My Story

I was born into a wonderful family just before the "great Halloween blizzard."

 And for the first 13 years of my life, I was raised in Minnesota.

At the end of a horrible 2^nd grade year I was determined to be “likeable” the following school year. What followed was a transfer of schools and a series of decisions to be like the "coolest of girls." What I learned is that “the new girl” thing wore off and the popular girls were only temporary friends. For that year I put most my efforts into being likeable by these girls. I talked like them, did everything I could to be like them and said a hundred lies to look better than how I felt. At times I succeeded into being “likeable” and some days I was not accepted. However, the highlight of that year was my grade improvement.  The lowlight of that year was beginning the next school year…mom and dad decided to home school all four of us children. I battled it for the next two years and sometimes begged to go back to school. When I realized they had their minds set on home schooling, I finally surrendered that hope and began sincerely enjoying the home-school days. When fifth grade year ended, testing came right around the corner. The results? I was skipping sixth grade! That year is when a lot of things that affect me still today took place. That is why I share all this with you.

In my heart I had a cry. I desperately wanted a real friend.  Amongst my heart's cry I became very close with my family. Home schooling had a way of bonding all of us together in ways words can’t explain. At the age of twelve I saw my mom as a woman I wanted to be like.  My mom was, and is, one of the most genuine women I've ever known. Because of her love for the Lord she taught me about prayer. Lovingly insisting that God would always be there and hear my every word. The amazing thing was that God would talk back. That intrigued me greatly. Grandpa heard from God, maybe I could too? What I did not realize at the time was that the Lord speaks to everyone of His children, and not always in the same way. But that's another story for another time! 

After what seemed like months of unheard prayers the Lord gave me an unexpected amazing friendship. In the process of waiting on the Lord for an answer, God became the friend I was so desperately longing for. When this realization occurred I do not remember, but the Lord was faithful in hearing my desperate plea. He blessed me with several friendships that are still strong to this day.

Throughout those years I learned that I was created valuable and made with a great purpose. Which meant every person had a unique purpose! Just like my Dad, God my heavenly Father loved me and all my quirks. No amount of trying to be like somebody else, or look like someone else, was going to change the fact that God created a look and personality uniquely for me. Three, in seeking the Lord I continued to learn more about myself. Thus beginning my journey of living life to the fullest!

When I was 13 my family moved to Florida. 

The second week into tenth grade my parents enrolled us in public school. My last public school experience was disastrous to me mentally. So,  I'll be honest I was a bit nervous, but walking into public school again felt like an exciting adventure. An adventure it was! I had never heard such perverse language, nor been a racial minority, and yet I had never cared for so many people at once. It was in these years that my passion for missions was birthed. 

The years since graduating have flown by ever so fast. From high school I completed a Discipleship Training school in Arkansas. From there I have been on this crazy/difficult/wonderful journey. -- I lived in Arkansas for roughly 3 years, 2 of which facilitating local outreaches, co- leading and leading outreaches over seas. From there I lived in Texas, expanding my knowledge concerning the development of children. From there I married my best friend in Minnesota. After that we moved to Missouri where I, together with a wonderful school, have started an Elementary program. 

More often than not I am uncertain of what my future holds. However, I am 100% certain that the Lord has this plan for my life far better than I can imagine. I testify to it! I have much to learn but I find that daily submitting to the headship of Christ is right where God wants me. Submitted and committed. I'm grateful for how the Lord continues to restore me and I look forward to seeing where He takes me and how He works in and through me.

With memories to be made and today to live out, this is my story and I’m stickin’ to it! (-=