Remember what you used to say when people would ask you what you wanted to be when you grew up? I used to say a teacher, a babysitter, or a cheerleader. When I was in high school, I thought that I wanted to be a special education teacher. Then after a year in college, I decided that Social Work would be a better fit. Then toward the end of college, I went on my first trip to Ukraine. After that, I worked as a Social Worker in Evansville while planning to live in Ukraine for a while as a missionary. I spent 5 months in Ukraine...teaching English to the girls and helping out where I could with the ministries and then came home. I moved toward Cincinnati to be closer to Craig since he was working in Southern Indiana (near Cincinnati). I worked for almost a year as a Social Worker before I felt led to be a youth leader. This is right around when we got married. We moved to Evansville, got married and then I started as the youth leader at my dad's church. Since then I have become an independent consultant for Thirty-One Gifts. And I have become a mother.
I guess I always knew I would become a mom, but it was never a big dream. I really had no idea what to expect, but it has rocked my world and I'm so thankful that God has blessed me with the opportunity to raise Cora. Now I'm sure I'm not the only mom out there with these thoughts, but I have really struggled the last year or two with what's next. I am still passionate about social work, mission work (especially in Ukraine) and I still love doing youth ministry and selling Thirty-One. I've struggled with my identity with who I am and wondered if it is enough.
I'm not sure when it finally hit me...but it did. I finally realized even if I never go back to Social Work or go on another Mission Trip or even if I didn't have Thirty-One or an amazing youth group..I still have it all. So many times we think our identity is in what we do for a living. But it's not. My identity first and foremost is in Christ. I was created in God's image and He loves me so much. AND if that isn't enough...I am a wife to a great guy who loves God, me and our daughter. He is a great provider and friend. And if that isn't enough...I am a daughter to parents who always showed me what it means to serve and love others. And if that isn't enough...I am now a mommy to a little girl who looks just like me and mimics me daily. I have such great responsibilities from being a wife, daughter and mother that it is silly for me to worry about the future and what I will do next. I have a lifetime calling of serving God however I can and bringing glory to His name. I also have a lifetime calling to serve and love my husband and also teach our daughter to love God.
So as I grow up, I want to be a Child of God, a wife, a daughter, and a mother. Those things will never change and I'm so glad I know who I am and where I'm going.
