We are so excited to announce that Mrs. Abby Crawford has joined our faculty as a Junior Kindergarten teacher! Previously she was a Preschool teacher at Trinity Kidz Child Care in Westfield. Abby and her family attend All Souls Anglican Church .
We caught up with Mrs. Crawford in order to help the community learn more about her. We hope you enjoy getting to know her a bit better though her answers. When you see her, please welcome her to CDA!
1) Are you married? kids?
My husband, Esteban, and I have been married for 6 years. We have two children: Flannery, who is 4 and will be in my class this Fall, and Adriel, who is two.
2) Where did you go to school?
I studied Human Services at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and Catechesis and Christian Formation at Trinity Anglican Seminary in Pittsburgh.
3) What is your favorite snack or treat?
Chocolate and peanut butter. Any way, shape, or form.
4) What gets you up in the morning?
The assurance that my destiny is conformity to the Lord Jesus, and that no matter what happens that day, my heavenly Father will sanctify it for that purpose. And as an introvert, it’s worth waking up early for a few moments of quiet before spending the rest of the day with sweet, lovable, and often quite loud young children.
5) What are your favorite hobbies?
Reading history books by Doris Kearns Goodwin or Candace Millard; supporting the Colts, Pacers, and FC Barcelona; watching Audrey Hepburn films; cooking without a recipe; thrifting for clothes with friends; and discussing any of the following: patristic catechesis, the Star Wars Holiday Special, Manning vs. Brady, John Donne’s theology of death, the donut scene in Chicago, and the song “Let It Go” as a Nietzschean anthem.
6) What is your favorite book and why?
Flannery O’Connor’s short story “Parker’s Back.” Her depiction of grace is arresting, and upon each reading I’m reminded that, as she writes in one of her letters, “grace changes us, and the change is painful.” Besides, in naming my daughter after her, I obligated myself to put Flannery O’Connor at the top of my favorites. Honorable mentions would be “The Trinitarian Faith” by T.F. Torrance and “The Phantom Tollbooth” by Norton Juster.
7) How long have you lived in Indiana and why do you enjoy living here?
I grew up here in Indy and was glad to return after college and seminary. I have so many memories tied to different places around the city: drinking hot chocolate from South Bend Chocolate Company while watching the tree lighting on Monument Circle, walking along the canal with my family, riding the carousel at the Children’s museum both as a child and now as a parent, swing dancing at Fountain Square, cheering on the Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and walking the loop at the State Fair. Also, sugar cream pie. By all means, sugar cream pie
8) Describe a meaningful event in your life and God’s role in that event.
Becoming a mother was intensely transformative, joyful, and painful. In other words, a profound grace. I found myself unable to meet my own expectations for what my spiritual life ought to look like. I was unable to maintain a habit of sustained Bible reading and prayer because I was holding a crying infant for most of the day and night. I came to God with my head hung in shame expecting to meet a wagging finger. Instead, I found a gentle Shepherd, the lifter of my head. I learned to practice the presence of God like never before in that season.
9) What historical figure would you like to spend a day with?
Abraham Lincoln. Ideally he would give at least 3 or 4 impromptu speeches throughout the day so that I could admire his absolute mastery of political rhetoric in person.
10) What would we be surprised to learn about you?
I once licked The Bean in Chicago. It was a collision of poor judgement and fierce competitiveness. Would not recommend.
