Places

I have connections to six states. If the Phoenix opportunity pans out that will be the seventh. Really five and six

South Dakota. I was born in South Dakota. I spent the first decade of my life there. I don’t have a desire to return but it is my foundation.

Wyoming. Wyoming is where I grew up. Where I graduated high school. Where I returned to every year of college and seminary. Where I had my first job. Where I own property. Where I was married, baptized my daughter. Where my father and brother are buried. Where my mom will be buried. Where I most likely will be buried. Wyoming is ground zero. Absolute reset. It is where my roots run repeat.

Nebraska/(council bluffs iowa) iowa is the technicality state. My paternal family is from the council bluffs Nebraska area. My paternal grandparents are buried in iowa. My maternal grandparents are buried in Fremont. My maternal grandfather graduated college in Fremont. My dad grade college there. My parents met in Fremont. I graduated college there. My brother and I went to school together for a semester.

Utah. I could right a million books about utah. Utah is my spiritual home. The WIL lives in utah. I am crying as I write this. During the greater time of my life, the falling in love, the Chaplain I was in utah. It was the place I lived and built my first true foundation instead of living where my parents or family lived. I love utah with all my soul. When the circumstances of life evolved and I felt I could no longer stay in utah my soul withered. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss the mountains, the feeling of belonging, the experience of love I found in utah. My daughter was born in utah.

California. I went to seminary in Berkeley. I did my internship in paradise. I lived in Valencia. I lived in Modesto. I lived in Orange County. I have worked in some capacity in almost every area. When I grew up I romanticized California. My wife is from the central coast. We have raised our daughter here. It is her home and where she is connected.