I married my husband Rick in 2005 and we have one beautiful son, Blaine.

I accepted Jesus when I was in elementary school. My parents were very active in serving the church, my mom worked for the church we attended, and as a result church became a way of life for me at a very young age.

A significant part of my story is that I believed that I grew up in the “perfect family”. We knew God, had a church home, and were basically living the American dream. But when I turned nineteen years old, my mother left my father, and they divorced one year later. I was in college and my father had to sell our family home; and so, I was forced to move into my own apartment. For a time, my mother and I were estranged, and my father did not have the emotional or mental capacity to provide support to me or my sister. For the first time in my life, I felt truly alone. And as the enemy started to whisper this lie to me, I completely believed it. I was mad at God for “destroying my family”.

For His inaction in keeping my mom at home and my family intact. I sought comfort in a series of unhealthy relationships, and each time they ended I felt alone and abandoned. I struggled with feelings of inadequacy and not being good enough. I sought comfort and acceptance in sinful deeds, all while refusing to acknowledge that everything I needed was right in front of me in Jesus.

The first time I recognized God’s Hand at work in my life was through tragedy. When I was twenty-six years old, I was in a near fatal car accident. I had to learn to walk again and had an extensive recovery time. And this is where my story takes a turn. For the first time in my adult life I drew near to God for help instead of away from Him. A better way to say it would be that He drew me too Him and I finally quit fighting and accepted His embrace. This was the turning point in my faith. Once healed from my injuries, I started attending church regularly. I was serving in multiple ministries and had a community of believers to do life with.

However, it was not until I moved to Texas with my husband and began attending Cylife Church that I learned about discipleship. I did not grasp the full weight of my sin until I entered into a discipling relationship five years ago. Through discipleship I have realized that Jesus has called me to follow Him in all that I do. I am allowing Him to transform my heart so that I am more like Him every day, and I have embraced the call to share the gospel with those around me. Discipleship has changed the way that I live my life. It has changed the way that I interact with others, and I now have a deeper understanding of the importance of living in community.

As I share my life with others, I have accountability partners and attend a small group, which continues to challenge me in the areas in which I need to grow.

I am also currently participating in counseling with a prayer minister. I will never arrive, but by God’s redeeming grace I will continue to heal and grow in Him. Praise God, I have seen His faithfulness and undeserved love throughout my life. I see His protection when making terrible, sinful choices. He has never abandoned me and has never stopped loving me. I see Jesus constantly pursuing me, and I see God’s patient and gentle mercy in all the times He continues to forgive me for my sin against Him.

FAVORITE VERSE

Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill what he has spoken to her!” Luke 1:45

FAVORITE FOOD

Seafood

FAVORITE HOBBY

Relaxing on the Beach and Reading

FAVORITE EXCERCISE

Pilates and Swimming

FAVORITE SMELL

Apple Cinnamon Anything, The Ocean, and Coffee