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Georgetown United Methodist Church |
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Unlike many of the GUM staff I'm a local girl, born and raised right here in West Michigan. I attended (and somehow managed to graduate from) Hudsonville Public High School, and after a few detours, completed a BS in Economics and a BA in Music from Grand Valley State U and a Masters in Music Theory from MSU.
During my growing-up years, much of my time was spent studying music. My mother tells me that I showed an interest in and a talent for the piano as early as age 2, so she convinced my sister's piano teacher to take a chance on giving lessons to me when I was 4. In those early years I was required to practice for 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes later in the day. Although there were times when I resented the loss of what seemed like huge amounts of play time or TV time, I will forever be grateful to my parents for their persistence and determination. They knew that I had an unusual gift and they invested an enormous amount of time and financial resources to make sure I didn't bury what God had given me.
These days I spend most of my work day at GUM, where I serve as Music and Worship Arts Coordinator. I've been an employee at the church for nearly 6 years. During that time, my resonsibilities have expanded greatly, beginning as a 10 -hour per week position and growing to a 40 hour, full-time job. I wouldn't have it any other way. I enjoy every aspect of my work (except perhaps the meetings - I'm not a great meeting person) and have made many good friends that I will always treasure.
In my spare time I'm an adjunct professor at Grand Valley, where I teach Music Theory. Lots of work - little pay - great non-monetary rewards in working with and mentoring young adults.
And in my other spare time I play golf :-) My husband Fred and I live on the 7th fairway of Railside Golf Course in Byron Center, where we indulge our shared passion for the game as often as possible. Fred is an optometrist who maintains a private practice in Grandville. We've been married for 28 years, and besides golf, during those years we have tried our hand at down-hill skiing (too cold!), SCUBA diving (too wet and too many sharks), off-shore boat racing (too expensive!), and target shooting (Fred still loves it- I'm ambivalent and if truth be told, afraid of guns).
I think that's probably mostly it. You now know more about me than you ever cared to know. Oh...the most important thing. Through my life, there have been many times when I've tried to ignore God's presence in my life. I thought I was doing just fine on my own. Looking back, I can see that I wasn't fine at all, and I really wasn't alone either. God was there all the time. Do I have it all figured out? Not even close - I'm not sure that I ever will. But I know that "I can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens me." So I keep trying and I'll continue to try to figure things out - but not on my own. Read the 23rd Psalm - or recite it from memory. It's one of my favorite Scripture passages because it reminds me that I am truly never alone.
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 Thanks for all you do! |
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Hope you're feeling better!
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 Thank you for the music you provded for Harold's Memorial service today. It was appreciated. |
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Ok Diane.... it's time again to get more friends!!! we have 27 on as members now!!!
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 Music yesterday was great. But then you know ,,, I could sing 'Come, Now Is The Time to Worship' every week! |
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Sometimes, parents push us to do things we don't want to do and don't always realize the benefits until much later in life. I hope some of our "younger" generations will read your profile and realize that us parents are being hopeful in their futures.
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Wow Diane - profile was very interesting!!! Thanks for posting.
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Awesome music today. You were really rockin'!
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