The most important thing in my life
is my friendship with Jesus.
My favorite verse is Psalm 46:10
"Be still, and know that I am God."
I am a Christian, and I volunteer as an online crisis counselor for New Hope.
New Hope is a ministry of the Crystal Cathedral, having both phone and online service for crisis intervention. We help to prevent suicides first and foremost, and provide someone to talk with for many hurting people. I spend most of my time at the computer, largely for New Hope, counseling, mentoring, writing a newsletter, etc.
www.newhopenow.org (You can also click the New Hope logo above.)
I have been very happily married to Allan since 1978, and we have known each other since we were in high school in 1974. He is such a gem, I am blessed!
We have two kids, Rachel and Michael. Rachel and Brandon got married in 2008 and have presented me with two adorable grandchildren! Jaxson was born in 2010 and Amelia in 2012.
Mike & Alaina were married in 2011 and bought a house that is just 1/2 mile from the Minnesota Zoo. They gave me my 3rd grandchild, Owen, born February 2013 - on his grandpa's birthday!
I used to teach piano, and music remains a huge part of my life. I love to worship in song!
In 1997 I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. I am open about having it, but when I was writing the info about myself here, it never came to mind. I like to be positive, and that didn't even occur to me. I try to dwell on the good things that have come into my life in spite of or even
because of the MS. My involvement with New Hope for one, as it gave me on opportunity to minister when my outside activities became limited. Another thing is meeting my best friend. If we didn't both have MS we never would have known each other. We met online through MS Watch, and were amazed and astounded that we have so much in common. It is almost freaky, to the point where we started a list - which now has over 200 items!
I see here on the Hill that a lot of people have different health issues, so decided that I should say something about that part of my life. I can honestly say:
LIFE IS GOOD and GOD IS GOOD!