Hi everyone! I don’t think I’m very good at writing about myself, but here it goes! A little bit about me….
I’m from a very small town in Missouri called Forsyth (it’s near Branson). It’s a great little town and I loved growing up in a place where everyone knows everyone. I have one younger brother, Byron who’s 18 (I’m 22 by the way). He’s getting ready to graduate from high school, which is so hard to believe! My parents are absolutely amazing! They have been there for me through everything and are so supportive. I’m so happy to say that my mom really is my best friend. I don’t go a day without talking to her and I know I’m going to get extremely homesick sometimes when I’m gone. So here’s a little about my life….
My parents took me to church ever since I can remember. I was always the kid who knew all the “right” answers, but never actually applied those truths to my life. I could tell you all about the Bible, but I didn’t even know what a relationship with the Lord looked like. In school I was a perfectionist. Anything less than an A was unacceptable and I worked really hard. My dad was a high school baseball and girls basketball coach, so I’ve been playing sports since I could throw a ball. In high school I played basketball and volleyball. In high school I was extremely busy. I was involved in anything and everything: sports, choir, clubs… you name it. I ended up graduating as valedictorian, which just shows how much of a perfectionist I was. I stayed out of trouble for the most part, partly because I was so busy and partly because I wanted to please my parents. I still went to church and I really did think that living a “moral” life is what Christianity was all about.
In college, I attended Missouri State University (I’m graduating in Dec.! yay!). The first two years I was in a serious relationship that was long distance so I spent every weekend visiting my boyfriend and I didn’t end up meeting very many people. My life really began changing when my relationship ended. I literally thought my life was over (I know… dramatic right?). But that’s when God really captured my heart. For the first time in my life I had nowhere to turn, except to God. I called out to Him and He answered. He comforted me and eventually healed my heart (it’s been a long process). Dealing with the breakup was hard and I experienced times of rebellion, but God rescued me from that as well. I got involved with Campus Crusade for Christ after that and ended up meeting some of my best friends (one is Kendall and she’s going on the World Race too!). Last summer I got to go to Cameroon, Africa with Crusade and it changed my life. God has completely captured my heart and rescued me from a life full of sin and destruction. I think what I’m most thankful for is that He never gave up on me. He pursued me relentlessy even though I ran away time and time again. God is so faithful! I’m so excited to spend the rest of my life telling other people about the hope that is in Jesus. That’s what people need: to know that there is hope!
