BIO
Christina is an inspirational speaker and writer who has a passion to help other’s pursue God’s unique plan for their lives. She uses her love for art, photography, and writing to draw inspiration and illustrations from a place that had great meaning in her own life-the ocean. She uses her passions for creatively and writing to bring healing, inspiration and life directions to both young and young-at-heart girls.

Christina received her BA degree from Simpson University where she majored in Missions/Social Work, Theology and Communications.  An adventure girl at heart, she spent several years after college working with street children in the Philippines which led to her active involvement in creating a safe place for abandoned and neglected children to live and be cared for. She then spent time traveling throughout England, France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Germany and eventually settled in Austria, working in a castle overlooking the quaint mountain town of Mittersill. Throughout her travels she tapped into her love of art, photography, people and writing. After her time in Europe, Christina went on to get a master of corrective body work therapy from NHI where she integrated nutrition and holistic health in her work with encouraging and coaching others to live a whole and healthy life. Using the five pieces of the star, she focuses on the importance of allowing God’s love to flow into the center of each piece of our life, Spirit, Mind, Heart, Body and Resources. For twenty five years she has been helping young women, through creative processes, find this wholeness early on in their life so that they can ride the wave of God’s dream for their lives and become a star that shines bright for others. Christina is the author of four books. She has been married to her husband, Michael, for nineteen years and loves being a mom to her very active teenage sons, Jake and Trevor.

OCEAN STAR, a memoir.
Published by Tyndale House Publishers, released April 2006
Christina is using her life to shine for young women around the world through her inspirational memoir, Ocean Star, which reads like a gripping novel, bringing to life ten hope filled life lessons through the symbols of the sea

Christina says, “I wrote my memoir to encourage others to believe there is a special plan for their life, to never forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith, to pursue the gifts God has given them and to pass on those blessings to others. We each have a destiny to be discovered, a light that is meant to shine and a journey before us yet to be explored. I hope my readers will Look Up to the possibilities in their future and discover Pearls for the Journey from unexpected people and places along the way. And ultimately, like the Ocean Star, when we are connected to God as our Source of Life, no matter what gets broken along our journey, we will be made whole.”

YOU’RE DESIGNED TO SHINE
Published by Group Publishing, June 2008
Thousands of letters came in from girls around the world who were encouraged by reading Ocean Star. Christina wanted to do more to help the girls look at their own lives: Where they have been, where they are and where they want to go. So she created You’re Designed to Shine, a six week interactive journal/curriculum based on the six main lessons she wove throughout her memoir, Ocean Star. In a fun and thought provoking study, she coaches others to:

• Explore the Dreams you have for your life and make wise choices
• Discover the unique way your Star shines
• Travel with a supportive Pod of friends
• Recognize Pearls for your Journey from unexpected mentors along the way
• Learn to exchange Gifts with your Designer
• Ride the wave of God’s dream for your life

You’re Designed to Shine is for girls ages 8-88 and can be done on your own or with a group.

FOUNDER OF OCEAN STAR GIFTS
She is also founder and president of Ocean Star Gifts, an inspirational line of greeting cards and gifts sold in Resorts, Upscale Surf Shops, Beach Stores, and more all sold throughout the United States and the Caribbean. Her entire line was inspired by her love for the ocean. What started as a childhood pastime has now turned into a thriving business with over 100 top selling images sold as greeting cards and large prints for framing! The success of the greeting card company helps support her dream of reaching out to girls all over the world through her inspirational events.

EVENTS
Christina wanted to use her platform to shine a light for the younger generation of girls coming up the road behind her. She holds fun inspirational workshops called, You’re Designed to Shine, on beaches around the country where young women can gather no matter what their age or background or what stage of life they are in. With the use of integrating art, creativity, sand, sticks, waves and lots of laughter, Christina encourages the girls to become the young women God designed them to be.

Now that the Bible Study/Life Journal, You’re Designed to Shine, is available girls all over the world are hosting their own small groups and using the material to shine the lessons Christina teaches at her events to the girls in their own communities. The events Christina continues to do are now also being used to encourage the Pearl Girls who want to lead their own groups and its a wonderful way for the girls to get to know each other and be encouraged.