Tell us a little bit about yourself and what God has called you to do? I am a 9-year joyfully married mom of 4 incredible little ones who are 6, 4 ½, 3 and 9 months. My absolute favorite thing to do, be it to rest or have total fun, is to be with my family of 6, hands down. I have served in full-time ministry at Saddleback Church for 12 years overseeing our children’s discipleship program, Kids Small Groups. I am also a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist focusing on Biblically-based counseling. My calling embodies everything in my life as I deeply desire to make Kingdom impact in the lives of children and families. I am called to help children go deeper in their faith and build healthy families upon the firm foundation of the Lord.

Where do you live and have you lived anywhere else? I am born and raised in Mission Viejo, California, where we currently live. I’ve lived in San Diego while in undergrad and graduate schools, but God has always called me back to the OC.

How do you carve out time with God everyday? I wish I could say it was a deep, intentional daily time. With jam-packed schedules (& noise) I do my best to read a devotional to start each day to have some solid one-on-one God time. We are very intentional with God time with our children in reading their Bible each morning, praying multiple times a day and seeking/offering forgiveness to one another when we make mistakes.

What is your best organizational/planning tip? I am a MAJOR planner/scheduler so I write things down in my Anchored Press Devotional Planner AND we have a family Google calendar with everything color-coded if it is for me, my husband or both of us regarding time, transportation, etc. On this same calendaring/planning note we have a calendar in our home for meal planning and whiteboards with Scriptures being worked on in school/Kids Small Groups/church and “to do” lists. Sounds a little over-the-top when I write it all down but it helps to keep things literally in front of our eyes amidst all the craziness. :-)

What is your family’s favorite go-to easy meal? Turkey sliders on Hawaiian rolls; ground turkey meatballs and spaghetti; and ground turkey tacos…can you tell a theme that we love ground turkey?

Tell us your favorite God story (in your own life)? The first favorite God story that came to mind is what started our Gant family of six. Long story short, I felt very clearly called in the midst of my PsyD graduate school program to work in ministry. Back in 2005 I would have never thought I’d leave my PsyD program midway to then work in full-time ministry, but that was God’s plan for me. And for good reason as I joined the team that my husband was on. We then had an international relationship development as we became best friends on the Mexico trip, decided to date after our Kazakhstan trip and were engaged in Rwanda. God was fully and completely present every step of the way. And we are SO grateful for that as we wouldn’t be where we are, who we are and doing what we do today.

What are your 3 favorite books, other than the Bible of course? Ugh. I’m embarrassed to say that while I absolutely LOVE reading it is just not happening in my current season of life…like since we started having our kids. But my favorites have are: Children’s Ministry on Purpose by Steve Adams, How We Love by Kay & Milan Yerkovich, and Choose Joy by Kay Warren.

What is your favorite Bible Verse? Galatians 6:9, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” I love this verse because it was my anchor in college when I was doing my best to stay rooted far away from home, my home church and at a LARGE university (UCSD). It has then continued to keep me focused on the bigger picture through good times and bad.

We are dying to know how you would describe the theme of your current season? The simplest words to describe my current season is A LOT. Obviously, with 4 kids, marriage, full-time ministry and MORE it is A LOT to schedule, keep going and be united on with my husband. At the same time, it is A LOT of beautiful memories and moments with the people I love so dearly. It is A LOT of precious times with each of our children that I will forever cherish…A LOT. Yes it is all A LOT, but I would not change it for the world.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." GALATIONS 6:9

1. Make a Date with God. Just like every relationship you need to invest time into it to help it grow. Plans are all over the place in the summer so schedule your time with God in your planner! Writing it down will make it a priority in your life.
2. Make a Plan. There are so many ways to study God's Word. But having a plan before you sit down with Him can be helpful. Is your time spent with the Lord in your Anchored Press Devotional Planner? If so, how can you enrich this time in His Word and dig deeper? My sweet friend Teresa Swanstrom Anderson just launched a 2 week study that clearly and concisely helps you become a student of the Bible called the Bible Nerd. This would be a great place to start! Head here to find it. 
3. Meet with God in your place of peace. If it's in your backyard under your favorite tree, in a quiet little corner of your house, or cozy in your bed before your day begins, having the right environment helps! You will be more enticed to head to that spot everyday if you know peace will wash over you before you even dive into God's Word. If you don't have a space like that, make one. Light a candle, diffuse some oils or turn on a fountain, whatever it is that puts you at peace, make it happen!
4. Journal how God is using your time with Him to enrich your life. It's a promise that "through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.” (2 Timothy‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭MSG‬‬) Your days will be different when you meet with Him. Writing down how God uses His living breathing Word in your life will keep you coming back for more.
5. Find an accountability partner. Does your husband, best friend, or son or daughter want to commit to being in God's Word everyday? Set a goal that each of you will meet with God everyday for 2 weeks (Teresa's Bible Nerd study would be a great place to start!) and check in with your "partner" right after you've finished your quiet time for the day. This is what personally launched my consistent time with God a few years ago! 

I will be praying for you as you commit to being anchored in God's Word this summer! And I'm confident that He will keep you coming back for more!