My heart was transformed by Jesus during my time as a college student at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). My first year as a student, I accepted an invitation to attend SEEK, FOCUS’ National Conference, not expecting God to transform my heart and life. During Eucharistic adoration, I heard Jesus calling me by name to follow Him and inviting me into relationship with Him. Coming back from this encounter, I became friends with a missionary who walked with me and called me higher to live out my true identity as a Beloved Daughter. Through the power of the Sacraments and fellowship, I was able to grow in my relationship with Jesus and recognize the need to share the Gospel. It was through friends from the Catholic community at UCI and FOCUS missionaries who have loved me and showed me how to live our Catholic faith in a joyful and giving way. The treasure I have found in God’s love and mercy has given me this zeal to share it with others. 

Now as a missionary, I have come to see the impact of one small yes to the Lord and how that yes can have an eternal impact. The Christian journey is not easy and since I began to pursue Christ intentionally there have been many obstacles, but in Christ I have strength and hope. My mission now continues at Eastern Washington University to encounter and love my fellow sisters and brother in the faith and lead them to Christ. Walking with some amazing women on the college campus has been an inspiration every day, and it continues to transform my own life. I became a missionary because I realized that I had been given the greatest gift I could ever receive, a chance at life in Him. In His ministry on earth, Jesus humbled Himself to meet us on our level, taking on our humanity, and spent most of His time investing deeply in a few. I look to Jesus own example to find the best method of reaching the world. My life has been transformed by Jesus and I want nothing more than to bring this joy to others and introduce them to the life-changing message of the Gospel.