and fell in love with them. The children were 10, 12, and 14. The two older children had ADHD and had some behavioral issues. Because the children were in school, during the school year, I was able to go to work for a local church as a two-year-old preschool teacher. I was thrilled. Also, the family I worked for provided a beautiful, new apartment for me in their basement. It had a full kitchen, so I was able to start a small chocolate business to make some additional money. Two local, upscale gift shops began carrying my chocolates. I made truffles, lollipops, gourmet chocolate boxes with painted chocolate designs (the boxes were actually made of chocolate), as well as gold and silver chocolate items.

While in Atlanta, I had the privilege of serving on the board of directors for The Professional Nanny Association of Atlanta. I also got involved in some of the national nanny organizations such as the National Association of Nannies, and the International Nanny Association. All of these groups were educational organizations that promoted excellence and education

in our profession. Sensing a long-term call to the in-home childcare industry, I attended the Professional Nanny Online College and Certification Program and later served on their board of advisors. While there are many schools who offer nanny degrees, it is one of only two nanny colleges in the United States that is recognized internationally.

The next three years, I spent moving around the country working short term contracts. I worked in homes with babies, school-aged children, teenagers, multiples, and special needs children. I often served as a "transitional nanny" and assisted parents in learning new parenting skills.

In the spring of 2004, I moved to the beautiful resort community of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. I was privileged to work and live with a family for one year. During this time, I found a wonderful church and for the first time in years, I began to put down serious roots. I had prayed that the Lord would give me a great church family, and I got one! I became actively involved in our church and in a small group for twenty-something singles. Our Bible study group became very close, and remains so even still. Never before have I been so happy in a church. Our church is a purpose-driven church!

It was during my first year here that I received the diagnosis of "Fibromyalgia." I had been sick since leaving Mt. Carmel and had looked for 9 years for answers. While I loved the family I was with (I am still close with them), I decided that, due to health problems, I needed to become a "live-out" nanny. I had already fallen in love with the community and my church, and felt so settled, that I made HHI my permanent home. I've been renting a condo here for a couple of years and I truly love it.

In the last couple of years, I have also been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, hypothyroidism, RLS, MPS, and most recently, Degenerative Disc Disease. I was diagnosed with toxoplasmosis while still at Mt. Carmel. After working with literally hundreds of children in various nanny positions and educational positions, I am at the point that I am having to make the difficult decision to no longer nanny.

I have asked that the Lord use these illnesses to reach others for Him. I started a Bible study/support group at our church for people with chronic illnesses and the Lord is working! Sometimes, people who are chronically ill don't know where to turn, and this gives them a safe place to plug into the church family! There is also much opportunity to minister via several online support groups that I am a part of, and one Christian Fibromyalgia group that I lead. The dream of my heart is to reach others for Him. I know that in order for some of these people who are chronically sick to be reached, I have to be able to relate to them and understand where they are coming from.

While my last name has changed, I'm still waiting for "Mr. Right" to come along! :-) I've never married because I believe in waiting for the man that God has for me. I actually went to court when I was 22 and had my name changed to my stepfather’s name as a surprise for him for Father's Day. That was a lot of fun! So that is why my last name is different.

Well... that's eleven years of my life since Mt. Carmel in a nutshell. I enjoy catching up with what is happening at Mt. Carmel via newsletters and the website. I'm hoping to come back this fall for the MCHS reunion.  I have so many fond memories of the place we all have called home. One day I am going to write about them, but for now I'm holding them and the people there close to my heart!