It’s been crazy couple of months learning how to navigate this crazy missionary life. Sometimes, at the end of the day when I crash onto my pillow, (after chatting with my roommates long after we’ve announced we’re going to bed) I can’t even recall what happened in an entire week. But it has been a season of getting to know Jesus better and better. When I think back to this past season so far, a billion memories come to mind. My heart has been stretched to great lengths, and there are days when I don’t want to take on one more story. We’re in mission territory all right, and my…

I like to believe everyone has a “Narnia.” It’s been described to me as the place you never want to leave. The moment you want to hold onto. The friends you never want to say goodbye to. For me, it’s the place away from home where I’ve experienced the Lord or that has helped to form me in some way. Mine is my college town and the neighboring city. April 30th, 2021. The night before commencement. I watched my professors congratulate my class on Zoom, drove to a park to walk with my friends, and met up with others at a bonfire. I talked with a missionary about the future,…

Most of my time this semester was spent in one of two places, in my apartment or in a church. The semester may have looked different, but my experiences were still life-giving and memorable. The Lord works in mysterious and good ways. A FOCUS Fervorino over the summer taught me about the transcendentals of truth, beauty, and goodness, which are qualities of God that we perceive in His creation. I believe I experienced parts of these during the semester. I learned more about the truth of who Jesus is, the beauty of the sacraments and the Church, and goodness of life with those we love.  Starting the day with daily…

It’s so simple to say the Lord knows each of us perfectly. Every detail of our being and every flaw. He knows the deep desires in our hearts, before we can even give them a name. He has purposefully directed people’s paths to cross with mine. These people have taught me what I would not have decided to learn myself. It is through these conversations, opportunities, and the small encouraging voice inside that invites me to love Him and be loved more than I’ve ever experienced. Through these invitations, calling me to be courageous, my heart is breaking open and accepting change.  This semester began with the FOCUS conference, SLS.…

The birds explode off the telephone line, taking to the skies in unison. Their flight reminds me of art class in middle school. I rested my elbows on the dried paint covering the table as my teacher told us about a verse in Matthew. He was reminded of the verse when he was having car trouble and saw the birds flying overhead. If the Lord provides for the birds in the air, the Lord will provide for you.  God reminded me of this almost every time I made the drive to my impromptu internship this semester. As those birds took flight in the blue sky, I repeated this truth.  I…

This semester flew by. If I close my eyes I can see myself moving into my tiny room and laughing with my roommate in the kitchen about where to put all of our dishes. It’s crazy to think that next year I may not see the same people or take the same route to class. That’s when my fear of change starts to make my heart race. But gratitude always brings me back. The moment when I sit in my bed at the end of the day and write down what I’m thankful for, when I pull the covers up to my chin as I thank God for the day,…

I’m back! Winter break means I can finally take a deep breath, stay up and wake up late without feeling guilty, read the books on my bucket list, and spend lots of time with my family. It’s been a long semester with taking six classes, attending extracurricular activities, and simply getting back into the swing of things! Here are some highlights from the first semester of my sophomore year: Young Life Leader Training    Moving up from a high schooler who once attended Young Life to discerning if I wanted to lead it was intimidating at first. But learning about the ins and outs of an organization I admire was…