God has sent me to serve at Benedictine College in Atchison, KS for my first year on mission, and I am so excited!!

When I graduated high school, I thought I had my life figured out. I went to college at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where I planned to get my degree in four years or less, and launch into a career I was passionate about after graduating. I had a relationship with God, but did not consider how His plans might be different from mine.

When I entered my freshman year, I began to question a lot of the beliefs I held growing up, as I was being exposed to numerous perspectives and religions different from my own. I found I needed answers that I didn’t have — especially an answer to a deep longing I couldn’t place. Over a period of time, I was involved in a non-denominational Protestant Bible study, and spent some time at their church near campus. I made a lot of wonderful friends on fire for Jesus, but I knew something was still missing, and I didn’t quite belong. I remember asking myself, “Is this all there is?” One Sunday morning I went to Mass after attending a Protestant church service, and found what I had been searching for — Jesus, fully present in the Eucharist. Although I grew up Catholic, it wasn’t until this day that it finally clicked for me. I knew then that the Catholic Church was where I belonged, and where the Lord wanted me to be so that I could receive Him in His entirety.

After my reversion to the faith, I began to get more involved at UNL’s Newman Center. I met FOCUS missionaries there who were eager to build me up in the richness of a relationship in full communion with Jesus and His Church. My senior year, after growing much in my conviction of Christ’s love for me as His daughter, I felt called to share what I had found. I began to disciple women and held a Bible study that year, while also being deeply invested in by a missionary who became a very close friend. As I shared my desire to give my life to Jesus in a deeper way and follow Him, she encouraged me to apply to become a FOCUS missionary. In prayer, the Lord gave me great assurance that this was His call to me, to go out and to share the abundance that He had given me with others, and to tell them the Good News! Now, as a missionary, I am so eager to share my story with students who may have one that is similar — who are searching for an answer to the longing of their hearts, and whose hunger can only be satisfied by the One who loves them infinitely.

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. Truly, the work I do on campus as a missionary is not possible without the generosity of others. If you are interested in partnering with me, please let me know of the best way to reach you and I will schedule an appointment. I’d be honored to share more of my story and this mission with you.

Feel free to email me at [email protected]!