CURRENT MISSION

To grow in self, knowledge, spirituality, and experience.

ABOUT ME

While not particularly "social", we are an open family to "outsiders", and enjoy getting to know new people. We are quite global in nature, as well as locally rooted in agriculture.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

We are new to this, but find it an intriguing concept that we hope to experience during plans to travel to Europe in 2013.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Our eldest daughter has couch surfed various times in Europe and Central America. Her parents have also couched surfed with her while in Italy and Zanzibar.

While Storm Lake, IA is not a popular destination, through our couchsurfing connection, we have hosted a couple of couch-surfers in our home for a few days and truly enjoyed the experience.

Interests

Many in our family are significantly well-traveled, with interests in global development and human rights. We are farmers, of the traditional sense in Iowa, growing corn and soybeans and finish growing swine. We often hire and work with immigrants. Our local city of 12,000 is very diverse, with over 70% of the school population of minority backgrounds (Hispanic, Asian, African). We have 4 children (ages 20-27) and a foreign exchange "daughter" who has remained near our hearts and active in our lives.

• human rights
• traveling
• agriculture
• nature
• spirituality
• conversations
• community

Music, Movies, and Books

Dramas, true. culturally, spiritually deep and/or intriguing story lines

I like justice/spiritual/folk-based music. Some of my favorites are U2, Roger Waters, Bob Dylan, Julien Baker, Jewel, etc.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Raising 4 vibrant, challenging, dynamic and exuberating children!

Experiencing the vibrant expressions of life and community in other parts of the world--particularly, Tanzania and Chile.

Spending part of our honeymoon at Foz do Iguacu, Brazil--a beautiful array of waterfalls in natural beauty--as well as with a local family in the center of the Amazon River.

Ascending the top of Machu Picchu and Huaynu Picchu.

Going on African safari in a remote game reserve.

Exploring the Drake Passage and the Antarctic.

Being given a ride by Bob Marley's backup band, The Wailers, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Teach, Learn, Share

Those who are true to heart and share and live by their convictions. Those who are kind and look to help/serve others in the world. So that one day, in the end, one may proclaim, "I confess....I have lived". --Pablo Neruda.

What I Can Share with Hosts

an openness to life and a comfortable space to be.

Countries I’ve Visited

Antarctica, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Haiti, Italy, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Rwanda, Tanzania, Venezuela

Countries I’ve Lived In

Colombia, Mexico, United States