Hello world (or more likely the few people who will read this)! Name’s Grace, even though my birth certificate shows Anna Grace Heiser. I think my mom may have just misspoke at the hospital or immediately decided she liked the name Grace better, because I’ve never once gone by Anna. Starting out small first, I’ll tell you a couple of things that give me the warm and fuzzies. All food, but mainly breakfast. Discovering new musicians and getting the chance to see them in concert. Long bike rides on a sunny day and avoiding being hit by a car in the process. Late night life talks with friends. Snow storms during the winter and thunderstorms during the summer. Long car rides with a solid playlist. Going to the movies, by myself. Beach volleyball. Spending a day on the lake, ocean, or really any body of water. Traveling to new and far places and any time I get to spend with my family.
I was born and raised in quant little Ridgefileld, CT. I have had the privilege of being raised by two of the coolest parents (and people) ever. The never-aging and always wonderful Caroline and Marty Heiser. As the youngest, I’ve had the pleasure of looking up to my older sister Nicole and older brother Jason. Nicole recently gave birth to my new favorite human in the whole wide world, my beautiful niece Malaya. I went to school at Miami of Ohio and studied Communications and History. I relocated to Chicago three years ago where I’ve been lucky to work at Coyote Logistics.
My faith has been rolling hills as it’s ebbed and flowed throughout the years. I was lucky enough to become a Christian at a very young age. My parents have been perfect examples of what a Christ-led life looks like. Living how Jesus lived and loving how He created us to love. Growing up there were years where I’d be on fire with the Holy Spirit, to only lose that fire when life seemed to get in the way. I spent much of my time in high school and college leaving God on the back-burner and telling myself ‘He can wait’. When I moved out to Chicago I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing. All the while, I still believed in God, but was not living for Him. After about a year of being in Chicago something started to click for me. I began pursuing God a little more intentionally, but was still living my life how I wanted.
About a year ago something clicked again for me. I had a moment where I looked back on my life and realized all these things that I’ve been filling it with were not fully satisfying. I had been living a life that was not providing everlasting satisfaction, reaching towards the things that provided instant satisfaction. In the long run I looked back and questioned, what have I been doing this whole time? I was questioning where my future was headed and had decided to get coffee with a good friend, Earl (Earl, if you’re reading this… told you I would never let you live this down!). The conversation did not have any profound ‘coming-to-God’ moments, but it was just two friends talking about life and it’s struggles and sorting through what our life really means and the point of it all. From that day on I finally decided to give it all to God and let Him guide me through this life.
Over the last 6 months since Early and I spoke God has been giving me signs left and right to pursue a life of missions. Did I listen? Of course not! I’m financially stable and I love Chicago and I like my friends here, why would I give all of that up? Doesn’t sound like I was really giving it all up to God, right? He didn’t give up on me though and continued to send me these signs. Another friend and another dinner led me to the World Race. My friend Sue had just returned and it was that final nudge from God saying, ‘I could not be more clear on what I want from you next, apply!’. That night I went home and applied to the World Race and immediately began panicking. Panicking would turn into quiet anxiety, but would quickly fade away to the realization and the excitement that I was finally listening to God and that I needed to let these fears go and trust Him!
So here I am, fully trusting in God for the first time in my life. Taking a massive leap of faith and going for it! I am fully aware of the struggles I will be facing over the next year and a half of my life, but even more aware of the amazing things God has planned for me. I may not know what the future holds for me, but God does and I can’t help but be excited for all of it!
All I can ask from anyone reading this is prayer! Prayer that this fire in my heart for God does not die out, but instead continues to grow. Lord knows I’ll need it 🙂
