I’m an Okie. That’s right. I've lived in southern California since I was twelve (except for those 34 years overseas!)

My father Joe Stockett became a pastor when I was in tenth grade. After graduating from Pasadena/Point Loma Nazarene University, I married my husband Gordon, became a pastor’s wife, taught for six years in public schools, and earned a Master's degree from California State University, Los Angeles. I'm an ordained minister in the Church of the Nazarene.

My husband and I served as missionaries in Beirut, Lebanon; Amman, Jordan; and  Papua New Guinea.

I never planned on becoming a published writer. During our missionary orientation, however,  the editor of my church’s missions' magazine encouraged us all to submit articles to her. She emphasized using language involving the five senses and writing with a conversational voice.

Our first year in Beirut I got the idea for an article describing the different sounds around me. I submitted “Listening in Lebanon." It was chosen for publication and I’ve been hooked on writing ever since.

Besides writing, I enjoy speaking at women’s retreats, conferences, and global missions conventions and teaching Bible-based lessons in study groups and Sunday school.

We have four children (Beverly, Keith, Joanne, Craig) and six grandchildren.

We belong to the Descanso Gardens Chrysanthemum Club and grow chrysanthemums for show. We won 39 ribbons for our efforts in the November, 2006 show.

In April 2007 we planted 140 cuttings from last year's plants for this year's show. We'll sell or give away 90 plants at our club's May sale. We only plan to stake and disbud 50 plants this year.