Linda's Story

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At mid-life, you could say Ahwatukee newcomer, Linda Beiler, had achieved it all…a successful career, a thriving marriage and financial security.  So, anticipating their golden years ahead, Linda’s husband accepted a job in Phoenix.  Linda said good-bye to her corporate life, and bought a business in her home state of North Carolina to manage remotely.  And since every other endeavor in her life had been carefully planned, she never saw the business’ failure coming.  But it was the catalyst that led to the one thing which had eluded her….a calling.

“It was a tough year,” Linda recalls heavily. “I thought I could manage the business from here, and when it became obvious it wasn’t going to work, I was devastated.”  Linda was forced to head back east and spend a year away from her husband as she sold her business.  When she returned, she faced a crossroads in her life. 

“I’d gone from having everything to wondering what I was possibly going to do next,” Linda says, as she recounts the days filled with anxiety, determining the next step in her life.   Then, on a fateful day, Linda went to lunch with her friend, Sheila Coonen, Executive Director of Connecting to Serve.  Supported by Mountain View Lutheran Church in Ahwatukee, Connecting to Serve matches people who having something to share, with people in need. 

Linda had plenty of talent to give, but she didn’t know where to start.  Turns out, that lunch served as the launching pad to answering Linda’s question.

 “Connecting to Serve gave me a place to hang my hat,” says Linda brightly.  “Sheila invited me to hang out at the office and lend a hand with administrative tasks.  I joined her as she met with various faith-based and non-profit organizations to determine needs and connect people.”  And it was during a conference she attended for the Alliance of Arizona Non-Profits where Linda was introduced to Open Table, an organization which serves to life people out of poverty, and there was an instant…… connection.

“My antlers just went up,” says Linda passionately.  “I was so moved by their process…it required work on the part of the individual, who is supported by a team, or “table,” of volunteers who lend direction in life-skills to achieve independence.  I could relate to that…I knew how much it meant during a difficult season of my life to have the support of my family.  And I wanted to pass that along to others who had so much less.”  And so, Linda had discovered her purpose in life.

Today, Linda hopes her story inspires others to find their calling by using their talents to help those in need.   “When you meet Sheila at Connecting to Serve, she’s happy to help you find your niche, or she’ll help you to take your idea and build a new ministry.” 

Linda says you can find her at her PC even at 10pm Saturday nights now, happily doing the work the she never planned for.  Looks like adversity has its rewards.

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-Linda Beiler, Director of Connecting to Serve