That's the short list and will tell you 90% of what you need to know about me...wanna know the rest?

I'm a musician. I play the trumpet; well. I love playing big-band jazz dance tunes. I love listening to a wider variety of music than most people. My favorite artist is Jimmy Buffett.

I am an Eagle Scout. In my younger days, I was very involved with the Boy Scouts. I earned 78 merit badges. I worked for Boy Scout Camps for 7 summers. At my peak, I was the program director of a camp in California. We expanded the program by 40% that year, and had the following season booked full before the end of the existing season. I am a Vigil Honor Member of the Order of the Arrow.

I was a member of Boy's County & Boy's State.

I was a member of National Honor Society.

My high school activities included band of all varieties and Knowledge Bowl. I was team captain my senior year.

I went to college at the University of Minnesota, Morris. I got a double major in 4 years: History & Speech Communciation. During that time I was also very involved with Lutheran Campus Ministries.

I went to Eden Theological Seminary for 2 years. Then I realized that wasn't my calling. I left on good terms and with decent grades.

From there I became an EMT, then a Paramedic, then a Critical Care Paramedic. During that time, I saved 9 lives, delivered 2.5 children, and showed love to thousands of patients.

Now I run my own business, and try to keep my family fed while driving my wife crazy. I work hard to take very good care of our clients.

I have a baby girl who I cherish.

I am a Christian. My favorite analogy of Christianity says that we are not a group of saints trying to save sinners; we are merely one starving beggar telling another starving beggar where to find bread. I know that I am a sinner, and that there is no earthly reason I have been blessed the way I have. Still God chooses to love me, and all I can do is be thankful, try to love others, and try to live in a thankful way. My faith has gotten me through a lot. I trust God totally, and know with all that I am He will get me through, even though I don't know exactly how.

I am the Ministry Leader of a Photography Ministry at my church - Christ United Methodist Church in Fairview Heights. We provide a lot of material for their evangelism efforts. I am happy to have a place to serve.