So, here’s a little bit “about me”. Let’s start with the little things before we make our way to the big things. The name is Susannah, but my friends like to call me Sue. Feel free to constitute your own nick-name. I now answer to Suka, Susie-Q, SueKafoo, little fougs, the list goes on. A few random things that make my heart happy: Music – all kinds, random dance parties, twinkly lights, bike rides, front porch swings, prayer, oversized t-shirts, creative-ness, long car rides, bonfires, sunflowers, handwritten letters, coffeeeee and new adventures.
I grew up in Bowling Green, KY with my two older brothers, Christian and Nick. My Mom, Kim and my Dad, Zach are amazing parents that I wouldn’t trade the world for. I’m also blessed to have two “bonus parents” as I like to call them, my step-mom, Karen and step-dad, Ron. Family is very important to me and I would not be where I am today without their oodles of love and support. I graduated from Western Kentucky in 2014 with an Advertising/Sales major. I now live in Chicago and work for the coolest logistics company out there, Coyote Logistics.
Growing up, the concept of God was all very simple, just like the children’s song goes, “Jesus loves me this I know…”. That’s how my relationship was with Him. I knew He loved me and was always there for me to talk to. I can never thank my parents enough for introducing me to such a loving God. My grandparents have also always played a big part in keeping me grounded with God as well. They are such great examples of lives lived by God’s light. The most selfless and hardworking people I know – Thanks, Gran, Bawa, and Papou.
As I grew up, God has always shown up. Through my parents divorce, first relationships and other struggles in between. Every single time I was broken, he put me back together. This does not go without saying that my relationship with God has not had it’s up and downs. There have been points where I’ve walked in the opposite way of Jesus. When I found my way back there was no better feeling than knowing I was forgiven. I have been letting God into all of my wounds and dark places – I’ve always struggled with trust and insecurities, but I have no doubt that I can overcome anything with strength that’s not my own.
There’s a quote by C.S. Lewis “I pray because I can’t help myself. I pray because I’m helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn’t change God. It changes me.” That quote really describes my relationship with God. He is in my heart every single day. Also, C.S. Lewis rocks.
For the past year I have felt called towards the WR and have been praying that the right time would present itself for me to go through with applying – I feel called to do this not only to help others but to build on my relationship with God and grow closer to Him. Even though I have a great foundation with God there is so much I have yet to learn and still so much room for our relationship to grow. I want to never stop being student of God and hope to continue to pursue him as he pursues me every single day. I feel called to help children know Jesus as I did when I was little. I hope I can shine some light on God’s infinite love that He has for them, and anyone willing to invite Him into their heart.
I know that the WR is not easy, but I also know that even though there will be difficult times, those struggles will help me grow and make my relationship with the Lord even stronger. I know that at points I will have doubts and insecurities, but I hope to rise above my doubts and become someone that God’s love can shine clearly through. It will be hard to be away from family/friends, but I have faith that my WR team will become a second set of family/friends and they will become a home away from home.
Some advice I received from a WR alumni was to not have any expectations of what the next day/month will bring. I plan to let the Lord lead me one day at a time and continue to build my trust with him. At the end of the day, no matter what conditions I’m in or where I sleep or what I’m struggling with at that point -if I can say that I brought some sort of glory to God that day and helped someone build their relationship with Him, then it is all worth it. As a person, I can say that I do my best to not judge other’s, because who am I to judge? I prefer to look on the bright side of situations, I believe positivity is contagious and the right attitude towards the hard times is what turns the bad to the good. All I can ask of anyone who chooses to follow me along my journey is for prayer. Prayer not just for me, but for my team and the people in the 11 countries I’m traveling to. Please pray for courage, and peace of mind. Pray that I never lose the fire in my heart to know God more each day and to share His Light with others.
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8
