JOESTAPLES
Getting Personal

Life for me has revolved around my family for as long as I can remember. Everything I do and every decision I make has been centered on them and their well-being. I believe that strong families make for a better world. When I have an hour to spend, my preference is spending it with one, or all of my family members.
I'm second-generation Italian-American. I spent my growing up summers on my grandparents farm in western Pennsylvania with two blind great uncles and a great-grandmother who didn't speak English. Those summers shaped me in so many ways. Aside from the summers, I grew up in Las Vegas until I moved to Provo, Utah to go to Brigham Young University.
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My wife Robyn and I now enjoy our five married children and our grandchildren. Our house is chaotic and lively when we're all together, but we wouldn't want it any other way.
The other big influence in my life is my faith. I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the summer after I graduated from high school and it has been a guiding influence in all that I do. I served a full time two year mission to Brazil as young man. I believe that God has a plan for each of us and that he hasn't left us here on the earth to just sort it out without guidance from Him. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world and that it is through Him that we are able to return to live with God again.
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I also love the Church's teachings on the divine role of the family in our lives and that through sacred priesthood ordinances, families can be sealed together forever. If you want to know more, please visit www.churchofjesuschrist.org




Last thing to know is that I'm adventurous. But in my case, don't confuse adventure with adrenaline junkie. I've never bungee jumped or skydived. However, I have done a week long, bring no food survival trip in the Exuma Islands. I've flown (not ridden, but actually flown) a simulated air combat mission. I've gone 185 mph around the Indy500 track with Mario Andretti. Life has been a lot of fun.
Overall, my real sense of adventure is exploring new places and cultures. I love to travel. I've been to 24 countries on six continents and usually have the next trip planned before I finish the current one. I'm ready for the next one now!
