In 2003, when I was a senior in high school, I took the first “Introduction to Sports Medicine” class offered in my school. I had aspirations to go to college and major in advertising because I enjoyed doodling on the computer.
God had a different idea for my major.
When it came to the decision to make my college choice, I had two options: Kent State University to major in advertising, or continue my softball career at a private Christian college, Anderson University (AU). After visiting both campuses, the comfortable, friendly environment of AU and my unsettling desire to not hang up my softball glove yet, my decision was made. I was officially an Anderson University Raven.
When it came to register for classes, some complications arised. AU did not have advertising as a specific major; I would have to major in graphic design, which was a very rigorous program. I had a very unsettling feeling about that, so I mentioned the sports medicine class I had taken, and my advisor put me in an athletic training class as well as a prerequisite for graphic design.
I did not like the art class. I liked the athletic training class and from there I continued my college career as an athletic training major. From working with cross country, men’s soccer, high school softball to football and baseball, my interest grew into pride for my profession.
In 2007, I graduated Anderson University with a Bachelor of Arts in Athletic Training. After a brutal certification exam and a couple of internships, it was time to get a “real” job.
For four years, I had the privilege to be the head athletic trainer at Bedford North Lawrence High School in Bedford, Indiana. In those four years, I gained a lot of valuable professional experience that I will always carry with me.
In the spring of 2011, I started to feel some uneasiness. My job was quickly becoming my life and my life felt unbalanced. After a lot of praying and consulting with spiritual advisors, I realized there was something I had to finish and continue with before athletic training.
“I think I want to be a missionary.” I declared that over myself in 2002 after coming home from Honduras, a 2 week mission trip with my church.
Fast forward to present day: In October 2012, I lived and worked in Romania. During that month of a lot of prayer and not a lot of relational ministry, I realized something.
I miss my fanny pack.
The feel of a perfect ankle taping.
I miss my athletic training room, I miss the comforts of it.
I miss the early days and the late nights with my athletes.
It was exhausting at times, but in the end, it was worth it.
I MISS MY ATHLETES!!
I miss joking around and being silly with them and then of course, being serious when it came down to their treatment and rehab.
I realize now the effects of my work, the hard days.
I miss the smiles and the laughter. They outweigh the stress and anger.
I have always had the idea and desire of going on to graduate school, obtaining my Masters and getting a job at a university somewhere.
The World Race is making a lot of things clear to me. In Nicaragua, I strived! We worked with a youth group of teenagers and I loved it! In Romania, I did not work with teenagers and I missed that.
This month in Transnistria, Moldova, we are teaching English three times a day, with two of those times including youth: ages ranging from 13-25. After two days, I noticed the youth just flock to me as I flock to them. We just click and I enjoy being with them and teaching them. I even have had my teammates reaffirm how good I am with the youth.
And then the light bulb came on. My ministry is the youth. God has called me to work with youth, teenagers to be exact. I believe God is directing me back to the high school and to be a part of a Teen Challenge type program. I am not sure how and when graduate school will be, but I do know one thing,
I WILL BE BACK TO WORK AS A HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC TRAINER!!!
I miss my job! Thank you God for that unsettled feeling. Thank you God for giving me good things and leading me to greatness. Thank you for helping me realize my ministry.
“Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace.” 2 Corinthians 1:13
Bailey, Karissa, and Cassidy – just some of my BNL athletes
JaNancy, Kimberly, and Luz – some of my Nicaraguan girls
Some of the BEST high school student athletic training aides EVER!!! They are all rockstars!
Ariel, one of the Honduran boys I worked with in July
Nikolas Ronald, Blaine Keith, Jay O’Brian, Alex Michael, & Evan Reid
These awesome boys know how to make me smile & laugh!
Elijah & Luda, 2 of my English students in Transnistria, Moldova
