I was born in San Dimas, CA and raised in Claremont, just a couple of cities west of Rancho. I went to Claremont High School and then attended Cal Poly Pomona before serving my mission in the Minnesota Minneapolis Mission where many were cold but few were frozen! I returned from my mission and finished my BA in Music Education at Cal Poly. After graduating I got hired at Claremont High School as the choir director, teaching in the classroom where I had spent all four years as a student. While teaching, I earned my Masters degree in Choral Conducting from Cal State Fullerton, and then my Doctorate in Choral Conducting from Claremont Graduate University. I still direct choir at Claremont High but I also teach at El Roble Intermediate and I'm adjunct faculty at Cal Poly Pomona. It is a challenge and a joy to teach 7th grade through college seniors (and all at schools that I once attended!).
My wife Darci was born in Georgia but raised in San Fernando. She had moved to LaVerne to attend Cal Poly (but we never met there) and we met while both attending the Singles Ward in the LaVerne Stake. Our first date was Mach 11, 2005 and we were married 11 months later on Feb. 11, 2006. We have three wonderful children, Jackson, Jenna, and Paul. We bought our first home right when we got married so we've been in the Chaffey ward since 2006.
My testimony, like many people, was not one singular event that I can put my finger on but rather was slow and came to me "line upon line...here a little, there a little." I'm grateful for parents who taught me the gospel and I just always felt that it was true. I do remember the moment when I realized that I knew. It was General Conference, the Priesthood Session, April of 1997, I believe, before I left for my mission. The congregational hymn was "The Spirit of God" and the Spirit literally washed over me like I had never experienced before, and I started weeping as I realized that I knew that it was all true.
I have had many faith promoting experiences but one that I've had in the Stake was while I was serving as Bishop. I was coming home late after a long day and I was very tired and needed some rest and Family time. As I was driving, the Spirit prompted me to go see an individual but the weakness of the flesh kept me driving home. After a few more promptings, I was in my driveway and about to get out when the last prompting came to go see the individual so I relented and went. When I arrived I was greeted by a very distraught individual who was in need of help. It was such a testimony to me to see how the Lord is aware of each of us and our needs.
The goals that I'm really focused on right now are improving the quality of the gospel learning and instruction in our home. It's the new focus of the Church and very important for our Spiritual well being. The prophet is optimistic yet cautious about the future and has made it clear that personal and Family scripture study and personal revelation are the key to also being optimistic about the future.
When I'm not working I'm usually doing something for my calling otherwise spending time with my family is obviously at the top; watching movies, playing games, building Legos, whatever seems to interest them in any given moment. I read a lot. I listen to or look at a lot of music and even though it is work related, it is very relaxing for me.
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