For my fourth year on mission, the Lord is keeping me in my hometown to serve as the team director at Illinois State University with Dominic, Mia and Lucas! I spent my first two years serving at Miami University (Ohio) and last year at Illinois State.

“Man cannot fully find himself except through a sincere gift of himself.” — St. John Paul II

Growing up in a Catholic home and attending Catholic schools, I came to know who Jesus was through the faithful witness of my family and teachers. They formed me well in the faith, so I was intellectually aware of who Jesus was. However, I did not have a personal relationship with Him. As I entered college, I continued searching for fulfillment in things that could never satisfy the deep longing in my heart. Even then, the Lord was patiently planting seeds of desire for something more.

Through His grace alone, I found myself on a FOCUS mission trip after my sophomore year of college, during a a time that I was struggling mentally. There, I encountered missionaries, fellow students, and the poor whose lives reflected the Father’s abundant love and mercy. Through these encounters, Jesus revealed to me a poverty of my own—not material, but spiritual. I realized that I had been keeping Him at a distance, trying to earn His love instead of simply receiving it. I knew I could no longer continue living in the emptiness that came from trying to do life without Him at the center. For the first time, I truly opened my heart and invited Jesus into every part of my life.

During my last two years at Saint Mary’s College, I experienced profound joy, healing, and freedom as Christ became the center of my life. I connected with Sidney, a FOCUS Digital Outreach missionary, whose accompaniment helped shape the course of my life. Through her faithful investment, I began developing a consistent prayer life and a deeper love for the Eucharist, which opened my eyes to the ways the Lord was inviting me to grow. At Saint Mary’s, I also discovered the beauty of walking alongside other women as we pursued Christ together through authentic friendship and prayer. I am deeply grateful that the Lord has called me to continue living as a missionary disciple—not only during my time with FOCUS, but for my entire life through the grace of my Baptism.

“Not that I seek the gift; but I seek the fruit which increases to your credit” — Philippians 4:17    

When I answered the Lord’s call to serve with FOCUS, I also accepted the invitation to rely on the spiritual and financial support of others to make this mission possible. By joining me in prayer and financial support, you become an essential part of reaching college students with the Gospel, making disciples, and living out Jesus’ Great Commission.

I have been incredibly blessed by the faithful generosity of those who have walked alongside me in this mission. Their encouragement, prayers, and support have made it possible for me to accompany students as they encounter Christ and grow in their faith.

It would be a joy to have you join me on mission as well. If you are interested in supporting me or would simply like to learn more about the mission of FOCUS, I would love to connect with you. Please reach out and let me know the best way to contact you by contacting me at (309) 846-2328 or [email protected]. I would love the opportunity to meet with you, share more about this mission, and invite you to prayerfully consider being a mission partner.