I went to Puebla, Mexico, following graduation to teach in a school for missionary kids. The next summer Joel and I were married and headed back to Mexico together. His health brought us back to Indiana after a few months where we settled in the South Bend area. He started working at his family’s dealership and I stayed home with our kids. We had six kids between 2002-2009 (we currently have six teenagers). I spent my time at home with our children and serving at church, BSF, and my kids' schools. In 2016, I joined the Penn Harris Madison school board of trustees (still serving). The following year we brought home our seventh daughter from Ethiopia. When our oldest began her OVC major at Taylor, I was interested in everything she was studying, reading, and learning. As a result of our changing relationship and parenting a child that had experienced trauma, I decided to get my master’s in marriage and family counseling. The impact that Covid has had on adolescents and the lack of providers in our area resulted in the dream of Harborside Counseling and Mediation Practice. I was thankful for the excellent education from TU during my master’s program. Although I had been out of school for twenty years, I was prepared for the rigor of my master’s course work. I am so thankful for the biblical worldview developed at Taylor and the impact it has had on my life daily since graduation.
Relationship and community are the most valuable experiences I left Taylor with. I often say that my deep desire for authentic community was developed at Taylor. My husband and I continue to travel with and remain connected to our friends from Taylor.
The personal interactions at Taylor made my educational experience special. The ability to see and help me develop my gifts and talents were a gift my professors possessed and blessed me with.
Communication and education are a part of my daily counseling interactions. The ability to communicate well in written and verbal form made graduate school much easier.
The great thing about the field of communication is that it is necessary for most vocations. I have been able to teach, serve as an elected official, and start my own business in part due to the skills developed in the communications department at TU.
