MY BIOGRAPHY

I was born on January 3rd, 1974 in the town of Decatur, which is in northeastern Indiana. I have lived here in Decatur most of my life. I spent a few of my early years in Bellevue, Ohio. My father worked for Central Soya, and was transferred there when I was in kindergarten. We lived there until I was in 5th grade. Bellevue was a great place for a young boy to live. It was about 20 miles to Lake Erie and Cedar Point. There was a reservoir right across the street from our house, and I spent many of my days fishing there. As a matter of fact, I seem to have spent most of my younger years fishing at one lake or pond or another. I keep in contact with a few of my friends from Bellevue, and I even double dated with a friend at their High School Prom. Aaron Nicely, who lives in Bellevue, will always be considered my best friend, even if we don't see much of each other anymore. 
 We moved back to Decatur as I was entering sixth grade. It was very hard for me to leave all of my friends behind, but I soon had new ones. I have always had a way of making friends. There is not much more to say about this period of my youth. Just your general girlfriends and sports.
 In the beginning of my sophomore year, the worst experience of my life occurred. My mother and father had gone out to celebrate their anniversary, and do a little shopping. I was going to go with them, but I decided to stay home instead. The phone rang about two hours later, and it was the hospital, calling me to tell me that there had been an accident. A car had gone over the center of the highway and struck my parents car head on. Our family met at the hospital, and we were told that our father had passed away due to massive internal injuries. My mother was in critical condition, and they were not sure whether she would survive. I could feel the cool sweat of shock coming over me, like standing in a snow storm with no close on . I am the youngest of four children, and I was the only one left living at home at the time. We sat in the waiting room for what seemed like a lifetime, and finally the news came that my mother would make it. She had many severe injuries though. She had told the doctor to let me come and see her, so that I would know she would be alright. I went in as they were stitching up the many cuts on her head. She looked as though she had gone through a meat grinder. That vision will stick with me forever. My mother told me that my father had passed on, but we would make it as a family. It took my mother a long time to get over the physical damage of the accident. Emotionally, I think we will all be scarred from the accident for life.
 I went back to school about two weeks after the accident. It was a very hard time for me. Everyone I knew had to ask me about it, and that made things even worse. After a week went by, I no longer wanted to go back to school. I decided that it was best for me to go to an alternative school. The alternative school here is basically a place where poor students, or students who had dropped out of school, could go to get their diploma. I did not fit in well with the other kids, but at least I had escaped the endless questions from friends. I finished the semester there. At Christmas my mother (who was in much better shape by then) and I traveled to England to get away from the holiday. Holiday times were awful for us for many years. We all would get deeply depressed missing my father. My mother was born in England and my father met her while he was stationed there in the Air Force. We stayed with family while we where there, and my mother showed me all the places she went in her youth. It was a very memorable trip. England is a wonderful and beautiful country.
 When I returned home, I decided that I was ready to go back to my normal High School. It had taken me months to get to this point. My friends have never even asked me why I had gone to alternative school. I think they must have known not to ask. Through all of this grief I had developed a terrible problem. I gave up on everything. I no longer participated in sports, which had been a big part of my life. I no longer cared about school or my grades. Worst of all, I no longer cared about living. I lived every day as if it were my last. I just spent most of my time doing what I wanted to do, which was normally not good. I began going to parties and drinking. I skipped classes and I just no longer cared about anything. I still managed to pass my classes, but my grades were very bad. It seemed as though drinking and woman were all I cared about.
 I enlisted in the U.S. Army soon after graduation. I spent a few years in Oklahoma and some time in California. It was a growing up time for me. I think the Army was a very good place for me. It gave me discipline and forced me to finally grow up. I enjoyed being in the Army, but at the same time, I was very glad to get out. I could tell you some stories about my Army times, but I had better just keep them to myself for now. There are just too many stories to count.
 I returned home in December of 1994 and got a job at Central Soya, where my father had worked most of his life. I applied to Indiana U./Purdue U. and was accepted, much to my surprise. I have been going to school their ever since. I am going to school for Biology. It is a wonder that I even got accepted, with the terrible grades I had in High School. I thank god every day for allowing me the opportunities he has given me.
 My mother introduced me to Jesus soon after my return from the Army. I have had a passion for learning about him ever since. I remember the first time she took me to church, which is New Covenant Fellowship in Decatur, Indiana. I did not even want to go. I thought she was going overboard about how good the church was, and I thought there were better things to do on a Sunday morning. She finally convinced me to go, and from the moment church started, I cried like a baby. I was one who never shed a tear, especially in front of other people. I accepted Jesus as my lord and savior that day. He released me from the pain and sorrow that had overwhelmed me for so long. Through Jesus, I have been able to put aside my anger. For years, I had walked through life filled with anger and resentment. It affected every area of my life, from my family to relationships. I would run and hide from every problem that arose. With Jesus in my heart, I can face any problem and overcome any obstacle. I now believe that everything in life happens for a purpose. Through the experiences I have had in life, god has made me strong in spirit. I was never one who could stand up in front of people and talk. Now I could stand in front of thousands of people and talk all day. I was always the type of person who would never share my feelings or problems with anyone. Now I can tell the world and not blink an eye. It took a personal relationship with Jesus to open my eyes and show me what life was really about. I now try to always do what is right, no matter how great the temptation. 
 If you have not found Jesus yet, I hope that you will at least think about going to a nearby Interdenominational church. Give Jesus a chance to work in your life, as he is working in mine!

If you have problems in your life, feel free to write me and get them off of your chest. I would love the opportunity to help you in any way I can.

Dan

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Page maintained by Dan Aeschliman. Created: 3/11/98 Updated: