Who Am I?

I am a used-to-be elementary teacher who has a great fondness for bad jokes, boogers, and bugs. I was a terrible math student in school, but once I began teaching 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders, my love for it grew. I found ways to incorporate literature, writing, and poetry into my math classroom and boy did we have fun!

I took a leap of faith in 2010 and quit teaching elementary school. My identity was in what I did and not in Christ, and letting that last piece of my identity go was essential in learning how to truly find my purpose in God. I spent that summer on my knees, seeking God in a way I never had. Even after surrendering teaching and being willing to let it go, God was gracious and opened the door for part-time teaching at North Florida College and Saint Leo University. I taught future teachers how to teach for nearly a decade and absolutely loved it as much or more as teaching little guys. And I got to be my students' biggest encourager as they fulfilled their calling in the teaching profession.

The best part about that job change was the privilege of being able to be at home with my kids. Carter was born in 2011 and Daniel in 2015. They are the sunshine in my day and the rainbow over my life. They regularly teach me how to be a better person and I have learned to love more deeply than I ever imagined possible since God so graciously gifted us with their presence.

More Currently

More recently, I accepted a part-time position at our church, Fellowship Baptist, as the Outreach and Connections Coordinator. At first, I was hesitant to accept this job. There was a season in my walk with Christ where I greatly missed the mark and allowed long-term, habitual sin to remain in my life. I paid God a bunch of lip-service during that time, but lacked in the sincerity department. Even though I knew God had healed me and brought me to the other side of that season, I still feared leading wrongly and messing up. Insecurity tried to win, but finally I surrendered and asked God to keep me focused and take me where he wanted me to go.

I'm so thankful God opened this door, because I absolutely love my job! I get to connect people, shepherd folks, and help in tangible ways through our food ministry in the community. Regularly, I encourage the Body of Christ and get to tell others about the hope I have in Jesus. Weekly, I teach a class at a recovery center for women and am also privileged to write curriculum and teach it monthly at another Christian recovery center. I couldn't ask for a better way to spend my time!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home Life

I've been married for 18 interesting but wonderful years to a good ole country boy. When I was praying about a future mate (a long time ago) one of my requests was that I didn't want to get bored in our marriage. Boy, did God take me seriously on that one! David brought a giant snapping turtle home for our first anniversary, two wild hogs (who we named Boss and Lulu) on our second anniversary, and he regularly throws random reptiles into our kitchen, just to see me scramble and scream! He has wrecked the same boat three different times and finally retired it a few years ago. He runs heavy equipment which means I've had to learn, too! We are in the process of slowly building our own home (6 years in). We have a sawmill, and I am learning how to do all of the finish work like walls, ceilings, and cabinets. We are using different types of wood in each of the rooms, all of which came either from our farm or from acreage down the road. Super exciting and never boring!

I have the cutest sons ever (yes, of course I believe that!) who always make me smile. They love Sunday afternoons when we get to explore the river and ride go-carts in the field out front. We live in the woods where it is okay for little boys to pee off the front porch and run around in their drawers and they take full advantage!

In 2022, we traveled to Kokrine Hills Bible Camp in Alaska as a family. We served there for two weeks with others from our church and learned so many lessons.

My Books

In 2021, I signed two book contracts. The first was with Wordcrafts Press for a devotional entitled, Learning As I Go: Big Lessons from Little People. It released September, 2022. The second contract was for a fiction series for 8-12 year olds, called Cricket and Kyle. The first book, Imagination Checkers, released September, 2022. The sequel, The Secret Door, is almost finished and will soon follow.

I am blessed. Even when life gets crazy and messy and everything falls apart, I am blessed.

I love Jesus. I love to write. And I hope to reach people with my words and my life.

I would love for you to follow along and join me on this journey. Make sure to subscribe and never miss an adventure!

As for me, I will continue Learning As I Go....