Acknowledgements
I wish to extend my sincere thanks to Dr. Don Douglas of Biola University’s School of Intercultural Studies. He was a great encouragement to me over the years I spent commuting between Albuquerque, N.M. and Biola University in Los Angeles for classes for my Ph.D. His wisdom contributed greatly to this book.
In addition, I want to thank my long-time academic mentor, Dr. Bob Gassaway of the University of New Mexico’s Communication and Journalism Department. Dr. Bob’s influence in this book has been profound and is gratefully acknowledged. He was also with me throughout the entire length of my academic journey, and I was honored to have him as a member of my Ph.D. committee. Dr. Bob taught the very first class which I took as an undergraduate student at the University of New Mexico; his copy editing class made an indelible impression upon me; he was my committee chair for my master’s thesis, and I am profoundly grateful for his ongoing friendship and encouragement.
I also want to thank my assistant, Roseann Vona Page, for her unparalleled expertise as she read through this manuscript. It was thanks to her skills and ongoing encouragement that you have the book you are holding in your hands today. In addition to being a valuable colleague, Roseann has become my closest confidant and dearest friend, helping me navigate through an intensely difficult personal situation during the past year. Roseann, I will be forever grateful that the Lord brought you into my life.
In addition, I want to thank Dr. Sue Alice Erickson, who provided extensive copy editing assistance, Carolyn Abbott, who transcribed all of the interviews, and my readers Travis Gallegos and Dee Robertson. Dee also interviewed those individuals staying at Joy Junction.