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About
I live in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia with my husband, Gary. We enjoyed raising our three children on our farm, Joyful Noise Acres. It was a busy, fun time. Now we're loving retirement travel and being Grammy and Grandpa to our six dear grandchildren.
Some of my favorite activities are working in missions, dancing at outside concerts, playing the piano, crocheting prayer shawls, and rubbing Eli's ears (our golden retriever).But what I like best is riding my bike for miles on the winding country road close to our home. It parallels our creek and offers me a beautiful, quiet time to talk with and listen to God. I thank Him for giving me the words to write!
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I believe God uses each of us in a unique way. After a career in pediatric physical therapy, God gave me the desire to pass along my faith to the next generation. Writing and sharing the Jesus story has now become quite the retirement adventure ... it's a joy and a privilege.
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Ministries
I believe ​there are many organizations based upon God's amazing love, even if unspoken in their mission statements. These four have been special to me through the years. THAN​K YOU to each of these ministries for helping children and their families in the different seasons of their lives. GOD'S BLESSINGS upon you and your work!
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Blue Ridge Women's Center ~ In Roanoke, VA, this center exists to offer hope to women and their families through their many services and classes. One example is their medical clinic that specializes in unplanned pregnancy, relationship concerns, and reproductive health. It's all completely free of charge.
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​WRE ~ The mission of the Virginia Weekday Religious Education Association is to provide the opportunity for Virginia's public school students, with parental written permission, to go off campus and receive Bible instruction. This offered curriculum is made possible through the "released time" religious education program set forth in the U.S. Supreme Court 1952 Zorach Decision. WRE benefits include supplementing home and church instruction, helping children understand their uniqueness and value in the Kingdon of God, and encouraging students to pursue a personal relationship with Jesus. There are 19 WRE Councils in the state of Virginia.
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Minnick School, Roanoke Campus ~ Minnick Schools help students ages 5 to 22 achieve academic, behavioral, and developmental goals so they may return to their home public school or pursue a path to meaningful work. Virginia locations include school systems in Roanoke, Harrisonburg, Wytheville, Wise, and Bristol regions.
www.encircleall.org/minnick-schools
Roanoke Rescue Mission ~ With the mission statement "helping hurting people in Jesus' name", this organization is a comprehensive crisis intervention center for men, women, and children in Roanoke, VA. They offer life-saving services aimed at transformation and restoration. Ministry examples include a Free Clinic for the homeless, Emergency shelter, and meals ... as well as a Recovery Program for addiction and a Summer Day Camp for children staying in the Women and Children's Center.