Welcome to Jeannie Gerhardt's Author Website

I decorate my home with books because I love books . I give books away. I buy books. People give me books. My love for books probably started with my Mother, who read piles of books to my brothers and I while growing up.  Even after we learned to read, she'd still gather us in the evening to read a good Louis L'amour or other adventure story.  She also faithfully gathered us every morning to read "Our Daily Bread," a Bible devotional.  I carry on the tradition of reading aloud the Bible and piles of books to my children too.

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Besides reading to my kids I try to homeschool them but we usually end up in the garden, outside on a hike, baking or building something. However, making things makes messes.  Besides making messes with my kids I also play volleyball and the piano.  I enjoy laughing and playing cards with my family and visiting with friends. I cherish the time I spend reading God's word to my own children. The discussions that follow are equally cherished. I spend time nurturing my kids spiritual, emotional, intellectual, and physical growth. I know I could have said, "I'm just a homeschool Mom."  Each of us holds a greater identity than that of a parent and job role, a greater identity than of our hobbies and likes.  I hold an identity that exists in Jesus Christ alone. I invite you to join me on my journey with Jesus.

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I was born and raised in rural Oregon, along with my two brothers in the 70's. My parents had both spent time in the military prior to marriage. My Dad was in Vietnam, for a year, at the tender age of 18, and my Mom was a nurse, stationed in Korea after the Korean war. 

 

My parents raised me to work hard, not complain, love Jesus and my neighbors too. This was a great plan until the company my Dad worked for moved to Mexico, in the 80's. Along with this, my Dad lost his job and we all moved to Canada, where we lived on the Prairie Bible Campus in Three Hills, Alberta.  I love it when God disrupts our plans.  It was an amazing experience to meet all kinds of people from around the world who also loved Jesus. I went from attending public school to a private international boarding school with sports, drama, music and all kinds of afterschool activities and ministry. 

 

After high school I got a job working at a real estate office in Salem and moved in with an Aunt and Uncle.  During this time I got homesick for my family in Canada. I flew back at Christmas and picked up a part time job at a turkey farm.  The following summer we all moved back to Oregon, to find a place to call home.  My memory of this is kind of a blur as we moved several times and each of us held different jobs.

 

I attended The Children's Ministries Institute in Warrenton, MO.  I graduated in the Fall of 1996.  I met my first boyfriend there and married him the next summer, thinking we would follow God together. Our marriage of 27 years included 20 plus moves and 7 children. Sadly our marriage ended in a divorce. I am no longer in love with the American dream, just Jesus.  He is enough.  Now I dream about things like starting Mobile Education Services and Community Learning Centers. I desire to create safe spaces in which families can grow healthy relationships.  I continue to homeschool and some days I love it and some days, not so much. God has proven Himself a Redeemer, faithful Provider and a true husband in my time of need.

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