So, a little bit about me…. (The bullet list)
I am 26 years old, and never in a million years expected to be going on the World Race at this point in my life.
I’m a huge extrovert, and can talk with friends for hours.
I analyze a lot…pretty much everything
I love adventure and love to explore (so of course, I’m super excited to be traveling around the world!)
I love to go running and love being active. I recently picked up the hobby of bouldering and sport climbing, and basically fell in love with it.
I love music…especially acoustic tracks with layers of harmonies
I place a high value on authenticity
I love people, specifically people who are hurting.
I tend to be self-centered, impatient, and controlling.
I sometimes doubt God, and do things in order to please the people around me.
I’m learning to accept my gifts with my weaknesses.
My journey up to this point
I’ve lived a pretty good life- I have a great family who loves me well, Mom (Felicia), Dad (Ronnie) Sister (Jamie) Brother-n- law (Seth), nephews, (Nate and Riley), Nana (Barbara), and Grandmama (Harriet). I grew up as a PK (Pastor’s Kid), lived in August, GA, Columbia SC, and then spent the majority of my adolescence in Bowling Green KY. Growing up I was somewhat of a choir nerd, and spent a lot of my time singing in choirs and musicals.
I studied Psychology and Biblical Literature at Indiana Wesleyan University and then moved to Atlanta and earned Masters in community counseling.
I worked as a therapist intern for a children’s advocacy center, and provided trauma counseling for children and families who endured trauma. Then, I worked as a community counselor providing in-home therapy for children with behavior problems (which usually meant a slew of other family difficulties). I thought this was the hardest job, but then I started working as a live-in coach for Wellspring Living, a women’s recovery home serving women coming out of sexual exploitation. Starring evil in the face on a regular basis lead me to doubt God’s goodness, and at times even his existence. Ultimately, this whole experience challenged my cookie cutter Christianity, and in order to be able to handle the level of evil I encountered, my view of God had to expand. I’ll talk more about this later, but all in all, I cherish the stories and relationships I was able to gain at Wellspring. It’s always an honor when someone allows you to be a part of their journey, and the women I developed relationships with are some of the strongest people I have ever known.
Recently, I decided to change career directions, and pursue a job in the area of human resources/recruiting/employee development. Right smack in the middle of job hunting and interviewing, I felt a strong conviction to commit to the World Race. Honestly, it is a scary decision for me, and I sometimes still question myself. But, I wake up each day and try to remember God is who he says he is, and he is bigger than my ability to make a decision. (Again, this is challenging for me, because I like to understand things and be in control).
Abandoning the traditional way of doing life is both scary and exciting. I decided to welcome the adventure!
