Faces of Calvary: Meet Deb August & Kristy Norman

Deb August

Share a little about your younger years and where you’ve lived.

I grew up in Southern California and was the oldest of three kids. My mom was a stay at home mom and my dad was a police officer. I thought I’d always live in California and actually had to find Minnesota on a map when my husband, Mike was transferred here. Needless to say, my first winter was a bit of a shock! Mike and I have lived on the west side of Twin Cities for the last 37 years and just moved down to Rochester last year.

We have 4 kids and 9 grandkids and we are living with our oldest daughter, (Lauren), her husband, (Andy) and 6 of our grandkids. I like to say, it’s always a party at our house!

What is your favorite outdoor activity?

I love, love, love being outside (unless it’s below 0!) I would say my favorite outdoor activity is hiking. A few years ago Mike bought me a book called Waterfalls, Minnesota North Shore. We noticed that there were quite a few near Duluth, so we took a couple of days, stayed in a hotel and each day went in search of the different waterfalls, it was such a great adventure! I’ve also had the chance to hike in Colorado and Montana and I love seeing some of the amazing places God has created.

What is your favorite time of the day?

I must admit my favorite time of the day is in the evening – particularly after all the kiddos are tucked into bed. I enjoy curling up in my chair with a good book (and maybe a bowl of ice cream). I usually have two books going at once, a fiction and a non-fiction. I’m currently reading The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry (NF) by John Mark Comer and I’m just starting The Persian Pickle Club (F) by Sandra Dallas. I especially enjoy historical fiction and a good murder mystery!

What is something that makes for a welcoming home?

Before our move to Rochester, I would have said a CLEAN home, lots of cozy pillows, quilts pictures of family on the wall and lots of farmhouse decorations. I’m learning though, that people don’t really care if there’s toys on the floor, crumbs under that table and piles of clean laundry. My daughter is helping me remember that what makes for a welcoming home is taking the time to sit and visit, laughing together, eating good food and sharing life.

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Kristy Norman

Share a little about yourself and family.

I grew up in Mora, MN. My husband, Aaron, and I got married in September, 2007, at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis. We have two children: Isaac, age 14, and Haddie, age 11. We reside in Northeast Rochester with our 2-year-old goldendoodle, Shiloh.

What is your favorite Bible verse?

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 –But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

What was your favorite class in school and why?

My major at the University of Northwestern was Intercultural studies. I liked learning about other places, people groups and culture. The best part was a two-month internship work/study trip around the world from Chicago to England, India, Thailand, Malaysia and China and then back to the US via Hawaii, California and Colorado. It was eye opening and life changing, to say the least. 

What is your favorite local restaurant and the meal you most enjoy eating when there?
The Massaman Curry at both/either Mango Thai and Thai Pop is my favorite. It’s tender beef simmered in a southern Thai style curry with coconut milk, carrots, onions, potatoes and roasted peanuts.

If you could be anywhere, doing anything right now, where would you be and what would you be doing?
I would be paddle boarding or boating on the ocean somewhere warm and lovely – perhaps Greece or anywhere in the Mediterranean. I’d love to stay on a big yacht that we could anchor and jump off to go snorkeling or swim with dolphins.

Share one thing that you love to do that you get to do nearly every day.

Cuddling with my kids and our doodle pup, Shiloh. I have to be selective on how/when to approach my pre-teen and teenager for hugs, but Shiloh is always up for snuggling.

If finances and time were not an object, what hobby would you adopt and why?

Travel with family and friends to new places around the world… In addition to experiencing different countries, cuisine and culture, I would like to volunteer with people learning English as a second language.