The characters in this story don't necessarily represent my children per say, and I'm certainly not saying that my children have experienced lives similar to, or representative of their counterpart in the story, but the characters in the story do each hold certain characteristics of my children's individual personalities.
For example . . .
GLEN (SAMUEL)
. . . both Glen and Samuel are strong characters who will not be pushed. They have a fierce desire to fight for the right and protect the underdog. They both live a life based on rules and standards, and don't waste time with silliness. They seek out adventure, only because of the incredible drive they have to live up their full potential. They were born to greatness and they know it.
RACHEL (RACHEL)
Both my Rachel and the Rachel in the story are very sensitive to peoples feelings. They drink deeply of the joys of life and the love around her, but also feel just as deeply its great sadnesses, and the pains experienced by others.
They are kind and quiet, and feel complete when they are needed, but have an incredible stubborn streak if they begin to feel intruded upon, or attacked in
any way. Having grown up without knowing their sisters, their happiest moments on earth are when their sisters come home, or include her in one of their adventures.
SEREN has no real counterpart in life. I just knew she needed to be a part of Rachel's life in the story. Caring for others has great power to lift us out of our own sadness. Seren is the answer to Samuel's prayer when he needed something to take back to Rachel. Seren symbolizes hope.
ARIEL (FIONA)
Both Ariel and Fiona were born to spread joy. No challenge will get them down. Although they have had many trials, they know it will all turn out, and their faith brings peace and strength that they easily share with others. Their gifts bring stability to their families during hard times. They both love music, singing, dancing, and playing games. And even with the teasing and the games they play, they love their husbands with a deep and profound love that will never die.
BRIAN (GAVIN)
Both Brian and Gavin were the first to join the family after the trials that had been thrown at us. They were instantly recognized as the missing piece to the family puzzle, and immediately stepped up to the plate with their confident leadership, faithful example, and wild sense of humor, to fill necessary roles for younger siblings. They both love their wives and treat them with tender affection and devotion. They are both enthusiastic, kind and respectful, incredibly creative, love camping, entertainment, and making people laugh.
JACOB (KENDRICK)
Both Jacob and Kendrick are an imaginative and adventurous sort, always climbing, jumping, running, sometimes getting hurt, but always thrilled with the excitement of it all. They both have memories of chasing after big brothers, and learning from them how to tease. They both have a quiet side though, love to sing, play music and sometimes just talk about life. They've learned through life, how to listen to that still small voice and are dedicated to doing what is right and to helping family.
MICHAEL (MIKEL)
Michael and Mikel are both tall and strong--muscles bulging everywhere. They love adventure, fighting for freedom, running, chasing bad guys, and locking them up. Their strength runs deeper than muscle though. They have great courage and fortitude to overcome any obstacles that might stand in their way to success, but have a gift for sensitivity that is incredibly disarming. They both love to tease and joke with a quiet unassuming smile that makes you laugh. They both love their wives with a tender, kindness and would lay down their life for her without blinking an eye.
NIKKI (CIARA)
The newest member of our family was a fiance' when I started this story. The way Michael looked at her with his heart on his sleeve, I knew she would play a special part in this story. Nikki and Ciara are both every bit the princess, tall and graceful, kind and thoughtful. Elegant and softspoken, but decisive and full of confidence. They both love each member of their 'crazy' new family with sweet sincerity. They are patient with Michael and Mikel's forgetfulness and silliness, and love their husbands with a sweetness that cannot be compared.
AMBER (NARANYA)
From their earliest memories, both Amber and Naranya knew their missions would involve sharing in the hurts of those around them and doing their best to relieve those pains. Both started out in life filled with the joys of growing up. The older they got, and the more they felt and experienced, the more they desired to pull away from the mainstream of the typical expectations of others. Pulling from their deepest desires, they search for answers to bring light and peace into the lives of those around them. When the security of home crumbled from beneath them at 15, they both turned toward what they knew, studied health sciences, and became strong, creating their own secure environment where they could bless others.
NATE (NOLAN)
Also new to the family, both Nate and Nolan are just as intuitive as their spouses. They have the same desires to create a world of peace and help anyone within their ability and sphere of influence. All four of them have a special love and desire to protect their world and live from the energy that it provides them. Both Nate and Nolan have an open, honest, and gentle love for everyone they meet, and also have a subtle humor that I hope I can learn to include in this story.
Their love for their spouses and Amber and Aranya's returned love for them is deep and one of a kind, meant to last forever.
MELISSA (MIRANDA )
Melissa (Miranda) is our Joan of Arc. As children, they were both filled with joy, soaking in every beauty of life, experiencing all they could, with never a fear. Both Melissa and Miranda share an incredible fire in their souls that burn for family, freedom, and what is right. They are powerful leaders, organized, efficient, and strong. They know what they want and they don't stop till they hold it in their hands. They were both 17 when difficulty struck their family, but they were unstoppable, and fought hard for success. They don't let anything pull them down, laughing through the pain, always striving to pull family together. They each have a hilarious sense of humor, exaggerating the pains of life till we are all laughing hysterically at the craziness of it all.
