Why I Started Writing:

My mom, a 5th-grade teacher, gifted me with a love for words. Growing up, if my hands were idle, she would fill them with a book or a broom (and I preferred the book!). At an early age, I loved to compose skits and programs to entertain my parents. I did not like formal writing throughout school, preferring to stay lost in more creative endeavors. In high school English, I dabbled in poetry for extra credit and to my surprise, earned a college scholarship with a contest essay. As a young wife and mother, I enjoyed journaling daily life and began writing and performing short dramas for church. After the publication of my first drama, I was hopelessly enchanted with the writing world.

Authors Who Have Influenced Me:

As a teen, I was mesmerized by books like Corrie Ten Boom’s The Hiding Place, sweet romances by Grace Livingston Hill (read most of them twice!), and any and all of Grimm’s Fairy Tales. Now, I love to study the works of Randy Alcorn, John Ortberg, Oswald Chambers, and Andrew Murray, and to get lost in the stories of Francine Rivers, Lynette Eason, DiAnn Mills, Eva Marie Everson, Jodie Bailey, Randy Singer, and more.

Books I Have Written:

Ribbons, Lace, and Moments of Grace—Inspiration for the Mother of the Bride (SonRise Devotionals, 2017) was birthed during an emotional and unique life season—the weddings of two of my three daughters. Other works include, Time Out: A Quiet-time Devotional for Busy Moms (Barbour Publishing Inc.) and Go Ye Therefore: Dramas for Today’s Church (New Hope Publishing). I’ve also had the privilege of being a contributing author in 12 books, including a devotional inspired by Janette Oke and the Hallmark series, When Calls the Heart. When God Calls the Heart to Love by Michelle Cox and Brian Bird (BroadStreet Publishing) releases early 2019.

What I'm Working On Now:

My latest heart-venture is Smack-Dab in the Midlife Zone—Inspiration for Women in the Middle with Elk Lake Publishing Inc. I long for women in this packed-with-transition season to know that with the Lord’s guidance, these years can be infused with growth, discovery, and edge-of-your-seat adventure. Through scripture, prayer, and the power of story, I hope to show that being smack-dab in the middle of God’s plans and purposes is the best place to be!