‪It happened to be a full moon that night (nothing unusual as I have been to the beach at all points of day since growing up in Florida for the second portion of my life). As I walked through the overhang trail of palm trees, and onto the beach I literally had the most bizarre, surreal, uncanny feeling that I've NEVER had before in my life, and hope to never have again. I was standing there, gazing around and everything was this eerie, whitewashed color. I couldn't tell where the sky started or ended, where the water started or ended, the sand, everything was blended into one & I seriously felt like I was dead- compare it to when you watch a movie and the actor is just standing there and everything is white & there is nothing around. So of course that really freaked me out & thoughts starting racing through my head about how temporary, how short, how fleeting this life is! I thought what am I even doing right now to live a life for God??? How am I purposefully being a living example of Christ every single day, how am I even intentionally pursuing Him each and every day and really trying to know and understand Him on a deep, relationship level? If I were actually to die right now, what would I even have to show for my life, that it was a life lived for Him? Was it a life lived with purpose, or an aimless day-to-day unintentional stroll through the park? Of course the answers to these questions were not what I wanted to come to terms with, which is why I knew I needed to change what I was doing. Of course it couldn't be done by my own free will, but only with God's help alone.
‪I without a doubt take that night as God's wake up call in my life, up until that point I was kind of just floating on through, not really living deliberately, or even experiencing a relationship WITH Him!! I knew things about Him, but I was never actually able to experience the relationship I now have, and continue to grow in with Him every day. ‬
‪There were many things and relationships in my life at the time that I had to give up, distance myself from, in order to become closer to God because they were only hindrances in the way of me being able to fully experience Him, and all that He had/has for me. However, through the process He continually showed me His love, and gave me total peace about every situation. So much has seriously changed in my life since that experience, and all I want is for others to be able to experience the God who has shown me unconditional love, compassion, peace, joy, forgiveness, and fulfillment every single day even though I seriously don't deserve it. The only one who can satisfy that emptiness inside me before I truly knew Him, and decided to live a life for Him- not for religious standards, but by living a life of simply loving others, and showing others that love that He continues to show me every single day. ‬
‪He continually blows me away with everything that He reveals to me, and the more I come to understand and get to know of Him, I can't stop wanting more!! And it's seriously so amazing how personal He is in my life- I never really thought of God before as a friend, a father, a companion, but He continually relates to me in every single way through so many different situations it's just seriously mind-blowing. Recently I've been praying and asking Him to teach me discipline, humility, and breaking me of selfish pride and he has been teaching me in so many ways about all of these, one lesson at a time, whether it's through His Word, devotionals, songs, sermons, and especially other people/situations that occur. I just want Him to continually fill me up with more & more of Him & less & less of me- I want to be like Jesus, and it's just so amazing how much is teaching and growing me day by day.
[Sierra Dawn= Sunrise over the mountains..probz explains my obsession with nature]
I am a senior at Florida Gulf Coast University, majoring in Elementary Education.
Lessons from God are so much more interesting & life changing than the ones taught in school. Constantly amazed by His grace, mercy, love, and power. Love the way He is continually stretching, growing, and teaching me. Humbled by the fact that He loves me despite my failures day in & day out. Losing my life for Him was the numbre uno best decision I’ve ever made.
I am absolutely blessed with the most supportive, beautiful family [complete with a ‘cool handshake’ implemented by dad]
I’ve lived with the same amazing roommates for the past 3 years [total of 6 of us aka ‘Da Seis Amigos’…even had shirts made]
I love the sound of laughter [especially from children].
I love the way music has the ability to connect people everywhere [talk about worship in a Haitian church!], and speak the exact words you need to hear. A couple favorites include: SOJA, Ascend the Hill, Bon Iver, City & Colour, Elevation Worship, Trevor Hall [this could easily turn into an essay of it’s own so I’ll stop while I’m ahead]
I could easily spend all day erry day outside.
Obsessed with clouds, cloud formations, cloud colors [constantly in a state of amazement of God’s artistic ability on a daily basis]
FAVORITES:
Turquoise
Sunsets & Sunrises
Ocean
Nature
Peanut Butter & Bananas
Everything about the outdoors
Running
Being barefoot
Sunshine on my face
Being active
Healthy lifestyle
Reading
Change
Learning
Diversity
Individuality
Worship
Coffee
Simplicity
MOM: Long story short, I wish every child had the opportunity to have her as a mother. The words to define her would be: Christ follower, genuine, caring, compassionate, innovator, a big personality (which is constantly drawing others to her!), loving, selfless, abundant-giver, hospitable, leader, beautiful, inspiring, unique.
DAD: He is the dad that every child dreamed of having. Take your daughter to work day? Check. Build your daughters a dream fort in the backyard? Check. Create and act out bedtime stories (even when we wanted the same one over…and over)? Check. Loved and supported me at all times? Check. Pushed me to pursue my dreams? Check. Spent countless hours teaching me tennis? Check. My dad is: brilliant, humble, generous, creative, gentle, hilarious, selfless, a role model, intellectual, artist, loving, caring, compassionate, athletic, sincere.
KIANA: My best friend. Yes, back in the day we had our issues with arm biting, scratching, hair pulling, BUT! Good news is we have long grown out of those days. I truly can’t even picture growing up without this beautiful baby sister. She is a friend that some only hope to find in this life. She is one of those people who understand your humor and thoughts, even when no one else does (and probably never will). I’m surprised we weren’t born twins by how much alike we are in interests. She is: down to earth, loving, an individual, authentic, beyond funny, artistic, adventurous, uninhibited, strong-willed, opinionated, giving.
Sooo that’s my incredible family in a nutshell hehe
