Dear Family, Friends, and Internet Browsers,
As we travel through life, we gain experience after experience. We begin to understand who we are; who God has created us to be.
I am an introverted woman who loves to read and learn. I enjoy a good story, whether it really happened or not. History comes alive for me when I begin to see the adventure individuals have lived. Having the chance to translate stories from their original language provides me with endless opportunities to see these stories in a new light.
My first day of college! I loved it so much, I’ve never left!
I also really enjoy music. I began playing the clarinet in 4th grade and wish I had kept it up through college. I’ve dabbled in guitar and piano, but I’ve recently found my place in church choirs. I’m not a good soloist, but I can sing a beautiful harmony.
Here we have the opportunity for a little game of “Where’s Miranda (While She’s Singing with a Choir at Africa University)?”
When I first moved out of the dorms, I began cooking for myself and quickly found my love for making and enjoying good food grow into a near obsession. I’ll try anything once and have failed on multiple occasions. It took me years to perfect the art of rice.
Speech team was a God send for my shy teenage self. I immediately loved learning how to entertain and inform people. My success in public speaking has only grown over the years as I ventured into preaching.
Our experiences in life also teach us those things that we are not good at; those talents we simply never received.
My parents have exactly one art project of mine. This pen drawing on lined paper of a room decorated for Christmas is the only creative project worth saving. I spent most of my hard earned allowance on art supplies throughout my childhood. From clay pots to paintings, crocheted scarves to hook rugs, I’ve tried everything. I usually get bored with the project half-way through.
If you need an example, take a gander at my super creative pumpkin!
I sincerely hope you never have to see me dance. You would think my natural ability to pick up a beat would be helpful, but really, I think too much. I’m terrible at any and all choreography. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll still be out on that dance floor, but averting your eyes may be better for you own health and safety.
Finally, I’m not good at asking for help. It’s as though I want money to magically appear into my bank account. More than that, I want to be able to support myself. The path I have found myself on has led me to student loans and just barely getting by. If you don’t believe me, you can ask my mom. She’s listened to me try to talk myself out of money problems more times than I can count. Nevertheless, I’ve always made ends meet.
Then, along comes this calling. This calling I just can’t pay for. I know some of you have already given and I’m extremely grateful. But, I still have nearly $12,000 to raise. It’s time to buckle down and venture into uncharted territory. I’m asking for your help. God has called me to go out into the world and do things I’m good at, things I was created to do. I can’t fulfill that calling without first doing a few things I’m generally terrible at, including asking for your help.
Please consider giving by clicking on the Support Me! tab to the left of this blog post. If you can’t give, pass along a name of someone you know who is interested in supporting this kind of mission. Thank you in advance for your prayers and continued support!
Love,
Miranda
