My parents are Salvation Army pastors (Officers), and by the time I was 3 weeks old, they were moved from their appointment in Ft. Wayne, Indiana to Chicago, Illinois. Growing up a PK (preachers kid) had its challenges, but also its perks (like getting to skate on the gym floor in our church in Milwaukee, lots of potlucks, taking home leftover food, having community of believers at each church feeling of big "family").When I was 8 years old, my mother was killed in a car accident on her way to World Day of Prayer, when a semi-truck crossed the median of the highway in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. My dad remarried when I was 12. I feel very blessed to be able to say that God has given me TWO moms - my birth mother and my mom that had a huge influence on my life and raised me! I think I figured once that I lived in 8 different quarters (parsonages). I graduated from Omaha Central and went to college at Valparaiso University. After working in various bank positions (teller, vault teller, teller trainer, IRA dept. and assistant manager) for 12 years, God called me to go into ministry also. So I was commissioned as a Salvation Army pastor and had appointments in Chicago (Wendy was born) and Indianapolis (Brad was born). After leaving the work, we came back to this area and I worked for Youth For Christ (Amanda was born). Then we moved to Winona Lake, Indiana and I was hired to work at First UMC as the Nursery through Adult Coordinator! (Craig was born). Then we moved back to this area in 1999 and I have been at GUMC since that time. I love being at GUMC!! I love the community of believers that are here!! There are so many exciting things going on! I am thrilled that God has lead me to this community of believers! Working full-time and being a mother of four children - oh it's just like being a PK - it is a big CHALLENGE - but it also has its rewards!!! | 
