Those who went before

Where do I come from?

It's the fundamental existential question, "Where do I come from?" Each human being, in one way or another, is a composite body and soul of eight other human beings, a mysterious and marvelous melting pot. Regardless of race, gender, color, or creed, we all have eight biological great-great-grandparents and eight biological families from whom we inherit not only our DNA but our station in life. Their experiences and decisions, their triumphs and tragedies, their hopes and history shape our lives in more ways than we can ever know and imagine. We are made up of those who went before us, whether we like it or not.

I often say, "I chose my parents wisely." When I say that, I'm referring especially to the rich God-given spiritual heritage that has simply been handed to me as an undeserved gift. In a sense that statement is also my way of asking indirectly, "Why has God been so good to me?" Each of my eight families were made up of sincere Lutheran Christians who treasured the Scriptures of salvation and dedicated their lives to the service of the Church both as public ministers of the gospel and faithful lay members of Lutheran congregations. Who am I to receive such blessings through a life that was simply given me?

This site is meant to serve as a repository of my accumulated family treasures. Especially through the efforts of those who have gone before me, I have inherited a wealth of family material from my eight families. The information and images found on the pages of this website represent a sliver of that inherited wealth. As a result, it will remain a work in progress and a labor of love for many days to come in an effort to remember and rejoice in the heritage of those who went before me.