About Me

1. Tousled (Adjective)–Disordered or disheveled
2. Apostle (Noun)–Any of the early followers of Jesus who carried the Christian message into the world.

• Granted, the term “apostle” usually applies to the original followers of Jesus Christ, but there are other definitions including “the title of a person sent on a foreign mission.” And that’s what I’ve been for a good many years, a pilgrim wandering in both mind and body, searching for a home and for answers. In my thirty-four years, I have been and continue to be….

• A Christian–Specifically, a Southern Baptist if you’re curious as to the denomination. I grew up in church with a Bible in one hand and a hymnal in the other, but I only came to true saving faith and a relationship with Jesus Christ when I was diagnosed with Multiple sclerosis in 2004. I didn’t know it at the time, but my disease ended up being my saving grace. Yes, it changed me physically, but all the pain and uncertainty has been worth it because it was what brought me into a right relationship with Him. I love giving my testimony to others and sharing the scripture that I know God had in mind for me with them, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. It reads:

 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

 

• A Nerd–Finishing school didn’t mean I was done with learning. I earned an English degree and the Secondary Education. I continued on, earning a Master’s Degree in English from the University of North Florida. I would love nothing more than to earn a Ph.D. in literature, but that may not be in the cards. However, I also have my eyes on attending seminary some time in the future.

• A Writer–In 2000, I also took up creative writing, beginning with truly awful fiction and poetry. I now write slightly less awful fiction and poetry as well as non-fiction, and I’ve actually won a few contests and had a few things published. I may never be rich or famous, but I’ve got reams of things I need to say stored up inside me. That’s why this blog exists, and why I spend evenings and weekend working diligently at the keyboard. I think better with one under my fingertips, and I feel most alive when I’m communicating on the page. And now, I get to write for work. It doesn’t get any better than that.

• A Musician–This is the last word I’d choose to apply to myself. I read music, play music, and love music. However, I don’t do it as well as many other people I know. I began playing piano as a child to placate my mother. She wanted a girly girl and tried putting me in gymnastics (too tall), ballet (too fat), and even soccer (too uncoordinated). Finally, after a disastrous experience on the soccer field, Mom relented and told me that I could explore my talents in a way that was less public (and humiliating). Piano led to viola, viola led to flute, and flute led to French horn.