Who is the person behind the author?
I hope by reading the book “From Zion to a City of Hope: A Journey of Faith,” you already have a very good understanding of who I am as a person. I believe by sharing my cancer journey, readers have come to know me because a person’s true character shows up in times of adversity.
Nevertheless, some readers may be interested in how I see myself, and want to know more about me on a personal level.
I will start by simply stating that I see myself as a Christian, a sinner saved by grace, striving to be a better reflection of the image of God today than I was yesterday because of what He has done for me through His grace, mercy, and faithfulness.
Hopefully, by answering the following questions, you will know enough about me on a personal level to satisfy your curiosity.
Do you have any hobbies?
I cannot say that I have a hobby in the word’s true meaning because there is no activity that I do regularly enough in my leisure time to qualify as a hobby. I do a lot of different things in my spare time for personal enjoyment.
My wife and I have tried to find a hobby that we can do together, with minimal success. We like working on puzzles and have completed a couple, but that may have been a quirk due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I like to read, dance, play at the piano, try to improve my conversational French, and travel.
What places have you traveled to, and which is your favorite?
I have traveled domestically to many states, including Hawaii and Alaska. Internationally, I have traveled to Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, England, France, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Dubai, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa.
My favorite destinations for vacation are Paris and the South of France. My favorite place to visit is South Africa.
What is your favorite quote?
I have many scriptures that I keep close to me as well as quotations. So it is hard for me to say that I have any favorite one in particular. I think the one I appreciate most varies depending on my circumstances.
After my bout with Multiple Myeloma, I gained a new appreciation for all the verses of the Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr:
“God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can, and
Wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time, enjoying each moment at a time.
Accepting hardship as the pathway to peace.
Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it.
Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His will.
That I may be reasonably happy in this life.
And supremely happy with Him forever in the next.
Amen”
