More about us
More about us: We’ve both been on staff with YWAM since 2005 when we joined separately as singles. Although we did our DTS together in 2004, neither of us knew each other very well, and it wasn’t until late 2005 when we became interested in each other. For the two years to follow, we were fortunately able to work somewhat together leading outreaches and a DTS before we were married, which was actually a great learning experience for us on how to work together in happy and difficult times. We were married in December 2007 in Colorado, USA, amongst a small group of immediate family and close friends in the midst of a snowy and intimate evening at Boulder Valley Christian Church. Although we come from quite different backgrounds, we enjoy sharing our lives together, and we’d both agree that we’re probably the only other people that the other would actually enjoy spending an entire day with, regardless of whether it involves fun or work (or both!). We share passions for mercy ministries and social justice, traveling, missions, taking walks in nature, and having a quiet cup of rooibus tea in the midst of a busy day.
Anniversary: 7 December 2007.
| More about Mikael | |
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Born: 17 Jan. 1986; Oslo, Norway Hometown: Boulder, CO USA Likes: Writing, mountains, coffee, sci-fi, trivia related games, riding bicycles, seeing good bands in small venues for little money, bread and cheese, traveling, Wikipedia, eating something new and unusual, superheroes, books, podcasts and public radio, reading the news, seafood, backpacking Dislikes: Wastefulness, advertising, excessive packaging, emoticons, most types of mustard |
| Bio: I spent about half my childhood in Norway until my mother and I emigrated to the United States when she married my step-father, Jabez, an American. The next half of my childhood through high school we lived in Colorado, moving around a bit in the Denver-Boulder areas. I studied at the University of Colorado in Boulder for a couple semesters and graduated from high school in 2004 from Nederland High, which is in a small mountain town west of Boulder. My mother and step-dad currently reside with my two younger siblings in Boulder, studying, working and pioneering a contemplative and prayer group. My father lives in Missouri with my younger sister, and hails originally from Pohnpei, a Pacific island in the Federated States of Micronesia. As a gentic combination of Norwegian and Pacific islander, I tend to be somewhat racially ambiguous – or so people indicate when they try to guess my origin.
Musical taste: Varied. I enjoy some things from various genres, ranging from classical and indie hip-hop. Generally, you’ll find me listening to some sort of heavy metal, punk, or classic rock (usually guitar driven). I’m somewhat picky with lyrics. Good books I’ve read lately: On the fiction front, any of the Dune Chronicles by Frank Herbert (not his son!). Otherwise, some good reads are: The Revolution: A field guide to changing your world edited by Heather Zydek, a collection of narrative articles written by Christians on social justice issues; Red Moon Rising: How 24-7 Prayer is Awakening a Generation by Pete Grieg with Dave Roberts; God’s Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn’t Get It by Jim Wallis; How (Not) to Speak of God by Peter Rollins; Now, Discover Your Stregths by Marcus Buckingham and Donald O. Clifton. Anything, fiction or not, by C.S. Lewis; I read Lewis perpetually. Note as well that I may think a book is good even if I don’t agree with the author, so these books aren’t necessarily an indication of my personal opinions. Personality/strength profile: Meyers-Briggs Type INTJ Bible verse: Job speaking after some profound suffering: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return. The LORD has given, and the LORD has taken away. May the name of the LORD be praised” (Job 1:21). This verse is obviously the origin for the title of the website, and it’s one of my favourite verses because it describes a sort of steadfast relationship with God that is not enslaved by present circumstances. It’s also a statement that gives room for the mysteries of God; it acknowledges his place without jumping to conclusions about his actions. It describes an attitude of humility and the reality of being naked before the Lord – so obvious in birth and death, but often intentionally fought throughout the rest of one’s life. |
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| More about Renee | |
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Born: 01 August 1984, Lancaster, PA USA Hometown: Manheim, PA USA Likes: Animals (dogs and puppies in particular), going on walks, chocolates, playing instruments (violin, mandolin, piano, and some guitar), traveling, helping people, gardening, cleaning, reading the news, playing and watching sports, board games, baking Dislikes: Raspberries, scary movies, ‘porta-potties’ |
| Bio: I grew up on a farm with my family in rural Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and lived there most of my life until I went away on my DTS. After graduating from Manheim Central High School, I spent the next year working in a home for adults with special needs. Through this, my desire to help people came into focus, and it’s clear now that I have a heart of mercy, not just in discipling, but in meeting practical needs as well. I am the middle child of five kids, with two older sisters who are married with children, and a youger sister and brother. All of my immediate family still live in Lancaster County, including my parents. My dad is a full-time carpenter as well as a farmer, and my mother runs her own cleaning business along with taking care of the house.
Musical taste: Lots of stuff, but generally classic rock and classical. Favourite books: Ruthless Trust by Brennan Manning; Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. Personality/strength profile: Meyers-Briggs Type INFP |
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| more to come | |