As the Parent Coordinator for Grants Pass 71Five, I bring both lived experience and deep gratitude for the faithfulness of God. I had a very rough start in life, but I was introduced to Jesus early on through grandparents who loved the Lord and made sure my siblings and I attended Sunday School. I gave my life to Christ at a youth camp, and although I later wandered as a teenager, dropping out of school at thirteen and finding myself homeless and pregnant by sixteen, God never stopped pursuing me. Even in my darkest seasons, He was faithful, protecting me and placing people in my life at exactly the right time.

 

God used volunteers at a small school in Portland, Oregon for at-risk youth who watched my baby while I studied for my GED. They taught me life skills including how to bake my very first pie, and encouraged me to enroll in a Medical Assisting program. That encouragement led me into a career in healthcare, and at eighteen I moved to Southern Oregon, where I have now served as a Medical Assistant for over twenty years. Throughout that time, I have clearly seen God’s hand guiding, restoring, and transforming my life, and I am now preparing to graduate nursing school, something that still feels like a miracle and a testament to His grace. He surrounded me with people who loved me and pointed me to Him. He still does!

 

I was honored to be invited as a guest speaker for the teen parent group at 71Five in Medford, where the Lord confirmed my calling to walk alongside young parents, share my testimony, and point others to Christ. I am passionate about education, trauma informed care, community resources, and seeing God restore families. My husband and I have a blended family of seven children, and much of my life is centered around service through teaching Sunday School, mentoring youth, gardening, preserving food, baking, cheering on my kids at sporting events, and being involved with the Rogue Valley Young Marines.

 

My desire is simple: to love God, love people, and leave this world a little better than I found it. I am continually amazed by how the Lord works ALL THINGS together for good. Because of my lived experiences, He has given me deep empathy and compassion for people from all walks of life. I am humbled and honored to have been given the opportunity to serve young parents in our community… The Lord is so, so good! 

 

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” [Romans 8:28] (NKJV)