I am a very imperfect follower of Jesus, and “Mum” to my two grown sons, Rory and Ian. After two decades of single motherhood, I have mastered the arts of chauffeur, household financial manager, maid, coupon clipper, laundry expert, floor scrubber, homework checker, meatball maker, stain remover, hugs and kisses hander-outer, alarm clock, friend, and broken heart mender. Currently, I’m attempting to master the art of “empty nesting,” which …….. Well, let’s just say I haven’t figured that all out yet! (Any & all wisdom is welcome from those who’ve walked that road!)
I have a beautiful daughter-in-law, Holly, wife to my oldest son, Rory. Holly is a stay-at-home mom to my granddaughter, Lyla Grace (2) and Owen Peter (2-1/2 months), the cutest wee ones in the whole wide world – in my humble grandmotherly opinion! Rory is a 5th grade special education teacher in a nearby town, middle school football coach, a licensed realtor, and a great Dad to Lyla and husband to Holly. My son Ian is a Moody Bible College graduate, and is currently on staff at Willow Creek Church in Chicago, Illinois where he works in middle school ministry.
When I’m not working in the Medical ICU at a nearby hospital as a Registered Nurse, I cherish every moment I can snag with Lyla and Owen, do a lot of reading and writing, go for walks, or travel to visit and spend time with friends. I have a new goal to get to the remaining states I’ve never visited!
I accepted Christ as my Savior in 1979 (or “got saved”) while in the 11th grade in high school, and had no idea I was then supposed to actually FOLLOW Him! I spent the next 29 years wandering through life knowing something was missing. During that time, I traveled to Panama, Honduras, Korea, and Germany while in the Army, eventually married, lost a daughter, had two more children, and then moved myself and sons across the ocean and into the home of my parents after a failed marriage, purchased a place of our own, returned to school, started a business from my home, went back to school again, graduated from nursing school, and raised two young men, ALL by the grace of God! (THAT is the short version!)
In 2009, after many years praying that some day my sons would “get it,” through a divinely appointed twist of events, both Rory and Ian miraculously accepted Christ as THEIR Savior, at exactly the same time while on a mission trip after Hurricane Katrina. From that point on, we learned together what is “supposed” to happen after accepting Christ, that is, the “following” part, which is certainly a life-long adventure!
Much of that journey has taken place at my kitchen table, and much of my current journey as an “empty nester” takes place there as well. So I invite you to pull up a chair, enjoy the stories, maybe even collect a recipe or two! I’m so glad you’re here!
