Fast Facts

• Home: Virginia
  
• Cancer survivor, speaker, and author
  
• Licensed Professional Counselor
  
• Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner
  
• Clinically Certified Domestic Violence Counselor
• Appointed to a four-year term, Virginia Board of Counseling, 2005
• Featured guest on the WPMH radio program “Heart to Heart,” a counseling call-in program

When I received my diagnosis of cancer in 2001, I was an award-winning teacher and part-time counselor. I loved teaching, but I knew God wanted me to go into counseling full-time. After my diagnosis, I begged God to let me live and promised to do whatever he wanted.

One month after I finished radiation, I received a phone call to go for an interview for a position I hadn’t applied for. At the interview, I accepted a full-time job as a substance abuse counselor in a men’s prison. I enjoyed my work at the prison, but the men were allowed to smoke. My asthma got worse, and after a few years, I had to leave.

I told God to take away my passion for prison work or find me a job in a smoke-free facility. He found me a job as a substance abuse counselor in a smoke-free coed jail. After six months, adult outpatient services at the agency headquarters needed a bilingual licensed professional counselor. Once again, God moved me.

Today I continue to work in adult outpatient services. As a cancer survivor, I know life is a gift and that God is “close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18, NIV). Through my counseling, speaking, and writing, the Lord has allowed me to join him in saving those who are crushed in spirit and need his hope. What a privilege!

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My Favorites

• My favorite book is the Bible. Part of my quiet time includes a review of my Scripture memory verses. Through my divorce and cancer, I slept with my Bible over my heart.
• Flowers delight me. Blue Hawaii, geraniums in several colors, red “super tunias,” yellow and red portulucca, and Mexican heather hang in baskets or sit in pots for the summer. Bright yellow mums adorn my garden in the fall. Yellow and purple pansies brighten the winter. My garden offers me an array of color and a sanctuary of peace and quiet.
• The beach provides rest and relaxation. I go year-round regardless of the weather to be refreshed by the sound of the waves and search for seashells.
• Music enriches my life — classical and easy-listening music in my car and at work and praise and worship music at home. I play the piano, keyboard, and autoharp and sing for my own enjoyment.