About Stephen

Born in Walla Walla, Washington, I grew up in the Northwest in various cities throughout my childhood. I always felt there was a larger purpose to my life than living in a small town and growing up to work in a lumber store. At the age of 17, I graduated from a community college with an Associate in Arts degree and struggled with what was next. It seemed I was done with school, was working to make money, but still didn’t know why I was doing any of it. Why did I need money? What was I changing in the world? What was I contributing? After 6 months at a lumber store I was offered a raise, declined it and joined the Army. I felt the Army would give my life a higher purpose and that I would be a contributing member of society, doing a great deed. Now, after 17 years in the Army, I realize it was God who directed my path back then, and still today. After having seen combat many times and been overseas for most of my career, I’ve experienced too many moments where even the men around me agreed that it was the very finger of God that acted on our behalf. My stories may pale in comparison to some, but they are the experiences that helped me begin to realize that victory came from a bended knee, not a proud chest. All these years I thought I had been so great and amazing, thinking I had carried such a huge responsibility and work load, all to find out it was God that brought me through it all.

          God has blessed me with my soul mate, a warrior, my wife. I have been honored to raise our three children under my wife’s supervision. My life is still just beginning, but I’m learning through new eyes to see all the things God has truly given me, and just how very valuable they are.