I was born and grew up in Escondido, CA where I attended Calvin Christian Schools.  At Calvin College I received my Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education, majoring in Physical Education (K-12) and minoring in Biology.  After graduation I taught two years at South Olive Christian School in Holland instructing combined classrooms of 5th and 6th and 7th and 8th grades.  While there I also coached basketball and volleyball.  In 1988 I married Gary Luurtsema and we have 5 children and four grandchildren.  I have also taught in the Holland Christian School system for 12 years as a Health and Fitness teacher in the homeschooling program (HC2).  Some of my interests include scrapbooking, reading, teaching Children's Worship and Sunday School at our church, and playing lots of pickleball.