Background

Born: Seattle, Washington

Family: Married to Steve since 1979; daughter Jancey and son J.P.

Hobbies: Reading, reading, and more reading. I usually have 2 or 3 books going at once, which can be confusing but also keeps life interesting!

Salvation: I gave my life to the Lord in 1978 when I was a college student.

Title and responsibilities: Director of Communications, oversee the church's printed and website resources, develop media relations and pursue initiatives that connect our church to the community.

On my playlist: Lifehouse, Taylor Swift, John Mayer, Need to Breathe

What fascinates me: The ocean. It's constantly in motion, teeming with life, wild and unpredictable. Beneath its surface lie untold secrets, mysteries, adventure - all the things a great novel is made of.

Favorites

Book: I can't narrow it down to just one:

Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon - true story of the English woman who singlehandedly changed the course of Thai history (the musical The King and I is based on this book)  

Byzantium by Stephen Lawhead - a 600-page epic adventure about Celtic monks (weird, I know, but an amazing story)

To Kill a Mockingbird (a classic that I never get tired of) 

Food: Coconut shrimp

Musical Artist: Varies, depending on my mood

TV Show: Gilmore Girls, The Office and What Not to Wear

Movie: The Descendants

Actor: Will Smith

Actress: Diane Keaton

Place to Pray: Outdoors, close to nature

Bests

Best advice given to me: Be genuine; be yourself. Don't let others' opinions define who you are.

My life motto:  Live life with passion, and laugh as much as possible.

Three people I would like to have dinner with: Isaak Dinesen (author of Out of Africa); Harriet Tubman (heroine of the Underground Railroad) and Anna Leonowens (whose life the book Anna and the King of Siam is based on).  All three of these women led fascinating lives and made a difference in their world, which I find very inspiring.

An interesting fact about me: Growing up, my family moved a lot because my dad was in the military. I've lived in Japan, California, Washington, Minnesota and now Texas.

My heroes: Women who remain strong through adversity and criticism, and aren't afraid to stand up for what they believe in.