My parents came to faith in Christ shortly before I was born. We attended church as a family regularly until my parents’ separation when I was about eight years old. After my parents’ separation, we stopped attending church, and I knew very little about what it meant to be a Christian, the Bible, or the Gospel. Although I cannot pinpoint the exact day the Lord saved me and I turned to Christ, when I found myself, at 24 years old, living my way and following my own desires and selfishness, I learned I had breast cancer. That devastating news forced me to examine my life and what I really believed about God. Facing surgeries and cancer treatments, I prayed for the Lord to take control of my life. I surrendered to Jesus, that, as I understood, we only turned to in times of trouble or need. 

Thereafter, I began to change– not all at once, but I had a new desire to please God, and to live for Him. God not only gave me saving faith, but He also gave me His peace about my unknown future. God healed me spiritually and physically. I began to learn more about God through His word, and recognized my sin and turned from it. Since then, I have come to a deeper understanding of who God is, the Gospel, and the biblical Jesus that is much more than someone you only call to in times of trouble. The Lord, by His saving grace and through the work of His Spirit, has continued to grow my faith. He has given me a growing affection for Him and for His Word, even through many trials and painful losses. 

Daryl and I were married in 2003, a few months after finishing my cancer treatments, and we quickly joined a church and were baptized. God blessed us with three beautiful daughters. Following the birth of our first daughter, I ended my career as a paralegal to be a stay-at-home mom, and homeschooled for more than fifteen years. I’m grateful to watch my youngest compete in high school volleyball and track, and to support my other two daughters through their college years with care and prayer. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, gardening, reading, and the outdoors. I am eternally thankful to the Lord, in His kindness and wonderful providence, for leading us to FBC and for the family we have found here.