When I attended Church camps in high
school, there was a strong emphasis that EVERYONE is called to international
missions. There was an incredible amount
of pressure to place a push pin to the map where God was calling you. I started to place my push pin on
Africa. Everyone seems to be called to
Africa… Eventually I didn’t even participate in this activity because I didn’t
feel called to international mission. I
felt guilt and shame because I seemed to be the only one in the room that was
interested in only local missions.
Not much of a plan, other than
trying to get my M.R.S. degree, I enrolled in McMurry University. I only applied to McM. I thought I would find my husband and the
degree wouldn’t be so important. As time
progressed, my education became important to me. I found that I really love Sociology. A common phrase I often say is “I just want
to love on people.” Not having known
what Sociology was, I found a degree that can allow me to “love on people.”
2 ½ years at McM has taught me a
lot like I am worth an education. I can
use my education to empower others and myself.
I can use my education to “love on people.” McM has provided oppourtunities for me that I
could never imagine. I had zero desire
to participate in international trips.
In January, I went with the School of Business to London and had a
blast. Well, I told God if that trip
went well, I would go to India. Now,
India was a little different. I didn’t
feel called to India. I just wanted to
go. Well, I had a great time in London,
so the following July I went to India with McMurry in Motion.
I wasn’t prepared for how much I
love India. If you don’t know, God’s
children are in India. I met them, “loved
on them,” and they loved on me. I am
planning to return to India for six months starting in February. I could not be more excited! I’ll be working with Life Light Ministries (check
out their Facebook page!)
I’m honest in saying that no one has
been hard on me for being a single woman.
I’m even more honest that being single has been hard on me. I want someone to “love on.” If I was married right now, there would be
little chance that I’d be listening to God’s call for me to “love on His
children in India.”
My time at McM has been a
blessing. Thanks to my lifegroup and
Mandy Hale, author of The Single Woman, I embrace being sassy. I am excited for the next chapter in my
life. PLEASE be praying that I continue
to listen to God’s call even when it’s tough, that I embrace my sassiness, and
pray for Life Light Ministries.
