Bio

I am incredibly blessed to do what I love for a living. As a web designer, I get to help people create a vision of their business. As a programmer, I get to experience the joy of feeling the mental satisfaction of problem-solving. As a business owner, I get to nurture something and watch it grow.

Prior to entering the field of web design, I practiced law in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I graduated in 1995 from Penn State with a bachelor's degree in Marketing and International Business and I received my Juris Doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh in 1998.

In the spring of 2001, I lost my job as an attorney at a small downtown firm due to downsizing. While this experience was disappointing, I had felt a growing dissatisfaction with my role as a lawyer. Not long before this occurred, I had expressed an interest in learning HTML from my friend Jennifer Pratt, whose design work is inspirational. I had a hard time expressing why her sites were different, until the phrase "organic" popped into my head. Her designs felt alive, almost like they were breathing and growing.

As I began to learn HTML, I felt like God was calling me to my own business. God had placed a strong desire in my heart to run a business in a God-honoring fashion, treating clients with dignity and respect, using the talents that were given to me to my utmost, praying for humility and admitting I was wrong when needed. I credit a former employer of mine, Larry Paladin, with being a role model of Christian leadership.

During this time, God had been laying similar feelings upon Jen Meyercheck's heart. When I approached her with the prospect of joining UF, not as an employee, but as a partner, she agreed. I in no way want to call into question Jen's discernment, or lead anyone to think that I was wholly unqualified. Not readily noticeable from my resume was my experience with computer networking and programming. That coupled with my exposure to office management made an excellent collaborative partnership. The rest is history.

Even before the business, however, come my first passions, my relationship with God, my husband and my children. The company is icing on the cake.

Outside of the business, I enjoy belly-laughs, hiking, camping, talking with my husband, dancing, gardening, supporting missionaries, watching the Pittsburgh Steelers, and playing with my dog. After listening to I Cannot Hide My Love by the Blue Renaissance Group on the Enter the Worship Circle: Second Circle album, I decided I had to learn to play the drums. Although I was a little nervous, I found that I loved it.

I believe that exercise is not a four letter word. At least every other day you will find me in the pool, the weight room or the yoga studio. I exercise because it is fun. It makes me feel great and I am making choices that will payoff for a lifetime. Just like how a wise person invests a portion of their savings for retirement, a wise person takes care of their body. Do you want to be falling apart at 70? Me neither.

Outside of the Bible, I have been heavily influenced by the literary works of C.S. Lewis, J.R.R.Tolkein and Jorges Borges. I consider Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth and Bennjamin Banneker to be role models. I am an unapologetic fan of the reality television series Survivor.

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Testimony

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.

Philippians 3:7-9

I find it easy to identify with Solomon, who pursued wisdom, pleasure and even work to find a purpose in life, but found them utterly lacking. After 26 years, God brought deep satisfaction and fulfillment to my life that could not be found in my family, my diplomas, my relationships, my career or my possessions.

I am forever grateful for God's gift of righteousness in Christ, which is given to every believer. Because of Christ's sacrifice, God sees me with the righteousness of Christ. My slate is not only wiped clean, but it is beautiful. No more condemnation, no more slinking away from past behavior, no more shame.

Because of what God has done for me, and how He changed my life and gave me peace that is beyond all understanding, I am compelled to share about Him with others. I thank God for UnlimitedFOCUS and pray that the work we do here will reflect his son Jesus Christ to the world.

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Links

God Stuff

Proverbs 31 Ministries
My daily devotional

Plugged In Online
Website for movie, music and television reviews.

Lark News
Because Christians ARE funny.

Pregnancy & Parenting

Very Best Baby
Beautifully designed, comprehensive site from pregnancy through toddlerhood. My favorite part is the interactive weight gain chart.

Ask Dr. Sears
Sleep problems? DIscipline issues? Potty Training? Breastfeeding? You name it, they've got information easily formatted on it. We love the Sears family.

The Midwife Center
Pittsburgh's licensed and accredited freestanding birth center offering gynecological and prenatal care as well as childbirth in a warm, supportive birth center. Care is provided by Certified Nurse-Midwives.

Super Baby Foods
Make your own babyfood.

Safe Fetus.com
What drugs are what category? Check here to find out. Since I am also an attorney, I just want to put in the disclaimer you use any medication at your own risk. Old attorney habits die hard.

Recreation and Entertainment in the 'burgh

Raccoon Creek Park

Pittsburgh Parks

Gardening

Park's Garden
This is a fabulous company dedicated to the best seeds for flowers, herbs and vegetables. The prices are very reasonable and you can find lots of helpful tips here as well.

Music I Love

Enter the Worship Circle
This is why I wanted to learn to play the drums. Check out the audio samples when they become available.

Blue Renaissance Creative Group
The people behind the Enter the Worship Circle albums.

Gypsy Kings
Musicians from two families, they hail from France. The band's vigorous guitar work and passionate vocals are the trademark of an indigenous musical tradition known as rumba flamenca. The rumba -- which originated in Africa -- traveled from Zaire via the slave trade to Cuba and the New World, then back to Barcelona, where it was adopted by the Gypsies.

Kirk Whalum
This is where Jazz began for me.

Where I Exercise

Fitness Yoga

Who are they?

Sojourner Truth

Benjamin Banneker

Favorite Quotes

That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain't I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man - when I could get it - and bear the lash as well! And ain't I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain't I a woman?

Sojourner Truth
Abolitionist, Suffragist, Christian
Delivered To The Women's Convention In Akron, Ohio
December, 1851