I’m a mother of seven, pastor’s wife, homeschool parent, homemaker & manager, garden enthusiast, life-long Sunday school teacher and currently the director. I grew up with salt-of-the-earth, Jesus-loving, hospitable, family people in Okemos, Michigan. I've been working with children in church and educational settings since 1997 from infants to high school youth groups and college ages. After graduating from Hope college in 2001 with an elementary teaching certificate, I taught 4th grade through middle school at local schools. In 2004 I moved to Austin, Texas with Benjamin and our two small children to start a Vineyard church where I launched and directed the children’s ministry, teaching and leading all levels including the youth group. I also added two more children to our family and started homeschooling. I've been here at Without Walls Vineyard since 2011 and have continued to teach and lead in all the classes and ages over the years. We have seven children now, two graduated and married, five still at home in our active homeschool, where I pour out my passions for learning and exploring. I weekly experience vigorous walks, marriage to my hero, read aloud great books, tea time, a messy kitchen, math problems, engaging in the love of God through normal life and nature, growing vegetables and herbs, planning, teaching and learning alongside my kids, making large meals, baking, bringing people into our home, and sharing life (and food) with my church family.

I’ve been the Children's Ministry Director since 2020, with a passion to bring a simple rhythm with contemplative, liturgical, and charismatic practices, foundational stories of God's love, and a sense of rootedness in the Word of God and the love of God to every class. Classes are offered for ages infant to 7th grade after the worship time. We use Young Children and Worship for our preschool through 3rd grade classes where the intent of worship is to experience and praise God while learning about God through storytelling and responding to the story. The 4th-7th grades meet only three Sundays of the month to engage the Scriptures, discuss openly, respond creatively, and experience the love of God through contemplative practices, Vineyard values, and honest conversations.