Author Bio

My wife, Elizabeth, and I currently live in Missouri with our four children. The photo above was taken in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Background

I was raised in the midwestern state of Minnesota, so I'm painfully familiar with subzero winters and frozen toes! Kidding aside though, it was a nice place to grow up; but once I realized I could live somewhere that didn't freeze solid for 3-5 months every year, I decided to take an adventure (to Florida).

During my first two years after college (and while in Florida), I taught middle and high school Science & Math. I learned so much and still maintain connections to my fellow teachers, staff, and students. During this time, Elizabeth and I got married. She was also an elementary teacher for several years, and we were able to teach at the same school.

After two years, I stepped away from teaching to enroll in graduate school in Alabama, and I received my Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences (four years later). In my third year of studies, our first child was born; and just like that, everything changed!

After graduating, we moved to Tennessee so I could work at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. While in Tennessee, our second child was born, and things got busier. We stayed in Tennessee for about four years before taking our next adventure.

We moved to Missouri so I could accept a job in the biopharma industry. This was a dramatic change for me personally and professionally. Our third and fourth kids were born in Missouri, and we continue to enjoy living in the Midwest (though it's not nearly as cold here as it is in Minnesota!). 

Basics

In each step of life, I made new relationships that helped guide me and inspire me to the next steps; and I feel strongly that life is about relationships. This theme will be baked into my writings on this website. 

The most fundamental and important relationship I have is with Jesus Christ. I'm fully aware that this offends, irritates, or upsets some readers; and I wish that were not the case, but I need to share it because it is at the core of who I am. It cannot be excluded. Each step in my life has been influenced and/or directed by this relationship, and it provides the foundation for me to build and maintain my other relationships.

But Why?

If you've read this far, you may be wondering why I'm creating a website (blog). There are two aspects to the answer: 1) Personal benefit, and 2) Public benefit. 

For the first, I enjoy writing and sharing thoughts, ideas, and perspectives. That's why I took a teaching role after college, and it's why I am still involved in teaching today, though not professionally. I like this. 

For the second, I'm convinced that I should share what I've received. This applies tangibly, yes; but also to the intangibles.