My name is Amanda, I’m 21 years old, and I currently live in Fort Collins, CO. I moved from Omaha, NE to Fort Collins a few years ago to play on the volleyball team at Colorado State University. I was involved in athletics from a very young age (which seems to be extremely common in Nebraska), but as I grew older, it became my dream to play volleyball at a Division 1 level.
When I arrived in Colorado, I became planted in a strong Christian community and learned more about what it meant to have a personal relationship with Christ. Shortly after, I surrendered my life to the plans and purposes God had for me. Early on, I learned valuable lessons about integrating my relationship with Christ into every aspect of my life, rather than just reserving it for church on Sunday mornings. I started to grasp the idea that my value was not dependent upon my own performance, and I learned what it looked like to use the platform God had given me through volleyball to glorify Him.
After my third season at CSU, I began applying to various nursing schools in the area. I decided to accept a position in the traditional nursing program at CU-Denver. I did not know at the time, however, that God had another plan for my life. I have had the desire to live on mission since I was a little girl, even before I had a name for it or knew all that mission trips entailed. After my first mission trip to Fort Pierce, Florida in the spring, I could not shake the feeling that God was calling me on more long-term missions.
After much prayer, counsel from friends/mentors, and countless confirmations from God, it became very clear that I was being called on the World Race. Although surrendering my own timeline and agenda to Him has been difficult at times, I am so thankful to serve a God that enables us to live out the dreams and desires deeply placed in our hearts.
I am so excited to see what this journey will hold, and I am honored to be able to share what God continues to do in and through my story. Thanks so much for following along! Prayers for more grace, wisdom, peace, and discernment would be much appreciated as I continue to prepare for this experience!
