I was born and raised in Missouri, where I lived all my life until moving to Wisconsin in 1999. I grew up in the United Methodist Church. My father is a UM pastor, as was my grandfather. I have great memories of the churches my father served and the various faith journeys I walked in those churches. When I moved to Wisconsin, my faith journey brought me to Bethany UMC and what a BLESSING it has been! Although it was quite difficult to move away from my parents, my brother and his family, and my sister, I found my church family inside the doors of Bethany. The pastors and members here are loving, giving, nurturing, and faith-filled.

Not long after I joined Bethany, I began to sing and play guitar (my two favorite hobbies) in PraiseSong. What a blast! Three years ago, I began directing the Cherub Choir, which is our choir for children ages 2 through 1st grade. This has been such a great, great joy for me. Children and music, my favorite things! These kids sing their hearts out and I get to be a part of it! I'm so very blessed!

Other church responsibilities include serving on the Contemporary Worship Team (planning for the contemporary worship service, dramas, etc), and the Staff Pastor Parish Relations committee (SPRC).

My family includes my husband, Chris, my sons, Mark and Ian, and my daughter, Abigail, as well as two hamsters. I am a Special Education teacher with certifications in Cognitive Disabilities, Emotional Behavior Disorders, and Severe Disabilities. I currently teach cross-categorical special education in an elementary school in Madison. The things that make me happiest are faith, church, family, friends, music, kids, teaching, big breakfasts, reading, playing games, riding horses, traveling, temps over 70*, movies, eating out, listening to a good blues band, sunshine, watching NCAA basketball, going to plays/theatre events, and holding babies.