Whenever I can, I like to steal away and take a long walk or bike-ride - especially when the sun is shining!  I’m around kid-clamor all day long, so when I get away by myself I’m always jarred by how quiet it is.  It’s a nice little retreat to take a walk or bike ride by myself, even if only for 15 minutes.  But I’m always excited to get back home to my noisy, sweet kiddos.

When I was seven years old, I wanted to be a detective, just like Nancy Drew.  I invented all kinds of mysteries for my friends and I to solve, pointing out mysterious markings on the sidewalk, suspicious candy wrappers left on the lawn, and sneaky-looking characters I would see at the grocery store.  I had dark glasses, a notebook in which I recorded “clues” and a set of walkie-talkies that I used to communicate urgent messages to my fellow mystery-solvers.  Every day, the world was in desperate need of my detective services, and I was convinced that my efforts prevented all kinds of crimes and thwarted many sinister villains!

Kiddo giggles always make me smile.

Right now I’m reading several books on godly parenting.  It’s amazing how much focus, energy, prayer, and dependence upon God it takes to fully train up a child in the way he or she should go!  I’m so honored that God has entrusted these four little lives into my care, and daily I’m taken with the magnitude of my calling as a mother!  It’s more daunting that any other ministry role I’ve ever had.  The books I’m reading have helped bring it all into perspective and given me lots of practical ideas for working with these clever little munchkins, and teaching them the ways of our Lord!

Tea or coffee? (in case you want to treat the staff)

I’m really boring when it comes to coffee shops.  I usually just order a plain old peppermint tea with nothing else in it.  Caffeine makes me feel a bit high-strung and I’m not a big fan of sugary stuff, so it kind of limits my options.  I still like going to coffee shops, though, just to have a fun place to sit and work or talk.

Something I’m most excited about for you as an Ellerslie student is having a set-apart retreat where the chaos of the world dies down, and you can truly focus on deepening your intimacy with Christ on a daily, moment-by-moment basis.  I still remember the first time I had a “set apart season” of tuning out all other distractions and focusing only on my relationship with Christ.  I drew closer to Him than I ever thought possible and learned what it meant to truly build my life around Him, rather than just fitting Him into my life.

STAFF QUESTIONS FROM THE BLOG:

[March 12, 2010]

What is one of your favorite hymns or spiritual songs?

I love His Eye is On the Sparrow because it is such a sweet declaration of the daily joy, victory and peace that God blesses us with!  "Why should I be discouraged?  Why should the sorrow come?  Why should my heart be lonely and long for Heaven and home - when Jesus is my fortress, my constant Friend is He - His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me."  What a great reminder that He cares about every detail of our lives and will NEVER leave us or forsake us!  He truly is the God of all comfort!  So many modern worship songs leave out the amazing JOY and triumph of following Him - and this old hymn (like so many of the old hymns) is a refreshing reminder of the glorious reality that He is our all in all.

[March 1, 2010]

What has been the most significant physical challenge of your life?

The most significant physical challenge in my life (other than natural childbirth!) has been becoming disciplined with my sleep habits.  Over the years, I've learned that my life works so much better if I resist the temptation to consistently keep late hours or sleep late into the morning.  When I get to bed early, I am able to wake up before dawn and energetically give my first hours of the day to prayer and study.  And I've also learned that when God is calling me to extended prayer or ministry times that result in me getting very little sleep - He gives me all the strength I need to thrive the next day, if I lean upon His supernatural sustaining grace!  This has especially been proven true during the first few months with a newborn - when sleep is erratic and unpredictable - and yet I have learned so much about the supernatural strength of God through these times of sleep deprivation!  He truly is faithful in all things.

[February 26, 2010]

What has been a significant verse for you this past month?

2 Peter 1:3  “...His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness...”

This Scripture is such an amazing reminder that everything I could ever need can be found in Christ!  How easy it is to look to other things for our help, comfort, and security - and yet He has given us ALL things that pertain to life and godliness - this is truly an incredible reality that I desire to live in every moment of every day!