INTRODUCTION:

I truly enjoy being a motivational, inspirational, conference speaker, workshop speaker or just plain public speaking… the best part is sharing my heart, being real, being passionate about eternal values and caring for human beings then making that connection with the audience.

The second most favorite thing is sharing in music  Whether as a leader, team-player, or audience participant, music has a way of touching the soul that often goes beyond the spoken word. Music can bring people together in ways that other experiences can not.

Each speaking or singing opportunity, each speaking or singing moment is a unique moment in time, with unique individuals, never to be repeated again in time and space. What an awesome privilege to be part of the process of growing and sharing in this way with people.

BACKGROUND:

I grew up in a Christian home and depending on where my family moved, we would attend the local Lutheran Church. Many times during my childhood, I would attend other Sunday Schools and Vacation Bible Schools in other churches such as Church of Christ, Baptist, and Disciples of Christ. In my senior year of High School, I re-dedicated my life to Christ.

From my early school years on into college, I participated in numerous volunteer and community activities and service projects. As well as being active in school bands, drama, musicals, school government and clubs, Girl Scouts, 4-H, Campfire Girls, YMCA, Camps for special needs children and various sports.

My father, Claude, is a retired minister who still occasionally fills in to preach in Congregational Churches. My sister, Deborah, is a tenured, full professor at Westmont Christian College in Santa Barbara. My mother, Susan, (who passed away in 1999) was a member of Foursquare and Pentecostal Churches had outreaches to the homeless, retirement homes, convalescence homes, shut-ins, and to the incarcerated. Because of my rich family heritage I have had the privilege and blessing to join with them in their ministries at different times and in different capacities in my life.

Education and Outreach:

I have a B.A. degree in Business Human Resource Management from Simpson University, an A.A. degree in Early Childhood Education from Shasta Community College. I have a variety of management and working experiences.

I am an Honors Graduate and a Certified Dog Trainer & Mentor through the Animal Behavior College.

I have also attended missionary training and participated in short term missionary outreaches with “Youth Unlimited Gospel Outreach” (YUGO), “SOS San Francisco”, Little Country Church’s “School of Discipleship”, Little Country Church’s “Worship Leader Training” and the Discipleship Training School with “Youth with a Mission” (YWAM).

I have been a part of many short-term missions trips into Mexico, in both rural and urban areas of the Mexican country.

I have also been on numerous missionary  trips to various USA urban cities, rural communities, orphanages, and Native American reservations throughout California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.

My “mission work” at the Crisis Pregnancy Center (later called CareNet Pregnancy Center and Medical Clinic) (CPC) began in the summer of 1984 coordinating CPC’s various fundraising activities. In September 1984, I attended CPC’s first volunteer lay crisis, counselor training seminar and in October 1984 became a volunteer lay crisis intervention counselor. In 1985, I joined the speaking team. I became full-time paid staff in 1988 as Assistant Director/Development Director and in 1994 became Executive Director.

I have attended numerous Lay Counseling and Crisis Intervention Workshops and Conferences; including training as a Lay Counselor in: Critical Incident Stress Debriefing, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Suicide Prevention, Grief and Loss, Sex Education, Abstinence Education, Adoption, Pregnancies, Addictions, and other communications subjects.

I have also attended Bible Seminars/Workshops; Worship Leaders Seminars; Leadership Seminars and Christian conferences.

Later I became a workshop and conference speaker both locally, regionally, and nationally.

Eastern Orthodox Christianity:

After over 10 years of study and research, I made a major life decision and on September 20, 2003, I was Baptized and Chrismated into the Holy Eastern Orthodox Christian Church and given the new name Kieranna, after the Irish Saint Kieran of Clonmacnois. However, I have not lost the appreciation and roots of my early journey in Christianity. I consider myself still very evangelical, conservative, and charismatic. My journey through life is about trying to stay in the middle of the path, not veering too far off to the left nor to the right. I will freely admit that I am a “work in progress” and am still on my journey of spiritual discovery. I know I will always be learning, growing and perfecting my faith until the “day of the Lord” arrives for me.

A Sabbatical:

In March 2003, as Executive Director of the Care Net Pregnancy Center I resigned for a much needed sabbatical. After taking my much needed sabbatical, I followed God’s leading to go into business for myself and make use of the wide variety of blessings, experiences, and abilities; giving me the flexibility I needed and at the same time generate a means of self-support.

INTERESTS & HOBBIES:

I’ve been twice to Ireland, first researching the early Irish Saints and ancient Celtic Christianity and then later making a pilgrimage to Ireland’s Holy sites; including the monastery ruins of Clonmacnois, St. Kieran’s Holy Well in Kells, one of the monasteries St. Columcille established, the monastery of St. Brigid in Kildare, the monastery ruins of St. Kevin’s in Glendalough and many other holy ancient places.

Along with playing the Guitar, I also enjoy playing musical instruments and especially Woodwind instruments. I play the Guitar, Flute, Recorder, the Irish Tin Whistle, and the Bodhran. In Jr. & Sr. High School, I played in Marching Bands, Orchestras, and Jazz Bands and solo performances in many recitals. During those years, along with playing the flute, I also played Alto and Baritone Saxophones, French Horn, Bugle and learned a little Piano.

I have enjoyed singing since I was a child and participated in numerous school and church youth and adult choirs, school musicals, plays and church worship teams including solo performances in front of very large audiences. As an adult I was part of several Church worship teams, was a leader of a Country Gospel Band, provided entertainment for local and regional businesses especially during the Christmas holidays.

My hobbies include gardening, bird watching and enjoying the outdoors.

My desire is to be a ministry tool in the hands of God for encouragement, healing, reconciliation, and growth.

I have chosen to remain single, serving the Lord in whatever my hand finds to do. I live with my Italian Greyhound named Skip; along with my roommate and friend and her Havana Brown cats, Buppie, TayLynn and Daniel.