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God has truly blessed my life. Starting with just about the best life a kid could have, I grew up with a touch of the country, and mostly a small town experience in Wauneta, NE (40 miles west of McCook, NE). Living on the northeast edge of Wauneta, we were able to have up to 150 head of pigs that Kurt (my brother) and I had to feed and water. We also had some chickens and a couple ponies. We had a strong work ethic in our home, with chores to do in and around the house as well as lawn and garden work and caring for the animals. I began working for others when I was 11 by helping an older kid in town with his lawn mowing service. By the time I was 16 my whole family worked together growing our lawn mowing business into approximately 45 lawns per week.
I met the love of my life while I was still in high school. We were friends first. Lori was dating another guy, but I had two or three classes with her, and used to carry her books for her. We will be married 27 years on July 25. I have had quite a varied work experience through those 27 years, and Lori has supported me the whole way. When I was asked to manage a hardware store in Oxford for my sister Kim and her husband Doug Rawson, Lori supported whatever decision I made. I went from the hardware store to delivering fuel on the farm for two years, followed by seven years as a manager of a service station. I really enjoyed helping other people, and found customers were loyal when fairly and honestly treated. When I left the service station to go into the ministry in 2000, Lori backed me up, and in fact, was instrumental in leading me to this decision. She is my encourager, my best supporter and together we are looking forward to helping each other as we grow old with all the challenges that will come.
We have three awesome children, Joe (23), who recently graduated from NE Wesleyan and will start as a Social Studies teacher in Hemingford this fall. This past June 14th I had the blessing of officiating at his and Brittany’s wedding. She and Joe are very happy and we are glad to have her in our family. Sara (19) is our middle child and will be a sophomore at Kentucky Wesleyan this fall. She is very bright and fun and is considering pharmacy for her future. Mike (13) will be an eighth grader this fall and is looking forward to football at Papillion Jr. High. All three of our children have been the best kids a father could ever ask for. I am so proud of them. They don't get into stuff they shouldn't be getting into. People tell me they are kind and well behaved. They are terrific and Lori and I thank God for them.
I am enjoying my role as associate pastor at St. Paul's UMC. Lori and I feel God has really blessed us with this appointment. I want to serve Christ by serving others. I have a passion for the elderly and try my best to offer them, and everyone, the love of God. St. Paul’s in my third appointment. My first church was a wonderful experience. I was appointed to Hemingford and was there three years. While serving the kind, loving people of Hemingford, I completed my undergraduate degree at Chadron State College. Then in 2003 went to Kentucky where I served a small church in Augusta while attending Asbury Theological Seminary. I graduated in January of 07, and came to St. Paul’s the following June. This church reminds me of my first appointment because the folks here are encouraging, supporting, and loving. I look forward to a wonderful experience and pray God will bless our church, our ministry to others, and our time together.
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