I’ve always had a longing to walk with the Spirit in the beautiful work of transformation through discipleship. Again and again, God has placed me in moments where I could sit with someone in their questions, their suffering, or at a crossroads, simply being a companion as they searched for clarity and direction. Along the way, that longing has grown into a desire to know God’s Word more deeply, to learn how it speaks into the real and complicated places of life, and learn how to apply His counsel and wisdom so that I can come alongside others with counsel that reflects His love and truth.

As I sit with people, I’ve learned that life is far more fragile, challenging, and complex than we often admit. Gandalf the Grey once said, “When I come across something that is alive and capable of bearing beauty, then I want to nurture that, and that is my call… If anything survives that can flower and bear fruit in the days after, then my work will not have been in vain.” Those words echo my own heart for counseling.

One of the greatest joys of this work is journeying with others as they move closer to the heart of Christ and watching the Spirit bring transformation in them. Like Gandalf, I see myself as a steward—tending to souls, nurturing beauty, and pointing toward the glory of the Lord. It is a privilege to witness the Spirit’s quiet, faithful work in saints and sinners alike, and to hold space where rest, peace, and healing can take root. My approach is never rushed or merely corrective, but companioning—walking alongside those who are weary or seeking hope. To steward souls in this way is not only a privilege but a joy.

Creating my own Rule of Life has been one of the most life-giving practices for me, helping me return to rhythms and disciplines that care for my whole self. My daily patterns include reading Scripture, prayer, and the Daily Examen, which keep me rooted in God’s presence. I meet regularly with both a Spiritual Director and a counselor, grateful for the way their wisdom and companionship shape my journey.

Community is vital to me, but so is time “off-grid.” I try to be digitally disconnected as much as possible as it only increases my anxiety. I seek out personal retreats where I can step away from the noise and simply be with the Lord, trusting those hidden moments to hold mystery and grace. Caring for my body is also part of my rhythm—I enjoy pilates, move regularly, and this year I’ve set a goal to walk every day.  All of these practices—whether shared with others or alone—draw me deeper into life with God.

I love helping people engage their stories, naming the places of trauma, distortion, and brokenness that have shaped how they see themselves and the world. Through storywork, we bear witness to the pain, lament the losses, and begin to dismantle destructive patterns that once served as protection. Then, we work to “re-story”—to see how their life fits into God’s greater story of redemption, where He is faithfully restoring what has been shattered. When shalom has been broken, I count it an honor to help others discover how God is making all things new.

I find deep meaning in walking with those affected by domestic abuse, entitlement, and oppression. It is a sacred privilege to come alongside women caught in these kinds of relationships, helping them see their circumstances through the lens of Scripture and gently supporting them as they learn to set healthy boundaries. I also count it a privilege to walk with husbands who are ready to recognize areas of entitlement and distorted perspectives that have harmed their marriages. Few things bring me greater joy than seeing a couple turn back to the Lord as they seek healing and godly unity together.

As someone who has experienced spiritual abuse and trauma myself, I hold a tender place for those seeking to heal from the failures of church leadership. When shepherds forsake their call to care, the wounds cut deeply, often leaving people disoriented and convinced the church is no longer safe. The impact on the soul is profound, and recovery is slow and patient, requiring a non-judgmental environment to disentangle the complexities. Yet, I believe with all my heart that God is restoring His Church. My desire is to companion with those who are hurting, to hold their hand in the journey toward healing, and to help them find hope in the possibility of returning to the Church as a place of safety, life, and belonging.

I have been deeply shaped by the writings of Augustine, Herman Bavinck, Henri Nouwen, Curt Thompson, Jim Wilder, Aundi Kolber, Diane Langberg, and Brad Hambrick. Their words have helped me think more deeply about God, people, and the work of healing. I also turn often to poets like Denise Levertov, Mary Oliver, Malcolm Guite, George Herbert, Scott Cairns, Christian Wiman, and Micheal O’Siadhail, who remind me to pay attention to beauty and mystery in ordinary life.

Music and art also nourish me. Some of the musicians I most enjoy are Jon and Valerie Guerra, The Brilliance, Young Oceans, John Mark Pantana, Taylor Leonhardt, and Jonathan Ogden. Artists whose work I delight in include Rothko, Rembrandt, Makoto Fujimura, and Sylwia Perczak—along with a growing list of others whose creativity draws me closer to God’s beauty.

A few resources that have been especially meaningful to me include A Still and Quiet Mind by Esther Smith, a book that has shaped the way I think about my inner life, and The Lord Is My Courage by K.J. Ramsey, which has been a healing companion in facing pain inflicted by the Church.

I don’t think of faith or spirituality as something I integrate. It is life and breath, warp and woof. I try to cling to Jesus moment by moment, seeking to abide in Him and keep my heart turned toward Him throughout the day. The Scriptures are where I hear His voice most clearly, so I immerse myself in them daily, letting His Word shape how I live and love. Prayer, examen, and Scripture reading are not simply practices but a way of life for me—woven into my relationships, my work, and even the ordinary places of my day.

I pray the Daily Office, journal often, and am currently working through the Ignatian Exercises, which have been both deeply challenging and profoundly life-giving.

For me, fixing my eyes on Jesus helps me remember my belovedness. I am His, and He is mine. Faith is not something set apart from life—it is the very way of life itself.

I love creativity in many forms—making and viewing art, reading and sometimes writing poetry, and soaking in music (listening only, for now!). Good food, lingering at an art museum, and time spent with beauty in its many expressions bring me joy. I also enjoy movies and shows that capture the depth of the human experience—stories where characters, shaped by their past and their environments, are reaching toward something redemptive.

As I shared above, I’ve known the disorientation of spiritual abuse, having had to leave a church family I once thought I would spend the rest of my life with. That loss was excruciating and taught me a great deal about the nature of people, pastors, and the Church. Yet in the midst of it, the Lord drew me closer to Himself, strengthening my dependence on and hope in the Risen Christ.

Through this journey, I’ve learned greater humility, patience, and kindness toward those who are suffering. I’ve also learned what it means to stand firm in the convictions God has given me, while seeking to walk in gentleness and kindness. Recovery has been a long road, but I can say with gratitude that I continue to experience healing and restoration each day.

Well, I am human, so there are certainly times when I don’t “handle it” well. When I feel stress beginning to rise, my first impulse is often to react quickly—but I’ve learned that this rarely serves me well. Instead, I try to slow down, acknowledge where I am, and ask what the Lord might be inviting me into in that moment. The more I practice this, the more natural it becomes. Seeking wise counsel and processing with a trusted friend also helps me re-align my heart toward Christ’s.

These are the same practices I often invite my counselees to explore:

• What is your body experiencing right now?

• What are you feeling emotionally?

• What thoughts are leading to those emotions?

• How might the Lord be inviting you to respond?