Official Bio / Press Kit

I kept a journal and wrote poetry even at a young age. In high school I began writing for the school newspaper and was appointed editor my senior year. After receiving a BA in Journalism from the Univ. of WY, I wrote for newspapers for several years before stepping back to raise and homeschool my two sons. I also started writing a lot of music in college, which I continue today, as well as magazine articles and blog posts. My first book, This Beloved Road, was published in 2011.

I enjoy speaking to groups large and small: conferences, churches, workshops, small groups, bible studies, and retreats. I also teach courses via Zoom, but prefer in-person if possible. 

Most of my teaching centers around learning to know God more personally and how that transforms your life. This naturally lends itself to also teaching about identity and personal growth. All of my teaching is biblically based, but includes personal examples of how these truths and principles look in everyday life.

Sample Topics:

• Pursuing the God Who's Pursuing You
• Don’t Get Bogged Down by Circumstances: Living From God’s Perspective 
• Living as a New Creation: "Who do You say I am?"
• The Path of Joy: Learning the Rhythms of Partnering With God
• Living a Dream You Didn't Know You Had
• The Joy of Obedience
• Through the Eyes of Jesus
• The Gift of Holiness

My dad is very musical, having grown up in the hills of North Carolina where gathering to pick and sing was a weekly event. I began piano lessons in first grade, and although I continued for 12 years, sitting beside my dad and learning to play by ear formed my musical style. We played and sang together often, in church as well as a band when I was in high school.

My love of leading worship started in my prayer closet. I was happy to accompany others, staying in the background for many years. Eventually, the Holy Spirit used my pastor to ask me to start a second worship team. This special group of friends went on to travel together, host worship conferences, and record three CDs over the next 8.5 years. Our only passion was to align with our Father's heart for each gathering, allowing others to meet with Jesus.

I continue to lead worship at retreats and conferences, and occasionally fill in at my home church. I'm not currently part of a team, but enjoy leading alone or joining in with the home team where I'm ministering. My style is often called intimate and refreshing. I've written lyrics/music to approximately 100 songs.

I grew up in rural Montana. Matt and I met in college. He was the captain of the rugby team and I was a sports writer covering rugby in the fall of 1987. One year later we married and moved to Jackson, WY. We have two married sons, two daughters-in-love, and one granddaughter.

Matt and I have built two homes, and are in process of building a third. I homeschooled for 11 years, a task I didn't expect to achieve, but I have many wonderful memories and have loved watching my sons grow in their individual passions. We have hunted birds and big game animals all of our marriage, enjoy floating the river, and prefer a cup of tea over coffee (most of the time).

I grew up in a Christian family and made a public profession of my faith in Jesus at church camp as a young teenager. My family was very active in the church so I did everything from nursery to leading the youth group to participating musically.

From a young age, I was aware of God’s presence and longed to know Him more – through the bible and by His Spirit. In the coming years, I’d learn the power of His love and truth to transform me deeper than I could imagine.

Matt and I have been involved in the leadership of our current church (First Baptist, Jackson, WY) and several others over the years. We love the Body of Christ and have built deep friendships and ministered in many denominations and fellowships.