I am a wife to Todd and a mom to five (James 21, Sam 19, Amelia 17, Henry 15, and Sean 7). I have been homeschooling for the previous 16 years, but am now down to just two high school students, as our youngest is attending private school. Our oldest is getting married in November, and we are excited to welcome our wonderful (soon-to-be) daughter-in-law, Sarah, to our family!
Share a core childhood memory and a bit about your younger years and places you’ve lived.
When I was growing up, my aunt and uncle owned a little fishing resort in northern Minnesota. I was so blessed to spend part of every summer in such a beautiful, idyllic place. I have sweet memories of waking up early to go fishing with my uncle, getting in and out of the lake all day with my cousins, and running around the resort with whatever new friends we’d meet each week. About 10 years ago, that little resort (long ago sold out of my family) was barely hanging on, and my husband and I decided to move up North with our (then) four children to purchase it. We were able to rehabilitate it and turn it into a thriving family resort once again. We have since sold it to a family who is continuing the restoration, but it is one of the loveliest full-circle accomplishments of my life. We still vacation there each summer with our family and friends.
Favorite bible verse?
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9
This verse is so rich in meaning for me. It speaks to our God-given identity and purpose. It reminds me not only of who I am, but why – to declare His praises. Knowing Him, belonging to Him, truly is like going from complete darkness to full light. Once we know Him, that light shines out of us and compels us to share it.
Do you have any regrets?
I lost two close family members when I was a young adult, and for a long time I replayed all the interactions in the days before their deaths. It’s a heavy burden to consider, “What if I would have just…?” I was fortunate to have had lots of conversations and “I love yous” spoken, but the fact that I wasn’t there was something I carried and would say I regret. In a way though, it has shaped how I’ve lived my life since that time. I live with a bit of urgency to have the conversation, take the trip, do the thing (see ‘buying a resort’ above), show up for my people. We just can’t know how many opportunities we will have.
Share one thing that you love to do that you get to do nearly every day.
I love to go for walks and feel so incredibly fortunate to live right up the street from a lake (even if it’s manmade). I am totally a Minnesota girl, so getting to take a walk around a lake in the sunshine feels like God’s grace.
If you could be anywhere, doing anything right now, where would you be and what would you be doing?
Probably serving in another country with my whole family. I love being with my family, and as my kids get older, it feels like a rare privilege to all be together. We have had the joy of serving overseas together a couple of times, first many years ago in Thailand, and more recently in the Philippines visiting my oldest son as he does missions work there. Seeing my kids live out their faith and use their gifts fills my heart, and I deeply enjoy experiencing different cultures and meeting believers from all over the world united in their love for Christ.
What one thing (modern convenience) could you not live without?
Well, I say this with a bit of levity, but probably more seriousness than I should: a diffuser for my hair dryer. I am a low-maintenance girl in almost every respect, but my curly hair demands attention. I have been known to pack my dryer/diffuser along in the strangest of situations!