Having been born into a family that has always loved to make music, it seemed only natural that my love for music would begin to develop at an early age. Singing in church since the age of 4, I knew almost from the start that singing was a part of me, and that it was what I longed to do. That inner knowing never left me—throughout school, and even in making preparations for college, and deciding my major, I always knew that my passion lied in singing. I wanted to take the safe route, of course, and have an education to fall back on, so I earned a bachelor's degree, and went on to get a Master's degree, yet I didn't see either of those taking me into something that I really wanted to do for a living.
Singing has always been in integral part of my life, and I made time to do it as an avocation, and was even blessed to be able to schedule my vocation around it. I used to talk to my husband all the time about what I wanted to do---how I wanted to sing for a living—doing that thing for which I had a passion, but I just didn't see how that would all come together.
During that same time, I began working with my church in the area of Praise and Worship. They didn't have a regular Praise and Worship Leader at the time, and I starting helping out in that capacity. I'll be honest, I was scared to pieces!! I used to say all the time, "I just want to sing---I don't want to talk between the songs! Can't I just tell the title of the next song?!" But God used this time in my life to really start dealing with me. It didn't take me long to realize that, in and of myself, I didn't have anything to give the congregation—and that the most important thing that I could share with them would be God's word. In order to share His word, though, you have to know His word. That revelation changed my whole life. It was then that I really began to seek His face, to delve into His word, and to make time with Him a priority. You cannot be in His presence continually and remain the same. As He became the priority in my life, the Holy Spirit took over. When it was time for me to lead Praise and Worship, I no longer feared speaking to the people because He provided the words for me to say!! So awesome! For the first time in my life, I truly felt a sense of fulfillment. I knew this place of ministry was where I belonged!
As I grew into a more intimate relationship with the Lord, He began to show me so many things about myself. He showed me that all these years I have wanted to sing, and it was just a pressing desire --He had given me a gift in that area, and I wanted to use it. But now, things are very different. He has made me aware that it is He's the One Who has been working in me both to will and to do His good pleasure. He showed me that there has been a specific calling on my life since before the foundations of this world were laid. I have been called to minister His word through song, and in whatever capacity He chooses. Sometimes that is so hard for me to grasp! That He would choose me?! Yet, I know that He places this treasure in us, earthen vessels, so that the excellency of the Power may be of God, and not of us. I count it an honor and a privilege to be used as His vessel.