Darlene learned endurance coupled with discipline from being raised on the family farm. She attributes her “stick to itiveness in life” because of her upbringing. Also the love of learning made attending school a very positive event. So setting goals was natural and reaping the rewards was satisfying. College reinforced her bent and passion of teaching. Gaining a personal relationship with Jesus as a young adult was the anchor she needed to cement her for her adult years. Marriage, teaching, and children brought many blessings and yet, unexpected pain with the jolts of life. Read further down to understand more of her depth.

Darlene desires to be a catalyst used of God to ignite others to take a step, in faith. Being a life long learner who loves to read books and the scriptures, she is now realizing all of  the “knowledge” and her life’s “stretch marks” are dovetailing together on her journey. Those real life experiences, such as years of infertility, unique births of her daughters, risky job transitions for her husband, a three year stint of multiple major life changes such as the unexpected deaths of her father and a younger brother both because of cardiac arrests, a mom with dementia, a major surgery that went askew, and required a second surgery, an international adoption and growth pains in a twenty-five year marriage, plus  the daily demands of a busy growing family with international students living in her home for several years all added up to a lot of internal stress. Darlene admits to tasting the pit of despair in depression. Pain has punctured the depth of her heart.  Fears ran wild.  Perfectionism kept her true self hidden. People pleasing wore her out. Frustration burned within until anger erupted. She desires to coach women to connect with God, console with comfort, communicate with care in order for women to “see all that is within oneself” to walk out what He is calling for her.

Darlene has worn many hats within her church, from changing diapers in the nursery, to coordinating the nursery schedule, a party planner from picnics to holiday events, leading in the formation of a ladies ministry, and her two favorite of all, teaching classes for ladies and speaking. She also enjoys studying God’s word around her kitchen table with other women. Darlene desires to encourage and exhort ladies.  She passionately wants to be used as an “agent of change” to reflect His love by coaching women and exhorting them to become “an agent of change” alongside her.

In 2006-2007 she became trained as a Life Purpose Coach and holds all five levels of certification under LPCCI and is a Grief Facilitator. She facilitates the two-day life plans, and also the one day grief facilitation. Plus, Darlene is one of LPCCI, Life-time Instructors of Coaches. Darlene speaks to audiences of women throughout the U.S. as well as coaches women. Part of her story is published in Katie Brazelton’s book, Live Big. She would state she is just beginning to write. Speaking, coaching, writing, and creating curriculum for women is on her heart.

Darlene also holds a B.A. degree. She has been privileged to teach for almost 18 years mostly in the elementary age range. That includes teaching in a private school and the mixed challenge and blessing of teaching her own children. She has been involved in presenting for live Expo sessions, as well as doing presentations in the “online world.” Teaching is so natural for her, that speaking to large audiences of women is second nature