Contrary to popular belief, I am not from Arkansas. However, my husband and I did live there for 12 years following his graduation from the U of A and our two oldest children were born there. Arkansas is probably my favorite part of the country - the people there are wonderful and friendly with that touch of Southern hospitality and I do love my Razorbacks! Go Hogs!

I was born and raised in Southwest, Missouri, and I graduated from Monett High School. My home church was St. John’s near Purdy, Missouri, where I was baptized, confirmed and married. My husband, Drew, and I have been married for 31 years. Our daughter, Jennifer, and her husband, Robert Ticchio (that’s Italian!) were married at Redeemer two years ago. Jenn co-owns her own hair salon, Creative Hair Design here in Springfield. Our oldest son, Brett, works for Bank One, also here in Springfield, and is in his final year at Missouri State University, and our youngest, Tyler, is a 7^th grader at Springfield Lutheran School.

Over the years I have held many clerical and secretarial jobs, including 17 years in the medical field. For a very brief time, I served as church secretary at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Rogers, Arkansas before we transferred to Springfield in 1986. My family became a part of the Redeemer family in October of 1996 when I was first hired as one of the secretaries. I am very proud to be a small part of this great ministry and support staff. On Sunday mornings, when I look around the sanctuary at the wonderful members of this congregation, I always say a special prayer of thanks to God for bringing me to this place and allowing me to worship with and serve all the great members of this family at Redeemer Lutheran Church.