Hey, I’m AnnaGrace!
Instead of just telling you random facts about myself, I’d like to use this section to tell you why I am doing the World Race in the first place… and then I’ll tell you random facts about myself.
I currently live in Branson, MO and work as a graphic designer and photographer for a marketing group. I studied graphic design at Southern Nazarene University, and graduated in May of 2015. It was at SNU when I discovered my passion for helping women stuck in the sex industry. During my sophomore year, I lived in a house on campus called the SPEAK House with 9 other wonderful girls. As a group, we partnered with No Boundaries International to help women in Oklahoma City who were victims of sex trafficking. It blew my mind that while I was living my comfortable, sheltered life on a college campus, there were women just a few miles away who were being sold. Then, the issue didn’t just sadden me, it angered me because I saw versions of these women being glamorized in movies and TV shows, making light of this serious issue. Knowing that this kind of thing was happening slowly rearranged my heart. While I get caught up in making my apartment cute, and stressing about paying my electric bill, there are people out there with nothing. Nothing. Although I had a heart for these women, I wasn’t sure what to do about it. I was a graphic design student, taking 18 to 27 hour course loads in order to graduate early, and even once I did, I wasn’t sure how my graphic design degree could help those around me. But then, as corny as it sounds, the Lord stepped in. He showed me a way that I can actively help His people through the World Race.
I don’t remember how I found out about the World Race, or even how I began the process of going on the World Race. One day, I was going about my comfortable life, and now I’m preparing to sell all of my stuff and live out of a backpack for a year. It’s a blur. I don’t know how I’ll get the money. I don’t know what I’ll do when I come back. All I know is that the Lord takes care of His people, and that this is the first time I’ve felt genuinely called to do something, and that is such a gift.
I firmly believe that the Lord places a spirit of adventure in His people, and what an adventure He chose for me!
Now for some random facts:
– My favorite color changes almost every week. Right now it’s lavender.
– There was a time when I was a tomboy… my elementary school teachers can attest to this. It wasn’t pretty.
– I have a family of 10. 4 sisters, a brother, my mom and step-dad, and my dad and step-mom. I love them all, like a lot.
– I have two tattoos. “Seven” on my ribs on my left side, and “daughter of the king” on my upper back, and I may come back with some more after the race!
– I’m really good at the Cotton-Eyed Joe (YouTube it). My mom dared me (well, bribed me) to do it across the stage at my high school graduation, but I chickened out. I’ve regretted it ever since.
– Of the countries on my route, I’m most excited about Nepal… mostly because I’m hoping it’ll be a real-life version of Expedition Everest.
– I’m a little bit of a Harry Potter nerd. Or a lot. At least I don’t own a wand. Yes I do. Shut up.
– I’m obsessed with dogs with flat faces. I currently own a very flat-faced Boston Terrier, Mimi.
– I worked at Kanakuk Kamps for 3 years. Two years as the K-Seven photographer, and for one year as the photo manager for the kamps in Lampe. Kanakuk is “a different flavor of Christian” as my friend, Becca Ford, said. That place, those people, and Jesus changed who I am.
– I have a scar on my forehead from when I ran into a wall when I was 3.
– I collect old cameras, as well as paintings of dogs doing human stuff, like hula dancing.
– My favorite city that I’ve been to so far is Savannah, Georgia. I hope to live there one day.
– I’m weirdly good at Just Dance.
That’s really all I think you need to know.
