Born and raised in rural western Montana, I learned to love reading by listening to my mom. Curled up together on the couch, she read silly books like "Pippi Longstocking Sails the Seven Seas", adventure books like "Miss Bianca" and "The Rescuers", and Bible stories about David and Goliath, and Paul shipwrecked on the island of Malta. I loved adventure stories, but in real life, I was scared of strangers and even by my own imagination. Courage comes from many sources. For me courage came through prayer, trusting the promises of God, and surrendering my life and plans to Jesus. Whether raising a a young family in a country torn by civil war, trekking along precipitous trail with toddlers and teenagers, delivering gifts to children incarcerated with their parents, or caring for my father through the end of his days, whenever my courage fails, Christ remains my refuge and strength.