I have been active in church life since I was 11 years old, spending my first 14 years at a large Four Square Church in Washington State before finally stumbling across a Lutheran congregation. It was in 2005 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Marysville, WA, that I truly felt like I “belonged” in a church home. In 2010, I moved to Minnesota, and in 2019 I remarried. My husband, Chad, and I have five children—Mira, Ezra, Julia (and her husband, Adam), Marcy, and Jeremiah—his, mine, and ours, with two still at home. We live in White Bear Lake, where we enjoy being involved in both the schools and the community. I love my daily dose of “vitamin C”: coffee, cats, and crafts. My dream is to visit all 63 National Parks, I am just over a third of the way there.

For over 25 years I’ve been active in children’s and youth programming, as well as in nonprofit ministry. I can’t imagine spending my career doing anything else. Among the many programs I’ve been blessed to lead, my favorites are our youth groups and Vacation Bible School. I am excited to continue exploring new ways to serve the wider community alongside the greater Church, especially in the work of equity for all.

I love Jesus and strive to follow His Greatest Commandment in all that I do, but I am human and grateful for His grace when I stumble. If you need me, you can always send an email, call the church office, or find me wandering the halls, dreaming up new ways to brighten and transform our children and youth spaces.