As you may know, I’ve been in my Master’s degree program with Barclay Bible College since August 2022. Over the last year and a half, I’ve developed a more solid foundation for the defense of my faith (1 Peter 3:15). I can communicate my beliefs and why I believe them more effectively than I could before—more on that in a later reflection.

I share Jesus because of the miracles he’s done in my life that I bear witness to. I glorify God because, when I was in the deepest, muddiest pit, God was still sovereign and good. He was also there with me in the muddied pit, ready to pull me out when I would humbly take his hand, acknowledging that I was in deeper than I could rescue myself from.

I’ve loved Jesus since I was a little girl and for nearly as long as that, I wanted to do something in ministry. I eagerly engaged in all the church things growing up. This past year, I finally see the fruit of my heart’s longing. Now serving as pastor for a year, while simultaneously working towards my graduate degree in missional multiplication, I see God’s gift to me in the timing. There were seasons I needed to go through before I could reach the season of today.

Another milestone this year was that Bob and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary. Twenty years! Who would have thought…

I struggled with depression and self-harm for 28 years. The intensity of this would ebb and flow in my life, but it was something that I learned to live with. I accepted it as the “thorn in my side.” This year that changed.