“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” -2 Corinthians 9:15
I have worked in childcare since 1983, it was not what I set out to do, or even a career I thought I would want to explore. My father was a doctor and specialized in Hematology/Oncology. It was always presumed that I would go to nursing school and become a Registered Nurse. I did go to nursing school, but I was more interested in going and having fun with my friends. They could see my heart was not in the program or my work, and they politely asked me to find something that interested me more in life.
I worked a lot of small jobs including cashiers at stores and a secretary at a ladder company. I never really found anything that interested me. I got married at 21 and had my first child at 22. I had my second child just before I was 24 and it became apparent that I would need to find a way to supplement our income. My oldest daughter attended a childcare center three days a week, and I noticed one day as I was searching the ads for a job that they were looking for help. I applied and got the job working 2:30-6:00pm weekday afternoons in a baby room. I could take my baby with me, and my oldest was already enrolled in the center, it worked out well for our family, and gave us the extra income we needed at the time.
I worked for that company for 14 years and eventually became the Director of the center. I was then recruited by another company and worked for them for 8 years until I came to St. Luke’s. St. Luke’s has been the biggest blessing in mine and Jeff’s lives. The people have welcomed us in as family and have cared for us and taught us how to live with grace and mercy and the values that we uphold each day, I carry with me in whatever I do and wherever I go in the community.
God has worked through me in so many ways, together with our wonderful administrative team and staff, we have blessed so many children’s lives and because we have been able to “dream big”, we have created together three children’s centers that are recognized by so many people in the community. They are all Nationally Accredited and certified 5 star by the State of Oklahoma. We also have a waiting list at each of our locations.
I am not sure what God has in the future for me and my team, but we always have our eyes open, and we are looking for the next opportunity to bless more parents and children’s lives.
Gabriella Moon, Executive Director, St. Luke’s Children’s Centers
