Hello!!! Yeah! I am SUPER excited about this!
I am Rachel as some of you probably know:o)
Here are some BASICS about myself:
I was born in the beautiful little town of Hyde Park in upstate New York-minutes from the Hudson river. I lived there for about 13 years and then moved to the lovely state of North Carolina, and have been here (in or around Raleigh) ever since (minus a brief 2 years in Portland, OR). I have 2 of the most amazing and Godly parents one could ask for- I am the oldest of 5 children, the second is my sister Natasha :o) I play the clarinet (haven't in years, but still know how). I was in something like modern dance (called Winterguard) for 10 years and miss it. I LOVE working with my hands-I went to school for massage therapy and graduated in '05 and have been practicing ever since-and LOVE it. I went back to school again (in the event that I may damage my hands in any way and thus NOT be able to work) for Occupational Therapy (assistant), and graduated this year and now also practice this in a retirement community (and also LOVE that). I am a firm believer in truly ENJOYING your work and I am blessed to do exactly that!
Now for my FAVORITE part:
I have been a Christian pretty much my entire life, I went through a "rebellious" time during my teenage years (I blame my hair color!), God got a hold of my heart (again) in '06 and recently I journaled this and was amazed at how fervent my love has become for Him, and how RELENTLESS He is in pursuing me (and all of us!)-I don't deserve it!:
"My whole thing is that deeply implanted in my heart is such an insatiable and rich hunger for this man Jesus Christ, one that allows Him to manifest and consume my life-I would most certainly be deemed-by the world-insane and offensive, but not in the sense that Christ through me won't be attractive, rather the gospel-which cuts like a knife to the heart of every sinner (every one in the human race!) would speak such uncomfortable TRUTH that in order to silence me, I would have to be killed-which is something I am wholeheartedly willing to endure. Thus it makes me very excited to continue on this journey with my Maker-walking daily by faith in obedience and trust. Hallelujah!"
Missions has always been a deep passion of mine and I am excited to have the opportunity to go on this adventure with my sister as well :o)
Random stuff about me:
I dance unprofessionally because I love it.
I am grateful for every situation that requires waiting because it teaches me so much and God knows this.
I try to be aware of what exactly I put into my body and mind because whatever you put in eventually seeps out.
I am attracted to passion of all forms because passion is what makes life worth living.
I get excited about awesome music because much of it is talent in its' truest form.
I seriously am thoroughly addicted to telling people about how much I love Jesus because I either get the that's awesome response or the blank stare or dead silence-I embrace it all.
I think that my friends are amazing because I know them for who they really are…human beings-nothing more and nothing less.
I believe that apologizing for showing feeling is like slow death because feeling is truth.
I really love reading and especially being outside and being "one with nature" while reading :o)
Looking FORWARD to meeting you all!!!
"The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you;
He will never leave you not forsake you. Do not be afraid;
do not be discouraged."
~Deut. 31:8
