Dad

This page is for my Dad (Rev. Ray Clarke Rainsberger). Most of my life my Dad and I have lived in different houses. In the past few years our relationship has found e-mails and letters that have brought us closer even though the physical miles between us seem to constantly grow. This page is in celebration of this new opportunity to learn more about each other. The thing I learned most from Dad is to have faith and never give up on God, no matter what happens in life.

I asked Dad to help me with this page and he sent me some rather interesting facts about himself so I�ll pass them on to you:

�My hobbies: READING: Especially Science Fiction (space travel not giant insects or lizards) and Historical Fiction based on biblical characters.
WRITING: Sermons and verse (both when inspired)
MUSIC: Especially Jazz, Classical, and A Capella Choral but not hard rock or rap.
NEWS: Especially from National Public Radio
CAMPING: Though I haven't done any in ages
HIKING: Though I haven't done any in ages
COOKING: Though I have been too tired to do much lately
SPORTS: Not much unless the Cincinnati Reds play it
WORDS: Crossword Puzzles, Puns, and see WRITING above

When I was growing up the only professions I ever talked about becoming were: preacher, teacher, doctor, missionary, and clown. Sometimes I tell people I decided on the last one of those. My dream now, and I have believed for many years now my call from God, is to direct a Camp/Retreat Center. I pray almost daily that God will open a door for me to be able to do that.

My favorite websites:
Yours (aka Keri�s -- you don�t think he is biased do you?)
Uncle Ben's. (Really my uncle, not the rice ;) )
www.umc.org (Official United Methodist Site)
www.theupperroom.org
www.netins.net/showcase/umsource/ (Unofficial U. M. Site).�

The first miracle that I actually recognized and saw God perform was a great gift given to my Dad. I don�t think I really believed in them whole-heartedly until I saw this one. You see my Dad�s kidneys failed him. They did it with little fanfare and no warning, so everyone was caught by surprise. I would have lost my Dad except for a series of �happy coincidences�. Dad�s driver�s license was due for renewal and he knew he would need an eye exam for it so he went in to the eye doctor. This particular doctor had made it his habit to check the blood pressure of all of his patients. How many eye doctors do you know that do this? Mine don�t. In fact most of the people I talked to thought it strange that an eye doctor would take blood pressure. But my Dad�s doctor did, and he found a blood pressure so high he sent my Dad straight from the eye exam to the hospital where they discovered Dad�s kidney failure. During his hospitalization Dad�s body gave us several scares but each time the doctors were able to find the problem and give him the appropriate care. Two years later, thanks to the exam of an eye doctor, the great technology of medicine, and the prayers of family and friends, I still have a Dad to write about. Go God go, and I thank You for giving me this wonderful Dad!

Click here to e-mail my Dad