I am a 23 years old and live in Annapolis, MD. My birthday is June 25, 1986. (I LOOOOOVE my Bday!) I spent my younger childhood years growing up in the beautiful foothills of Conover, NC with my Mom and older Sister, Sarah. While I spent my summers with my Dad and his family in the little, rarely on the map town of Iuka, MS. When I was 13 years old, my mom and sister moved 2 hours away from all my family, to Greensboro, NC. And that’s when my life really began to change, as the battle for my soul became clear.
One day I was sitting in Mr. Carson’s English class and some of the popular kids and I were playing fun of a this boy, Alberto, because he blew this nose loud and funny. And all of the sudden I heard Holy Spirit of God inside me say, “This is not right!” I had no idea at the time Who said that in my mind, but it was like the light bulb came on inside of me and I knew it was wrong. So after class, I went up to this girl who was a friend of my christian friends (who i didn’t have classes with anymore) and I asked her is I could be her friend and eat lunch with her. She clearly thought I was crazy, but said yes. Haha. She, Rebecca, became my best friend and taught me everything she was bEing taught. She was a believer and follower of Jesus. She encouraged me to start reading my Bible, so I did….The Book of Job. (I highly recommend if you are starting to read your Bible, that you start in John, not Job.)
So for the next 7 months, I read my Bible and did devotionals. I started reading christian books and listening to christian music. I would go to church with Rebecca sometimes, when my mom would let me (b/c she wanted me to go to her church.) Through that time I was praying and asking God lots of questions & He would answer me through what I was reading in the Bible….it was sooo cool. But I can’t remember a day or moment where I “Giving my heart to Him.” But as I read my Bible, talked with Rbeecca, and sometimes went to church, I began to realize that I was “bad” because I had sins. And because of my wrongs I was going to hell. I also realized that this man, Jesus, that was on the felt boards and talked about at church…..HE LOVED ME! Like He really really really really LOVE ME, Emily….even though I had done wrong things. And He walked on earth for ME! And He died for ME! And He knew ME inside and out! He knew MY good choices and MY mistakes! AND He wanted to wash MY mistakes away, if I would let Him. Jesus became real personal, real fast. And I liked Him!! Then in April 2001, I was watching the Year anniversey of Columbine shooting, where 2 girls got shot because they believed Jesus was their Savior from eternal death in Hell. I remember seeing that and wondering if I could do what they did. I remember asking myself if I loved God enough to die for Him. My answer was, “No, but i want to!” It was then that I think my heart was forever won but The Greatest Lover Of All! I really wanted to live for Him, because after all, He had done and was doing more than enough for me.
I got connected with Christian groups, like Young Life and FCA, at my school and participated with them. Over the years God brought me near to Him and taught me the Word. I made mistakes, but He picked me up and washed me off. Eternally I’ve been bought back from Hell by the blood that Jesus. I will never be the same!!!
In spring 2003, my mom remarried. So that summer, right before my senior year, my mom and i moved to Maryland where my step-dad lived.
I graduated Salisbury University in 2008 with a degree in Social Work! After graduating, I followed the Lord’s direction and moved to Springfield, NJ (right outside NYC) to work as Outreach Cordinator with a Church plant called South Mountain Church. Five long, challenging months later, I moved back to Salisbury, MD and became one of 3 interns at my church, The Uprising at St. Pauls. After 7 more difficult & rewarding months, I moved home with my Mom and Step-Dad in order to save and prepare for The World Race..
