Yep, I am a “CHEESEHEAD” and proud to say so!  Craig and I grew up in central Wisconsin.  He grew up in Greenwood (population 1,000), while I grew up 12 miles down the road in Withee (population 400). Yep, high school sweethearts. We were married on May 26^th of 2001! Eight years later we were blessed with the birth of a son, Cortland Miles on November 9, 2007.  There are no words to describe the joy he brings us.  God is so good!

 Craig has a degree in Engineering Physics, while I have a K-12 Art education degree and a Lutheran Education/ Director of Christian Education certification.  After graduation, we moved to Freeport, IL where we lived for 4 ½ years. 

 So, how did I get involved in ministry?  Well, in 2004, I volunteered to chaperone the LCMS National Youth Gathering in Orlando and my life changed. As the week progressed, I began to fall in love with these kids and the idea of working with them on a regular basis.  I had felt God’s call to serve! My church was actually looking for a Director of Christian Education at the time, and I volunteered to help out until someone accepted our call. Soon after my return from Orlando, I was asked to serve as their Christian Education Director. I worked in the position for over a year, and loved it. 

 We were quite happy living in Freeport, but God had different plans for us.  Craig was laid off for 7 months. When he received a job offer at Grayhill in La Grange, IL, we decided to take it.  Because we had to move, I had to step away from my job as their Christian Education Director. I could not envision myself working outside the church and anxiously waited to see what the Lord had in store for me.  Soon after our arrival to the Chicago suburbs, I received a call from Pastor Pfotenhauer about the possibility of serving at Bethel Lutheran Church.  The possibility became a reality, and after a year internship and some schooling, I was called to serve as the Director of Christian Education at Bethel in Westmont.  I love it!

 Craig has three younger sisters while I have an identical twin sister (who is a D.C.E in Nederland, TX) and two younger brothers.  Our parents are still in central Wisconsin.