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The Rest of the Story :) (some of it)
Basics:
I have a BA in psychology and an MA in mental health counseling and currently working on my Ph.D. in psychology.
I have my License Professional Counselor in the state of MI.
I am working in Real Estate at the current time while getting my Ph.D. This is kind of my sabbatical from full immersion in direct human service yet still serving others by speaking, vlogging, writing blogs and working on a few books.
Life Story:
I am the youngest of nine children in my family. I was raised in a poor but loving home while my father ministered at many small churches in multiple states. I understand what it is like to be part of a family that has to struggle and fights to survive. My family was on and off the government support systems - I know the social outcasting that come with food stamps and Medicaid - I know how it feels to live "in that house" - I know the feeling of eating the same food for weeks on end - I know reality of "Santa could only being one present this year" A part of a family that has stories each their own and while loving very disconnected.
As a child, I had to fight an unknown sickness to the point his life was in jeopardy many times. He was taken to many doctors and all was but given up on by the medical community. I was so sick that I missed most of my 8th-grade year sick. At 13 we found an old country doctor (ex-navy) that gave me a medication that "helped" through the cost and side effects of this was supposed to be high.
Blood work every 10 days and if I missed even one does the pain was very real. There were times I know my parents could not afford the medication. Watching my parents scrimp, borrow, and beg for money for the medications that cost $150 a month. (at the time high cost) I learned what loving prents do for their kids!
When I was 25yrs old when an unexplained (i use the work miraculous) change in my health turned for the better and the medications were not needed!!!
Little did I know that this life of fighting through sickness gave me the spirit to "never quit." This served me well in 2009 when I was diagnosed with stage 3C colon cancer. The odds of it not coming back at best according to oncologist was 60/40 at best. ( HE WAS WRONG) I had surgery, 6 months of chemotherapy and Faith and in 2010 the doctors said there was no sign of cancer. that was 9 years ago now! This changed my life and put a new passion for loving people and appreciation for every day. Cancer instead of pushing me down set up a goal in me to share his hope, faith and passion for life with anyone I come into contact with.
These struggles and dare I say miracle or if you prefer unexplained physical changes - during his life put a drive in me to achieve and never give up no matter what I face. It has put a drive in me to help others find the hope that they can overcome what and where they come from.
Work Story:
In my early years, I held a variety of positions mostly my choice :) - while working my through my college degrees. I worked years in the sales field in technology, telecommunications and advertising companies. I have an extensive project and business management, I have been a trainer for groups of a few to thousands both in person and online. Along, my life Journey, I have been a professional special Education teacher and taught in K-12 alternative school for 6 yrs. I have been working with troubled kids and families for the last few decades of my life in education, residential, community and prison with Juvenile Sexual offenders.I am working in real estate while I get my Ph.D. and work on writing a book and blogs for mental health issues.
All the time with the goal of promoting a positive and healthy lifestyle and choices.
Spiritual Story:
I can not remember not believing in God. I think the illnesses and praying loving set of parents made me look to FAITH early in my life. I do remember not following a good path as a teenager but not disbelieving, just ignoring, I grew up "full gospel" and have since been through many denominational and style of churches. I attended two years of seminary but did not feel that was the whole of life that God wanted me to serve.
I have been part of mega churches but more in the start-up or church plants - I was a youth pastor and walked the road of a church planter in Vermont. - I think the true spiritual reality is that I have been head toilet cleaner to lead pastor guy and found there is no difference between the two both are servants of the Lord.
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My Mission:
To help those I come into contact with improve their own life one day at a time by pointing them to faith and seeing the value of living no matter what one has done, been through or may yet face.
