Shining a spotlight on what God is up to in the lives of our congregation, students, and staff. Email lauren@deerlakeumc.org if you're interested in sharing your story.

1) Beach or mountains? Defend your answer.

Beach, but only because it is closer. I love to listen to the waves lapping on the shore. I’m also fascinated with the power of the currents. There’s nothing better than a beautiful sunset or a full moon. On the other hand, I love the majesty of the mountains and the peace that both the beach and mountains bring me. There’s a beach I love in Hawaii where the mountains are behind me and the ocean in front of me. Heavenly paradise on earth!

2) Who are you? How’d you get here? 

I was formed before the foundations of the earth and born to two loving parents in upstate NY. My family moved to Sebring, Florida when I was 12. After graduating from FSU, I traveled with TJ during his military career. We returned to Tallahassee to be near FSU football and family. I’m a retired social worker and loved working with women and girls in various settings throughout my career until I changed courses to work with people living with Alzheimer’s disease and their families. Married 47 years, 2 children, both married, and 2 grandchildren. I’ve been part of a church family my whole life.

3) Tell us something unique about you that we’d never think to ask.

I am the baby of the family. My oldest sister is 18 years older than me and my middle sister was 16 years older. My nieces and nephews are more like siblings.

4) What are you reading/listening to right now that the congregation needs to know about?

I was talking with a member of our church about prayer and she recommended I read Operating in the Courts of Heaven, by Robert Henderson. God’s courts are referenced throughout the Bible. I never really paid much attention to what they meant in terms of prayer. This book challenges you to look at a judicial concept of prayer. One of my greatest desires is to approach the throne of God as He intended and to invoke the power He has assured us we have as believers filled with the Holy Spirit. Several of us will be getting together to discuss. If you are interested in reading and discussing let me know! For a number of years I have been reading the Seedbed Daily Text. This daily devotion takes a Biblical Text and walks you through it. It has brought the scriptures alive for me and has challenged me to grow in many aspects of my spiritual journey.

5) Where do you currently see God at work in your life?

Wow! All over. Here are some specific examples:

Many of you know we took a 2 month journey in our RV across country. God was certainly with us every step of the way and it was so much fun delighting in his creation. How can you doubt there is a God when you witness his handiwork? We were constantly amazed by God’s creativity and when we didn’t think anything could top what we just saw or experienced, we would see something else more or equally magnificent. There were so many things that could have gone wrong on our trip. He paired us with the best traveling companions! We felt God’s protection/presence every step of the way.

My son recently got married. God’s love for His children was apparent in every step of the planning: the counseling sessions, the decorating, family dynamics, COVID, and the ceremony. It was definitely a testimony of the faithfulness of God, the witness in the little things, and the importance of a church family. We are watching lives being transformed, prayers answered and love demonstrated which in turn grows my own faith.

When I retired I never thought I would be involved in a ministry of seniors. God had another plan. I have to say I know I’m getting more than I am giving. I did Sunday devotions at the Villa’s this past Sunday. I have to tell you I wasn’t exactly enthusiastic about going. I picked out a worship service on laughter on Saturday night. On Sunday morning part of my devotions was on Psalm 30. Look it up, God has a sense of humor. When I said we are going to talk about laughter and joy, one of the elders said, “this is just what we needed today.” She must have said that 10 times during my time with them (and she doesn’t have dementia). It doesn’t get any better than this! God was all over them and me!! Want to laugh and have some fun, join the Senior Ministry Team.