Well hello there, friends!
I figured it would be beneficial for us to get to know each other a little better!
I’ll start…
I am currently 22 years old and I go by Emma Marie Wieringa. Born in Ontario, Canada, raised in Washington, USA. I am the 2nd oldest of 6 children, 2 boys and 4 girls – Christopher (24), myself, Derek (21), Laura (19), Kaitlyn (16), and Olivia (13). We were all born to Christian parents – Jim and Rachel – who happen to be some of the best parents out there!
As of January 2014, I have lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where I originally was planning to take CCEF (Christian Counseling Education Foundation) classes at WTS (Westminster Theological Seminary). My plans changed early on and I am now just a nanny for a couple wonderful families. The Lord has provided for me in amazing ways since moving out here!
Back in December 2012 I graduated with my Associates in Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management from Skagit Valley College. There I really found my passion for the culinary world and serving people! Wherever I go and whatever I do, I know I want this to always be a part of my life.
I love working with children, the fact that they love you for who you are is amazing. I find joy in encouraging other humans, and helping them in any area of life, even if that means going beyond my comfort zone! My Myers/Briggs is ISFJ – Introvert – Senser – Feeler – Judge. Just to give you a deeper grasp of who I am.
I feel like I have had a pretty “typical” Christian spiritual journey – if I can say that. I have been blessed by having a wonderful community of strong Christians surrounding me on all sides. I have never fallen off the path, though at times I have followed the wrong directions and strayed. Amazingly enough, our gracious, loving Lord has always convicted me and set me straight again. The summer of 2012 I worked at a Christian summer camp, Camp Gilead, and my faith was really tested and rejuvenated. The community of believers that I spent those 8 weeks with is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced and will always be special to me! Then moving to the east coast was a test of faith and trust. Knowing absolutely no one and trusting that the Lord would provide, definitely grew me! How could it not? It’s been the most challenging part of my life so far, and I couldn’t be more thankful!
During The World Race, I really desire to continue to strengthen my relationship with God. I know I am lacking. I know I am not perfect. I know I have so much more to learn and I am humbled by those realizations. I so much want to be the pile of clay that the Lord molds into a beautiful vessel to be used for the furtherance of His Kingdom!! I want to enrich the lives of others around the world, and give them the good news!
The World Race was made known to me by a friend that was considering it at the time. It was a time in my life where I was trying to figure out what my next step was. I asked him to send me a link so I could check it out – the rest is history! While I was reading over the website and watching the videos that were promoted, this kind of excitement grew inside of me, and by the end, I realized I was sitting there staring at the screen with this huge, cheesy smile spread across my face! I started praying about it after that and every day I couldn’t get it out of my head. I talked to the important people in my life about it and there was mostly positive feedback – I was going for it!
I do have some concerns about it all. I mean, it is basically a year of my life! That is a huge commitment. Will I be able to do it? Am I really going to be able to raise all that money? Will I be able to rough it out there – backpacking across 11 countries? Will I be safe? How is God going to use ME?! I have struggled with self-worth for many years, which causes me to question everything I do. Sometimes I’d rather crawl into the loving arms of my bed than walk out the door and face the world. But I know with God all things are possible, and I am doing this all for Him!
So. There you go. Now you know me a little bit! If you could keep me in your prayers, I would be so eternally grateful! Specifically, to have continued wisdom and guidance in the month leading up to my send-off date. For perseverance in fundraising, and to work in the hearts of my fellow humans who decide to support me in this journey. That I continue to grow in faith and trust in God. And that I enjoy these months before I leave! I will be leaving PA, and moving back to WA in the spring – pray that I will enjoy and celebrate the amazing people I have been blessed with here in the limited time I have with them!
Your turn. Tell me about you!
Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
