Recipes
Blog
Poetry
Who Am I?
I am first and foremost a child of God,  
and I choose to be a servant of God.
I am a daughter and a mother of two daughters; I am very blessed on either side!
I am an ordained elder of the United Methodist Church
appointed to an ecumenical shared ministry.
I am the Administrative and Spiritual Life Director
of First United Presbyterian Church.
I am the Community Spiritual Director for Northern Illinois Chrysalis.
I am Ma K, an extra mom, to some of my younger friends.
Beyond that I am an odd yet average woman 
who loves her life and appreciates the privilege of living it!
Who Influenced Me?
There were three significant women in my childhood and teen years.  
My grandmother was the source of devotions, singing, chores, stories, and practical wisdom.  
My mother was a role model for a compassionate yet strong independent woman who could work
all day, still manage our home and find time for good friends and awesome outings. 
Our motto was "Make do with what you've got." What we had was lots of love and
lots of creativity.  Mom was again the source of much practical wisdom and an ear willing
to listen even as she fell asleep.  
Georgia was the mom next door without whom I would not have survived 
being a teenager. Everyone was welcome at her kitchen table, and one day
or another most of the neighborhood showed up there.  Who could resist her chocolate chip cookies!  
Georgia listened without judgment to the few things I couldn't share with my mom or grandma, 
my honest struggle with Christian faith. 
What is my life purpose?
Children, then youth, and now young adults have been an important part of my life.  In seminary I fell in love with Isaiah 54:1-10.  It talks about a woman extending her tent to gather more children.  That sums up one of the purposes I have discovered for my life, adopting (as it were) 
the various young people God puts in my life to hopefully have a positive influence on them is some way.
In my twenties I wanted to equip laity for their ministry. In one way or another I've had the opportunity to do that in my own ministry.  Ephesians 4:12 is my purpose statement here. Now I would say it goes a bit deeper.  I believe I am called to encourage others both in their relationship with God and in the ministries to which God calls them.
Creativity has always been important to me through a variety of mediums.  It is one of the aspects of God that I most appreciate as well.  The creativity of others inspires me; I hope at times my creativity can bring something to someone else's life.
So, to sum up my life purpose I would say: to create, inspire, encourage, teach, mom, and point others to God.  I hope this website will be used for these.
What do I do?
I enjoy cooking, computers, movies, music, camping and crafts.
I love the beauty of God's creation and use some of my photography
in power points, web pages, posters or cards.  I am also making
earrings these days to be sold for charity.