About me… where do I start? … How do I make this not about me? Maybe not possible… ultimately it's about the gift of grace.
I am 27 years old and currently a teacher at Mount Vernon Christian School in Mount, Vernon, WA. I grew up in the west suburbs of Chicago. I was very blessed as a child with loving and God-fearing parents and a safe home. As a teacher I have really realized just how lucky I was to have had such a great childhood because I see other young people who struggle with issues like trust, rejection, abandonment, and feelings of not being good enough.
I accepted Jesus Christ as my savior my freshmen year of high school. This was the point in my life where my faith became my own and my faith began to influence the decisions that I made and the worldview that I had. That being said there have been many "I am an idiot" moments but also an awesome story of how God can used flawed people for him and continue to love, demonstrate grace, and mold the people who believe in him.
I was a very active young person whose passion was definitely sports. The biggest setback of my childhood was probably March 23, 2000 when I broke my left femur playing baseball and had a titanium rod and two screws inserted into my femur. At that time in my life my identity was directly associated with athletics. Getting hurt taught me a very valuable life lesson. At this point in my life I realized that we aren't guaranteed anything but also that there are a lot of people who really love me… so many more than I could even imagine.
I love being active and learning new things whether in the outdoors or in a team sport setting. This passion I had for sports began to really transition to the academic arena after I graduated from Timothy Christian High School in 2002. I went on to college and felt called to teaching because I loved the though of everyday being new and the kingdom impact that you can have on young minds. I graduated with a double major in math education and physical education and moved to Mount Vernon, WA where I had accepted a teaching position.
Moving 2,000 miles from almost everybody I knew was a dramatic step for me, but also a life changing experience where God really worked in my life. I was out of my comfort zone and challenged on a daily basis in my relationships and vocation. I have been discipled by many incredible people and have been instructed and mentored in the faith while also being challenged. On August 9, 2009 I experienced a big surprise. After being stung by a bee I went into anaphylactic shock to the point where I had no pulse and my blood pressure was unreadable. After a frantic phone call, quick acting school personnel, paramedics administering epinephrine, and quality care by doctors, and by the grace of God I escaped death. The next day I woke up with a different perspective… that I am not invincible, that the beauty of a sunrise over Mount Baker is not a guarantee, and that God has provided a purpose for my life and that everything happens to serve this purpose. After this experience I went back and thought about all the things that had happened and saw God’s hand of protection over me. This event ultimately also resulted in me looking myself and the purpose I serve in the kingdom as a result of the grace that God had offered me.
I looked at myself, 27 years-old, single, a follower of God with a heart of understanding the live our savior lived and how I can seek to live my life for him. Now I am lucky enough to spend 11 months with many people who have a heart like mine… but also many different perspective, thoughts, and opinions that I can't wait to talk about… Thank you, God, I don't deserve what you have blessed me with!
