Tell us a little bit about yourself and what God has called you to do? My dad was a pastor when I was growing up and our house was always filled with God’s love. As I grew and matured in my faith, God truly gave me a heart for mission work. I adore people from all cultures and walks of life. In my youth I served on mission teams, locally & globally.

When I married my husband Steve—my soul mate—God blessed us with two beautiful kids. I was a stay at home mom for over a decade. Never forget that motherhood is your FIRST ministry. I didn’t do one global trip! Instead I poured into their little hearts & minds. I volunteered at every vacation bible school and led their discipleship groups at our church. Then God opened up my global work again. This summer will be my 4^th trip to Rwanda with Saddleback Church. What a joy that both of my kids are going and we get to serve TOGETHER! Additionally, last year I landed my dream job with an amazing organization called Children of the Nations. I am honored to advocate daily for orphaned & destitute children in Sierra Leone, Uganda, Malawi, Haiti & the Dominican Republic.

Where do you live and have you lived anywhere else? I was born & raised in Southern California and have never lived anywhere else. I’ve had the privilege of traveling around the world, and each time I come home I’m thankful for the sunshine & sandy beaches. My husband and I are blessed to have our entire, big, extended family here.

To be perfectly honest, sometimes it’s hard coming back to Orange County after a trip to Africa! You hold a baby in your arms that hasn’t eaten in days, then return to such excess on every level. Suddenly, the things you thought were so important pale in comparison. That’s why I chose the topic of Beauty! It’s easy to become self-absorbed and focused on the wrong things.

How do you carve out time with God everyday? The yearly Bible was a game changer for me. It’s the entire Bible organized into 365 readings. Each day you get Old Testament, New Testament, a Psalm & a Proverb. When I finish, I simply start again. Each time I start over I’m amazed at the new things I find! It only takes about 15 minutes, so it’s easy to be consistent even if I have other Bible studies or devotions I’m working through.

What is your favorite Bible Verse? Share with us why you love it so much. Psalms 34:4-5 “I sought the Lord, and He answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look God are radiant; their faces are never covered in shame.” This has been my life verse! I’ve seen God’s faithfulness in these words. As I look to God and seek Him, there is a radiance that follows, and freedom from fear & shame.

What is your best organizational/planning tip, other than your Anchored Press Devotional Planner, of course? I keep a big binder in my kitchen with all of my important information in there-any documents I need to access often: website user names & passwords, class lists, sports schedules & health forms.

What is your family’s favorite go-to easy meal? Tacos! We use ground turkey to make it a little healthier & I usually throw mine into a big taco salad.

Tell us your favorite God story (in your own life)? Part of the reason I love mission work is it challenges me to grow. God takes me to new levels of faith each time. One of my greatest fears is public speaking and I have to laugh that God is calling me to it more and more. When we step out in faith, and into our greatest fears God covers us. My sweet pastor Rick Warren always says, “Courage isn’t the absence of fear. Courage is moving ahead in spite of your fear.”

What are your 3 favorite books, other than the Bible of course? How We Love by Milan & Kay Yerkovich (my favorite relational book), Say Yes to God by Kay Warren & The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns (my two favorite inspirational books), and Fasting by Jentezen Franklin (my favorite Spiritual book)

“I sought the Lord, and He answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look God are radiant; their faces are never covered in shame.”  PSALMS 34:4-5  

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what God has called you to do? God has called me to help others win and there are fewer things that bring me deeper joy. I am striving to love deeply, live wholeheartedly, and pursue adventure. I love the beach, cooking, and exploring new places with the best of friends. The title I am most proud of is Auntie to the world’s cutest three-year-old little man.

Where do you live and have you lived anywhere else? These days, I call coastal Southern California home and couldn’t be happier about it. But, I’m a Northern girl (Minnesota born and raised) with a Southern soul. I lived in Nashville for six and a half years before moving to California six months ago.

How do you carve out time with God everyday? My best conversations with God happen when I’m walking along the beach on a daily basis. On days a walk just isn’t possible, I like to spend the last bit of my day reading, praying, or journaling with God.

What is your favorite Bible Verse? Share with us why you love it so much. I have had different favorites during different seasons of life. These days, one of my favorites is 1 Corinthians 3:6-9, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.” I need to be reminded that my responsibility is to do the piece of the process I have been entrusted with well and leave the rest to God. And I love the reminder that He is faithful to finish the work He begins in and through us.

What is your best organizational/planning tip? For years I was a digital-only planning girl. And about two years ago I went cold-turkey to a paper to-do list, calendar, etc. These days, I also keep a digital copy of my calendar, but going back to paper forced me to really slow down and be more intentional about what I was adding to my plate. Every Sunday I take about 15 minutes with my calendar and notebook to make a to-do list and set some goals for the week. Doing this on Sunday allows me to hit the ground running on Monday with an idea of what I’m running towards.

What is your favorite go-to easy meal? Does Chipotle count? J At home, I love some ground turkey or ground chicken cooked up with whatever vegetables I have in the fridge and a smattering of spices.

Tell us your favorite God story (in your own life)? It sounds cheesy, but my whole life story. It’s a story I could never have written on my own & I can’t believe I get the gift of living it.

What are your 3 favorite books, other than the Bible of course? The War of Art by Steven Pressfield, Scary Close by Donald Miller and Chasing Francis by Ian Cron

We are dying to know . . . how has God used your “painful realties” to help you through this new season in your life? Pain has taught me more than I may ever understand. But, two things I’ve taken with me, particularly when I encounter new seasons with new challenges, are resilience and humility. God used my painful realities to instill a deep resilience in me – to plant in me a peace that He will always sustain me. And to keep things in balance, He used my painful realities to keep me humble in the face of new challenges. That pain taught me that it’s actually best to not try to do it all on my own.

“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.” 1 CORINTHIANS 3:6-9