I always feel a little strange writing a bio. I would rather introduce myself in person. But in the spirit of letting the world know who this girl is, I’ll give some tidbits.I grew up in Edina, Minnesota, and I love my home state. The winter may be 6 months long, but the people have to be nice since the weather doesn’t return the favor. I have an older brother (Jonathan, 25), younger sister (Melissa, 20) and two incredible parents who still love each other deeply after 28 years. I love my family a lot and cannot believe I won’t see them for a year. We tend to be a teasing, sarcastic bunch who can’t help but cuddle and brag about each other. To summarize our lighthearted and yet slightly disturbing nature, I thought I’d introduce the bunch of my family below in photographs. I love photos, communicate in them, and this will likely be a pattern in my blogs, so enjoy the images 🙂
left to right: dad (chuck), mom (dixie), jonathan, me, melissa
I went to college in Deerfield, Illinois (about 45 minutes north of Chicago) at a little school called Trinity International University. I had the best roommates a girl could ask for (pictured right) and I miss them terribly all ready. I was also blessed with people who poured absurd amounts of time, effort and love into my life and I cannot imagine being who I am today without them (you know who you are, don’t pretend you don’t). I have been inspired, encouraged, and pushed to know Christ in all His fullness because of these phenomenal people. My desire is to see God glorified and myself sanctified and these people have helped me find that path by example and seeing in me everything I couldn’t see. Thank you all for sharpening and challenging me. You all know who you are and I really wouldn’t be who I am today without you.
I was a double major in Psychology and Biblical Studies and participated in more than I probably should have. I always tell people I studied what I did because of my father. He and I used to spend hours discussing Scripture late at night when I was growing up. He also took me to interventions for people in the adult Sunday School he taught. I found myself being drawn to knowing Scripture and helping people from a very young age.
Soccer was a big part of my life for a long time. I played for 17 years (including college) and learned some of my life’s greatest lessons from the sport. I loved the competition and pushing myself in every way possible. I also played basketball for 7 or 8 years, and coached for two. I just finished a job at Alpine Chapel in Lake Zurich, IL (holla to J and T and the best students in the northwest suberbs, baby!) where I was the Worship Director for Student Ministries for a little over a year (I also lead worship for my college chapel and some small groups). I also sing in a folk/ americana/ country band called Zach Pietrini and The Broken Bones (you should definitely check out our myspace at www.myspace.com/zachpietrini). I also love photography and have had the opportunity to share that passion with a lot of people.
My passion is to care for the vulnerable of the world, and to bring the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the nations. I have been able to go on various missions trips throughout the world and have recently returned from Zambia this past spring. PLEASE check out the website I designed to inform the world regarding what God is doing in that country and through TIU’s (my school) continued relationship there: www.tiuzambia.com. There are also tons of my photos from the trip and information regarding AIDS and Zambia in general that you should read if you have any interest in Africa or the AIDS pandemic.
Things I like: being with people who know me well, challenges, AFRICA, art, biking/hiking/running– being active, art (photography and painting in particular), deep converstations, music, Northern Pines Family Camp, studying God’s Word (and discussing, dreaming ways to live it out and moving that into action), ice cream, traveling, laughing really really hard, advocacy, new experiences/ change, learning about cultures and lots of other things. Authors: Brennan Manning, Watchman Nee, AW Tozer, Rob Bell, Shane Claiborne, Ron Sider.
Things I dislike: when people forget to turn off their blinkers, being sick, liver, people who don’t listen and seek to understand (even if you disagree– and it’s definitely ok to disagree)
