I grew up in a Christian home in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and we were quite active in our small church. I had an interest in ministry/service from a young age. However, it was as a young adult that God led me to the PCA and when I became more involved in volunteer ministry. It was also during this time that God was most growing my faith.
As I got connected to my church, I started serving as a youth leader which led to missions trips which led to increased desire for missions. Eventually my courage caught up with my desire. God called me to serve (with Mission to the World), first in Jamaica as an administrative assistant with a deaf ministry, from 1998-2005. Then in the MTW’s Medical Department, sending out short-term medical teams, from 2006-2014.
In 2013, I felt it was time to relocate back to Lancaster County to help care for my parents as my dad was having some health issues and my mom was in the earlier stages of Alzheimer’s.
God quickly provided the opportunity for me to continue in ministry by serving with Engaging Disability. This has been a perfect opportunity to use my administrative gifts, missionary background, and recent experiences with my parents. I guess it’s no surprise that I have a particular burden for serving caregivers and family members of those with disabilities!
God works in amazing ways. My work and ministry experiences have prepared me for this stage in life of caring for aging parents. My time in the Caribbean prepared me to be more flexible and trusting of God’s plan. My time in medical missions introduced me to some medical terms to jumpstart me on understanding more of the terms and language as dementia, doctor appointments and hospitals visits all increase. And my time with Engaging Disability has taught me a lot about the value of each person, regardless of the abilities or disabilities. We are all made in the image of God.
I’m a member of Wheatland Presbyterian Church in Lancaster and help with disability ministry. I still know enough sign language to manage an easy conversation. I dabble in various hobbies, such as jewelry making, baking, glass fusing, watching sports. I also enjoy trying different restaurants. I’ve been called a foodie but deny it. I do enjoy hospitality and sharing tasty treats that I bake and cook with others. I am a lifelong Phillies fan, through good years and bad (plus eight years living in Braves country), and I watch as many Penn State football games as I can.
