I grew up in New Mexico and Arizona and was raised in a Lutheran church. I believed I was a Christian, but believed salvation was through being a “good person” and “working hard”. I did not know about the Holy Spirit or having active communication with God on a daily basis. I had struggles and fears and did not cope with them in healthy ways and I never felt I was “good enough”. In High School in Phoenix, a friend invited me to her Bible Study and I experienced a movement of God’s Holy Spirit. After praying with the others, I was changed- my eyes were opened and I realized God was with me every moment and wanted to have a personal relationship with me. I learned how to read the Bible regularly and pray.
My faith was strengthened when I went to college at NAU in Flagstaff. I attended Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship and learned how to LIVE my faith as I attended Bible Study, Student Fellowship, Training camps, Outreach, and Mission trips to Mexico and India. I graduated with a degree in Biology and did a year of volunteer staff with Inter-Varsity, participating on the student leadership team, leading a Bible Study and mentoring women 1-on-1. During my years in IVCF and living in Flagstaff I was privileged to attend many different church denominations and gain an appreciation for the variety of ways one’s personal faith can be expressed. I also experienced a lot of healing through 12-step programs and as a result have a heart for those held in bondage by dysfunctional thinking and addiction.
I worked as a field tech for an Environmental Consulting Company doing aquatic field research on the Colorado River for several years, but knew I would need to do more to support myself. Because of my love of science and teaching/mentoring, I felt God calling me to nursing, so I moved to Tucson to obtain my nursing degree at the UA. I married my best friend, Paul, who had a passion for Judaism and taught me a lot about the Old Testament. My hopes to have children and a family did not happen, but I am thankful that our time and resources have been used to help many ministries. As a nurse I have worked at St. Mary’s Hospital in Med/Surgical, Pima County Health Department TB Clinic, Wound Care, and am now currently working in Home Health.
I have a heart for prayer and for caring for the world and animals God created. I also hurt for the lonely and outsiders, and have been involved with Tucson Refugee Ministry for many years as well Gospel Rescue Mission and Compassion International. Recently I have been learning about our Christian heritage and the roots of monasticism and contemplative prayer through classes at Via de Dios. As I have been practicing contemplative prayer, I have experienced a whole new level of connection to God and have found the deeper quiet place of just being still before God and loving Him. I see how much this is desperately needed in our fast-paced, over-stimulated, dystopic world, so I want to support and promote Via De Dios and it’s mission as much as I can.