My story…
I was born in Central Illinois in 1981. For the first part of my life it was just me and my Ma. When I was 14 my Ma got remarried and thus entered my step-dad. It was a hard adjustment at first but now I have grown to love him and thank God for him as he is such a blessing to me and my Ma.
After high school I applied for colleges all throughout the US and ended up at the state school in my hometown studying viola. After college I decided to stay in my town and serve in my church as an intern. Within months that turned into a paid position. I officially went on staff serving as the Programs and Worship Coordinator. That was the hardest, most challenging and most life-changing experiences for me. I will never forget that year of my life. It was in that year that God started to truly lay Nashville on my heart. I had thought about going there a few years back but while on staff I started to pursue the idea. I looked at the Grad program at Belmont and decided that wasn’t what I wanted. Then, months later I looked at the Undergrad program for Music Business and decided that, that was what I was to pursue. SO, I stepped down from my position at church and headed to Nashville as the oldest undergrad!! Talk about a humbling experience… That year was so stretching for me as it was my first “move away from home.” Yikes! But God got me through it. The summer after I moved I got the opportunity to serve as a the Junior High Girl’s leader at a church in TX so I said yes. That summer my biggest lesson was learning how to shine in the moments when I wanted to give up. God gave me the phrase…
“YOU CAN WHINE, OR YOU CAN SHINE!”
I chose to shine and God met me. It ended up being an unforgettable summer and a place that I long to go back to!! From that summer I moved back to Nashville but didn’t continue at Belmont. I felt like I had started over again and was so miserable in that feeling. I was lonely and tired of trials and just wanted rest. God allowed me to sit on my couch eating junk food and watching Gilmore Girls for 6 months while I mourned some of the hard things I had been through. At the end of the 6 months I was sitting on my couch and heard God say, “Are you ready to get up? I have some things I want to show you.” I got myself up and knew it was time to start living again. SO, I made my way to a Christmas Party that I had randomly heard about as I felt God telling me that He had something for me there. Well, He did!! I met some of the most incredible people and some of them are now my dearest friends. God set me on a new path that night and I was ready to go!
From there God has challenged me with questions like, “IF you could do one thing perfectly in your life what would you do?” In thinking through that and realizing that “everything on this earth will fade” I knew that all I wanted was to be a LIFE FULLY SURRENDERED TO THE LORD. God continues to teach me, build my faith and challenge my character in order to meet my request. And I love it!!!
Miracles have been performed in my life since my birth but in the last few years I have taken note of them. God calls us to remember what He has done, to recall the blessings, to dwell on what is good, to allow HIM to be our praise. As I think about all that He has done, I am amazed!
In the last few years He has gotten me out of my personal debt. He has shown me a new level of trust as I walk out being a musician and graphic designer. He is giving me a love for His Word and a yearning to understand it. He is pressing me into Himself and showing me how much He loves me.
Tags: faith, My Life, testimony