Hello everyone!
Here’s a little about myself: My name is Taley Smith and I am a senior in high school. I live in Arvada, Colorado which is just about a half an hour outside of Denver. I love everything music (specifically singing), am involved in crew for our high school theater program, am a nerd in almost every way, am highly involved in many school organization including NHS, a mentoring program for incoming freshmen, and math club, I used to play and now enjoy watching soccer, and finally, I am highly invested in our church youth group.
Now to dive a bit deeper into my ministry background. Growing up in church and then later going on to the youth group, I have been given quite a few opportunities to embark on short term mission trips. Some of these trips include, disaster relief in Oklahoma, going on a trip through different faiths and serving the people of those faiths, and working on an Indian Reservation in Montana. I also, when I was a sophomore, was given the opportunity to go to Panama on a short term medical mission trip. Going on these short term mission trips and serving these people gave me a heart for this field and has pushed me to pursue a long term mission trip through Adventures in Missions.
As I was making the big decisions for my future that come along with being a senior, I was truly shown the amazing power our Lord holds. I was filling out college applications for the future I had planned out for myself when the Lord decided he wanted me to take a different path. This is a big step for me considering my type A personality. I was determined that college would be the next step for me which is why I knew it was the Lord speaking to me when he put it on my heart to look into a gap year mission trip. This is all the Lord’s doing. While I plan to attend college after I go on this nine month mission trip, I also realize that I need to take a step back and dedicate the first year of my “adulthood” to God. I am so ready to jump in with both feet and see where God takes me spiritually as I travel the world.
I am eager to see the amazing ways God works in the lives of others through me and my amazing team, but I would be lying to say that I’m not also nervous. This will be the hardest, yet most amazing year of my life and I most definitely need support from EVERYONE whether this be through prayers, financial giving, or encouragement through the entire journey.
Can’t wait to take you all on this journey along with me!
Much love!
