Well, this is us in 2008! This photo is an absolute testament to the power of God. If you ever catch yourself wondering what God might have planned in your life, come back and look at this picture. You really have no idea what He has in store!
Daniel started out as the youngest of two boys and spent half his youth growing up as a cowboy in Oklahoma. By the time he decided to drop out of high school, his family had returned to the Northwest. With a lack of direction, wild spirit, and a tremendous amount of self-esteem, Dan was ready to conquer the world. During this time, he dedicated himself to making a lot of incredible personal choices that should of ruined him for life. Soon, he found himself at an Olive Garden looking for a server job when Loring appeared in his life. Daniel was in love the minute he saw her. However, the attractive hostess at the Olive Garden wanted nothing to do with Daniel.
Loring is the youngest of two girls and spent her entire life in the Portland, Oregon area. After graduating high school, Loring was anxious to be a French major at Linfield college while her parents moved off to live in Kalispell, Montana. However, with the introduction of the weird guy with the motorcycle, her life turned in another direction.
Both began their higher education at Mt. Hood Community College. They got married in August of 1999. Dan eventually graduated from East West College of the Healing Arts and Loring from Cosmetology Careers in 2000. With Aiden being born in January of 2000, the family made a visit to the parents in Montana.
Once thinking Montana was a God-forsaken wasteland, Loring now thought it might be nice to be close to her folks. By November of the same year, Daniel and Loring were living in Montana.
Loring spent her time doing hair in her house, waiting tables at the local Thai restaurantand running a kids clothing store while doing her best to stay pregnant. Dan practiced massage, became a bill collector and pursued a significant amount of business ideas. Hannah joined the brood in March of 2003, Benjamin in May of 2005.
Meanwhile, they stayed active in their home church of Easthaven Baptist in Kalispell. Loring served by cooking Wednesday night dinners for the church body. Daniel began a small mens group and served on various committees. As the church grew and began building a new facility, Daniel found himself working as a general laborer for $10/hr on the new building. Soon, because of the scope of the project and limited funds, Daniel became exposed to the whole gamut of new construction and the various skill sets required. By the completion of the new 44,000 square foot church building, Daniel opened his own tile business and began an apprenticeship with a friend from Easthaven.
While growing and learning through the various challenges of life, a spiritual hunger to began to grow. This initial pang seemed to head towards missions. Despite a recognition they had little to offer God they still had faith He had something planned for them.
In 2005, Dan and Loring applied to two different mission organizations. They were denied by both. Although disappointed and confused, Daniel began an internship at Easthaven. A year later a Ugandan national made an appearance at Sunday Service. This man was a pastor who had visited Easthaven with a request for short-term missionaries to help him in Uganda. Dan and Loring responded and in February of 2007 arrived in Uganda as part of a team of missionaries. They immediately knew this is what God had in mind. They just had no idea how and when it would happen.
Shortly after returning home, a fellow team member and a successful businessman in Kalispell, offered Dan a partnership in his building company for free - no strings attached. For the next year Daniel began running the construction company and preparing his heart and mind for missions. They soon received a call from International Messengers. After applying and being accepted they began to prepare for a new life in Uganda. Despite a declining housing market both of their spec homes sold in one week. After a few weeks on the market their own home was under contract. Currently they are preparing to move to Libby Montana for four months of missionary training.
