I graduated from high school and went on to attend Eastern Kentucky University, earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology in December of 1988. Two weeks later, I married my college sweetheart, Ken, in the Methodist Church. In 1989, we moved to Indiana to pursue graduate degrees at Ball State University. I became a licensed mental health counselor, and Ken went on to become a neuropsychologist and professor at Ball State University.
My early vocational work included serving as a child protection caseworker, adoption caseworker, individual and couples therapist, and Treatment Director for a national foster care agency. My passion for children and families eventually led me to start my own specialized foster care agency in 2006. Unfortunately, severe cuts to state funding forced the agency to close in 2011. While heartbreaking, this season led me to begin working as the CFO for my husband’s company, where I remain today.
Along the way, life unfolded as it often does. In 2005, we moved from Muncie to Fishers with our two daughters, and I was expecting our third daughter, who was born in March of 2006.
From 2005 until 2023, I visited many Methodist churches, but none gave me the sense of belonging that the small church of my childhood had provided. That changed in November of 2023, when a simple encounter at a local Goodwill store altered everything. While shopping for Christmas decorations, I struck up a conversation with another woman who mentioned she was shopping for her church. I soon learned she was the pianist at McCordsville United Methodist Church—just five miles from my home. She invited me to attend the following Sunday.
I did, and even before the service ended, I knew I was home.
It didn’t take long for me to become involved, and I officially transferred my membership in July of 2024. Today, I am active in the church’s food pantry, the United Methodist Women’s group, and I volunteer with the Tuxedo Park Baptist Church Clothing Center. I am also deeply fond of cats and volunteer with Community Cats of Hamilton County, blending my love for animals with my heart for service.
Now that my daughters are grown, I am able to pour my heart into volunteering and serving others. I am grateful that my husband’s work feeds the wallet—and my work feeds the soul.