Welcome to my blog! I am so glad that you are interested in me and what I am doing. Part of this trip includes blogging, which is a new experience for me. So bear with me as I try to figure this out. I will be able to keep everyone updated as I prepare for the trip and while I am gone (be sure to subscribe if you wanted to be alerted every time I update – click on update alerts on the left side). As I stated before, I have not blogged before so my hope for this blog is that God will use it to 1.) stretch me in being open and vulnerable about what God is doing in my life and those I am ministering to and 2.) speak to those of you who are reading it. With that said, the first blog is “About me”

 

For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Alison. I am 26 years old and live in Cleveland, OH. I was born and raised in this area by my parents, Bill and Lynn. I am a middle child and have two sisters, Tara and Ashley. My younger sister is married to David and they have a 2 year old girl, Grace. My niece is fun and I love being around her 🙂 This is my family:

 

Me, Ashley, Grace, David, my mom, Tara, and my dad
 

I was raised in a Christian home and went to a Christian school practically my whole life. I became a Christian when I was little – I think I was 7. We were coming home one night from my aunt and uncle’s, where my dad attended a bible study and I remember looking out the car window at all the stars and realizing how BIG and AMAZING God truly is and knowing that I needed him in my life. I don’t know if it was something I had heard that night or if it had just been the things I had been hearing and finally decided I needed to take that next step. Since then I have had good and bad times spiritually but my faith has been a big part of my life. 

I got my degree in social work and am currently working on the mental health crisis/ suicide prevention hotline. I answer phones and do crisis assessments. Everyday is different!

 

 

Random facts about me:

 
*God has blessed me with amazing friends and a great family!
 

 *When I use the word family, it usually means my extended family.

 *I love being adventurous and have done random things. For example: I grew up hot air ballooning. Some things I would like to do: white water rafting, sky diving, swim with dolphins, zip lining, etc.
 
  *I love to read. I could spend all day reading if I had the time.
 
 *I don’t like coffee – but I do like going to coffee shops with people and I’ll usually get a smoothie type drink, hot chocolate, or tea…
 
*I LOVE to travel! (My niece already associates me with an airplane)

* I love SUNSHINE and warm weather!! Every winter I wonder why I’m still in Ohio… 😛