Hi Everyone!
My name is Claire Patterson, I am 17 and a senior at Mankato West High School in Mankato, MN. I have grown up in a Christian family my whole life. My mom MaryBeth is a social work, my dad Patrick, is a Pastor at Christ the King. I have an older brother; Isaac, who is a sophomore at Gutavaus in St. Peter, and my little brother; Aaron is in 8th grade at Dakota Meadows Middle School in North Mankato. I love to golf; drink coffee at cute coffee shops; chit chat with pals; dance and sing ridiculously in my room; play guitar, piano, and sing; adventure with pals; and help others. I am a nanny and camp councilor, and I absolutely adore my jobs. The first time I truly met the Lord was this past summer while working at a Young Life camp. I realized while singing the song ,”how He Loves Us”; while being surrounded by these amazing people who had given up a month of their summer to work for the Lord, that he had forgiven all of my sins and he loved me unconditionally. That was the most amazing realization of my life, it gave me confidence in my decision to join the World Race. I had first learned about the World Race while scrolling through missionary options for my sophomore summer, I knew right away it was what God was calling me to do. So for two years I waited for the 2015 Gap Year to come out and when it finally did I applied that night. When I found out I got in I was absolutely ecstatic! Ican not wait to see what God has in store for me this next year, and to be able to spend 9 months helping people, and serving the Lord is so amazing! The fundraising and tasks leading up to it may be hard, but I have total faith in the Lord to provide me donors, and to get me there!
Love to all,
~Claire Patterson
~1 Peter 1:8-9
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
