I love life and choose to live it out loud—with passion, purpose, practicality, and freedom. I value honesty, authenticity, and deep, meaningful relationships. But let me be clear: I don’t love life because it has always been easy. It hasn’t.

I have walked through valleys that tested everything I thought I knew—chronic illness, strained family relationships, infertility, adoption, parenting children with RAD, ADHD, and ADD, betrayal, church conflict, job loss, and financial struggles. And then came the heartbreaks that shook me to my core. In 2014, we lost our 21-year-old son, Sterling, in a car accident. Five years later, in 2019, our 27-year-old son, Marc, was murdered alongside his girlfriend by her ex-boyfriend.

Those are the kinds of losses that threaten to undo you. Yet even in those dark, crushing places, God has never left. He has proven again and again that abundant life isn’t found in perfect circumstances—it is found in His presence. It is in the valley of the shadow of death that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have revealed parts of themselves I could not have known otherwise—the secret things hidden in the secret place.

In those sacred encounters, He has drawn me into His garden—a place where He invites me to release my pain, to plant my tears, to sow trust, and to receive His pruning, His rest, His restoration, His resurrection, and His redemption. What I’ve discovered is that the treasure in the darkness is not what He gives, but who He is.

God continues to be my strength when I am weary, my hope when despair presses in, my joy even in sorrow. And He gives me the courage to live victoriously when defeat tries to consume me. This is the miracle of grace—life abundant, even in the midst of loss.

My deepest desire is for every person to encounter the unrelenting love of God—for them to know His power, His presence, and His purpose working in and through all things. I long for others to experience what it means to have the JOY of the LORD as the very source of their existence, even in the midst of pain and hardship.

One of the greatest honors of my life is to sit with others—to truly listen—as they share their stories and, in the gentle presence of the Trinity, begin to release their pain. It is sacred ground to witness the moment they start to breathe again, move again, and step into the fullness of life as God originally designed them to live.

I don’t just want to comfort—I long to see transformation. I want to see people step into healing, walk in wholeness, and begin to live in the fullness of their God-given potential. That is why I serve as a HeartSync Facilitator, Life, Grief, and Trauma Coach, Mental Health First Responder, Mediator, and as the Founder of The Sterling Rose Sanctuary, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit devoted to walking with those who grieve by offering resources for hope and healing.

Through it all, I depend completely on the Holy Spirit. It is His discernment and His wisdom that allow me to truly connect with others, to see beyond the surface, and to walk with them into the places where God brings restoration, redemption, and new life.

I love the life God has given me and the unique ways He’s filled it with beauty and joy. The beach is one of my sacred places, where the rhythm of the waves refreshes my soul. I find delight in dancing, in bringing spaces to life through decorating, and in quiet moments immersed in the Word of God. My heart is fullest when I am connecting deeply with friends, strengthening relationships, and sharing meaningful time with my family—especially with my husband and children, who are some of my greatest treasures.

Traveling fills me with wonder, and coaching allows me to walk alongside others in their journeys. Encouraging hearts to keep going is one of my deepest joys. These are the things that make me who I am, gifts that remind me daily of the goodness of God. I fully embrace the freedom He has given me, and my greatest desire is to see others live in that same freedom—joyfully, authentically, and abundantly.

I am married to my best friend and lifelong partner in every adventure. I love my husband more today than ever before. He is a man of integrity, strength, and steady love—a father who has poured himself into our children and into the lives of those around him. He has always believed in me, encouraging me to step fully into all God has called me to be, and he continues to be one of my most faithful cheerleaders.

Our home has been beautifully full—overflowing with laughter, tears, late-night talks, and countless memories—because of our five incredible children. We are a multicultural family, a tapestry woven together by God’s hand through adoption and birth. Our daughter, Lumbee Indian and African American, radiates strength and creativity. She is a gifted entrepreneur who can accomplish anything she sets her mind to, and she now runs a successful business with passion and excellence. Two of our sons, a sibling pair of Mexican American heritage, bring resilience, humor, and their own unique gifts into our family. And then God gave us the “bookends” through birth, completing our circle in His perfect way.

Our oldest son lived with a passion that inspired everyone around him. He cared deeply about relationships and carried a bold love for sharing Christ with others. In fact, he prayed each one of his siblings into our family, and his legacy of faith continues to shape us. Our youngest son, often called his “mini me,” carries that same depth of heart. An old soul, he has found both joy and healing in creating and producing music—a gift that has become not only therapeutic for him, but also a ministry that reaches others walking through pain. Each child has blessed our lives beyond measure, shaping us as much as we have shaped them.

Our family story also carries deep sorrow. In 2014, we lost our oldest son in a tragic accident. He was not only our son but also a beloved best friend, and his absence left an ache that words cannot capture. In 2019, we faced another heartbreak when our second-oldest son was murdered alongside his girlfriend. Both of their lives left indelible marks on our hearts, and though we miss them daily, we hold fast to the living hope that one day we will be reunited in our true home, heaven, with our Father.

Through it all, family remains one of my greatest joys—whether we are gathered at the beach, laughing around the table, traveling together, or simply sharing the beauty of ordinary days. They are a constant reminder of God’s goodness, His unshakable faithfulness, and the power of love that transcends both time and loss.

Education and Certifications

Meredith College, Raleigh, NC - BS in Family Relations and Child Development

Meredith College- Teaching Certification 6th- 12th grades

Light University, Forest, VA - Life, Grief, Trauma, Brain, and Mental Health First Responder Coach

Mediator

HeartSync Minister

Author of Gripping Grace in the Garden of Grief: A Place for the Heart

Speaker

Over 30 years of experience

Member of AACC