POST WORLD RACE
 
Simply I am a girl striving to live in this world without losing focus on what God is doing.  I have a bad habit of getting caught up in what 'I' or 'You' should be doing to make this world better, that I forget there is Someone and Something greater at work. 
 
The last few years I have struggled with what it means 'to be' and 'to do' for the glory of God.  I've struggled with a desire to be a missionary, but have never been sure of the place? I have struggled with the word 'missionary'.  Aren't we all called to be missionaries or is the great commission only for a few? I now know that location does not make you more or less of a missionary, and that sometimes, as in my case, the most difficult place to be a missionary is your hometown, among the family and friends you have known most of your life, if not your entire life.  It is this place that I have found myself praying, "Anywhere but Here God. I'll live in a mud hut, own one outfit, eat African 'pop' 3x a day; just let me go." And His response as of late has been, "Here is where you are needed. Here is where I have placed you. This is who I ask you to love. This is where I ask you to serve. These are my people and I love them. This is my city, and I want you to partner with Me in bringing My Kingdom here. Will you?"  My weak response as of late, "I guess so?" It's an improvement from, "Not listening."
 
I believe where ever we are, we are missionaries. I have a friend who is taking Greek right now. The other day he pointed out to me, that we emphasize the word "GO" in the great commission.  We read, "GO! and make disciples of all nations." In the Greek it reads, "As you go (or as you are going) MAKE DISCIPLES..."  Jesus, knows we will be going somewhere. Whether it is going to an office, or school, or store, or overseas; wherever you go, whatever you do MAKE DISCIPLES.  How do you make disciples?  You love, you serve, you laugh, you cry, you hope, you share, you tell the truth, and you make known how God has rescued you from life's pits.  You build intentional relationships with people and you share life together. This is how I am trying to live my life. So far I'm not very good at it, don't have much to show for it, but I am trusting and hoping and waiting for the day when that which I see through a mirror dimly will be clearly revealed. Until then I am a work in progress, along with the rest of creation. I'm thankful for grace and love and hope and joy and life in Christ. Without Him I know I am nothing. He is my life, my breath, my song.
 
 
 
PRE-WORLD RACE
I enjoy camping, hiking, biking, tennis and anything that allows me to be outside enjoying God's creation. I also enjoy traveling and experiencing new cultures and meeting new people. I am passionate about community, service, justice, love, music, art, and God's Kingdom. Two books that have had the most influence on my life over the last year are Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller and The Irresistible Revolution
by Shane Claiborne.

Born and raised in Houston, Texas, I have grown to love and appreciate the big city. I remember when I would drive home from college and see the Houston skyline, it would bring tears to my eyes because I was home. Having lived here for most of my life, Houston will always feel like home, but I know I can not stay here, at least not this coming year. God has called me to leave my home, my parents, my sister and brother, and my friends; and invited me to care for and love his children in different parts of the world.

Growing up in the church, I can't remember a time before I believed in God or Jesus. I do remember that it wasn't until middle school, though, that I heard God wanted a relationship with me. I remember being really excited about this, and wondering why everyone else in my Sunday School class seemed to know this already. Why hadn't anyone told me sooner? Ever since then, God has been breaking me and molding me for his purposes.

Since graduating from Texas A&M in August 2005, I have been working for a church in Houston as a youth intern. It has been an amazing experience, which has allowed me the chance to work with people who are passionate about living their lives following Jesus. People, who are passionate about seeing God's Kingdom here on earth, and people who are passionate about love, discipleship and community.

I have also had the opportunity to share my life with the students at the church: teaching them, serving them, and loving them. In turn, I have been taught and served and loved by the students and the people in this community. It is in this place God has been preparing me for the next step in my life. I have rediscovered God's love for all people and all creation. I have had the freedom here to discover and develop my gifts, and have even been challenged to acquire new gifts like teaching. This past year I have asked difficult questions about myself and about God in search of truth. Ultimately, this questioning has led me to "Love God. Love People." Right now, I feel the best way for me to do this is to see first hand what is happening in this world. I want to meet people from various countries and hear their stories, hang out with them, and show them they are loved by their Creator. I am so thrilled to be a part of this ministry and can't wait until September!