Hello friends,
My name is Bobby DePasquale and I love Spoke Folk. Have you ever felt so far away from something, yet so close? This was my state of mind after my first Spoke Folk trip. And my second…and third…
How does one describe doing the work of God, but being limited by your own humanity? I would use one word: challenging. Not so coincidentally, this also describes a Spoke Folk tour.
Ephesians 4:1, the Spoke Folk theme verse says, “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” You may think that this requires us to find a special, hidden message from God; however, I say it’s much simpler. I love Spoke Folk because it challenges me to live for Jesus every day. I often feel “far” from Him, but He is always “close”.
I was born in Long Island, New York on April 14, 1983. By my own volition (if by my volition I mean my mom was tired of the cold weather), I relocated to south Florida in ’86. I like to think I had something to do with it, but in all reality my three year-old self was similarly unaware of his surroundings as “adult” me. Turns out I greatly appreciate the warm weather. I’ll never know if it is a result of growing up in the sub-tropics or if I just have thin skin.
I attended the same high school and church as previously recognized Tour Director John Lore (see his blog entry here). They each had an important part in forming young “Bobby D” (this nickname formed somewhere round this time). However, the only “chair” I saw in college was at my desk.
Life is such a blessing. At the age of 18 I was diagnosed with cancer. Five days later was September 11th, 2001. I had gone back to NY for college (yes, thought I could handle the weather…yet, still unaware). Thankfully, it is 17 years later and I have been without this terrible disease since the end of 2001.
Since, that most trying time of my life I have made it a priority to take care of the earthly body God has provided me. This includes physical and mental maintenance. I enjoy working as a Wealth Advisor for Thrivent Financial, volunteering (gladly participating) at youth events, reading the Bible, exercising, fantasy sports, and learning new things. These all play a part in taking care of the gift of life.
Finally, but most greatly, I must acknowledge my family. My immediate family growing up was very small. I was an only child with two very loving parents and the cutest chihuahua (Zero) known to man, three hamsters and a gold fish for three days. These days, I live with my loving wife (Trisha) of 11.5 years. Check out her blog post here. Love is powerful whether a word or an action. Another gift from God that I love is dogs. We have a cat…(Kobe). We hope to adopt one or more humans and dogs someday, seriously.
Thank you for being a supporter of Spoke Folk. May God bless your daily ministry and I hope to see you on tour someday.
-Bobby D
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