Michael's Search for Family & Health History

Greetings to friends, family, and all others.  I am currently studying at Luther Seminary in preparation to become a Lutheran Pastor.  As part of my studies I am completing a class on Money and the Mission of the Church. I have taken the assignment known as the “Grand Challenge” to plan, design, and implement a digital crowdfunding campaign using a digital platform.  When I began to think about asking for money I became uncomfortable for two reasons; I didn’t know if I had a cause worthy enough, and if I did how could I ask people to share in my quest to find Michael. As many of you may know I am very proud to say that I am adopted.  I love my mother Arlene and my father Joel as they are my parents, they have loved me since they adopted me when I was six days old, with the assistance of Lutheran Social Services. One of my earliest memories is being told that I was adopted and what a gift I was. My biological parents are unknown to me, the only information provided was that I am 100% Norwegian and from a musically talented background.  Those two things I have embraced as my “roots”, while loving accepting the diversity of the family in whose blood I don’t share, but share everything else. I am now 52 years old, married for 22 years, have three children: Jackson 21- U of M, Abigail 19- U of M, and Siri 16 ( yes the Scandinavian name, not the phone app) and a 10 year old flat coat retriever Belle. My father Joel is 86, recently celebrating his 23rd anniversary to my bonus mother and he still shoots his age or better golfing, and my mother Arlene is 82 and loves to travel.  I love my family dearly, but I have always felt that I am missing something. What many take for granted or sadly don’t appreciate, I am legally unable to know and if my biological parents are still alive and to thank them for bringing me into this beautiful world. My biggest concern is expressing the love for my Mother and Father for everything they have given me and in no way is this a betrayal of that love or a question of their parenting; they helped me to learn what unconditional love is all about. I invite you to give what you can to help me realize one of my goals in life.  It has taken me 52 years to get this this point and take this next step in learning how I can be the best person for my family and friends. Even though there are no guarantees of discovery, this process is not free. Through Lutheran Social Services I can apply as a post adoption adult for a Full Search and Discovery. At best this provides my biological mother with the option of contact and a full search that would provide any pertinent medical information, there is also the option then to locate the father, again with no guarantees and the common reality through my research that the father’s name was frequently blank.  My hope is to thank them, and let them know that they did a wonderful thing, that their toughest moment of love has no hate. I am excited to present you with this opportunity to share in my quest. I plan on honoring my Norwegian Heritage with skiing in the BirkebeinerRennet which is the real Birke. So now you know why I went to St. Olaf, love to ski, and will share that love. Only with your help can we make this happen. Any donations above what is needed for my personal dream will be donated to help others attain this goal as well.