Peter has been attending St. Mark for quite some time, and last fall, he decided to become a member. Peter submitted the following notes, so the congregation can get to know more about him and his family.
“I was born in Pasadena, California but grew up in Michigan. I was raised in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, but I have recovered lol. Since I was a child I didn’t understand why everybody wasn’t welcome to the table, also I felt very uncomfortable after someone would perform an amazing musical piece and we would all sit in stone silence after. So, I am not new to church or faith, I can’t remember a time when I didn’t at least know Jesus, but over the years my faith has matured as it should. I am once divorced, she passed shortly after, so I raised two boys 9 and 5 as a single dad. I am married to my wife Bronwen who is a Christian but not an early riser.
My father, who you see me with at church is approaching 92. He is still married to my mother also approaching 92. They live at Panorama, my father in a single apt and my mother in the memory care unit. So they see each other every day and have been married soon to be 71yrs.
My father is truly the smartest man alive. He was head of the science dept at Hope College in Holland, Michigan as a PhD Chemistry Professor. My mother had her Master’s Degree in Microbiology, but was a stay-at-home mom after working in labs to help dad get his PhD.
I am a Dr. of Chiropractic, doing my undergraduate studies at Hope College and my Doctorate at Palmer College in Davenport, IA. I’ve been here since 1985 and have had my own practice since 1988 (right up the street at College and Yelm Hy next to Safeway).
I love to hunt, for the chemical free protein it provides and now that my children are adults, we enjoy it together when we can. Hayden, my youngest, is 31 and Gunnar is 34 (a former Marine, be careful what you name your kids). They both are married to wonder women, and both had my first grandchildren in the last year (boys of course). My wife has a daughter Megan, and my son Hayden’s wife had a young girl when they met, so thankfully we do have some girls in there.
I can truly say St. Mark is my favorite church as a 64 yr old. Eric and Beth are wonderful and do I really even need to mention Terry Shaw and the music program………unbelievable talent……..and I get to clap, yea!!!!
Lastly the parishioners are some of the most welcoming people I’ve ever met.”