MY FAMILY
You may wonder why I am starting with a picture of my family on my About Me page. Well, if you want to know me, you need to know my family. I’d love you to meet them in person, but I will do my best to introduce you to them with my words.
Shall I start from left to right?
Joshua: Our youngest son. Practical and wise, grateful and integrous. Absolutely passionate about worship. Typically found in his room playing one of his guitars, singing, or mixing sounds on the computer.
Debralyn: Our daughter. Intuitive and discerning, communicator and engaging. Absolutely passionate about learning in such a way as to influence culture. Typically found in her room writing, singing, reading, studying, or connecting with a friend.
Jacqui: Our brand new daughter-in law. Joyful and energetic, adaptable and affectionate. Absolutely loves our son, Jordan, and has willingly stepped into relationship with her new “family-in-loves.”
Jordan: Our oldest son and newly married. Relational and loving, competitive and attentive. Absolutely passionate about being the best husband that he can be. And he is always ready to play a sport, have a conversation, and display affection. He gave us a gracious start into parenting.
Me: I get to be the mother and wife to this amazing gift of a family. I really mean that!
Ron: My husband of 30 years. My best friend for a year and a half longer than that. Leader and loving, intentional and fun-loving. Absolutely passionate about following Christ and leading others toward becoming who God created them to be.
So, there we are. It is almost impossible to describe my favorite people on earth in a few short sentences. But, if you continue to read my entries, you will get increasingly familiar with them.
MY VISION
I write to encourage people to SLOW DOWN enough to notice and treasure the people and the moments of their life. My dream is that this will strengthen relationships and increase compassion by removing the walls between generations, races, and income levels.
In order to do this, I have to do the same. I SLOW DOWN by spending time in creation noticing the spectacular uniqueness of each season. I put my hands in the dirt of my garden to nurture my plants to bloom and grow. The garden is symbolic for my desire for people. I would love to watch people bloom and grow! If anything I notice and say helps facilitate that, I am grateful.
Some key words that really matter to me are: authentic, nurturing, learning, slowing, personal, and integrated.
MY BACKGROUND
Growing up on a farm near Millbrook, Illinois (good luck finding that on a map!) provided the backdrop for falling in love with the outside world. My parents provided me with plenty of freedom to roam, discover, and play. I fell in love with books and traveled all over the world while sitting in my bedroom. My children still don’t believe me when I say that there wasn’t a subject in school that I didn’t love. I still love to learn. In fact, my husband teasingly accused me of homeschooling our children so that I could keep learning day after day.
My dad provided a model to practice a Sabbath and to trust God for the rain or dry weather as needed. His deep desire is that all his family are reunited in heaven one day. My mom, although she left this earth far too young, showed me how to practice hospitality and encouragement. I am a very unique combination of the two of them. They helped create my foundation in my relationship with God.
After high school, I went to Wheaton College and graduated with a degree in Sociology. I always have loved to study people…to hear their stories….and to gather intimately with the people I love.
