Who I am:
Being from small Southern Mississippi, I grew up in the church. My grandfather was a Methodist Pastor and taught me so much on who God is and His heart for me. Throughout my life, my grandparents were my safe space, a soft place to land. As I grew older and learned more and more, I went through confirmation class and accepted Jesus as my Savior and my very best friend. As a 12 year old, there are many things I did not understand, but I knew that if I was going to believe in something, I was going to learn everything I could to understand it.
So, the task began. At 13, I began going to a local church as they had a bus that would come pick us up and drop us off. I asked so many questions (still do), I argued with God over topics regarding His righteousness, the Trinity, injustice and many of the same questions we all have. I had always cried out to God when I didn't understand, so talking to Him was nothing new. The learning to hear His voice, however, took time.
I think one of my first experiences with the Holy Spirit's presence was when I was in my late teens. Bro. Terry Lee was pastoring and at the end of each sermon, I stood at the back of that Baptist church and just stood by him as he said good-byes. As small as that presence was, I felt it, knew from who it came. Under his instruction and his daughter's college-style Bible Study (which I loved), I continued to seek Him more.
In all that seeking, I eventually went to college (unheard of for the majority of my family) at William Carey University. I had never planned on going to college, never thought about it really, but a mentor teacher urged me to go to a preview day in the Spring of 2006, and as I placed my feet on the pavement, I knew that was where I was meant to be. I began as a Religion Major, left as an English Language Arts High School Teacher. I didn't see that one coming. Throughout my undergrad time, I had joined the Baptist Student Union, became a leader, went on mission trips nationwide and to Peru.
On my first summer mission trip with the North American Baptist Association, I was sent to Northern California. Meeting the people that would continue to pour into my life (both spiritual and natural). I met my adopted grandparents on my birthday on July 7, 2007. The pastor has the same birthday (7/7). We would stay up late nights playing hand and foot (card game), drinking coffee and talking about everything. For me, it was so very rare to find such wisdom and depth in the world. This church would place my life on a projectory that I would never had thought: They explained the question I had had the whole time: WHAT ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT?
After graduation, in 2011, I began teaching in a local school and found it was not for me. Not for the education or the kids, it was the politics slathered all over the position.
The next adventure I would embark upon would be a Master's Degree in Library and Information Science at the University of Southern Mississippi. During that time, God called me back to California - as clear as turning the light on in your house - it just hit me and I knew. 5 months later, I had moved out West. My education was all online, so that made things a lot easier.
I would then work 40 hours, go to school full time and apply to other jobs within my field of study. This would be a tiresome and long 3 year trek for me. But in that time, I learned so much more about God and His voice, letting go, healing and would grow in Him through Bible Studies, ministries, prayer sessions, and just relationship with beautiful, God-following, friends of God. I would meet people who had seen more of the world, learned to hone in their hearts and ears for God, waiting for that still small voice (or an audible).
I had a mentor that taught us God's word on prophecy and how to trust the God we knew to bring encouragement. We practiced, worshipped, learned and grew together.
God tends to send a message of season change for me in March (or Spring time) in the form of a feeling in the center of my chest and typically makes changes around September. Will He continue this? I have no idea, everyday is new with God. That's the friendship. He's always growing us, molding us, fortifying us in Him. He uses wisdom to guide us to Him.
Now, as life would look, I am a server at Chili's Bar and Grill.
This past season might have been the hardest for me in my adult life as I had always been a supervisor or trainer for so long and had been entrusted with so much. God has grown me so much and showed me so much more of His works throughout my time there. Learning His voice more and more has helped me navigate everyday situations. I guess I wouldn't say I was "born as a prophet," but more as molded as someone who prophecies.
I am no fan of labels.
This next season of life will be different, I don't know what is coming, how successful or unsuccessful this website will be. I have had many words spoken over me regarding this - and the more important reason - this had been an ever-present, silent prayer for years.
There is much detail left out, of course, but I hope this gives you a snapshot of the journey I've been on.