My hobbies include…
Talking to friends  –  Camping…in a camper  –  Shopping for a good deal
Interior Decorating  –  Floral Design

I was born and raised in central Iowa until I left for Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, MO to major in Fashion/Decorating and Vocal Music.   But my heart was set on chasing dreams and I wound up traveling full-time around the central United States and Canada, singing in country music/variety bands.

In 1996 I found my future husband, Steve, as he danced by the stage where I was singing. We married in 1997 and settled down in the country near the Fargo/Moorhead area in Minnesota where Steve had just begun his career in Law Enforcement.  After coming off the road, I worked at a clothing store until we had our first son, Tyler, in 2000 and our twins, Shane & Kaitlyn, in 2003.

I became a stay-at-home mom and rededicated my life to Christ through a MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) Bible Study. I developed a passion to lead others, women especially, to know Jesus. As I grew to know the Lord, my passion for singing become a ministry.

When the twins started pre-school I began to work part-time at our church. Dressing my new mommy shaped body, for work and singing, was so frustrating!   Then I discovered a book by Shari Braendel that revived my love for fashion.   Now I love helping other women discover their own style of beautiful as well.

In the fall of 2009, after suffering with stomach pain for years, I was hospitalized and eventually diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. I was referred to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN in January of 2010 for surgery.

Those months were some of the hardest of my life. It was the lowest I had ever been, physically and emotionally. Through that time, I had to learn to live with a chronic disease and reevaluate my priorities. I also found new value in friendships and grew in my faith like never before.

So now, here I am, learning to follow Jesus through it all and ready to serve wherever He calls me.

I’d love for you to come along with me on this road. I don’t know what kind of adventures we’ll find on the way…but I know if we follow Jesus by faith, one fine day, the road will end with us face to face with our Savior in Heaven. I can’t wait!

Taunya

(Featured photos by Kensie Wallner Photography and Amber Langerud Photography)