Okay. I don't really know where to start. I feel like I am standing completely naked in front of everyone as I begin to share on these blogs. So I hope its a blessing for all of us. This is a little scary, but here it goes.
I come from a loving family of 6 children and raised by both of my parents. I believe my family is full of characters. They are probably some of the funniest people I know. I was once told by some one that my family would make a great t.v. show because you just never know what you are going to get. I am probably considered the quiet one in my family because I enjoy just listening to all of them go on about stuff. Its my own free personal entertainment. 🙂
As long as I can remember I have been seeking and talking with God. It wasn't until junior high school that I begin learning more about God. That is a BIG thanks to a faithful Christian cross country coach of mine. He began feeding my soul with God's word. I learned many lessons from this God fearing man who was faithful in reaching out with Jesus's love. I am so thankful God placed Mr. Wood in my life.
In my sophomore year of high school, I asked Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior into my heart. I have never been the same since. Praise Jesus!! My life was forever changed because ONE Christian was bold in sharing the Gospel with me. The Holy Spirit had been working on me for a long time, but things with in me weren't set on fire until someone started sharing the Gospel with me. Also, I was invited to church that year. This was a big deal to me since I didn't really grow up going to church much. I learned to always invite people because I waited for about 6 years for someone to invite me. We never know who is just waiting for someone to reach out in love.
After graduating from high school I left to attend the University of Arkansas. My whole life I planned on being a chiropractor like my dad because I have always had a passion for helping people and their health. The whole time I have been in college I felt like something wasn't right. I prayed for 4 years if I was following the path God had laid out for me. I felt like God kept telling me to stay and wait. For a couple of those years I had let God slip below other people/things in my life. Thankfully, the Lord never gave up on me. I slowly got back into the groove of things; however, God still didn't have first priority in my life. It wasn’t until the Lord brought me to my knees that He became the head of my life again. I had to go through the toughest trial so far in my life in order to get right with Jesus again. Some people are lucky and don't have to go through a big storm to be straighten out. Unfortunately, I am not one of those individuals due to my stubbornness and my tendency to rely too much on my own abilities or on others.
In the fall of 2009, my world as I knew it was about to be shaken and changed forever. My mom became very ill. My dad and I had to tag team taking care of her. She quickly became bed ridden and needed 24/7 care. I was trying to keep everything held together. I can't even begin to explain how I felt. I was trying to control what was happening. All at once I felt like everything was falling apart in my life. I was working, going to school, trying to take care of my mom, and trying to keep together the rest of my life. I have a tendency to keep my emotions and feelings to myself. I don't like feeling weak so I try and act like I am tough and put together. During this time God became my constant true companion. When I was taking care of my mom she would be in so much pain at times that she would scream for atleast 45 minutes. I tried everything to help her, but nothing seemed to help until I layed my hands on her and prayed. She would call my hands the healing hands, but it was Christ the whole time. How awesome is He!! My mother passed away that December and 20 days later my grandmother. But through such trials the Lord refines us. He has blessed me in countless ways. I have learned and grown so much! The Lord gave me the strength I needed to deal with some things I never thought I would have to deal with. As I was trying to stay afloat dealing with everything going on with my mom, things in my personal life began to drown me. I began to realize I was placing too much dependency on people, while it should have been on Jesus Christ. People will fail us at times because we are all human. The ONLY one who will ALWAYS be there every time is Jesus Christ! He showed me where my priorities laid and where they needed to be. He removed things in my life that were keeping me from giving "ALL" of myself to Him. As my heart was completely shattered and I was at a lost for words the Lord was holding me tightly to His side the whole time. I experienced God's love and healing in many ways I hadn't before. Even though I hope I never have to go through that type of pain again I am thankful for it. I have never had a closer relationship with Jesus Christ than I do now. Everything I go through in this life brings me closer to Him and better equips me for His ministry. I am SO excited to see how the Holy Spirit moves through our squad and our ministries during the World Race. I know He has great plans for us all!!! The World Race is going to be an experience of a life time!
Now here are a few random facts about me:
1. This will be my VERY first time to get a shot in my LIFE!!! Ahhh!!! I am scared about these needles.
2. I have a tendency to joke with people by making fun of them, but it's all in love and just for laughs. I love to laugh!
3. If I find out you scare easy or have a weird phobia I tend to use it against you because I think its funny. 😉 I have been working on it, but its hard not to.
4. I find smacking very annoying at times.
5. I am actually excited about living as a nomad for 11 months.
6. I love doing practically any outdoor activities.
7. I am creepingly good at remembering people. So if I meet you once and see you years later I will know I have met you before.
8. Camping when it is cold is so much better!!
9. I am usually indecisive.
10. I talk out loud to myself. (And sometimes don't realize I do it because I have a lot of people ask me what I just said, but I am pretty positive I didn't say anything I was just thinking!)
11. I love watching people. Okay, I promise I am not a creep. I just like watching how people act and interact with others.
12. And I really enjoy goofing around! So I plan on making some funny videos on this trip!!
