Before age five, I was introduced to God and music. Though we moved several times, no matter where we lived, the Lord provided me with a church, people who prayed for me, and music lessons. While attending church camp at age nine, Jesus showed me my sin and I knew I needed His salvation. He called me according to His purpose that evening and for the next four years, I attended church. I also took dance classes and learned to play the flute. However, when I was 13, my church split and I had no church home. I settled into city life, moving into leadership programs and playing with symphonic and jazz bands. Later, I became a student director for my high school band, learned flags, and joined the dance team. I also took Journalism classes and fell in love with interviewing people, and writing. At the end of my senior year, I was accepted to the university to study Journalism and received a music grant to pay my way. Finally, at age 19, I joined a new church and began serving with the music program. I was also hired for my first position as a marching band flag team coach. And, that same year, I felt compelled to take a free class to teach children to read. I loved it and volunteered in public schools for two years.
At age 20, I met my husband Brian and we married my senior year in college. Shortly after, he expressed interest in law enforcement but I was fearful and asked him not to do it. When Brian couldn’t shake his calling, God asked me to trust Him with my husband’s safety. I agreed and Brian was immediately accepted into the Nevada Highway Patrol Academy. God had invested in my faith and gifts and it was time to practice.
On arrival of Brian’s assignment, I found myself in a tiny town, 200 miles from the closest Walmart. My city life of concerts and public relations conferences was exchanged for big game hunting and the servant role of being a law enforcement wife. But God continued to lead me in His paths. I joined a local church and served as the praise team leader for the next 18 years. The Lord also placed me in children’s ministries, leading youth groups, women’s ministries, and on the pulpit committee.
Meanwhile, though I started as Circulation Manager for the local newspaper, God provided me with a highly successful business in government contracting when our family experienced a major financial setback from an accident. And, because God never wastes anything, He aligned me with the local high school where I coached for the local marching band and served as a substitute teacher. Acquiring countless joys, we raised our children in that town, but I also faced challenges I never dreamed of.
While in that isolated location, I learned the comprehensive provision of the Lord for my every need. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, my study of His Word, and prayer, He gave me everything I needed, and my needs were great. Both of our children needed ICU care for their first week of life and our financial burden was immense. Severe asthma attacks for one of my children led me to fervent prayer when we were often hours away from medical help and when the hospital’s low oxygen alarms seemed endless. I walked with loved ones who struggled with years of addiction, prayed over their multiple suicide attempts, and stayed on my knees before God while they attended rehab facilities and hospitals hundreds of miles from home. Finally, extensive medical trouble left us with nearly $100,000 in medical debt. Sadly, during these same years, Brian and I lost three of our parents to cancer and one to an accident which we only learned of weeks later. Nonetheless, the Lord sustained us with His love in every instance and I was left with solid faith in His goodness. After those 20 years, the Lord had new plans.
In 2016, the Lord significantly changed my path again. After the loss of a major business contract, two weeks of Pneumonia, and enough quiet time for prayer, I felt the Lord leading me to leave my business and take up mission work in public schools. Our local district was downsizing so I proposed to Brian that we may be able to move to Montana’s growing community of Bozeman I may be able to find a teaching position there. Though we thought it could take over a year to make the transition, God was on the move. In only six weeks, we sold the business, and the house, and found ourselves living in Bozeman where the Lord provided for the rest.
Today I teach English, including Journalism, at a local public high school, viewing my content area as a unique opportunity to affirm humanity’s desire for the Fruits of the Spirit, and to point students to God-centered ideals, without breaching the Separation of Church and State. After all, there is no law against love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control! (Gal 5:23). After 33 years, I have retired from coaching with marching bands and I focus on my family, including my grandchildren, and also write Christian teaching materials and devotions. I still play flute and piano for my local church, and I see the Lord’s beautiful design throughout my life. By God’s loving grace, my loved ones survived the difficult years and came away with faith in our loving Lord, and I can speak with King David when he said, “I sought the LORD, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears…the LORD redeems the life of His servants; none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned” (Psalm 34).
A Prayer of Testimony and Gratitude
Oh Lord, You always bless us more than we can ever repay. I stood in my kitchen, sobbing in gratitude for Your gifts to me as I watched my boys, Brian and Christian, interacting with love and kindness, hearts filled with Your Holy Spirit, as they headed out for their day on the river. And I think of the love-filled relationships we share with Sarah, and how she seeks You and loves You as well. LORD, as my friend recently commented: You have been so kind to me. I deserve none of this, yet You wrap Your loving arms around me at every turn. What overwhelming, gracious love You pour out upon me. This oil of gladness upon my heart is more healing than any salve for the years the locusts had eaten.
Hear, my children, and those forever in my line, and all who may receive encouragement by my words: All had been consumed by the destroyer. Powerful numbers were against us. Oh, how I lamented. I mourned as in sackcloth. I was ashamed. I wailed. We were perishing, languishing. I passed my nights in prayer and my comforts were withheld. I solemnly fasted and gathered the faithful to cry out before You O LORD. Joy and gladness were cut off. I was perplexed but not abandoned and I continued to call out to You (Joel 1).
Then, You designated Your day in the lives of my loved ones. They trembled before You and You conquered their death by Your loving sacrificial life. Your holy flame burned up all that separated them from You. Nothing escapes Your holy purposes. You placed Your many judgments upon Your Son rather than upon my people. Indeed the earth quakes before You, and the heavens tremble. You utter Your voice before Your army, O LORD of hosts, and You, in Your power, execute Your Word.
O LORD, by Your grace, You have become the author and perfecter of our faith (Heb 12:2) for without faith no one can please God (Heb 11:6). By faith, my loved ones have returned to You with all their heart, for You are gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. You relent over disaster, leaving blessings behind Your every work (Rom 8:28).
LORD, I have wept: “Spare Your people O LORD.” And You have satisfied my soul. I do not fear, but rejoice. I am glad and I am vindicated. I have received Your abundant refreshment. I overflow with restoration and I praise the Name of the LORD my God, Who has dealt wondrously with me. You are in our midst. You are the LORD our God and there is no one else. We are blessed, filled with Your Holy Spirit and we are saved. We are the survivors. We are those whom the LORD calls (Joel 2).
Planted by Streams 