When I was a child growing up, I had no idea that someday I would be exhibiting dozens of my students’ artwork at LAC’s Arts Commissioning Weekend; or that art would become such a major influence on my life.
Art and music are my life. I have been an elementary and junior high teacher for 43 years. Thirty of those years have been at the same school, High Point Academy. For 25 years I was both the art and music teacher, responsible for several major productions every year. Now I just teach the art classes, as I cut back to help take care of my grandchildren.
Growing up, there weren’t “Kids’ Art” franchises on every corner. I considered myself very fortunate to have a box of 48 Crayola crayons! When 64 crayons came out, I thought I’d died and gone to heaven!
Music was a big part of my life and still is now. On Saturday Mornings, I would sing on a children’s
Christian radio show, and also took piano lessons. Then at Grace Community Church, my home church, I graduated to one of the dual grand pianos and accompanying the youth orchestra. When I took in Education classes at Westmont, that’s when visual arts entered the picture. I realized that I really had a knack for it. So, off I trudged to art classes in graduate school, picking up a specialization in my credential to teach Art through junior college. This skill would literally color my whole life professionally and personally.
Do you have any idea what a joy it is to know that you are doing exactly what God wants you to do, exactly where God wants you to be? I am so blessed! I love going to school, singing in the LAC Sanctuary Choir, and helping out in Worship and the Arts, under the wonderful leadership team of Jeremy, Duane and John Sutton. It has not always been easy. I battled my way back from Stage IIIc cancer, totally by God’s miraculous grace, and still kept on teaching through the whole struggle.
Our church family was instrumental in helping me get though the ordeal. Two women who were members of LAC, and moms from my school organized meal deliveries right to my door for months while I was going through chemotherapy. I can’t tell you how many people and Sunday school classes prayer lists I was on! I am truly a walking miracle and a testament to our Lords’ healing grace, and the caring community here at Lake. Our LAC cancer support group still does such wonderful, loving things for it’s members now.
When the Sanctuary choir went on tour to Argentina and Brazil a few years ago, choir director, Dr. John Sutton, would have me tell my story in the concerts and church services. The response was amazing! The people involved would line-up to talk to me, share their stories, and pray with me. It was very touching.
“Choir director, Dr. John Sutton would have me tell my story in the concerts and church services. The response was amazing !...It was very touching.”
A new challenge has entered my life. Just recently, I have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. For about three days I cried and questioned why God had let this happen? Hadn’t I been through enough? Then a peace from the Lord just came over me. God was able to use my cancer struggle for His glory. Perhaps he wants to use my Parkinson’s journey, as well?
The first thing I asked my neurologist after I was diagnosed was, “Do I have to quit teaching?” He said, “absolutely not.” So even though most of my friends my age have retired, I love what I do too much to call it quits. I am going back for year number 44, and enjoyed teaching Summer Exploration of the Arts (S.E.A.) camp this past week.
We have such a creative God! I can’t even fathom the depth of his imagination in creating literally billions of people – all different. We are made in His image (Genesis 1:27). So I have all the capacity for creativity too. Living a life in the arts brings me so much joy every day. I hope it also enriches the hundreds of students I interact with every year.
Meanwhile, as long as I am physically able, I will keep on enjoying my life with my wonderful husband, Allen, and my family, introducing my students to my favorite master artists, playing the piano,and singing with my second family, the LAC Sanctuary choir, as we all grow and learn under the amazing tutelage of Pastor Greg. God is good and He truly cares for us!
For more information about a variety of ministries and programs for children, students and adults in Worship & Arts visit our webpage.