JABB 413- Adam, Andrew, and Arthur Weigh In

"Every perfect now and then/ I caught a glimpse of Aslan's mane/ And I longed for His treasure/
Something in His mystery was drawing me/ To Love the Author of my own biography"
~~ Chris Rice from his song "Nonny, Nonny"

Hi all,

So... I'm pretty close to finishing that story that I've been working on. Granted, now it has a Part II that I've not even started. But I feel settled enough about it to have started back up with web site updates. Did a slew yesterday! I was both amused and a lil alarmed to realize that I didn't even really remember writing parts of the past few newsletters! I didn't, for example, recall writing that I really hoped to update the Dyelander Info Database at some point. But I did! Because I'm still pressed for time with this story saga, I'm going to try to accomplish two things at once. Starting now, I'm gonna have the occasional newsletter that doubles as updates for the Database. As opposed to its current format, the updates will have answers worded as if written by the character (not the author). Today's newsletter will feature the A characters!

God bless,
Jenni

PS- Minor spoilers in this. "The Carpenter" is set from February through April and so those events have already happened for Adam, Andrew, and Arthur so they reference em below.

Adam

1. What is your family history?

God created me a long, long time ago. Along with countless brothers and sisters.

2. Where are you originally from?

Heaven!

3. Describe a few of your favorite outfits.

Hmm... Well, there's that beige sweater a few people are very fond of. :-) I really do like my suits. But I'm getting more into the casual mode, too. Seems to put people more at ease. Can't go wrong with jeans and plaid around here!

4. Do you have any particular mannerisms you adopt during certain moods?

I get sarcastic and goofy just for fun. But I know sometimes I use it as a coping mechanism.

5. Why did you come to Dyeland?

Andrew invited me and I knew I had to come see what he was going on about. I'm very glad to be here surrounded by friends... feathered and not.

6. What are some of your deepest fears?

I don't think I have any fears really. I suppose, like most angels, I have my concerns that I might not be able to get through to an assignment when I need to.

7. What are your dreams?

More quality time with Alexander and company, I guess? Maybe more time, period. It's hard coming from Eternity and then trying to fit everything you want to do into 24 hour blocks.

8. What are your hobbies?

Playing with the AOD Band, knitting, talking with friends (preferably while snacking or dining), trying to teach the turkeys to fetch, stealing Belle for some Uncle Adam time.

9. What would an ideal day be like for you?

Being "on the clock" and yet not feeling rushed or pressed because peace and love reign. Some day, I'm telling you!

10. Do you have any regrets?

Sure. I would have come to Dyeland earlier and enjoyed more of the opportunities for fine dining. I'm kidding! I would have come for the company first... food second.

11. If you were to be completely honest, what would you say you are most proud of yourself for?

Getting back into caseworking part-time. I knew I could do caseworking and I knew I could be an AOD. I wasn't sure about both at once. But I'm trying.

12. And what would you say you are least proud of?

No comment. Okay, okay. I had a mullet phase, too...

13. What do you think/know is the biggest misunderstanding people might have about you?

Listen, I know some people think I'm crass and insensitive. I also know I'm responsible for a lot of that perception. Sometimes I don't have much of a filter. But I really do care about my assignments. Joking... even dark jokes... helps me cope.

14. What’s something you would most like to improve about yourself?

Get a filter? ;-)

15. What are some of your prized possessions?

My checkers set from Joshua, my pocket watch, my scrapbooks that a bunch of you have helped with. I'd say Alexander but I think he'd peck at me for claiming him as a possession.

16. What’s your best memory thus far of life in/associated with Dyeland?

Joshua. Every moment we spent with him.

17. And the worst?

8-1-12 to 11-9-12 Glad you made it back, buddy. And you, too, Max.

18. Favorite food?

TLS. ;-) Not really. Sweets. Definitely sweets. I'm not picky!

Andrew

1. What is your family history?

What Adam said. And now I have this great family in Dyeland!

2. Where are you originally from?

A beautiful spot in Heaven.

3. Describe a few of your favorite outfits.

Whatever JenniAnn sets out for me. So I've gotten a little pressed for time since Belle came into our lives! 0;-) I suppose my leather jacket, flannel shirts, and the pieces you all have made for me.

4. Do you have any particular mannerisms you adopt during certain moods?

As you all know very well by now, I run my hand through my hair when I get nervous or upset or bored even. I fiddle with things (straws, sticks, paper, whatever) for the same reason. And the eye brow quirk. I don't even realize I'm doing it!

5. Why did you come to Dyeland?

God sent me when I needed a break from an assignment. Then I heard someone, Sibyll it turns out, singing a song about me... written by Laja. How could I not stick around?

6. What are some of your deepest fears?

Well... I'm getting over my hang-up about opening up to people. I don't think that was really a fear. It was more that I didn't think it was appropriate. Or something like that. Boy... Failing, I guess? I fear my own reaction to things. Never God's. Sometimes I get concerned about bad things happening to our family but I know God is with us through it all.

7. What are your dreams?

I want to continue to serve God as best as I possibly can and share His message of love with my assignments. I want to be a good friend, supervisor, and father. Also, another family vacation sometime would be nice. It doesn't even have to be Paris. 0:-)

8. What are your hobbies?

Let's see... dancing, carpentry/woodcarving (trying to turn that into more of a job), spending time with loved ones, just staring in wonder at Belle, talking long and late into the night about anything and everything with friends.

9. What would an ideal day be like for you?

Waking up and having breakfast with Laja and Belle and whomever happens to be around then heading to an assignment. All my assignments would be excited to go Home and rejoice as they meet God and reunite with loved ones. And I'd have time in between assignments to check back in and maybe even have lunch and dinner back in Dyeland. I'd thank God for the beautiful day and all my many blessings then sneak in some sleep with Lulu quietly snoring beside me.

10. Do you have any regrets?

Even though I know that I learned a lot from it and it ultimately strengthened my friendships, I do sometimes wish I hadn't closed everyone out for a while there.

11. If you were to be completely honest, what would you say you are most proud of yourself for?

God trusting me to serve Him and bring people Home to Him. Also all the relationships I've built with each and every one of you. I love you all so much. And, of course, our amazing JCS production.

12. And what would you say you are least proud of?

The times my pride got the better of me. Like the aforementioned breakdown here back in 2006. Also, I still cringe when I think of how I acted at points on Ben Mason's wedding day. Sorry Adam, buddy!

13. What do you think/know is the biggest misunderstanding people might have about you?

You know, I'm feeling pretty well understood of late. 0:-) I guess outside of Dyeland some people still think I bring or will death. I wish that would stop. I know all of us AODs do.

14. What’s something you would most like to improve about yourself?

My carpentry skills and my parenting skills. There's always more to learn with both! I also want to keep working on knowing when and how to share my feelings and thoughts.

15. What are some of your prized possessions?

My pocket watch. Joshua's awesome gift. My ring. My rose. All the gifts all of you have made for me. The items I had with me in Afghanistan from so many of you.

16. What’s your best memory thus far of life in/associated with Dyeland?

This whole year thus far... It's been amazing.

17. And the worst?

That's hard to answer. I see good coming out of so much that happened, even what could be considered "bad." Still, when Max was so sick back in Afghanistan and then when I was unwell back here and, more recently, those first difficult days with Belle in the hospital... those days were hard. I'm so glad and grateful that everyone is well now!

18. Favorite food?

Red velvet cake and orange juice and ginger ale!

Arthur

1. What is your family history?

It's just me and my mom and dad (Molly and Grant). Of course, now I consider everyone here family, too. And my guys at True Light.

2. Where are you originally from?

Denver, CO

3. Describe a few of your favorite outfits.

Ha. Whatever is clean. I have this old, beat-up cardigan that Monica seems to like. So that, I guess.

4. Do you have any particular mannerisms you adopt during certain moods?

I'm a pacer. I guess I wring my hands sometimes, too. Not really often on that.

5. Why did you come to Dyeland?

Monica invited me. Everyone seemed so great. How could I say no?

6. What are some of your deepest fears?

Losing people I love. Also messing up on the job and having someone else pay for my mistake.

7. What are your dreams?

I want to do what I can to make life better for those who are homeless, hungry, and/or dealing with disasters and violence. Being there for Monica when she needs me.

8. What are your hobbies?

I seem to find myself so busy that I don't have much time for hobbies. I want to keep working on my barista skills for reasons I'm sure are very obvious...

9. What would an ideal day be like for you?

Waking up feeling optimistic, grabbing coffee and breakfast with Monica, heading to True Light together, seeing the joy in a man's eyes when he learns to read or masters a task or gets a job or reconnects with a loved one.

10. Do you have any regrets?

Yeah. But I'm working on moving on from them. Joshua and Yosef helped a lot with that.

11. If you were to be completely honest, what would you say you are most proud of yourself for?

The work I do. But I know I don't do it alone. I couldn't without God.

12. And what would you say you are least proud of?

That I didn't always stick to my beliefs and behave like I wish I had.

13. What do you think/know is the biggest misunderstanding people might have about you?

I think sometimes people don't understand that I don't have an "off switch." By that I mean that while I'm always happy to come home after a rescue and recovery mission, I don't just file everything I saw and heard and felt away. It's always with me. So sometimes it's hard for me to suddenly be "normal."

14. What’s something you would most like to improve about yourself?

Those barista skills! Things with Monica are still fairly new so I want to keep working on that.

15. What are some of your prized possessions?

Monica's and my statue from Joshua. My old Matchbox cars. My Bible- it's been with me every time I've traveled.

16. What’s your best memory thus far of life in/associated with Dyeland?

Jesus Christ Superstar... and everything connected to that show.

17. And the worst?

I haven't really had a worst moment yet. Everyone is so great!

18. Favorite food?

I'm all about the comfort food: macaroni and cheese, tomato soup, chicken noodle soup, meatloaf, mashed potatoes.

This newsletter is dedicated to John Dye for inadvertently introducing me to so many great people, both fictional and real. Writing the above, I couldn't help thinking of answers for myself and it made me realize anew how many friendships, hobbies, etc. I have because of John. Big thanks to him!

JABB TOC

JABB 414

(Photo Credits: The photographs used on this page are from Touched by an Angel and owned by CBS Productions, Caroline Productions, and Moon Water Productions. They are not being used to seek profit.)