Intentional Journey

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." Prov. 22:6 As Proverbs 22:6 says, I am a testament to my parents' prayers and wisdom to "train" my heart from a tender age. My first experience in a church was when I was just seven days old. I learned about the Lord, including all the stories and bible facts. I participated and followed all that was asked of me. Yet, deep down inside, I also knew that I was not truly right with God. My deep soul connection came later, as a young adult, when God tugged at my heart. God showed me that "knowing" Him in my head and loving Him with my heart must come together in the wonderful and redemptive relationship of His Son, Jesus. At twenty-one, when those two aspects finally came together in the sweet redemption that Christ had for me, so began my faith journey.

Each season of my journey has brought me a different perspective and a different way in which God has used me to grow while serving Him. My serving journey began slowly and cautiously, mainly behind the scenes. I enjoy organizing, cooking, decorating, and gardening. As a result, those things of personal enjoyment became my natural extensions of service in the church. It was not until I attended my first women's group that I glimpsed where God may be calling me to serve Him(a place just outside my comfort zone, but oh man, a sweet place to surrender and allow Him to work through me). As I grew in my walk and love for His Word, I longed for other women to see His Word in the same light and passion as I did. It was at this point that I began contributing to women's ministry. However, even in this season, there was much learning and growing (and by many humbling failures, realizing that it was about Him and not me). During this time, I gradually grew in my faith, battled years of infertility, and finally realized my most cherished role of motherhood. Even when I attained what I "believe" I have always wanted, the Lord gently taught me that my identity and worth truly are to be rooted in Him. As my introduction into motherhood was marred with postpartum depression, a second pregnancy riddled with physical illness, I was withdrawing further from the person I wanted to be and serve Him. Again, the Lord gently nudged me to seek Him and trust that He would be enough.

Next in our journey was a life-changing move to California. In Ecclesiastes, it states, "there is a season for everything," and our season in California was a profound season of growing, of setting our roots deeply in God, to prepare us for what was to come. The deep valleys I(we) endured, the stretching of my faith, and God's leading were used to break me out of my "comfort zone." He showed me that if I were only a willing vessel, He truly would do the rest of the work. Wonderful teachers and mentors poured themselves into me. Unwavering friendship forged amid chaotic times - such as financial trials (the loss of both home and job) and the addition of our third child via adoption. Who knew that you had to travel across the United States to complete your family in such unique and stressful ways? But traveling is part of our journey (and more to come). Once again, we moved back to the East Coast. Here, God asked if I would be willing to walk "blindly" in faith and accept a new calling of not just "helping" but leading a women's ministry (with three kids under the age of 6). Humbled and stretched to my limits but not His, I slowly organized a ministry that both encouraged and served the women of the church and the local community in Maryland. My heart was overflowing with joy to serve. Again, Solomon's words came to fruition when that season of my journey promptly ended. I had to step out in faith yet again, knowing that the Lord was in control. The Lord radically called us to make a change in our lives and to be "intentional." As a result, we sold everything through a long, dedicated effort, keeping only the sentimental items from our kids' childhoods as mementos. We made plans, moved into our RV, and hit the road. We lived in our motorhome (the kind you drive and tow a car behind) full-time for about four and a half years. All in all, this means 5 people (+ 2 fur babies) lived in a total of 420 sq. ft. This allowed us to be intentional; we wanted to serve and connect with the communities as we traveled. We partnered with a non-profit Christian Ministry (Justice and Mercy International). We became ambassadors for their ministry, speaking at local churches, RV grounds, or even rest stops (while my husband worked remotely full time and I oversaw the kids' homeschooling). Serving while we travel was always a vital part of our journey. However, while traveling, I missed the connection and accountability that I had with other women. I prayed and the Lord answered. He brought me into the fold of the Love God Greatly Ministry, where I became a participant. Then I became part of their volunteer group to encourage women, as their heart is: "WHEN WOMEN ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD'S TRUTH, THE WORLD IS TRANSFORMED ONE WOMAN AT A TIME." Although in January 2022, we felt the Lord asking us to stop traveling full-time, my life of intentionality has not changed. He has connected me(us) with a local body, where I am to continue the call that He has placed in my heart to serve and share with other women.