Kristin was born in Tokyo, Japan and left when she was 2. Her parents were Lutheran missionaries there for 12 years. The family lived for 4 years in San Francisco where her father was a pastor. Kristin graduated from Augsburg College, in Edina MN, majoring in Studio Art and Art History. David grew up in Twin Cities, MN.
Kristin and David have been married 30 years and have 2 sons; Matthew is 22 and just graduated from University of MN with a business degree. He just started a new job in St. Paul, MN. Joshua is 21 and is a junior at Hamline University in St. Paul. He plans on becoming a lawyer. They also have “2 rambunctious Boston Terriers and a perky Russian Tortoise!”
David, Kristin and their 2 sons were members at Gloria Dei Lutheran in Olympia for 14 years where they were very active, volunteering in worship, hospitality, small groups, bible study, Sunday School, youth group, church council, and other committees. Kristin was a preschool teacher there for 10 years.
Kristin is currently working for a non-profit, the Child Care Action Council, in Olympia. She is a supervisor for a state contracted program (Early Achievers) that supports child care providers in a quality rating improvement system. David works for the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission.
Kristin loves to design perennial gardens, read history, “dance with my husband (how we met in college)”, hike and work out at the gym. Fitness, sport fishing, and sports are David’s leisure time interests.
A direct quote from Kristin describes their experience with St. Mark so far: “We liked St. Mark for its down to earth, casual vibe. Gloria Dei was getting too big for us. I enjoy the music (especially Terry’s old time style piano playing!), the sanctuary art and the pastors’ sermons. David and I were immediately made to feel welcome at St. Mark, specifically by Dave and Arvis Olson. Football was an immediate connection for my husband!
We are slowly getting involved at our own pace. A major bathroom model has taken a lot of our time on the weekends, but we hope to make time soon to stick around after the 8:30 service for fellowship!”
So, now that we have been introduced to Kristin and David, let’s give them a big St. Mark welcome!
Facilitated by David & Arvis Olson