I was born in Latrobe, Pennsylvania the first daughter of my twenty-year-old parents Tony and Mary Ann. I attended Catholic grade school and received First Holy Communion and Confirmation in the Catholic tradition. I remember my childhood as being very innocent and focused on church, family, sports and school. One of my fondest memories is attending family weddings with a hundred guests, homemade Yugoslavian food and live polka bands. My dad would spin me around the dance floor and I felt like I was flying though the air…in my bright yellow dress and patent leather shoes! My family life was grounded with little drama and I found a lot of independence in my life in Pennsylvania. Yet, while I respected my parents’ religious choices, when I left home I carried with me an uneasy sense that I was never going to be good enough for God.

I lived outside of Washington, DC after graduating from Pennsylvania State University with a BS in Landscape Architecture. My focus was now on career, friends, and enjoying life. I spent little  time  nurturing the spiritual foundation I had built at home.  I was happy not to deal with the fear of not being good enough that grew in me during that time. I didn’t question what I had learned…I just ignored it.  However, I was about to experience a dramatic shift in my life…a shift that would define my future…a shift that would not allow me to ignore God for much longer.

Two weeks after presenting my thesis and receiving my MS in Environmental Science and Policy,  I got a call from my doctor.  A few weeks prior, he had removed a lump from my breast in his office; it was a simple, precautionary procedure that caused neither of us concern. He said “I didn’t call to ask how you were feeling. You have cancer.” I remember the first thing I said to him…so what do we do now? I was 36 years old.  Somehow, that day I realized I was not afraid!  I knew from somewhere inside of myself that I was not done…there was something left for me to do. I knew this for sure!  What I didn’t know was how this knowing would unfold in my life.

After completing three surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy, one day I was scanning the shelves in a bookstore. I can still see in my mind the exact place in the bookstore, back left corner and out of the way. There it was:  Conversations with God I. I didn’t go there intending to buy this book, but it is the one I chose–an interesting choice considering I had been away from anything spiritual or religious for over fifteen years. This book opened up my heart and changed me forever.  A  new way of thinking about God and life put me on a pathway to know who I really am and how I can participate  in the world. My consciousness began to shift gradually as I read this book and considered the truth on its pages. This book became my bible for the next five years. I worked to release my fears and doubts and thought of ‘less than’ and to embrace love and power and wholeness.

I understand this is the work that we have to do…to release whatever is holding us back from being all that we can be and to embrace the powerful truth of who we really are. I was absolutely right when I knew I wasn’t done. The work of releasing and embracing is every day! From this work I have found the courage to be open to the next greatest possibility in my life. The path has led me to become a licensed Unity teacher and a dedicated Truth student. I received my Bachelors Degree with the University of Metaphysics in June of 2016 and am now an ordained minister. My passion is to join with others in this great work…the great work of embracing the magnificence that we are now and the unlimited possibilities for our lives.

My current project and passion is the development of the Spiritual Soul Center. I am excited for all of the possibilities now and beyond!