The Potter and the Clay
What God has done in me:
A big part of this calling comes from my own story. As a child, I didn’t fully understand what it looked like to know God as a Father, and I often struggled to connect with Him. In high school, I went through a very difficult season where I struggled deeply with both my mental and physical health. I found myself crying out to God for healing, but healing didn’t come in the way I expected or in the timing I hoped for. That season left me feeling confused, discouraged, and at times unsure of my purpose.
In many ways, I tried to take things into my own hands and fix what I was walking through. But the more I tried to control and hold everything together, the more I realized I couldn’t. Eventually, I came to a place of surrender; laying it all before God. And in that surrender, it honestly felt like things got even more broken than before, like everything I was holding onto had been completely undone.
But over time, I began to understand that this was not destruction, it was shaping.
Like a potter with clay, God was not finished with me. And sometimes, before something can be rebuilt, it has to be fully surrendered and reshaped. What felt like breaking was actually God removing what I had built in my own strength so He could rebuild something deeper, stronger, and more steady than before.
In that process, I began to realize that when I tried to fix everything myself, I only made things heavier and more complicated. But when I finally let go, God wasn’t just repairing what was there; He was forming a stronger foundation in me, one that wouldn’t easily fall apart.
In my lowest moment, when I felt like I had nothing left, God met me in a very real and personal way and called me back to Himself. In that encounter, I realized He had been with me all along; even in the seasons I felt completely alone.
Over time, I began to see that even the parts of my story I didn’t understand were not wasted. I’ve come to realize that God can use even the hardest seasons to shape us in ways that allow us to speak into the lives of others with compassion, understanding, and hope.
Through that journey, I began to understand the heart of the prodigal son story in a deeply personal way. I had believed at times that I had gone too far or done too much to return to God, which led me into shame and distance. But I’ve come to know that no one is ever too far gone. There is no distance too great and no failure too big for God’s love to reach.
I believe the Lord has placed a specific calling on my life for children and youth. 1 John 2:6 says, “Anyone who claims to be intimate with God ought to live the same kind of life Jesus lived.” This verse challenges and inspires me to live in a way that reflects Jesus’ heart for people. I am learning to ask God to break my heart for what breaks His so I can love others the way He does.
I have had the privilege of going on mission trips where I’ve prayed for people and listened to their stories, and those experiences confirmed my love for missions. I am continuing to grow in confidence, spiritual discernment, and boldness as I step further into this calling.
I am heading back to australia to join staff with YWAM and be trained, equipped, and sent so I can serve others well, share the love of Christ, and participate in what He is doing around the world. And beyond structured missions, my heart is to live a life fully surrendered to Him in every place I go.
And that is where I am today; continuing to follow Jesus, trusting His leading, and stepping into all He has for me.
"Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
Where my yes has led me
What God has done through me:
A few years ago, I started college at George Fox University, pursuing a degree in interior design. I had a clear plan for my life and thought I knew exactly what my next steps would look like. But after about a year and a half, I began to feel unsettled. I was scared to leave, scared of what people would think, and honestly unsure of what life would look like if I stepped away from the path I had planned.
One night, while praying, I felt the Lord ask me, “Are you willing to surrender your control, comfort, and security to Me?” And in that moment, I said yes.
That yes led me into a season of learning what obedience really looks like. Doors opened and closed, and I began to realize that God’s plans are more intentional than anything I could choose for myself. He placed a deep passion for missions on my heart, which eventually led me to a short trip to Uganda that changed everything. But even after that, I still wrestled with doubt and tried to return to school.
When that path suddenly stopped moving forward, I asked God for clarity—and in that waiting, He made it clear that He was calling me into missions. From there, He continued opening doors that led me to YWAM. After a series of unexpected steps, I accepted a place at the base in Townsville, Australia. A month later, I packed up everything and stepped into what God was calling me into—traveling over 8,000 miles to follow His lead.
In October 2025, I arrived in Australia to begin my DTS, stepping into a season that would deeply transform my life. From the very beginning, I encountered God in new ways and began learning more about His character—how He pursues people personally, speaks clearly, and moves faithfully in every detail. It was a season of encountering both the beauty and the depth of who He is.
During outreach, we had the opportunity to share the gospel with many incredible people. We stepped into both beautiful and difficult conversations, but through it all, I continually saw God’s hand at work. He was present in every moment, opening doors, softening hearts, and reminding me that He was leading us. From the start of DTS, I also felt a strong sense that God was calling me back to staff. Throughout the school, He continued to bring clarity and confirmation to that calling, confirming again and again what He had placed in my heart.