I am a 22 year old who just graduated from Nursing school at the Universtiy of Colorado in Colorado Springs! I am so thankful to be done with nursing school, but the journey isn't over yet. I am waiting on my NCLEX (the national boards exam to get my RN lisence) date to get my lisence, and then all of this hard work is official! I cannot believe how fast these past four years of college have gone by, and how much I have grown during them. I am so thankful that Father is the center of my life, and He has shown/taught me many things, especially in this last year of school. When you decide to dedicate to Him, the doors that He opens for you, and the people that He places in your life are amazing.
I went on a missions trip to Mexico last summer with one of my younger sisters, and our church. We knew a few of the twenty some people going, but were still outside of our comfort zone a bit going into it (which is never fun, but always turns out beautifully with God's hands). I cannot explain the love that I felt from every single member of our group, and how contageous it was to love on everyone. This is the first time I have expereinced God's love to this magnitude and it has changed my heart for good. I was so focused on my little sister having a great experience with Father and the Mexican people, that God took care of me and my heart, and I did not realize it until we came back. This was such a great way to start my senior year of college, although I had to lose some old friends, I have formed more beautiful friendships that have been nothing but supportive.
My family is the best family anyone could ask for (doesn't everyone think that?). But seriously. I have two incredible parents, who love each other through the thick, the sunshine, and the ugly, making their love grow more and more. They have huge hearts for the Lord, and have been called to take care of the least of these… Ukrainian orphans… and I have three younger sblings adopted from there with another sister in the process to be adopted as well. I strive to be more like my parents everyday, and am constinuously inspired by the way they live their lives; constantly giving to others. (wow, I didn't think I would get so teared up for this.) Thank you both for providing me with so much fortune, love and support. I also adore my younger siblings. One biological brother who is the best brother/friend ever! We joke that we are the "other kids" because we aren't from Ukraine.. good fun. Rhya, Luke, and Natalie are all adopted, at seperate times, and have been such a blessing to our family. Not to say that their journey with our family has been easy, with the things they have seen, and who they had to be for survival before we adopted them, but we all love each other so much (and I believe that love is the base for everything Father teaches us.. getting us through everything). Again, I adore my family and wouldn't change any of them 🙂
Some random tid bits about me would be that…
…I love to talk and laugh, loudly
…I enjoy running and being active. Softball is a fantastic sport, and I'm still coping with the fact that I can't play intramural sports forever.
…I, like most girls in the world, love chocolate and all things chocolate.
…I love to spend time with my friends, doing anything. Laughing and creating inside jokes or silly scenarios is a great past time.
…prayer, worship, and fellowship are what get me through the week (I am so thankful for my bible study, youth group, and my girl friends in Christ!)
…I have traveled outside of the US before (to go with my parents to adopt Luke and Rhya from Ukraine) but never for 11 months! I am anxious to see how being away from my family and friends will challenge me.
…I can't stand the taste of coffee, which is always a downer when I need a pick me up.
I am so anxious-nervous-excited-stressed-joyful-challenged-at peace with this World Race. My summer is going to be a crazy hectic one with studying for the NCLEX, raising support for this journey, and preparing all of the necessary logistics. God doesn't give us anything that we cannnot handle, which reassures me to know that He is behind me, and knew that I would be going through all of this right now. I pray for peace in my mind and heart to not stress, for productive use of my time off of work, and for the softening of the hearts that will be hearing my story. Thank you to all of my supporters who read this… my journey would not be possible with out you. I cannot wait to be Father's hands and feet around this world He has created. Open to all that He will teach me, and how He will use me to touch others who need Him. Whether I am the seed, the water, or will help with the harvest… I am anxious to open my heart to Father so I can mirror Him to others.
