I am 28 years old. Ryan and I have been married for 3 years this past March (read all about it in the "Personal Stories" page), and Sam is my favorite boy ever. We just moved back to Verona after having lived in Salem, WI where I taught German at Wilmot High School for 4 years. I now work at "Distinctive Dentistry and Facial Aesthetics" in Middleton. We are here to help Steve and Kim Cecil plant a church. It's gonna ROCK!!!!!!!!! I love Jesus and live to serve him. :)

*FAVORITE FOOD: strawberry/rhubarb pie, tuna sandwiches, chinese food *FAVORITE BOOK: the Bible (of course), "Jewel" by Brett Lott, "This Present Darkness" by Frank Peretti *FAVORITE MUSIC: anything Broadway ("Les Mis" and "Rent" are my favorites), and Shane Barnard *FAVORITE HOBBIES: reading, watching TV("West Wing", "Survivor", "The Cosby Show" and any sitcom reruns are my favs), and napping with Sammy

I grew up in New Jersey where my dad started out my life as a Pastor of a church. He went on to work for IVCF (an Christian organization that works with college students), and God led him to take the family to Vienna, Austria as a missionary to Eastern Europe. That was the most incredible 3 years for me; I was in the junior high at the time, and it shaped my whole life. The family moved back to the States and lived in Madison, WI, where IVCF headquarters is. There, I went to Verona High School, and then went on to the UW-Eau Claire for a year and then Hope College. I graduated Cum Laude, and was ready to be a High School German Teacher. I worked in a youth group in Madison during the summers and after college, where I spent a lot of time with Ryan. We were married in March of 2001. And Sammy came along 3 years later!

The Lord has always been a huge part of my life. I don't remember a time when I didn't know about him, actually. Lots of people have testimonies about how they were so evil and bad in their lives and then something miraculous led them to the Lord who changed them completely - not me. I just grew up in a loving, Christian home, with my parents teaching me everything they could about the love of Christ and what he did for us every single day. When I was 4 I "accepted Jesus into my heart" right at the side of my bed with my happy dad (who gave me milk to celebrate!). And then while we were living in Austria, at age 12, I really was questioning why my dad felt that the Lord "called him" there, and as I asked questions, I began to really seek him. And he found me. Since that time I have been doing my best to walk with Him daily, and he has really moved in my life. I know his love and see it in my life.

I am 26 years old.  Ditto to the stuff Julie said other than the fact that I do not teach at Wilmot High School.  I'm currently the stay-at-home dad with Sam during the day and I work part time at Rogan's Shoes in Kenosha, WI.  I'm also currently taking correspondence courses through Moody Bible College in Chicago, IL.  I also root for the Packers, think the Bucks are the "feel good story" of the NBA this year, believe Eli Manning isn't as bad a guy as he was made out to be, and am happily surprized by the success of the Brewers so far this year. 

I was born and raised in Madison, WI where I went to Crestwood Elementary school.  I attended Verona Area High School where I actually enjoyed my experience.  In 1997 I went to Brown College in Minnesota where I was certified to be on the radio.  After a while at WIBA AM in Madison, I realized the fame and fortune was not for me.  Literally, there was no fortune or fame to be heard of.  Therefore, I took my talent elsewhere and also started volunteering at the youth group I used to attend as a student.  In the summer of 2000 I interned with my old youth pastor at his church in Seatle, WA.  A very memorable summer for me.  This is when Julie and I really started to talk marriage and as she said, after I can back to WI in the fall I proposed to her on Turkey Day.  I left the Haack family Thanksgiving early to do it and only my dad and step-mother knew I was doing it so the rest of the family was like, "Is he ok?  He seemed quiet and nervous today."  Really?  Shocker.  :-)  So, we've been married three years and Sam is three months old.  Incredible.

I first met the Lord in elementary school but it was one of those deals where your parents do something so you just sort of follow suit, ya know?  It wasn't until my junior year in high school that I really started to explore my faith and who Christ was to me.  Steve Cecil was my youth pastor during those last two years of high school and he really helped me establish a relationship with God and helped me understand what that means.  I still have questions and am far from being perfect, but I know God loves me and cares for me deeply.  I'm currently taking college theology courses to further my understanding of God, scripture, and how it all relates to our daily lives.  I desire to be in full-time ministry at some point and am trusting God to cultivate me for that purpose.  Until then, "whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."  (Colossians 3:17)