About Me

I love all of God's creation in nature, so any task I have to do is doubly enjoyable if I can do it outdoors.  I enjoy many activities that take me outdoors: walking, jogging, hiking, snorkeling, diving, camping, biking, various sports, etc., though I'm not an expert at any one activity in particular. 

I love being creative and resourceful with ingredients and materials that I have on hand or that I can purchase cheaply to make or to improve something; thus, I've dabbled in gardening, flower arranging, home-decorating, arts, crafts, sewing, cooking, writing, music, and photography! I don't do any of this on a regular basis, but I enjoy when life's circumstances present an opportunity for my creative bent.

I love learning, so reading has always been a favorite activity. John Bunyan's Pilgrim's progress in 4th grade, a variety of works by C.S. Lewis and Agatha Christie in high school, and G.K. Chesterton's writing in college whet my appetite for good, deep, and entertaining creative writing.

I love the roles God has given me: a daughter, a sister to 4 other women, a sister-in-law, a missionary/pastor's wife for 10 1/2 years, a daughter-in-law since 1982, a mom to my own children since 1983, an "adopted mom" of several young adults from other nations, a widow serving in ministry since 1993, a mother-in-law since 2011, and a grandmother since 2012.  I have loved being a teacher since 1979...with a varied teaching career that has encompassed teaching all grade levels K-12 as well as adults, both one-on-one and in class settings, in public, private, and home school . . . on both sides of the globe!  It has has included but has not been limited to teaching high school English and Spanish, English as a Second Language, New Guinea Pidgin, and Bible.

I love the Word of God and its life-giving and life-transforming power as it is applied by the Holy Spirit to the heart of a person, and I love sharing the Word with others.   I believe in pursuing a life of continual spiritual growth, so I believe in regular fellowship with other believers in Jesus Christ in a local church, in prayer, and in regularly taking in the Word of God by reading it myself, by reading biblical writers, and by listening to biblical preachers and teachers.  My joy in teaching and discipling others, then, becomes a natural overflow of what I've learned and practiced in my own life. I strive to be able to say like the Apostle Paul, "What  you have learned and received and heard and seen in me---practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you"  (Philippians 4:9).

I love stepping out in faith and taking risks for the Gospel and seeing God be faithful and true to keep his promises. I believe in a radical obedience to Jesus Christ that often brings discomfort rather than comfort, loss rather than gain, enemies rather than friends, and giving rather than receiving - at least this side of eternity.  I believe in taking up my cross and following Jesus wherever He may lead me.  Will you join me?