The Clearing

Hello! I'm Stephen Ertel and this is a glimpse of my unfolding story.

 

My life is easy and predictable, everything goes how I plan, I've never messed anything up, my wife and kids always listen to me and thank me for being so right all the time, and I have a dozen certificates that make me a qualified life expert!

Yeah.....

Really, I'm a delightfully imperfect human being, with broad life experience and a tendency to find deep meaning and truth in the small things. I believe God is active in life, that He always has something to teach, and that He wants me to walk with and encourage people with everything He's given me.

My marriage with Brittany has been the most impactful thing in my life, but it hasn't always been sunshine and rainbows. She's taught me how to listen, understand, and persist for 15 years and counting.

My sons Carson and Gavin love to wrestle and impress me with their exuberant independence and tender-hearted care for others. They've taught me patience, gentleness, and that there's tremendous power in just being there sometimes.

I mentor at-risk kids in Spokane's toughest schools and neighborhoods, and I walk away feeling like I've gained more wisdom than I had to offer.

I have a college degree I don't really use, I've started and closed businesses, been fired more than once, served in the military, been a stay-at-home dad, and even wandered aimlessly a few times. How's that for having life figured out?

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Yet, chances are we're more alike than different. Like you, I don't have a perfect life. Instead I have a purposefully messy and forever unfolding story—one that helps me better understand your journey and walk with you toward the clearing that's just ahead.