My monologue, “It’s Over! I’ve Had It! Stop Calling Me Girl!” has many humorous but serious personal antic dotes revealing latent societal tendencies to label women, including professional, strong, intelligent and independent women as "girls," which doom relationships to failure and quenches the creative assets girls and women desire to bring to the table for the good of all. Many have searched the root causes with me.

A varied background and a wealth of experiences took me to call other countries my home. I moved to Belize, Central America after living in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Called in the year 2000 to serve a local United Church of Christ congregation, on September 23, 2003, I went on to help birth Free Spirit Worship Center, a post-denominational household of faith. It was in Belize, where I penned It's Over: I’ve Had It; Stop Calling Me Girl, and eagerly share with the world.

Creativity, energy and flexibility are assets necessary to keep pace with the movement of the leadings in my life. A high energy level allows me the unique capability to work on and accomplish many goals at once. The only stipulation is that each activity must be connected within an overall frame of reference.

Born and raised in Pennsylvania, I moved to Canada, where I lived for 15 years, resided in Hawaii for five years and since 1992 lived in Michigan before leaving the United States for the Jewel, Central American Nation of Belize in 2011. A widow, I have four grown offspring seven beautiful grandchildren and two great grands. My faith journey meandered through the Baptist and Free Methodist Churches. The Anglican tradition drew me in and then on to the United Church of Christ. I now live in Antigua, Guatemala Central America and will always serve beyond tradition.

An ordained minister, I received a Bachelor of Theology Degree at Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada and a Master of Divinity Degree from the Canadian Theological Seminary in Regina, the Capitol of Saskatchewan. I am a life-long learner who strives to remain up-to-date with new insights.

My Christology fosters acceptance and allots dignity of all persons which is my driving force. In a public ceremony I was crowned a Crone (an aged woman of wisdom) on April, 2007. It has always been my desire to assist all in the acceptance of one’s own beauty, talent and giftedness and then to move out into an effective lifestyle.

“The Rev,” as I am affectionately called, also worked for American Home Partners which provided support for deserving families to gain access to middle-income home ownership by providing support, finances and beautiful stick-build home designs. I also found time to serve as Professor of Religion and Philosophy for the University of Phoenix. An active advocate against sexual and physical abuse, I received training sponsored by the United States Department of Justice.

As a former member of an Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance (IDMA) Executive Committee, I believe that women in ministry are partners with clergymen, for a balanced and healthy Household of Faith. I was a member of Concerned Clergy of Grand Rapids Area who gave spiritual nurture and support to Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender souls and sadly, was the only Person of Color and only one of very few women involved.

My enthusiasm for life, learning and love is contagious.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing will provide open doors to meet new and interesting persons and help to satiate my taste for various cultures on a global scale. Couchsurfing will keep me to be intellectually attuned to and aware of world events. I view everyone as kinfolk.

Interests

As family and friends used to suffer through my painful process of eating very slowly, it became apparent that I appreciate and savor good food. Dining also provides opportunity to socialize and interact with other cultures. And since dining is always included in travel, evenings out, entertainment and other social gatherings, eating contributes greatly to all of my interests.

Music, Movies, and Books

Eclectic taste for music, drama, art and dance provide a myriad of experiences. My new favorite movie is "Avatar." It is always a joy to read autobiographies of persons I have met. I harken back to the days of my youth to those tunes listed on the "Hit Parade" of the 1960s, the Big Band Sound as well as Broadway Show tunes to this day.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

A single parent of four, living 2000 miles from my support system, I completed educational and practicum requirements for ordination as a full-time student while engaged in full time employment in extreme weather conditions of Saskatchewan, Canada.

Teach, Learn, Share

It is my privilege to facilitate the learning of critical thinking skills, self acceptance, self awareness and effective living.

A life-long learner, I have an insatiable appetite to expand my own boundaries by listening, hearing and am always open to accept novel understandings. Please teach me your foundational truths.

Open, honest and grateful, I share out of my own abundance. If I say that my home is your home, I mean it. If I say, "I love you," I mean it.

What I Can Share with Hosts

My queen size sofa is available to one person. Always willing to answer questions pertaining to my own personal experiences and understanding, most of my life is an open book. My expertise in facilitating positive change will be my gift to my hosts. Low maintenance lessens the amount of time or energy required to keep me content. Personal space is always respected.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belize, Brazil, Canada, Guatemala, Jamaica, Mexico, Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

Countries I’ve Lived In

Belize, Canada, Guatemala, United States