Tell us about your husband and his role at Southern Seminary:

Bruce teaches (and LOVES) theology.  He has been gripped by the study of the character of God since his college years.  Southern is the fourth seminary at which he has taught, and we are thankful to the Lord for the privilege of being here.

When were you married?

We got married in December of 1978, so in a few months, we will celebrate our 30^th anniversary.  It’s hard to believe; time goes by so quickly.  A fun fact:  two of the guests at our wedding were Tom and Diane Schreiner.

Tell us about your children:

We have two wonderful daughters.  Bethany graduated from Moody two years ago, and then married a Southern student, Owen Strachan.  They moved up to the Chicago area earlier this year, where Owen is pursuing a Ph.D. in church history at TEDS.  In July they gave birth to Ella Rose, quite possibly the sweetest baby ever!  Rachel is a senior at Union University in Jackson, TN.  She is a Christian Studies major, and a church history minor.  She is an RSA (working with the RA’s) and is active in her church (Cornerstone).  Both of our daughters walk with the Lord, for which we are deeply grateful.

What is your favorite Louisville restaurant?

Hmm, a tough question!  I like to have lunch with a friend at Butterfly Garden Café.  And it’s a treat to have breakfast at Wild Eggs.

Describe the occasion of your conversion:

The Lord gave me a great gift of growing up with Christian parents.  I knew of the Gospel from an early age, and the Lord used my mother, when I was eight years old, to lead me to Him.  Of course, there has been growth in understanding since then.  I am especially grateful for the preaching and writing of John Piper; for the teaching and music of Sovereign Grace ministries; and for the ongoing blessing I have of hearing my husband teach and preach.

Where do you and your husband attend church?

We attend Clifton Baptist, here in Louisville.  This church is a means of much grace in our lives; we marvel at the God-honoring, mature people with whom we are privileged to worship.  Tom Schreiner preaches the Word, and Chip Stam leads worship with such joy!

In what ways do you most enjoy serving in the church?

I am involved in the music ministry.  I’m on a rotation to play the piano for worship services, and I also accompany the church choir.  I serve with a group of women to oversee women’s ministry, and it has been a joy to see various women with various gifts serve the women of Clifton so well.  I especially enjoy one-on-one conversations, seeking to apply Gospel truth to different situations.

What are you currently reading?

One of my favorite reading projects is to work through the Banner of Truth Puritan paperbacks.  I find it to be especially nurturing to my soul to read a chapter (or more) a day in such books as:  The Doctrine of Repentance (Watson) and Prayer (Bunyan).  I recently read Safely Home, a novel by Randy Alcorn about persecution of Christians in China—gripping!  Counseling books by David Powlison, Ed Welch, Elyse Fitzpatrick, Paul Tripp, etc., are so beneficial.  And I’m always delighted to read books on home- and time-management.

Do you have any words of encouragement for the women at Southern and Boyce as they prepare for ministry?

Simply this:  cultivate a heart that sees, exults in, and strives for the glory of God.  So much of which we get caught up in (the circumstances of our lives, difficult people, studies, etc.) fades in relation to seeing God and His glorious truth, as revealed in His Word.  The more we see and know Him, the easier it is to trust and obey Him in everything.

Thank you, Jodi, for taking the time to answer a few questions for us!!