A little about myself..

I’m not exactly good at figuring out what to say when it comes to describing myself but I will do my best.  My name is Keryn. You say it just like the regular Karen it just happens to be spelled a little funny.  I will be 22 in a few weeks.  I was born in Florida and then moved when I was 4 to what is still home, Aiken South Carolina.  I graduated from Aiken High School in 2006 and then continued on to the University of South Carolina.  I will be graduating in August in Visual Communications and Media Arts.  Basically photography, videography, and graphic design with a little bit of a journalism twist.  I’m a huge Carolina football fan.  GO GAMECOCKS!!! And face it, the SEC is the best by far.  During college I worked as a designer and photographer for The Daily Gamecock our school paper.  

I have been super blessed with a great family.  My parents have been supportive my entire life in whatever I’ve done.  And now they are even being supportive in my desire to go to 11 countries in 11 months.  I also have a brother (Ryan).  He is two years older than me and a firefighter in Columbia, SC.  I suppose I’d have to say that he is pretty good at what he does.  Leaving them for a year will be hard but I know that they are back home praying for me and supporting me.

This ministry has been a huge part of my life since middle school.  I started out in Wyld Life and then continued going to Young Life in high school.  I started my walk with Christ at Sharp Top Cove in Jasper GA my senior year.  When I got to USC I went through leader training and was placed at Ridge View High School where I have been a volunteer leader for the past 4 years.  I have gotten to see the hearts of highschool kids be changed and see my own walk be shaped over the past few years and I am so thankful for the opportunity I had to serve in this ministry.  Saying goodbye to my team was difficult but I know that God is opening doors at Ridge View and he is going to use my team in great ways.  If you’ve never heard of Young Life I can talk your ear off 🙂

I may be slightly addicted to sharpies.  but they are by far the best markers to color with and make for some pretty fantastic letter writing abilities.

I love art.  in every form.  and i love to create it.  Painting, drawing, sculpting, whatever.

I tend to wear weird outfits but it works right?  I mean I have a slightly weird personality or so I’ve been told.

I love to laugh.  A lot.  When I’m tired everything is even more funny.

I’m definitely a night owl.  I hate mornings.

I’m TERRIFIED of spiders.  Seriously.  I will cry. Seriously.

I love high school kids.  I love to hang out with them and hear their hearts.

When i go eat lunch at the school with kids I tend to get asked if I’m a freshman or sophomore in highschool… I’ll be 22 in a few weeks.

I can be shy until I get to know you and then you will probably wish I was still shy.

My Mom is basically my best friend.

My friends tell me I’m accident prone but I completely deny it…

I’m random and have been told that I’m awkward but hey it makes everything a little more funny right?

I love chocolate.

Dr. Pepper and Cherry Coke.  Beautiful

I’m usually a picky eater so that should make this trip that much more exciting.

I always overpack.. Living out of a back pack for a year is going to be a serious challenge for me. Serious Challenge.

I love to read. A lot.

I find that playing the piano can both be calming and a great way to get out anger. funny huh?

Ok thats enough for now… I’ll add more later.

I’ve been privileged to have grown up surrounded by a great church family at New Covenant Presbyterian Church where I was able to be a part of missions in Belize, and Biloxi Mississippi, and I’m thankful to have now found a great church to be a part of while at school.  Midtown Fellowship.  My sophomore year I got the opportunity to be baptized.  I also had the opportunity to go on several spring break mission trips to: Chicago, Washington D.C., and Boston which were all amazing in their own unique ways.  My support network that I have found there has gotten me through many a hard time and knowing that they are there supporting me while I embark on this new adventure is a calming notion.  So basically I love Jesus and have a desire to serve Him in whatever ways he calls me too.  For now the World Race is the direction that I’ve been pointed in and I’m so excited to see the ways that He will teach me and stretch me and grow me.  It’s going to be difficult at times and its going to be a great adventure.  I know the team that I’m assigned to will become like family and I’m so excited to embark on this journey with them.  Thanks to everyone who is supporting me both financially and in prayer I couldn’t even fathom something like this without all of you.

I will leave you with an excerpt from Crazy Love by Francis Chan.