I am honored and blessed to begin my first year of FOCUS mission at Dickinson State University! Go Blue Hawks!!

I grew up in a loving Catholic home where faith was naturally part of everyday life. My parents gently encouraged a relationship with God in simple but rooting ways. My mom worked for our parish, so when I’d visit her at work it was easy to say hi and a quick prayer to Jesus. My dad led us in the Rosary during car rides to Mass, especially after my grandfather, a man of deep faith, passed away. That loss stirred something in my dad’s heart, and praying the Rosary became a daily devotion for him, one we often shared together.

Looking back, I see so many seeds that were planted, Sunday Mass, Wednesday night religion classes, quiet moments in the church. I knew about Jesus. But I hadn’t yet come to know Him personally.

That started to change when I began college at the University of Northern Iowa. Almost right away, I found the Catholic Student Center and met a FOCUS missionary after my very first Mass there. I was amazed to see so many young people excited about their faith, something I hadn’t really seen growing up in my small town. My heart felt drawn in.

But just a week into my freshman year, everything changed. My beloved dad got sick with COVID-19. As he grew sicker, he encouraged us with simple, lasting words: “Keep the faith.” We all hold those words close. When his condition quickly worsened and he suffered a stroke, we said our goodbyes to our beloved dad. And in the quiet, heavy days that followed his passing, it was those words, keep the faith, that gently pulled me back to Mass, even when I didn’t understand how a good God could take away my good dad.

I found myself lingering in the chapel after Mass, staying long after everyone else had gone. I cried. I wrestled. I asked God the hard questions. And in that sacred, quiet space, He met me. Not with answers, but with His presence. He sat with me in my grief.

A few months later, at a retreat called The Father’s House, a FOCUS missionary shared his own story of losing his dad. During prayer that weekend, the Holy Spirit gently brought me back to that hospital room where we had said goodbye to my dad. But this time, I saw Jesus there too, standing beside us, weeping with us. I realized He wasn’t far off or distant. He was right there in the middle of our grief, sharing it.

That moment changed everything. God wasn’t someone I just knew about anymore. He became real, personal, close, a loving Father who stays with me in joy and in sorrow.

As I kept returning to the Lord in prayer, He stirred a desire in my heart to serve in mission. I knew what it meant to have others walk with me in my hardest season, and I wanted to do the same for someone else.

Now, as a FOCUS missionary, I have the joy of accompanying students in their own journeys with Jesus, through joy, questions, and sorrow, so they can encounter His faithful, healing love, just as I did.

If it’s one soul, it’s worth it

When I said yes to becoming a FOCUS missionary, I knew I couldn’t do this alone. I rely on the prayers and generous support of mission partners to help me fully dedicate myself to walking alongside college students on their faith journeys. Your partnership makes it possible for me to be present, build relationships, and share the life-changing love of Jesus with students who are searching for hope and purpose!

If you feel called to support this mission, I would love to connect and share more about the incredible work happening on campus. Please reach out and let me know the best way to get in touch so we can set up a time to talk. It would truly be an honor to have you join me in this mission!