Summer 2012: I’d never been out of the country before but here I was right in the middle of Titayen, Haiti where most people’s homes were smaller than my own bedroom. I didn’t know much about poverty or how these people remained so hopeful in the middle of all this hopelessness but I knew that I didn’t belong in comfort. I was so incredibly blessed with the home, education, family, church, and friends that I had but that wasn’t enough. In fact, that was too much. The reality of Haiti slapped me in the face. I discovered how much I wanted to love the broken people of this world. I refuse to be the blessed girl with the perfect life. I refuse to simply be content with a typical, normal, habitual life. In Haiti, I realized the call of my heart. I realized I will never be satisfied until I do all I can to help the damaged who can’t help themselves.

Present: After working two jobs for almost a year while also taking 4 AP classes at school, I’m determined and ready to begin this adventure. The unconventional has always appealed to me and I could not be more excited for all the new cultures I’ll experience and the new people I’ll meet.

Let’s do this.