Hi Everyone!!!
For those of you who know me, here’s a little recap of me that you may or may not know, I suppose… and if we have not met, I hope that I will get a chance to meet you one day!
My name is Kristina Kikue Ballengee, but I go by Kristy. I can say with confidence that I have found true and complete joy in life…because when you experience the presence, pursuit, and love of Jesus, nothing is ever the same again.
I LOVE:
…trying new everything. Let’s go on an adventure!
…dancing up and down the aisles in the grocery store, because random grocery store music is awesome (or I will just say it is because “I just want to dance!”).
…eating. Ah, let’s stop there for a second. If you ever need someone to eat your new, delicious, exciting food, I will be there, and I will love you for feeding me.
…feeling like I am flying.
…talking to people. Real, raw, meaningful conversations.
…the smell of the forest when driving in at dusk.
…peanut butter M&Ms. I might need to clarify: not peanut M&Ms—the peanut butter ones. My best friend sent me a bag of peanut butter M&Ms in the mail with a note one random day and it may have been one of my best presents I’ve ever received.
…getting lost in worship. Getting lost in His presence.
…crafting and letting the creative juices flow.
…driving with the windows down, singing my lungs out.
…laughing! Just to warn you, there are days when I just can’t stop. Please embrace the hilarious with me.
A few more RANDOM FACTS…
- I forced myself to like coffee by drinking Folgers at work. I figured that actually liking coffee might be beneficial to me one day when I am tired and need caffeine. I’m down to Folgers-black-one Splenda and it’s delicious.
- I am a high school small group leader at church and have the best time hanging out with my girls!
- All growing up, I used joked about becoming a ninja one day. Putting the jokes aside, I secretly always wanted to learn martial arts…and now I’m finally doing it! I’m currently a yellow belt (orange now!) and I plan on getting my black belt one day.
- Skydiving was a peaceful experience for me, whereas jumping off a rock into the river always makes me think twice.
A little BACKGROUND:
I am half Japanese, half Caucasian. 22. I graduated from CSU, Sacramento with a degree in Interior Design, Architecture in 2012. People generally have the response that I should decorate their house. I’m sorry to inform you, that is not what I do! I currently work for an architecture firm, on the jobsite of a ten-story medical facility in Sacramento. I assist the architects, help with project management coordination, and draft architectural details. All this to say, I will be quitting in January to go on this trip. I am beyond grateful for this wonderful job opportunity I’ve had, working with incredible people, and for the support of my co-workers and boss in choosing this path!
My heart’s desire is to continue to seek God and his kingdom, to truly come to a place of surrender, over and over and over again, and to share freely the life – pure, intimate, everlasting life – that Jesus offers us, on the World Race and throughout the rest of my life.
