The Lord has called me to serve college students at Louisiana State University, and I am beyond excited to enter into my first year of mission! Geaux Tigers!

I grew up in Natchez, MS, where I was blessed to be raised in a Catholic family and receive a Catholic education. From a young age, I was taught the importance of attending Mass and actively participating in my parish and school communities. Entering my freshman year at Mississippi State University, I was determined to excel academically, get involved on campus to meet people and serve my university, and engage in some way with the Catholic student community. I thrived in my major, diligently maintaining my studies, and enthusiastically engaged in various campus activities. However, upon discovering a less vibrant Catholic community than anticipated at St. Joseph’s in Starkville, I settled for simply fulfilling my Sunday Mass obligation, focusing primarily on my academic and campus commitments. 

At the beginning of my sophomore year, a FOCUS missionary named Madison invited me out for coffee and later encouraged me to join her Bible study. Despite my inconsistent attendance, Madison was persistent in pursuing me in friendship. She invited me to join a spring break mission trip to Peru—an invitation I eagerly accepted, having cherished similar experiences during my high school years. It was there in the village of Pamplona that I truly encountered Jesus in the Eucharist for the first time. I experienced a peace in His presence that was so overwhelming compared to the busyness of my life back home. My restless heart found rest in Him in that moment, and I came home from Peru ready to do whatever I needed to do to find that rest in my day-to-day life. 

Over the next year, despite my frequent struggles and failures in prioritizing prayer and the sacraments, the Lord consistently showed me His patience and mercy. As I earnestly rearranged my schedules and reevaluated my responsibilities, choosing Him more and more, His grace overflowed. With each effort to make time for Him, seeking the rest and peace only He could provide, He gently drew me closer, teaching me what it truly means to be His friend. As I grew in relationship with Him through prayer and the Sacraments, the FOCUS missionaries also invited me into community that placed relationship with God at the center. I began to befriend the women that Madison led alongside me who showed me authentic friendship and accompanied me on my walk with Christ.

Up until my senior year, I never truly considered joining staff as a missionary after graduating from MSU with my degree in aerospace engineering. While I enjoyed my time at various internships and had enticing opportunities post-grad, I couldn’t deny the abundant joy I experienced when I helped women to know Christ Jesus and their true identities as His beloved daughters. Through His healing and pursuit of my heart, I became aware of my deep desire within to share the Gospel with others. 

“This is why I have put you among your neighbors: so that you can do for them what you cannot do for me–that is, love them without any concern for thanks and without looking for any profit for yourself. And whatever you do for them I will consider done for me.” – God the Father to St. Catherine of Siena

When I answered the call to join FOCUS, I made the decision to rely on the spiritual and financial support of mission partners to help me through this mission. If you are interested in partnering with me, please let me know the best way to reach you and I will schedule an appointment with you! I am so grateful for your consideration in joining my team; this work truly would not be possible without your support. May God bless you!