For the last two years, I’ve been in a rigorous 40-hour-a-week program for writers. And in ten days I graduate (Lord-willing).

I’ve been pondering the last two years of my life and everything that’s happened in them.

From health struggles to falling in love to watching God work miracles…these years have been amazing.

A free car and amazing supporters

When I put in my deposit to come to the school, I prayed that God would provide transportation for me.

In high school, I drove my family’s old minivan. But as it continued to break down, my parents didn’t want me to regularly drive alone cross-country with it.

I considered buying a moped, biking, or walking everywhere, but that wasn’t God’s plan.

My grandparents both individually felt God putting it on their hearts to provide transportation for me.

So they called me one day, and said that they’d bought me a car.

Praise God for that provision!

But that’s only one of dozens and dozens of stories over the last two years of how God’s provided for me.

I was unemployed for three months. I gave away hundreds of dollars that I felt Him prompting me to give, even when it didn’t make financial sense. I had medical bills to pay.

God has always provided and I trust that He will never stop providing.

I also want to shout out my parents, JJ, Tim and Toria, and Jordan for supporting me monthly over the last two years!

I was diagnosed with an ED and a chronic illness on the same day

I’ve talked a good bit about being diagnosed with an eating disorder and how God healed me from it…

I haven’t talked as much about the chronic illness I was told I had on the same day. And that’s because I don’t have as many answers for the chronic illness.

In the middle of all those explained health challenges, I also experienced about six months straight of unexplained throwing up in my first year of the program. It was kind of brutal, but God gently brought me through (and out) of it!

God’s still working, and I can’t wait to see how He finishes the story.

The first night I decided to let new friends in

The literal first night I moved in and met everyone (especially the amazing Alli Prince and RJ Catlin), I was terrified.

I found this huge (I’m talking HUGE) egg-shaped lump on my hand. I was paranoid that it was a spider bite and I might die or something.

My default response to this was to hole away in my room and hide my fears.

Instead, I decided to be vulnerable. I realized that I would spend every day of the next two years with these girls…so there was no use in trying to hide myself.

And let me tell you, I have grown so much as a person, as a follower of Christ, as a friend, as a member of society. I am so grateful I decided to let them in! Vulnerability is worth it & you guys are amazing.

(Also shout out to Noah J Matthews and Lucy Grecu and bunch of other amazing people.

Falling in love <3

Speaking of people, I met a man here in Ohio.

A very special man. And I fell in love with him. And he fell in love with me. And we praise God for all of the things I just typed, because there’s no way that we would’ve met without Him.

P.S. It was worth waiting to date until I found the right one. Don’t worry, God has a beautiful plan for your future.

Starting in ministry

The program I’m graduating from is faith-based, so not only have I learned how to write fascinating stories, developmentally edit short stories, copy edit novels, and juggle a lot of tasks at once, I’ve learned how to glorify God too.

-I’ve learned how to serve people.

-I’ve learned to live in more humility.

-I’ve learned to walk with God daily.

Now I’m on a mission to continue shaping minds and hearts through whimsical stories that keep you reading until three AM. I have a whole list of ways that I want to serve people with my career.

And some exciting new developments are on the horizon!

I’m not going to make a big splash in the writing world like I thought I would. But there’s more to come…and I think you’ll like it.

Drop a comment and let me know what God’s done in your life the last two years! And if you don’t have a copy of Fantastical Summer (my debut book) yet, I’m giving away an autographed copy!

Amazon reviewers describe the book as “unique,” “magical,” and “thought-provoking.”

Enter the free giveaway before 11 PM ET on Saturday: pearlmag.co/giveaway

Giveaway