From
1998-1999 Judy walked across the United States
for her internship toward her Master of Divinity
degree at North Park Theological Seminary.
The 4200-mile journey has served as the foundation
for much of what Judy now communicates.
In
her own words…
- You
see more of life when you get out of the
fast lane and try on a 4mph pace.
- I
am just as loved by God when I am in the
middle of a field doing “nothing” as
when I follow the productivity standards
of this world.
- It
may be the most productive decision of a
twenty-mile day to stop and talk to the person
at milepost three.
- With
every mountain top there is a valley and
there is a whole lot of South Dakota in most
of our lives.
- Simplicity
makes me a nicer and far more generous person.
- Discipline
is important and I need to get up and “walk
my twenty miles” no matter how many
blisters I have on my feet.
And
most importantly that you can’t get to
Miami overnight…that is, unless you fly…and
then you miss out on the purpose of the trip…being
a fellow-traveler, being human with other humans,
and actually living rather than just getting
by.
While
the walk across the United States is how Judy
first received the name “walking pastor” it
is her day to day desire to walk into the lives
of others that continues to make the title
well deserved. If asked why she keeps the title
she will say, “I know I have places yet
to go and God is not finished with me yet.
I am on a journey just like everyone else and
it is my greatest joy to be a fellow traveler.”
Judy
currently splits her time between local speaking
and teaching opportunities and national conference
speaking. Her down to earth approach and her
enthusiasm for squeezing the most out of life
are both uncommon and contagious.
Judy
is happily married to Jeff Peterson and they
live near Elgin, IL.
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