I’m so excited that you have decided to join me on this journey! Please let me tell you a little about myself. I am currently 25 years old. I will be 26 shortly after my squad launches in July. I grew up in a Christian family with loving parents and two younger brothers. I accepted Christ as my savior at a very early age. The first and only missions trip I’ve been on was to Tijuana Mexico my senior year of high school. Those 10 days completely shattered my reality. I was shocked to see how little people had in their possession, yet how much they had in their hearts. Families of six lived on trash covered hills in 12×12 houses with no electricity, sharing one bathroom with four other families. Although they lived in less than ideal conditions, the joy, love and generosity they demonstrated completely broke my heart. I fell in love with the people I was serving and from that point on, my perspectives on life were changed. When I arrived back in the States, I started sponsoring a child named Harry in Honduras, I became more interested in international affairs and unfortunately, I subconsciously started developing a hatred for our nation. My humbling stay in Mexico caused the greed, selfishness and ignorance of the U.S to become amplified. I was ashamed to call myself an American. It was only with God’s help that I was able to recover from this mentality. Now I realize how truly privileged I am. I am proud to be an American and I feel blessed to have lived such a life of luxury, where suffering has been minimal and hardships have been almost non-existent. However, my passion still lies with those countries less fortunate. My heart is for global missions which is why I am so excited I’ve been given this opportunity to partner with others on the World Race.

Now that I have revealed my motivation behind this adventure, I’ll share with you some other facts about myself. Right now I work as a licensed veterinary technician (nurse) in the small animal critical care unit of Michigan State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital. I have always loved animals and it is such a blessing to care for those who are sick or injured. Although it is stressful at times, I truly love my job. The career itself is rewarding but the relationships I’ve developed with my co-workers have made it even better. On my days off, I enjoy spending time with friends and family. I’ve become increasingly interested in the anti-human trafficking movement, both internationally and in our home country. I read books and attend seminars about the topic whenever I’m given the chance. I love being outdoors and I like capturing nature through my photography. I also enjoy playing the guitar, although my skill is limited. I’m passionate about dancing and – if you couldn’t already tell – writing! I have a three legged cat and a turtle that I care about deeply. I am grateful for the life I’ve been given and I look forward to using my gifts to change the world.