I am 21 years old, born and raised in Orange County, Ca (and yes, everything you see on tv about the ‘OC’ IS true). I have an amazing family who I am with constantly and love so much. I have wonderful parents and two sisters, one of which is my twin. My twin is my best friend, and though she lives in San Francisco while I’m still in Orange County, she is someone who I talk to at least 12 times a day (yeah, that’s going to be a hard thing to let go of for 11 months). I am 6’0 tall, and so is she; can you imagine? I graduated from Biola University in May 2008 with a degree in human biology, and have made some amazing life-long friends. We are all completely different which makes our group so fun. We love to go on roadtrips all around California; and we spend most weekends on the beach in Mexico.
I accepted the Lord into my heart when I was 5 years old, but really came to have my personal relationship with Jesus when I was in 6th grade. I was on a mission’s trip in Mexico and saw the relationship with God that the people around me seemed to have and I knew I was missing something. That trip is when I started seeking out a personal relationship with Jesus. I continued growing up in the church, learning more, and growing in my Christian walk. I have always had huge encouragement from my family and my leaders in the church who have been such an example with their own lives that show me what a life with God looks like. Over the past 4 years I have been attending Biola University and have been learning so much. God has been teaching me about what it really is to be living a life with Him and how He is the ultimate control of my future. During my sophomore year of college I struggled a lot with my future and what my plans were for my life, and God took hold of my heart and showed me that all my planning is fruitless if I don’t give Him the control. It was very hard for me to realize and I admit I still struggle with it, but I have truly been learning that no matter what I plan, God is the one in control and I have learned to let go of trying to do it all on my own. During this past year God has been working so much in my life and showing me my passion for missions. There have been so many opportunities that have come up that have only encouraged me with this direction for my life. I have been going on missions trips continually since 6th grade and find such joy serving the Lord by serving others. I’ve done missions in Mexico, Arizona, Los Angeles, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Namibia, Kenya, and Uganda. Currently my heart is in Africa, but I am so excited for this world experience! I have been so blessed with my family and great friends who continually encourage me and pray for me and have been a huge part of my spiritual growth.
Quick Facts: Top 3
Fav music: Ryan Adams, Sufjan Stevens, and Damien Rice
Fav Movies: You’ve Got Mail (and any other take on Pride and Prej, including Pride and Prej), Gidget (all time fav), and Anchorman, ok and the Jerk (sorry, that’s 4).
Fav activities: Basketball, walking on the beach (not the cliché), being around people I love
Fav TV shows: The Office, Friends, and the Big Bang Theory
Random facts: I cannot roll my “r’s” (so, Spanish is out); I love to abbrev; I love coffee; I love corny jokes (especially if they are found on the back of a laffy taffy); Daniel Strosky thinks I am a “hoot”; I love popcorn; and most of my dialogue comes from movies.
Fav Quote:
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.
– Innocents Abroad
