Bio

The name Michael, in Hebrew, means Who is like God? Cool—my name is actually a question! The answer to the question, of course, is… nobody. We are NOTHING compared to God. Yet he longs for relationship with us. This is awesome!

I was born in Costa Rica. My missionary parents were studying spanish there. My three brothers and I spent most of our adventurous childhood in Bolivia. Part of it was in the wet and hot jungle town of Caranavi, and the other part in the cold, high-altitude city of La Paz. Since I was 12, I’ve lived mostly in Newberg and Dundee, Oregon (I left and came back several times).

In the first grade, I learned to read and write in Spanish—I had to—my teacher in Caranavi didn’t speak any English! [I must give my mom credit here though. She got me started at home in English.] Regrettably, I pretty much only speak English now, but understand Spanish when I hear it.

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I’ve been a graphic designer for over 20 years. My day job is at Vineyard Graphics in Newberg. I also work part-time (at home, and at night usually) for MeadowLand Corporation, designing grass seed packaging (bags and buckets). I am thankful I can support my family doing what I love.

Speaking of what I love…

• Deanne, my wife of 21 years. She is currently working on her Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at George Fox University and is doing her internship at the Easter Seals Children’s Therapy Center in Salem. (She will graduate in Spring 2008!)

• My kids:
• Alison is a Junior at George Fox (Family and Consumer Science major).
• Aaron is a Senior at Newberg High School.
• Austin is a Freshman at Newberg High School.

Other things I enjoy:

• Mountain biking—especially the twice-a-year bike trips with the guys to Central Oregon.
• Macs
• Crossword puzzles
• Yard work (really!)
• Travel
• Watching Blazers basketball

Fears:

• Glossophobia There’s a reason I prefer visual communication!
• I used to have Phalacrophobia, but I don’t anymore.