John Eveland

BORN in Key West, FL to John and Barbara MOVED from coast to coast - father was in the US Navy LOVED searching, exploring, and imagining while trying to find a place in these new places every other year HIKED and communed with the animals MIDDLE child - older sister always was getting in trouble & younger brother was usually trying to be like us I was the do-gooder, getting good grades, never in trouble, and gradually quieter and quieter THEN the bargain - mom bribed me to get out of the house and go play Little League baseball I was still quiet, but more active and athletic FOUGHT some bullies and hated the fighting more than I was ever mad at them STRUGGLES with being the quiet, big kid GREW quicker earlier, was told I was older than my years, and seemed to care more about others than most HAD one of my first crushes on a girl I thought was beautiful while some peers look at her as awkward, chunky and not pretty LEARNED to love smiles that included the eyes - no matter what anyone else thought, because these smiles spoke of something more FAMILY had to confront our failures as a family - sister taken from the home, we went to counseling, and it all changed MOVING not because of the Navy but in order to have hope LEARNED the church could be more than a place for worship and an extended family Was a part of a youth group behind my sister and her peers WENT to SSP - met a beauty - Becky HILLTOP High School meant football, confidence, acting and overcoming limits LED the church youth group ahead of the younger youth BEGAN leadership training - ministry an option MET my first girlfriend - left her because I was confused about sin and wanting to be intimate and communicating :( WENT to SMU on my own MET Denise 2nd year - girlfriend until graduated and wanted to marry her - broke it off to return to CA and start seminary NOT ready - went to local JC instead - art, architecture, rec. and football - tore up my knee WORKED for SD FUMC and district camps REBUILT my strength - dated trainer BACK to seminary MOVED to Lake Elsinore - Murrietta Youth & seminary LIVED/Worked at Camp Cedar Glen - Julian CHAPLAIN residency - Friend2Friend and SHARP Mem. NO UMC ordination LIVED with Shannon - depressing times toward end MOVED to Montana - found work with Wells Fargo Returned to CA SEEKING connection to church family and Chaplaincy SEEKING a happy union and relationship SEEKING... PHILOSOPHIZING...