personal heroes

there are very few people who make it into this category for me. very few. the people that do make it in, are people who I want to be like in almost every way. there's just not that many who measure up to this standard. but I have come to realize over the past few years that there are two people who I will run into time and again, and every time I do, I walk away thinking, "man...I wish I could be like them." I met Hannah Gentiles when I was in 4th grade, she was one of the few friends I made when I moved to Cedar Park. We stayed friends through middle school and worked out a car-pooling plan between her dad and mine. David Gentiles, tended to pick us up from school everyday. He was one of the "cool" dads that all the kids liked. Since, middle school my contact with this family has lessened, but thanks to miracles of the internet, myspace and facebook, I am able to secretly stalk them and find out what they are up to these days. I have discovered that both Hannah and her dad, David, are the rare souls who give their life away every single day to others. They do it joyfully and passionately. Hannah is majoring in social work, and from what I can tell, uses all the rest of her free time pouring into and loving on "the least of these". A couple of years ago, she gave a year to an organization called Mission Year. Basically she lived in the ghetto of Oakland, California, and served daily the brothers and sisters around her. she became their friends, took care of their children, and lent a hand wherever needed and wherever possible, but mostly just showed them the love that Jesus would have shown them. exactly. This summer, she spent in Austin counseling for Austin Sunshine Camps. These camps offer low income, high-risk, children an opportunity that they would never have otherwise to go to camp for a week. the pictures from Hannah's experience are absolutely beautiful.

Besides, all this Hannah is freaking gorgeous and funny and one of the friendliest girls I have had the privilege to meet. Her dad must have been the one who imparted all these qualities to her. Ever since I have known him, he has been one of the easiest people to talk to, even after years of not seeing him. Every time, it's like I see him every day. He is a single dad who has served in the church, mostly youth, for like 14 years I think. Any guy who can handle pubescent teens at church and then come home to raise 3 girls every day, and have them turn out as talented and beautiful as they are, is a force to behold. He is every bit as loving and selfless as his daughter and he has a smile that could make any old meany melt. anyways....blah blah blah....I love them both and if I only get to be half as loving and giving as them, I will be happy. Hannah, David....this one's for you. :)