7). Afterwards, he took me to a bookstore where I got to pick out a book I wanted.

When Randy went back to America and met his wife Evie, my Dad was the best man in the wedding. During my Mom and Dad's trip there, they saw our home and we moved to America less than a year later.

Throughout my life, Randy has always been available to be there for me, give me words of counsel or affirmation, he has listenned to me bawl and always understood me. Evie has been there with him as well and I love them both dearly.

Randy had part of Matt and my wedding service. He also had my mother's funeral. When my son Josh was born, he and Evie came and prayed with us for Josh. He has been there at all the significant moments in my life.

I love him like another Dad and will never be able to adequately thank God for sending Randy to our family!

Here are Randy's answers to my questions:

Favorite Color to wear: Pastel colors; blue hues

Worst habit: My Grandma Metzger often told us to clean up our plate at dinner so it would be a nice day tomorrow…. I still do…and I clean up every plate in sight sometimes…I do not like to leave leftovers…. I think this habit goes past guilt sometimes.

What would you do with $1000.00 right now? 10% + tithe, and probably take someone overseas who has never been on such a trip.

If you knew then what you know now...? I would trust the Lord more, and take more time with Him.

What is something most people don't know about you? I worked on a mink ranch in Minnesota for two summers when I was 17 and 18 years old.

What quality do you like best about yourself? Being a people person, interested in others, no matter the ability, disability or background.

Your proudest moment? The day I felt as if I could speak some Japanese on the phone without looking at the message giver directly in the eye.

Something that scares you? Rejection…and possible persecution for my faith.

Most embarrassing moment? Well there we were…touring a beautiful Kindergarten through university level school system in Yamanshi ken Japan….and the owner/CEO of the university was touring us. We entered a grade school music room with a beautiful grand piano. I was interested, so was asked if I wanted to try it out. No one was there but the woman and Evie, so I did..I really don’t play well, but I do know how to quickly play chords and intervals. They even got a key to open the piano for me to play.

Later in the tour, the CEO announced to all of the kindergarten classes (maybe 300 kids) that I was a teacher from America, and that I would be playing for an all school assembly…..which of course, I could not do. So there Evie and I stood in front of all those kids. I told them in Japanese that we were going to teach them an American children’s song instead of me playing the piano. We proceeded to teach them “Head Shoulders Knees and Toes”. About 10 words into the song many of the children said “Shiteru”…which means” We know that one!”….we finished the song and hurried out of the room. As we were leaving, the Music teacher was playing beautifully on her piano “Head Shoulders Knees and toes”. I don’t think I want to go back to that school ever again!

What did you become a Christian? I repented on March 4, 1979 in the evening…after many years living without Him (27).

Favorite kitchen item? My Cheesecake tin

Ever read a book that changed your life? What was it? “Disappointment with God” by Phillip Yancey

One "unrealistic" dream? (I know dreamers never think any dream is unrealistic...but humor this pessimist) To live overseas again someday…and work as an English teacher or possibly missionary…or possibly retire overseas.