CBLRWelcome
Thank you for your help and visits with Cathy and I. We have been so overwhelmed with gratitude for all the generosity of time and energy that people have poured out on us. We hope this page will help helpers and visitors think about their legacy as well.
This landing page is a place where I would love to share stories from the many people who have been part of our lives. Something really beautiful has been happening at nearly every visit: together, we’re embracing the truth that life is both hard and beautiful—and that Jesus is the hero in all of it.
My hope is that this continues through every kind of connection—whether face to face, over Zoom, or on a phone call—and that we can gather as many “Jesus is the Hero” stories as possible, especially those that come from walking through difficult seasons. It can be easy to feel like God isn’t answering prayer when things go wrong, and just as easy to assume He is when life feels smooth.
I’ll gently play the stage 4 cancer card here—gently, because I still experience so much goodness, and I know many others are walking through far greater hardships right now. But through it all, I’ve come to believe deeply that God always answers prayer. Sometimes His answer is “yes,” sometimes “no,” and sometimes “wait.” Through Scripture and in my own heart, He has made it clear: He never fails to answer. He simply asks us to trust Him in whatever that answer may be. 😊
My hope is that these pages will grow long with shared memories and testimonies—stories of beauty found in the midst of hard and happy moments. Please feel free to email us your story (and photos!). If you’d prefer to share an audio story (mp3), that’s wonderful too—we’d love to include it.
Marv and Duane's Hike up Pikes Peak
One morning Marv (Mike's dad) Duane decided to climb Pikes Peak so started out at the base of the cog railroad with 2 canteens & a couple of candy bars. At some point they emptied out part of the canteen to "lighten the load." 😉 Well, they did make it to the top; however, they were very fortunate to get a ride down as November 1 was the last day the road to the top was open! Grace and I were pretty happy to see both of them.
Submitted by: Ann Stevenson, (Duane's wife)
Pictured: Duane, Ann (and child), and Grace (Mike's mom)
Summer in Fairbanks
Way, way back (!) in 1997 I spent my summer in Fairbanks as an intern in the Fairbanks District Attorney's Office. It was my first experience living outside of the Bay Area. Your family was so kind to me that summer and made me feel welcome in your home. I especially remember a fun Sunday afternoon when we played cards at your home and Grace was also with us. It was very comforting to be around people who knew me and my family, and you helped make my entire summer much easier. Thank you.
Attached is a photo of Tom and me from Christmas. I hope seeing us in our crazy holiday sweaters makes you laugh!
Submitted by: Elaine Stevenson
Knowing the Shepherd
Thanks for the post Mike - I am grateful to be walking with you in this journey. I feel like I am the student learning from a student much farther along! I resonate with your story because I started off with a prayer when I was 6-7 and it wasn't until later after my wife Bethany passed away that I came to the end of living life on my own terms. Jesus showed me a better way which was to give Him all the broken pieces of my life so He could make something new out of this sinner. Even though this valley is dark, God has prepared you well for it my friend. I am praying for shalom over your body, mind, and heart. Here are some words that are much better than mine! "Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture." Psalms 100:3
Submitted by: Ben Widman
Knowing the Shepherd
There was a spruce beetle infestation, and all the big old spruced trees died. Now we have a winter view of McKinley from our library windows. It's a reminder that when God allows something to be taken away from our lives he often reveals something beautiful .
Submitted by: Annie Dougherty