It started with family. It became my life’s work.

A Gift from My Grandparents

Finding identity and purpose consumed my life for days, months, and then years before I discovered the truth. I’ve been interested in God since I was a kid. Family played a role in it, my grandparents gave me a big-picture children’s Bible on my ninth birthday. I loved the big, colorful pictures. I used to sit at the round kitchen table, reading it out loud to my mom and younger sisters. The story of King Solomon as he judged the hearts of two women fighting over a baby amazed me. He didn’t merely listen to their words but the intent behind them. I wanted to be wise like him. 

God’s Family and Finding My Purpose

Fast forward, I’m 21, it’s May, and I’ve been wrestling with God. What I thought I wanted, and how life should be. I lay awake staring at the ceiling and finally said, I give up. You can have all of me. — I surrendered and then felt a sweet peace as I drifted asleep. 

I spent the next few weeks attending church services and leaving the same way I went. I was invited to the youth and young adult service — B-I-N-G-O! Pastor Tim gave a message about the love of God. He went by PT because he thought the title of pastor was off-putting. He shared the sinner’s prayer, and I repeated it. I wept for a good 45 minutes, repenting of everything that came to mind. I felt the weight of the world roll off of me. I WAS CHANGED.

That fall, I returned to school to finish my last year of college. After finding a group on campus for believers, I began attending their bible study. I was asked to lead the women’s group, I thought, who, me? So, I was given the same material as the men’s group led by the campus Pastor. Well… the guys would finish emerging from their room to find my group each time wiping their eyes because God had touched the women, healing their hearts. 

It was the beginning of my journey toward finding identity and purpose, and I didn’t know it. God allowed me to hear people’s hearts regardless of their words — like King Solomon.

I graduated with a bachelor’s in visual communications and began working as a graphic designer, designing everything from retail package designs to Fortune 50 corporate communication materials. 

We Became a Family

I ran into Tom, my childhood boyfriend, at several church events. There is a whole story to unpack but that’s for another time. Anyway, we started dating in November 1994 and were married in December 1995. A few months later, we were expecting and had our daughter Kendal in January 1997 — lots of big life changes.

As many do, I struggled with working and wanting to be at home with my baby. I kept asking God how I could do both. He made a way. 

One of the clients in the agency I worked for approached me in 1999, offering that they would hire me as a contractor if I started my own company. Surprised, I thought, who, me? Until God turned it into — Why not you? A few weeks later, with Tom in agreement, I quit to start my own business so I could work from home. I have ever since. It allowed me to work and be the mom I wanted to be for Kendal. Every decision we made was a discussion of how this would improve life for our family.

My business had taken off like a rocket. I needed help and hired a couple of wonderful ladies. Then Tom laid down his hair stylist business, and we thought he would work with my marketing business. Nope. God had other plans. Tom began restoring properties we lived in and would sell them for profit, and he still does to this day. It hasn’t always been easy, but it has allowed our family to lean into one another and grow stronger.

As Tom and I continued to grow in God over the next few decades, so did our responsibilities in the church, from working with the children and youth to leading the young adults, a team in the healing rooms, and home bible study groups. 

It’s hard to believe, but Kendal is now a young adult, married to Blake, and has a son, Lance. Tom and I are grandparents — where did the time go? Because we work from home, we get to spend days with Lance. We love that our family is growing in God. 

My Extended Family and Finding Identity

I’ve been listening to people’s hearts for over three decades and can quickly recognize the type of energy God has infused in them that gives them a purpose they are unaware of. As part of my extended family, I’d love to start this new adventure with you. So you can identify what type of energy He has entrusted to you. How those traits affect every aspect of life — embracing how you’re created to live purposefully and achieve the abundant life you desire.

For three decades, I’ve helped people stop the exhausting cycle of finding identity and purpose separately. If you haven’t done so yet, take the ING energy Types Quiz to begin your journey.