In honor of 11 Countries in 11 Months, here is 11 things about me!
1. I became a believer as a kid, but it wasn’t until after college that I truly understood the joy of the Gospel. I’m stunned and amazed about how God has redeemed me (Eph. 1:7) and called me to dream dreams that are bigger than I am, to trust Him in everything (Jeremiah 17:7-8), and to know I have earned NONE of it (Eph. 2:8-9), but have a loving Father who provides, and in His mercy, calls all believers to an adventure of life with Him.
2. I was born and raised in Centennial, CO, but moved to wonderful Dallas, TX almost eight years ago to attend Southern Methodist University (Pony Up!). I graduated from college in 2010 and have lived in Dallas ever since!
3. Family: my parents met in Dallas after they both graduated from SMU, and soon moved to Colorado, where they had my big brother, Nick (28), and a little while later, me (26)! Growing up, my family loved doing lots of sports stuff and spending time with family friends. My father passed away when I was 11, which has had a profound effect on my life and walk with God (see “My Story” post for more). In the midst of the biggest tragedy that hit our lives, my mom (Jo Ann aka JoJo) rose to the challenge of being a single parent. My mom worked harder than anyone I have ever met to continue loving and providing for my brother and I. JoJo is one of my heros! My brother, Nick, is also one of my heros as he strives to love God more, make Him known, and be a great husband. He is married to my fabulous sister-in-law, Raven, and they live in Houston where he is a youth pastor. I am SUPER excited that Nick and Raven are expecting my first nephew in October 2014! (Let’s be real, though, I can count on ONE hand how many times I have held a baby and I have never changed a diaper, so I am also TERRIFIED for the first time I am to babysit…)
4. FRIENDS: God has blessed me with the most WONDERFUL and AMAZING friends who have modeled Proverbs 18:24, Proverbs 27:5-6, Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, and Proverbs 27:17, so well for me. I am humbled that God has allowed me to live life with the friends He has given me. I am going to miss these people like crazy while I am gone and will pray and thank God often for them!
5. In Dallas, I have been blessed to attend Watermark Community Church which has forever changed my life by teaching me who God is, who He says I am, what it looks like to live in biblical community, how to tackle hurts, habits, and hangups with God and other believers, and that through a life fully surrendered to God, we can change the world
6. I have A LOT of embarrassing/awkward moments, but I embrace it. If you asked my MOST embarrassing moment, I would have trouble picking just one…
7. Random:
*Favorite music: Will Reagan and the United Pursuit
*Favorite book: Knowing God by JI Packer
*Preferred social media: Instagram
*Favorite food: Tex-Mex
*International Places I’ve Been: England, France, and Belgium
*Bible Verse: Ephesians 2:8-9, Psalm 68:5, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Psalm 118
8. When I was a kid, I wanted to be a garbage woman, paleontologist, or lawyer. Now I am a CPA.
9. My last meal would be Chipotle (Denver, CO original), and truthfully, that will probably be my last meal before I leave for the Race.
10. I do not have a middle name, so monogramming is ruined for me (thanks parents)!
11. I am so EXCITED to begin this journey and see what God has for me! Thank you for reading and feel free to subscribe to my blog or comment with questions! My goal of this ENTIRE journey is to make much of God, showing others that we worship a God who loves us GREATLY and desires to see us trust Him completely!
“Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.” Psalm 107:1-3
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