45 years later I found myself in Tucson, retired with my second husband, Mike.  My career mostly as a Corporate Event Planner had been challenging, but fulfilling and given me a lifetime of wonderful memories and knowing I’d made a difference.

After traveling for several years in a motorhome, I decided to work from home for an event planning company and quit after a year as I felt I was missing something here in the desert.  I enjoyed the serenity of it all and watching the dozens of hummingbirds that took refuge among our feeders, and it was during one of those times that I felt God’s presence.  It had been years since I’d been in church, so I began the “church search” part of my life.  And I found it in Vista.

I didn’t intend to volunteer, just go to church.  Not one to sit still, I decided to bake cookies for a Sunday social and met some wonderful folks.  I volunteered to call people to bring the cookies and not one person said no. I volunteered to work one Wednesday night for the “Walk to Bethlehem” event and ended up being co-chair for the next several ones. I’ve been at Vista for 9 years and enjoyed volunteering for numerous other committees. I am currently Church Council Secretary, Shepherds Chair, Caregiving group co-chair and Evangelism member; I recently joined Vista’s staff as Director of Membership and Communications.  I’m excited to be able to combine Evangelism with my Membership position as Vista continues to build our brand, not only for our current congregation, but for the community around us who will hopefully be a part of us some day.

We enjoy socializing with Tucson friends along with family and friends who have moved here, as well as occasional traveling.  We have three children between us who live with their families in Redding, CA, Mesa, AZ, and here in Tucson, four grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.