“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – 
I took the one less traveled by
And that has made all the difference.”
No matter how overused or cliché this poem has become, it nonetheless remains my all-time favorite. My mom has always told me that I like to do things my own way, and I have never been one to follow the crowd. Sometimes this has been really hard. I have often questioned why God has had me on a different path from my friends, but then an opportunity like the World Race comes along and I understand! Okay, maybe I need to explain things better and start from the very beginning…
I was born in Jacksonville, Florida, and I have a truly amazing family. My older sister and I are complete opposites, but I love her so much! And I have a huge amount of respect and admiration for my parents. I think I am pretty lucky to say that my mom is seriously my best friend. When I was nine years old we moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, and I have to admit it was a pretty tough time. My dad got really sick and we almost lost him, and we all felt a little displaced living away from the beach. Life keeps moving, however, and I kept growing up never really dealing with my issues of control and insecurity. By the time I got to high school, I was a hardcore perfectionist never letting anyone in too close. Soon enough I developed an eating disorder and became very good at keeping up a pretense that my life was perfect. At times I thought it was, but after my first year in college my whole world came crumbling down. Everything I had worked so hard at – my good grades, my involvement with YoungLife, even my relationships – all seemed to fall apart.
Even though I had accepted Christ into my heart as a child, and I had tried to live as best I could, I still felt worthless. My whole life I struggled with the concept of God loving me; I understood that Christ had died for me yet I sometimes wondered whether that was enough for a sinner like me. It wasn’t until God stripped me of everything I used to hide behind that I realized the power of His grace and love. I tried so hard to prove to everyone that I was good enough, yet it was getting me nowhere in life. Once I had nothing to cling to anymore and no more accomplishments to hide behind, I finally turned it all over to God.
I cannot say exactly when this turning point happened, only that it has been an ongoing process throughout my life. Every event has contributed to the path I am on and the person I am still growing into. I honestly believe that God uses everything – even our worst mistakes – for His purpose. Over the past few years, I have learned to appreciate the things I struggle with because they are a part of me. It has not always been easy being a full-time student while also working full-time and recovering from an eating disorder, yet God has seen me through it. Sometimes we have to take a harder road and sometimes it feels like we are traveling it alone. That is why I love Robert Frost’s poem so much. Because when we take a chance and walk down that road less traveled, it does make all the difference.
So now that you know the serious stuff about me, here are a few random things you might not have known…
– I LOVE running! Those closest to me would probably say I’m a bit obsessed.
– I still sleep with a little stuffed clown that I have had since I was a baby. Some might say it’s creepy, but what can I say? Old habits die hard.
– Personal space is overrated and hugs are a necessity in life.
– I have a small shoe addiction…okay maybe slightly bigger than small…
– When I laugh I tend to hyperventilate. Don’t worry, it is perfectly normal.
– I like to be active and outdoors…hiking, surfing, yoga, running, cycling, you name it and I will do it!
– I have a big heart so don’t be surprised to see me crying during an animated movie.
– Oh, and I love little kids! They say the funniest stuff!
