Hello! My name is Natalie Whittemore and I am delighted to be the Assistant Food Service Director at ACA! I have lived in Iowa most of my life and have been married to my wonderful husband, Steven, since October 2000. We have been blessed with four wonderful sons; Isaac, Jack, Joseph, and Abraham. In 2003, I graduated with a Bachelor’s from the University of Iowa. However, staying home and taking care of my family was more important than any potential career. Through the years; I have had so much joy in serving the Lord in many different areas of ministry at church; from organizing the snack team at VBS, to comforting toddlers in the nursery room, praying with individuals on the prayer team, organizing curriculum bins for Sunday school teachers, and anywhere else the Lord has called me to serve. My heart is full when I have the privilege to be “His hands and feet” and share His love and joy with others.
I was seven when I acknowledged that I was a born sinner and accepted Jesus as my savior for my salvation. Unfortunately, at that time and for many years, I didn’t realize that there was a lot more to Christian faith than baptism, random prayers, and occasionally going to church. When I became a mother, it was around that time that I realized that I needed to develop a relationship with Jesus. At that time, I began studying His word, praying diligently, spending time in His presence, and getting more active in church. I joined a bible study and intercessory prayer group that encouraged my faith to blossom in so many ways. As my walk with Him grew more genuine, I finally realized I was carrying many of the burdens on my shoulders that I was supposed to surrender to the Lord. Through studying His Word, I finally began to understand what it meant to surrender everything to His loving care. It was then that I was transformed from a lukewarm fan to a follower; and have never looked back. My life verse is Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–His good, pleasing and perfect will.” Everyday is a gift and an opportunity to serve the Lord! So daily, I strive to seek and do the will of my precious savior Jesus.
In 2012, our family moved from Pleasant Hill to Ankeny. We then embarked on a homeschool adventure from 2012 through 2017. In 2017, Joseph began attending ACA part-time as a homeschooler, and then joined full time in 2018. We were delighted to find such a wonderful, faith-filled, Bible-based, Christian school! Our youngest, Abraham, joined the ACA in 2018 as well. Prior to being employed at ACA, I have had the privilege and joy of volunteering in the lunchroom and serving with PTF. ACA is such a wonderful place and I am overjoyed to be working here! We are tremendously blessed to have a school with praying teachers and staff who care deeply about sharing God’s word everyday with our children. Christian education is immeasurably valuable and I am grateful to be a part of a school that lives out these truths, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6