A little about me: I am a fun-loving introvert with deep wounds that the LORD is still healing. I still play arcade games and love to shoot pool. I have been learning Korean, Portuguese and Spanish for the past 5 years but my learning has been pretty one-sided! I have a knack for writing cheesy one-hit wonders! From the age of 10 I was involved in organized sports and miss playing. I coached my son's soccer teams for 10 years (even becoming a certified coach) and discovered just how much being involved in sports has been a constant in my turbulent life. I have spent most of my life battling with depression and being emotionally distant following the death of my dad when I was 12 years old. I closed off and kept my anguish internal; never dealing with it or talking about it until I was much, much older. My mom died when I was 30; and I shut down, despite being a mom and finding out I was carrying my second child. I am a single parent to two sons whom I love but the battle within myself as a competent parent who could provide has consistently weighed on me: if someone said I was a good mother, I would automatically break down into crying. We have been homeless; they were basically raised on government assistance; they had attended multiple schools; and I still battle the thoughts of being a failure with them. I came to faith in Christ at 28 but didn't walk with Him until my life came crashing down at 29 (pride goeth before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall). I would like to say my faith in Jesus has been my firm foundation but even my faith walk has been turbulent for the past 22 years. In 2024, right before my birthday, my faith hit a crisis point and I gave up on God. I walked away but I didn't get very far; as He called me back and has given me a new chance. I spent the remainder of 2024 in a serious battle with depression oppression and spiritual paralysis; I struggled to make it moment by moment. But God would give me words of life throughout the year; glimmers of light in my darkness. I was able to take piano lessons at the university which was wonderful to do; and I became a Biblical Life Coach. I created a Facebook page called Possibilities & Potential Coaching, where I would send out encouraging postings. I even started gathering my writings and earlier this year started a podcast for my creative writing ministry-Simply Scripture...Simple Faith. In 2020, I took a step out of my "normalcy" to run for Mayor of Bloomington because I believed that was what God was calling me to do. I felt He was going to use me as a light in others' darkness from that position; to show others that, no matter what they may have done or been through, they still matter and can have hope for their lives as well. I believed God was going to do amazing things through me. I wasn't elected but some people did vote for me and encouraged me not to give up, because "we need people like you!" Despite last year's depression, oppression and paralysis and still working through weak faith and vulnerabilities, I felt the call again to step out and now am running for Governor of Illinois in next year's elections. This is huge for me to do! I have no resources, no connections, no backing, no alliances but those words of life and glimmers kept popping up again. Elected officials are failing people; and I am willing to take a stand and fight. I am very anxious but know this is the right thing to do. Someone has to speak life and care to people. People don't just need someone to believe in; they need someone to believe in them. My niche, my calling, is to help others on their own journeys; to be a light when I can until they reach their next destination. For the first 30 years of my life, I lived selfishly. For the past 20+ years, God has done a great work within me to care for others. I may be a diamond in the rough, but here I am! Standing, smiling, pressing through and shining like a star in the universe!
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