Darien from Marysville

Mike from NY / Redmond

Darren from Canada

Darien is my ringbearer.  He is Cori's nephew.  He is really looking forward to being in the wedding.  When I asked him if he would be in my wedding party as the ringbearer, he exclaimed, "Absolutely!!" (I am not sure if it was because he wants the wedding role, or that he is looking forward to getting his aunt married off so that he can come to Aunt Cori's and play XBOX, air hockey, ping pong, foosball, etc.in Uncle Duane's rumpus room.)

Mike has been my friend, confidant, mentee (the opposite of mentor?) and traveling companion on a couple trips all over Europe and to Central America.   We have had several years of great fellowship: during our travels and when I have been with him and his family in NY and when he has resided at my place in Redmond.  He has been my accountability partner in my relationship with Cori and has provided some great wisdom as we have shared our hearts and lives through the years. We have spent literally countless hours in prayer and conversation together. Mike and I  have been the "iron sharpening iron" kind of encouraging friends to each other, and the growth we have experienced through our friendship has been remarkable.

Darren was one of the kids from my youth group almost 20 years ago.  His keen mind, gentle spirit and desire to grow in his relationship with God has always been evident in him! The adventures we had on spring missions trips, the fun times at camps and at youth group were certainly memorable, but the richest times were in deep conversation at discipleship group, and subsequent years on his many trips to visit me in Washington and Russia and during my visits to Canada. He is one of the many "kids" of mine that preceded me in doing the "marriage thing" and doctoral studies...and from whom I will now, no doubt, be mentor- ed in proper husband duty responsibilities!...So I sure hope my years of mentoring him when he was younger were effective, because now I may be getting my own medicine!

Doug from Redmond

Doug and I met when we worked in the same group at Microsoft.com.  Our hearts connected and we began spending time in prayer togethers during our lunch times...and have continued doing that and being accountable to each other since that time.  His zeal for growing with God encouraged me to ask him where he went to church, and I discovered that indeed Crossroads Bible Church was built with the same sort of folks like Doug.  We have the same kindred spirit to see real Christian community alive and be the dynamic caring force that Christ wants from His people.  He and his family are now our neighbours living just a few houses down the road.  How great that is!

Uwe from Germany

Uwe is my cousin from Germany.  Sometimes you get to know someone who has such a kindred spirit with you that you almost wonder if you are them.  That is the way it has been with Uwe.  Our hearts are so connected.  We have the same passion for strong Christian friendships that go beyond the superficial, and we have the same soft hearts that can have tears flowing down our cheeks in the blink of an eye.  When Mike and I were with Uwe and Samuel, his son, in Spain a year and a half ago, Uwe and I had a deep conversation during a drive back from our day trip to Morocco...I shared my loneliness and sadness in not having a spouse to share life with.  Uwe's prayers went upward, and look what has happened!

Neil from Canada

Last on the list and, yes, a wee bit older, but not the least!  Neil and I started our friendship when I lived in Saskatoon, but it has blossomed even moreso in the years since.  Neil's kids were some great kids I mentored. (They are such great friends to this day.  Jonathan was on our team that worked in Moscow back in the 90s.)  Neil has a kind, caring spirit that so demonstrates God's love to those around.  He is such a great dad and husband and has mentored me in more ways through these 20 years than I could ever list.  He encouraged me to not give up hope in God providing my wife. Cori was put before Neil and Libby's interrogation last summer and passed with flying colours.  Neil is one of the many Canadians who have been such an important part of my life.