To me, these words by John the Baptist describe the greatest ambition a person can have. It has been my experience, that living these words never fails to bring peace, happiness, and security to life. Indeed, losing sight of these words brings certain misery, of which, sadly, I have tasted as well. But God, in His infinite mercy, has held me gently in His hands and changed this stubborn heart of mine. I can of mine own self do nothing. But God can do all things as long as I am willing to decrease that He might increase.

I was born in Mountainview, California on 15 September 1974. When I was about 2 years old, my parents moved to the Olympia area where I grew up (some people say I still need to grow up ;-)  ). I was blessed to have plenty of woods to roam around in and over the years developed a deep love of nature and the outdoors. It also helped that we would go camping every summer at Mt. Rainier and the Olympic Coast.

After high school I joined the army and left my home for Ft. Leonard Wood, MO where I would complete Basic Training. It didn’t take long to notice the stark contrast between the rugged beauty of the Pacific Northwest and...well, I’ll just say Missouri. I was relieved to find out while I was at Ft. Sam (studying to become an army medic) that I’d be stationed at Ft. Lewis after airborne school. After getting my airborne wings, I returned to Washington to be assigned to the 18th MASH, a leg unit. Thus I was what the army calls a “five-jump-chump”. Oh well. I’d rather climb mountains than jump out of perfectly good airplanes anyway.

While in the army I went hiking as much as time and money would let me. On Memorial Day Weekend, 1996, I did my first Olympic summit, Mt. Stone, with my friend Dean Willis. In April 1997, I did Mt. Ellinor and attempted Mt. Washington. In May I did The Brothers, and after beginning terminal leave from the army, went hog-wild in the Olympics and around Mt. Rainier, which I summited 3 times in as many weeks -- July 5th, 15th, and 25th. Thus began my humble climbing career.

Summer of 1998 and 1999 saw me in the mountains a lot as well. Yet, God would show me that there was more to life than mountains. I needed to continue my education. God directed me to Kettering College of Medical Arts where I’d spend the next 4 years, with no mountains. Yet, heavy as my heart was at the time, I’d never rethink my decision to go. It was at Kettering that I met 2 of the best friends I’ve ever had: Daeyop Hong and Adrian Zahid. When I review all our experiences together, there is no doubt in my mind that God had arranged for our paths to cross.

In July 2003, I graduated with a degree in Radiologic Technology and headed back to Washington to a job at St. Joseph Hospital in Bellingham. I would have gone to Port Angeles were it not for the fact that St. Joe’s offered me a job before I was done with the program or had even met the Radiology management face to face. After a year and 4 months, I cross-trained into Interventional Radiology. The experience has helped me grow in a lot of ways, yet I still have yet to see exactly which direction.

I got married on 19 June 2005 to my beautiful wife Darlene. She is truly the love of my life and I’m eternally grateful to the One who brought us together. We’ve learned a lot about each other and a lot about ourselves. Most important of all, it has taught us a lot about God and His love for us.

In June 2007, we left Bellingham for Spokane where I am furthering my education. Right now, I am completing my Bachelor’s degree in Radiologic Sciences through Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences’ distance learning program. After that, I won’t say. I’ll just see where God leads.

On February 27, 2010, Darlene and I had a beautiful baby girl whom we named Abigail. Having her has really driven home to me my great need of God’s grace. Keep us in your prayers as we daily surrender not only ourselves, but our little girl to our loving heavenly Father.

Whatever direction He leads me, all I know is that walking with Him is the chief aim in life. Eternal life begins here, having Christ live in me. Though God may lead us through disappointment, He never ever disappoints. He is all I need. Yet He gives so much more.