ABOUT ME
In the second grade I remember having a desire to work with children overseas.
My second grade teacher, Ms. Wilson said it best, " Well, you hurry up and I will
go with you." Ms. Wilson you are still so welcome to come with me.
That desire, planted by God, is now my passion and I am pursuing it. It really hasn't been the smoothest of roads to get to where my heart is today. I do know that where ever each of our life journey's may have taken us, when God has us, He has us no matter what roads we were on. I have kept my favorite Bible verse, Jer.29:11,
That desire, planted by God, is now my passion and I am pursuing it. It really hasn't been the smoothest of roads to get to where my heart is today. I do know that where ever each of our life journey's may have taken us, when God has us, He has us no matter what roads we were on. I have kept my favorite Bible verse, Jer.29:11,
close to my heart and it has become my guide when things have gotten tough or difficult to understand.
So since graduating from Evangel University in '04 with a degree in Social Work, I have been working part time at a shelter for young homeless mothers and their babies. I really feel that this has been part of God's plan for me so I've continued to work at the shelter while working full time at Boston Medical Center in the Family Medicine program. In 2005, I went to St Petersburg, Russia with a missions team from my church and worked with orphans. This past year, 2006, our church went to Kampala, Uganda partnering with Watoto Child Care Ministries. While on this trip it was as if God poured miracle grow on the desire He planted in my heart so long ago.
This past year while working at Boston Medical Center I read the book Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder. Thanks to Suki Tepperberg, MD who suggested the book, which is about Dr. Paul Farmer who worked for years with the poor in Haiti. In the book it tells about a time Paul and the author took a daylong hike to check in on one patient. There is a great quote from Paul when he was asked about the cost and time
So since graduating from Evangel University in '04 with a degree in Social Work, I have been working part time at a shelter for young homeless mothers and their babies. I really feel that this has been part of God's plan for me so I've continued to work at the shelter while working full time at Boston Medical Center in the Family Medicine program. In 2005, I went to St Petersburg, Russia with a missions team from my church and worked with orphans. This past year, 2006, our church went to Kampala, Uganda partnering with Watoto Child Care Ministries. While on this trip it was as if God poured miracle grow on the desire He planted in my heart so long ago.
This past year while working at Boston Medical Center I read the book Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder. Thanks to Suki Tepperberg, MD who suggested the book, which is about Dr. Paul Farmer who worked for years with the poor in Haiti. In the book it tells about a time Paul and the author took a daylong hike to check in on one patient. There is a great quote from Paul when he was asked about the cost and time
effectiveness of visiting this one patient (which took an entire day).
Paul replied by saying " I have fought my whole life a long defeat. We want to be on the
winning team, but at the risk of turning our backs on the losers, no, it's not worth it.
So I fight the long defeat."
I suppose " the long defeat" is a challenge to us, and our success driven world. The
I suppose " the long defeat" is a challenge to us, and our success driven world. The
difference between cost-effective models and the long defeat is that the conviction
lies at the heart of the action, not the success itself. He was basically saying that we
can't just fight when we think we will win. There are many losing battles worth
investing in, simply
because winning is not the point. I really just loved this book, and there were so many things
that Dr. Farmer did and acted upon that I strive for in my life.
Today as I ponder my next two years away from all the familiar and travel into another world that will become my familiar, I want the heart of all my actions to be out of love. The same love He showed us and the same kind of grace that has been extended to us, to love each other with a love that never fails. … "In the everydayness we are invited to be brilliantly beautiful, all of us moons with no light
Today as I ponder my next two years away from all the familiar and travel into another world that will become my familiar, I want the heart of all my actions to be out of love. The same love He showed us and the same kind of grace that has been extended to us, to love each other with a love that never fails. … "In the everydayness we are invited to be brilliantly beautiful, all of us moons with no light
of our own, invited to shine.
The Apostle Paul sums up my journey best: "I do this all because of the Message. I didn't just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!" ~1 Corinthians 9:23
I do want to take this time to thank a lot of important people that have helped me over the last year with preparation for this journey, and just with my life in general:
The Apostle Paul sums up my journey best: "I do this all because of the Message. I didn't just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!" ~1 Corinthians 9:23
I do want to take this time to thank a lot of important people that have helped me over the last year with preparation for this journey, and just with my life in general:
- Thank you Jesus: My guide, protector, father and best friend I love you.
- Dad & Mom: Your lives have been so instrumental to my heart. Thank you for raising me the way He wanted me to turn out. It was a journey, but now I’m on another journey for Him. Isaiah 61:3 I love you both with all my heart.
- Dawn Eaton: Words can not express the amount of work, and blessing you are to me. I love you lots & Jess always love Jesus with everything.
- Ethan & Zachary: Life without you would be boring. xoxo Romans 12:9-21 Keep to it boys!
- Reitzel, Ray & Milton Family: I love you all. Thank you Uncle Dave!
- Oodie: Miss you & Thank you for your friendship,constant pray, and just being here with me this past year. You are always in my thoughts and prayers. Stay safe my “fav”.
- Stephanie: I love you so much, I don’t know what I would do with out you. Thank you for your friendship, trust, love and keeping me sane this past year.
- Erica: My “boo”, you are the sunshine in my dark days, you make me laugh when my tears are falling. Always know that He is with you no matter what. I love you dearly, lovely lady.
- Julie: My little sis, Love you lots, always sing and live for Him. I will miss our times.
- Maria, You have been such a blessing and so constant in my life. Thank you for your friendship and support.
- Karen Nichols: Thank you for listening & going. You're in my prayers always.
- Seah Family: Love u & Miss u. I will get to see you somehow in the next few years.It’a little later than age eighteen, but it will do.
- Dana, you are an author! Thank you for everything. You are so talented, and this website is truly a gift that I can’t express how thankful and happy it makes me. You’re the best. Keep focused and love Him with all you have, it will be worth it.
- The St. Pierre’s & Angela: I am so thankful to be apart of your family now. You all are so special to me.
- Auntie Grace: Thank you for your emails, I love you.