I've never been good at describing myself, but here goes nothing! 🙂
I was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, but have lived in Grain Valley, Missouri basically my entire life. I just graduated from the University of Central Missouri May 5 with a major in journalism and photography.
I love God and live life for His glory! No matter what has happened in my life, he has never failed to show up and make himself real to me!
My heart is for missions- short-term, long-term, close to home, far away– it doesn't matter! My deepest desire is to see what God will do, through me, in people all around the world! In 2008, I went to Scotland to work with a Youth With A Mission base and, although I loved it, I was missing out on what God was doing because I was so focused on what I was missing back home. In June 2011, I went on a life-changing mission trip to Uganda. To say I came back a different person would be an understatement! I saw God work in so many ways and had the opportunity to meet such amazing people, that I've had more than one person tell me it seems like I left my heart there. Since I returned, I have been waiting upon God to open the door to my next missions opprotunity. Many different circumstances, and a few steps in faith, led me to The World Race and I can't wait to have the chance to go throughout the nations experience the feeling of God's presence and joy to that degree that I did while in Uganda!
My family is also very important to me. They have also been there for me through thick and thin. They have never left when the times get though- in fact, they seem to draw closer! I can honestly say I would be a different person without my family. They are the best I could have asked for and are a few of my best friends!
My church family at Duncan Road Church in Blue Springs is my rock and a great spiritual support system! They have helped me grow in my walk, been friends to help in times of need, and provided some harsh words of truth and wisdom that I needed to hear in stubborn times. I can say that I wouldn't have embraced the door that became open to The World Race if it wasn't for a few of them.
Now that I put all the "serious" background stuff out there, here goes my random and ridulous ramblings where I'll post whatever comes to my mind!
I love tea and coffee! Most days aren't complete until I have some good ol' caffine and, between my tea collection and my dad's coffee bar it's an easy task to accomplish. 🙂
My creative well never seems to run dry! Give me a laptop and a blank new document on Photoshop and there goes hours of my life!
Like I mentioned, I am a journalist by nature and major.The idea of telling someone else's story- and telling it well- captivates me everytime and I cannot submit a story until I feel it does the subject justice.
I talk. A lot. Okay, more than a lot! In fact, I'm pretty sure I've talked to more inatimate objects than the typical person! But, when I need to use words the most I tend to retract and stay silent. (Co-racers, that'll be a sign something is wrong. Hold me accountable. Don't let me hide behind silence!)
Besides telling stories through my writing, I love to make people laugh! I get it from my dad, no doubt about it. I seem to have an arsenal of witty comments and chime in with a lot of one-liners!
I am not afraid of colors and patterns. I love vibrant colors and obnoxious patterns!
I love love love to read. I can get lost in a good book and read it front to back in a few hours.
Most days you can find me with a flower clip in my hair. But I am not a hippie! 😉
I'm a sucker for old fashioned things; hand-written notes, developing film in a darkroom, face-to-face interaction and even with my views on marriage and relationships.
I have more than 50 pairs of shoes and 30 pairs of jeans. I can't believe it and am actually ashamed to admit it, but I feel like it defines me. Ironically, I hate shoes, though! If I had the choice I would never wear shoes again! In fact, that's why I love my Vibrams; if I can't be barefoot that's as close as I can get!
I have a clothing addiction, as you can tell, but I have never paid full-price for anything! I cannot seem to justify spending more than 10 bucks for a shirt and 15 bucks for jeans, no matter how nice and usually spend even less than that!
The one thing I can justify splurging an obscene amount of money on is Under Armour and Nike appearal- shirts, shoes, shorts, tanks, socks! I spend more money on an Under Armour t-shirt than I do for special event dresses like graduations and holidays.
My heart beats for children. I honestly don't care to interact with those my age and older, but surround me with a group of children and I am in my element and get lost in their presence. (Maybe it's because I am still a child at heart!)
My favorite colors are turquoise and hot pink. Hands-down.
My friends used to say that they thought musicals were ridiculous because people aren't like that. That is until they met me. I like to make up songs to reflect my current situaitons and sing in goofy ways. That is why I fell in love with the show New Girl this year! That quirky "Jess" charater is how I think people view me a lot of the time.
Along with that love of music comes the constant soundtrack I have playing everywhere I go. I have a whole portable harddrive of 120 gigs full of music of every genre and style. I sing and dance my heart out every chace I get.
I still sleep with stuffed animals. I use giant-sized ones as body pillows since I'm a side-sleeper. I don't "cuddle" with them.
I hate social drinking parties. I can't stand drunk people. I do drink on occassion but because I enjoy the drink not because I want to get drunk. To this day, I have never been drunk or even "buzzed".
I'm a candy/junk food freak! Give me a bowl of popcorn with plain M&Ms and marshmallows and I'm a happy camper!
Speaking of camping—- Mmmmmmm! I love the great outdoors. I love camping, hiking, walks, runs, being under the stars anything to do with nature and escaping from the constriction of indoors.
I can be a perfectionist and OCD detail-oriented.
I love to work with my hands. It's not just limited to physical labor like construction though. I love making/restlying clothing, scrapbooking, making cards and notes and, most recently, making a handmade journal from scratch.
