Why the name "extraverted contemplative"? I'm an extravert, for sure. I've known that pretty much all my life. I love surrounding myself with friends and family, gaining energy by being with people. So much so, that one introvert noted that we extroverts get all our energy, because "You suck it out of the rest of us". To all my introvert friends, I apologize. As for contemplative, this part doesn't come naturally. This is an ongoing learning journey and thanks to some key people cutting a path in front of me, I've learned to embrace being in solitude and quiet while learning to pray in ways that tap into my intuitive side. And it's good to be that way. I think, in all honesty, I stole the term "extraverted contemplative" from some book I read about Henri Nouwen, one of my fave authors. His writing was and continues to be so formative for me in my own journey and I feel a connection to him, so when I ran into that phrase, I plucked it out of the air and made it my own. By the way, while on the subject of Nouwen, do not let the brevity of his book Life of the Beloved dupe you into thinking there is little of substance between those covers. It's packed chock-full of truth and beauty and is a must read! I would know, because I've read it on pretty much every one of my annual prayer retreats since 1994!
Teach. Encourage. Listen. Create. Betrothed. Those are five words that have been significant to me in what I feel God has called me to. I can't explain all of them in depth here. Maybe when we sit face-to-face sometime I can, but here's the high level. I'm a spiritual director, when I'm not teaching French to Grade 8 students. I love people and in particular, the Church, and am passionate about seeing people be all they were created to be in Christ. I enjoy walking alongside people in their spiritual journey in an intentional way, in addition to leading prayer retreats and facilitating small groups. I serve as a worship leader at my church. I relish any and all opportunities to pray with others. I am growing in my own sense of my identity as the beloved of God. This has brought me a lot of healing and hope that I'm being transformed into the likeness of Jesus.
I completed my Master’s of Theological Studies from Tyndale seminary (2010) and also have my Certification in Spiritual Direction from the Canadian Council for Professional Certification (2012). I addition to being a teacher, I used to work part-time in corporate training in the private sector for 10 years, helping to facilitate leadership and team-building events. Other experience I have includes a lot of time raising little people.
I live in the small, beautiful town of Elmira, Ontario with my husband of almost 3 decades, Gord. We have 4 kids, Sam, Jorja (she loves and married my son!), Breanna and Nathan and our cute, but sometimes temperamental dog, Cooper. I grew up in the Mennonite Brethren church in the Kitchener-Waterloo area and cherish my Anabaptist roots. We attend Waterloo Mennonite Brethren Church.
Other miscellaneous facts. I love to run (jog, really) and garden and am a self-proclaimed book and coffee snob. I try to engage with Scripture and pray each day. I carve out time for regular mini and longer personal retreats to stay connected to Jesus. I am currently enthralled with knitting socks. I love life, laughter (especially at myself) and a colourful sunset when I'm somewhere with a view.
Teach. Encourage. Listen. Create. Betrothed. Those are five words that have been significant to me in what I feel God has called me to. I can't explain all of them in depth here. Maybe when we sit face-to-face sometime I can, but here's the high level. I'm a spiritual director, when I'm not teaching French to Grade 8 students. I love people and in particular, the Church, and am passionate about seeing people be all they were created to be in Christ. I enjoy walking alongside people in their spiritual journey in an intentional way, in addition to leading prayer retreats and facilitating small groups. I serve as a worship leader at my church. I relish any and all opportunities to pray with others. I am growing in my own sense of my identity as the beloved of God. This has brought me a lot of healing and hope that I'm being transformed into the likeness of Jesus.
I completed my Master’s of Theological Studies from Tyndale seminary (2010) and also have my Certification in Spiritual Direction from the Canadian Council for Professional Certification (2012). I addition to being a teacher, I used to work part-time in corporate training in the private sector for 10 years, helping to facilitate leadership and team-building events. Other experience I have includes a lot of time raising little people.
I live in the small, beautiful town of Elmira, Ontario with my husband of almost 3 decades, Gord. We have 4 kids, Sam, Jorja (she loves and married my son!), Breanna and Nathan and our cute, but sometimes temperamental dog, Cooper. I grew up in the Mennonite Brethren church in the Kitchener-Waterloo area and cherish my Anabaptist roots. We attend Waterloo Mennonite Brethren Church.
Other miscellaneous facts. I love to run (jog, really) and garden and am a self-proclaimed book and coffee snob. I try to engage with Scripture and pray each day. I carve out time for regular mini and longer personal retreats to stay connected to Jesus. I am currently enthralled with knitting socks. I love life, laughter (especially at myself) and a colourful sunset when I'm somewhere with a view.