joy! ” 

Raised by a sweet Momma who was a pastor's wife for over two decades, then divorced, I saw radiant joy modeled in the midst of hardships.

I was born in Mount Vernon, Texas, then moved to Sulphur Springs, Texas before first grade. The people of my hometown and specifically those of First Baptist Church loved us extravagantly and modeled Jesus, missions, and teaching consistently.

I have a brother who is fourteen years older than me, and a sister twelve years older who has become a very dear friend, and from whom I have gained many spiritual insights.

As a young woman, I loved Jesus and respected education. But in the pursuit of becoming a first-generation college graduate, I walked away from my first love.

While birthing four children, it took nine years to earn the first degree. One degree quickly led to another, eventually launching a career in Educational Administration. Over a decade later I returned to the God of my childhood.

There’s been highs and lows…

I’ve been a single mother. I’ve been abused and been the abuser. I’ve been both divorced and widowed.

Since 2000, I’ve had more than twenty surgeries on my vocal chords, where extended silence has not been golden.

It was during this season that I began to experientially know the power of Psalm 34:5, “Those who look to him are radiant, their faces are never covered with shame.”

Forgiveness has reshaped my life, and I can emphatically say that those who have been forgiven much, love much. I am one of THOSE gals!

These truths became personal when I realized my joy wasn’t tied to earthly circumstances yet rooted in a Heavenly Father who never leaves or forsakes me.

In my late thirties, I hesitantly entered women’s ministry, reminding God that I didn’t even like women. Because for a while, I didn’t like the one I saw in the mirror; I didn’t want to deal with fickle gals like myself. Lovingly, God showed me His heart toward me and gave me His heart for other women, too. Suddenly they became my people!