When I was a freshman in college I went to a conference in San Francisco and afterwards I spent a few days with my Uncle Dale and Aunt Barbara. They took me across the Golden Gate Bridge which was a super big deal for a kid from small town T or C, NM. I was not following the Lord at the time and what had a significant effect on me was while with them in Sacramento they took me to a home Bible Study among this Asian group of people I had never even heard of before. Seeing their Love for the Lord, that group of people and me meant a lot to me. My Uncle Dale didn't preach down to me for letting my walk drift so far away from the Lord he just showed Christ's Love being lived out. Within about 6 months after my return to New Mexico I had rededicated my life to the Lord and started serving him to the best of my abilities. I went off to Seminary to prepare for the ministry after completion of my degree I returned to NM to be Ordained to the Ministry at 1st Baptist Church. I was so proud to have my Uncle Dale sit on the Ordination Council and confirm God's calling on my life into the ministry. As I remember my Uncle Dale even asked me a question about where I would give my tithe when I was serving as a missionary over seas. We are still serving overseas and Uncle Dale would get my prayer update and often times email encouraging things back to me and my family. Shortly after his funeral is over in the US it will be Sunday morning here in Australia and I will be preaching at a predominantly Pilipino church and the topic is from Matthew 6:25-33 Do Not Worry. As a tribute to my Uncle Dale I will be closing my sermon with the quote Rick said was his favourite "You can't control the wind, but you can adjust your sails." I will be tying that into that all kinds of things come crashing against us and we can either allow that to blow us away from God or adjust our sails and allow it to push us right into the Saviour's arms who loves us so much more than we can even imagine. Thank you Uncle Dale for not only being an inspiration to me but to count less others your life touched. I Love You and will miss you heaps but look ahead to the day we will be reunited in Heaven and hope until that day I can make you proud and inspire people like you did. Love Your Nephew Ken Allen