I Am Wilshire – Kristi Reavis.
Hometown: Arlington (Oakridge School and First Baptist Church of Arlington alum)
College or Education: Baylor University, University of Virginia
Profession: Certified Public Accountant
Present City: Dallas
Tell us about your work.
Most recently I served as chief accounting officer of a real estate company redeveloping shopping malls into mixed-use properties. I’ve taken a hiatus from a 23-year career in accounting and finance to focus more time on my kiddos, one of whom is newly homeschooling. Now I’m working hard on handwriting, reading, telling time, counting money, addition and subtraction, social skills, art and spectacular field trips.
Favorite hobbies?
I love movies, jogging, reading, trying new restaurants, playing with my kids and cooking and hanging with my husband, Ben.
Favorite places to travel?
Ben and I inevitably explore big cities with great museums, art and public spaces, and that’s always fun. Love the mountains (Jackson or my in-laws’ place in Green Mountain Falls, Colorado) and love being in Tampa at my family’s lake house. Always comfortable in Europe, especially the Netherlands, where I lived in school (Maastricht) and later for work (Rotterdam). Still can’t speak Dutch.
Favorite books?
I’ve read a lot about the brain, epilepsy and traumatic brain injury since our family’s car wreck and injuries to our kids five years ago. I’m currently engrossed in the phenomenal The Body Keeps the Score by neuroscientist Bessel Van der Kolk, about the capacity to heal through language, breathing, moving and touching. We can change social conditions to help people feel safe, overcome past trauma and thrive.
What brought you to Wilshire?
We moved to Dallas in 2004, and my mom said we had to “at least go meet George.” We never visited anywhere else and haven’t looked back.
Where are you engaged at Wilshire?
Eighteen years in Genesis Class (none of us are young newlyweds anymore!). I have served on Stewardship, Missions and Finance Committees and just joined Personnel Committee. Love this church passionately.
Tell us about your faith journey.
I was baptized in Fort Worth in second grade, and I grew up active in Baptist churches and involved in local missions. Sundays feel off without hymns and Scripture. My family taught me to look and listen for God, to be open to serving where you are called and to be an encourager. Jesus brought reconciliation and freedom from sadness and pain, and God’s faithfulness abides over and over. Choosing daily to see or be God’s kindness, joy, love and hope keeps us moving forward and brings peace.
- If you’d like to be featured in “I Am Wilshire,” email Carolyn Murray at cmurray@wilshirebc.org.