I grew up in a small southwest Kansas town. I attended church--but mostly so I could go on the ski trip! I knew I was loved there, and that was also a great part of attending the church. I felt myself drifting further and further from God during my high school years, even through my high school graduation in 1996. My best friend growing up had moved to Wichita after our 5th grade year, and had become involved in YL there. He asked me and another friend to go with him to Frontier Ranch in July of 1996. It was there that I experienced "the best week of my life" and gave my life to Jesus.
College at West Texas A&M soon followed along with some volunteering with WyldLife. My area director told me about an intern program with youth at a Presbyterian church in Amarillo right after college. I ended up working there as the Director for 5 years. A friend of mine named Amy Latham took on my former position as an intern with me. About a year and a half later--Latham became her former name as she took mine on March 15, 2003! We worked for a couple more years at the church, then felt the Lord leading us to consider missions. We knew and loved YL, so we checked out opportunities with them. We later "chose" Latin America, and then Managua "chose" us!
We did a trimester (not enough ;-) of language school in Costa Rica from May-Aug 2006, moved to Managua in September, and were able to start a club with kids from the International School (American Nicaraguan School) in December. And now, here we are! "Enjoying" the warm days and 5 hours of powerless afternoons! Ha! But very encouraged by friends we have made, the kids we have had the chance to minister to, and the knowledge of God's leading.
Sports, the outdoors, ultimate frisbee, texas hold 'em, playing cards by flashlight, video games, air-conditioning, electricity, good internet connections, skype, movies, reading, journaling, playing.