Serving as a pastor’s wife for 30 years while teaching in NC schools and the mental health field, I had the privilege of teaching adults and children, as well as leading training for teachers and parents through my Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, Master in Special Education and School Administration degrees. Pastoral care ministry also provided a vast experience, allowing me to help others determine their gifts, grow in their faith, and learn principles to heal and enhance relationships, from grief support to discovering how to love their children and mate effectively. 

Things changed for me in 2016. I was at a crossroads to either give up on myself and my dreams of fulfillment or crawl out of the dark depression that engulfed me. Prayer was a powerful component, along with my faith in God’s promises – keeping hope alive until I found my way again. 

I battled personal, spiritual, and relationship struggles for over five years, known only to a few. During this time, I began to dive deep into songwriting and writing courses to find a way to focus and channel my pain more productively. My writing began to evolve from journaling about personal struggles to writing affirming poems, spiritual song lyrics, short stories, and a novel. It is funny because I always stressed about writing in school, and now it has become my banner of strength. 

This hunger for knowledge, new birth of creativity, and confidence, took on many levels and became exhilarating for me— training with talentedmusical instructor Sam Hatch, established author Carol Ann Ross, online writing training How to Tell a Great Story From the Editors of Guideposts, Steve Harrison and Jack Canfield’s 6 Keys to Outrageous Success as An Author and Chandler Bolt’s Published webinar training as well as various other authors webinars and books. Joining the Paper Raven Books team has been the latest exciting step to guide me into publishing and authorship. 

This journey has forever changed me, and for the better—producing a passion and voice I did not have before. Like a piece of clay that has been broken and molded again, soul searching and rediscovery guided me in a new direction of personal testimony to help others; it has led me to you.