I was introduced to baseball in the 3rd grade and began playing softball the next year. I played other sports, but softball was my favorite. In the 8th grade, I was asked to play Varsity. But freshman year, the head coach retired, bringing in a new coach that didn’t know me. Despite the fact I loved the sport and had a lot of experience, the coach didn’t play me very often. This happened my freshman and sophomore years, so I decided to take a year off to focus on theatre. I returned my senior year and played a great season. But, even though I graduated with a 4.2 GPA, I wasn’t awarded Academic All-State. I left that team feeling unappreciated and unwanted.
BUT God redeemed through the Lucky Charms...
The Lucky Charms was the name of the recreational softball team I played on through high school. I loved that team. We played well, but we ultimately played for fun. Our mismatched uniforms were not reflective of our team’s dynamic. My team elected me to the All-Star team multiple seasons. I’m so thankful to have spent my Saturday mornings with these ladies.
BUT God redeemed through PA Players...
Junior year, I ended up doing theatre outside of school (that’s me in the middle). My director studied at Chicago’s Second City and played Meg in the national tour of Phantom of the Opera. She complimented and encouraged me every week, building my confidence. The troop was not filled with Christians, so every week I was given the opportunity to spread the Gospel. Through this experience, I learned to fully rely on God.
Psalm 16: 8
I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
I grew up going to a Christian camp. It was my favorite part of summer. I went to other Christian camps, but this one was the only camp I experienced that had an unprecedented enthusiasm for the Gospel. It was a place where I was wanted. People knew who I was and were excited for me to be in their cabin. About my 6th grade year, I decided that I wanted to be a camp counselor. I wanted to work at a camp that accepted anyone and everyone.
So, I started building my resume. The summer after my sophomore year of high school, I worked at Camp Dayspring, a day camp put on by Park Cities Baptist Church, and I loved it. Junior and senior year at Trinity Christian Academy, students could apply to be counselors for the sixth grade trip to Sky Ranch or the eighth grade trip to the Ozark Mountains. At the beginning of the year, juniors and seniors could also apply to be a DIGs (disciples in growth) leaders. I wasn’t accepted for either position. I remember telling my mom, “I know God has a plan, I’m just tired of waiting.”
I didn’t have to wait long, because I was selected as a sixth grade Bible Study leader (redemption). Every Friday morning, I would buy two dozen donuts and lead ten girls in Bible Study. I am still in touch with one of them today, six years later.
And He did!
The following summer, I was hired as a session 1 counselor at Carolina Creek Christian Camps. Later, I would be asked to stay the entire summer. As soon as I drove up for staff orientation, I felt a sense of belonging. As staff, we were “free to fail.” My theatre side got plenty of action that summer, as I played Sir John Elton in Campalot!, which paralleled Jesus’ life.
God showed His power in so many ways. One of my favorite stories to tell is how, during a three-day session, I was feeling discouraged because I didn’t feel like I had enough time to invest in my campers. I shared this with my small group on Friday and by the end of the day, God gave me the opportunity to lead 7 of my campers to Christ!
After graduating college, I had the amazing opportunity to intern with the program team. I got to really dive in to camp ministry and what it involves. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, my internship was cut short. My heart was broken, but God used it to get me out of my comfort zone (and my home state).
After a few months of job searching, I was hired as an account executive for a media company in Western Oklahoma. While I had never lived in Oklahoma, I did spend many weekends at my great-grandmother's house and our family ranch. It was a scary move and took some time for me to find my place. Outside of work, I filled my free time with theatre. I joined the board of directors at Red Carpet Community Theatre. While I prefer being on stage, I have also spent time directing, set building, and running lights!
I searched for a church home for months and then finally tried the big church down the street, First Baptist Church Elk City. I finally felt welcome. I found myself spending my time getting to know the office staff as well as the students on Wednesday nights. After a few months, the Associate Pastor let me know of a job they had created with me in mind. I happily took on the new job unaware of what the church was experiencing.
To keep a long story short, within a year of being hired, I was the only staff member left from when I started. Working at a church during an ugly time can be extremely hard on one's faith. I found myself taking a step back, relying on my faith in God, not focusing on fellowship.