About Me

So, this was me last Christmas, clownin' around at Stable on the Strand in Townsville, Australia (look it up, it's amazing). About 5 years ago, if you would have told me I'd be a missionary, I would have died of laughter. 
But, praise be to God for changed and renewed lives!

A little bit about me.. Hmm.. Well I was born and raised in Michigan! Grew up playing travel soccer, all thanks to my older brother's amazing influence. Had a normal childhood - camping, traveling, Nascar races (yes, I included Nascar), fishing, kayak trips, lots of adventures, great childhood friends who are still my friends today and a pretty legit family! I have always had a bit of that "independent" flare, so I was rather rebellious.

Upon entering High School I found I really enjoyed drinking, smoking pot and of course cigarettes! The people I met were always so fun and care free, the environment and friendships were so exciting. Something new was always going on, I loved it. Of course, if you play with fire you're bound to get burned. After a while, alcohol and pot weren't doing it for me anymore, as always, they were the wonderful gateway drugs. 

I was introduced to cocaine my junior year and I was hooked. I loved the euphoria, the many conversations I had and honestly the love it gave me. I loved everyone! I was still able to maintain my "good girl" appearance, stayed involved in all my sports, had good grades, was social, it was perfect. 

I continued this routine until I graduated. After graduating high school things didn't fall in to place very well. I wasn't getting along with my parents or brother, anyone that tried to show me love and show me the path I was going down was destructive was on my "avoid" list. My body was being abused sexually, physically.. I just did not care. I was numb. 

I ended up moving in with a dear friend because my mom and I could not even converse without me screaming, but at the time everything was her fault and she just couldn't see that the life I was leading was OK. (Silly mom's, haha). 

After losing my car, wrecking another car, a couple M.I.P.'s, the boyfriend went to prison, lost my job/savings/some pretty good friends, falling away from my family - I just cared even less. I would sit around all day smoking, drinking, eating packets of Velveeta cheese, never once thinking about how much life lay ahead of me! Towards the end I was bitter and down to try anything. I started tampering with meth, but thank the Lord my life changed before I got too deep!

This is where family and grace come in. My loving aunt and uncle never gave up on me and stayed my friends all the way thru. They began inviting me and my best friend to church with them, it was a mega church so we got free smoothies, coffee and treated to dinner afterwards - why wouldn't we go!? After a few months of this, something inside me started to change. I was looking forward to church...

I remember being at my parents house one Saturday, and the night before I had gotten into a fight with a guy so I had a black eye and it was evident what had happened. I was feisty, what can I say, I woulda hit me too. My mom was so hurt inside that her baby girl was being so blind. I left with my aunt and uncle for church and soon after that my life changed forever.

My aunt picked me up the next Sunday to go hang at her house for a while, and upon entering the living room I saw her brother sitting on the couch - he's a pastor up in Detroit. I was confused, she left us and he proceeded to tell me about this man Jesus. I wasn't dumb, I'd heard of Him before, but this time was different. That day, I grasped what He had done for me. I balled, and balled, and balled, asked for forgiveness, repented of everything and began leading a new life then and there! 

I stopped talking to literally every single person, quit drinking/smoking/drugs cold-turkey, and focused solely on this new relationship. God, I can never tell you how thankful I am for Your perfect time and conviction.

I began working again, saving money, stayed pretty sheltered as far as friendships went. This was a season for me to gain strength, I didn't feel called to dive immediately in to youth groups or meeting heaps of people. Little by little my relationship with my family was restored, we could smile, laugh and enjoy one another! I cry inside when I see people take their families fore-granted, they are such a beautiful gift from God!

I have now been able to redirect my energy and thoughts and want to help anyone I can! I'm happier and healthier than I've ever been. This walk hasn't been easy, I've had many ups and downs, but when you have the Creator on your side, you learn to persevere :)

I would like to note I reconciled my friendships with people I stopped talking to cold-turkey, today we have beautiful friendships and God is evident in that. Also, where I was directing my thoughts towards negativity before I now have hope and goals in life. 

I've been blessed by many, been able to travel to Australia to join Youth With A Mission (YWAM) and do a discipleship training school and am currently in Kona, HI staffing a DTS. I have a heart for the hurting and will do anything to bring awareness to the injustices of this world!

How great is God, eh? 

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you", says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (NLT)