Growing up in a Christ-centered home, my parents instilled spiritual and religious values in me, as reflected in the book of James, at an early age. These values have carried me throughout each season of my life. In 1983, I married and relocated from Kentucky to California. After a long search for that right congregation for me, a seasoned Christian woman encouraged me to visit the San Leandro Church of Christ. Upon my first visit I knew this was the congregation I wanted to be part of. I was touched and inspired by the display of love, unity and respect for one another in spite of the array of diversity both seen and unseen. Throughout my 42 years as a member of this congregation, the numbers of people attending have fluctuated. We are now a much smaller congregation; however our love for God, our neighbor and for each other has deepened and expanded beyond measure. Professionally, I have served in many educational capacities and positions as a teacher, educational diagnostician, principal, executive director and various central office school districts administrator positions. I have enjoyed, learned and grown at each of these positions. However, serving as one of the Shepherds in this congregation has been the most fulfilling and cherished acts of service for me. I am grateful and humbled for the confidence and trust that this family of believers has in me to serve as one of their Shepherds.