I never remember a time when I did not know about Jesus. I was blessed to be raised in a home with parents who believed in Jesus, modeled their own faith in Him, and made sure our family was involved in a Bible-teaching church. However, being raised in a Christian home did not automatically make me a Christian. 

By the time I was eleven, the Lord began awakening me to the fact that Jesus’ death on the cross to provide forgiveness from sin and a way for salvation was not just for “other people.” I needed forgiveness and salvation too! I knew I had a temper and a very selfish nature, and I began to realize that I, also, was a sinner in need of a Savior. So during that year, I asked Jesus to forgive me for my sins and to be my own Savior. I was baptized, began reading my Bible more regularly, and was amazed at the things I now understood from His Word for the first time! As I look back, I can see how God has led and protected me over the years. 

From the time I became a Christian, I had a strong desire to share the things I was learning about Jesus and the Bible with others. I always enjoyed being around younger children and sometimes helped out in the church nursery on Sunday mornings. In high school, as an assistant to a Brownie troop, the desire to become a teacher began to grow in my mind and heart. After high school, I went on to college, where I earned a degree in Early Childhood Education.

The summer after graduation, I married my college boyfriend. We settled down in his hometown, where I took a job teaching first grade in the public school. As the years went by, the Lord blessed us with three precious children to raise for Him. It became my greatest joy to teach and encourage them to love and follow Jesus. I loved opening their spiritual eyes to the truth of God’s Word, the Bible. 

As the years passed swiftly, when the children were grown, the Lord began to stir a desire in my heart to encourage other moms in this wonderful joy of nurturing their children’s spiritual lives. At that time, I had no idea where this desire the Lord gave me would lead. I did not know He was about to open up a whole new door with a ministry opportunity for me!