List five triumphs – they can be professional (grew a youth program from 0 to 60 in 2 years) or they can be personal (she said yes). You can do a quick list or you can elaborate. They can be little (I avoided the office candy jar this week) or HUGE (I had to grind it out, but eventually I passed all of my ordination exams). It’s totally up to you. And if you’d like a bonus question: give us a fail (hmmmm) – but you don’t have to do that one if you’re too busy being triumphant.

(1) Finally getting my Driver’s License–It was right before I went to college. When it came time for my mom to get her driver’s license, her dad and her were almost in a bad accident which scared her. Mom never got her license until she was in her 20s. I was nervous too so it took me a little while to get my license too.

(2) Graduating seminary. It is one of my most blessed and triumphant experiences. To this day, I am so glad I stuck with it even when it was so difficult. It was also the first time I was more than a couple hours drive away from my family and friends!

(3) Having my first poem published in a poetry anthology. So cool!!! I have had a few poems also published in some publications like the seminary’s newsletter the Persistent Voice.

(4) Learning Zumba and sticking with it. I may not be the most coordinated person but it is something that I LOVE doing. I also have shed some pounds because of it. I am so close to being under 200 pounds and I cannot  remember the last time I was under 200…probably in jr high or high school.

(5) Professionally I have been blessed to serve at DLC. One of my triumphants there has been adding my own milestones that werent already part of their list of milestones. I love teaching the Faith Milestones and love that it helps equip homes and families to pass on faith and values!

BONUS: The one failure I immediately think of ties to my seminary experience of being triumphant. When I was at seminary, I really struggled with Systematic Theology. In fact, I took it three times. 🙁 The third time one of my professors realized I was an auditory learner so we did an independent study. We recorded our conversations and then I would go back and listen to them. At the end of the session, he asked me to bring in some friends and they got to share with me how I had grown. It was so cool. I am so thankful for Winston. I also am thankful for my seminary advisor Nate who supported me throughout my journey. I remember sitting in my endorsement interview where my candidacy committee asked me, “Why I had struggled so much with systematics etc?” I answered. I remember Nate saying, “Do you know how easy it would be for  Tara to walk out that door, shut the door, and never look back? It takes more guts to stick with it.” Those words have stuck with me!