Can you describe your current stage of life?
When asked to describe my current stage of life, the first thought that came to my mind was ever changing and newlywed. This has been the busiest, yet most exciting time of my life. It seems that every few months something new is happening and will change the direction I am headed. I moved to Rochester in the summer of 2022 with the intent of being here for a year and then going to graduate school. I joined Foundation small group and met such a close group of mostly single friends. It was a fun time enjoying singleness, being down for anything and exploring. However, about a year and a half after moving here, my husband and I started dating. We were best friends, and our relationship moved very quickly. We were engaged in March of 2025 and married by June 2025. I can’t forget our opportunity to travel to South Africa in April with his family! The Lord had much better plans for me!
What are the good and the hard things about your current stage of life?
This stage has been so wonderful but also one of the hardest stages of life. Marrying your best friend is so much better and more than I thought it would be! However, I will bet the first to say- that it is not easy. There were so many transition stages from “is this the man that the Lord is wanting me to marry?” to wedding stress to moving and learning to live together. I am 3 months into marriage, and I finally feel like I am getting my feet under me after 6 months of instability.
In what stage of life do you feel God has taught you the most so far? Explain.
I can definitely say that pre-marital and marriage is the stage of life that the Lord has taught me the most. In these stages my eyes were widely opened to see my sin and I could no longer just remove myself from a situation to avoid something hard or responding poorly. Instead, I had to learn to communicate, control my thoughts and actions. My decisions now affect another person. I saw sins that I didn’t even think I struggled with rear their ugly head, but what a blessing it is for the Lord to show you areas of your life where you need him. He taught me that I can’t rely on anyone else but him. He is all that I need, he is enough, he will provide, and his plan is far better than anything I would have for myself.
What is a Bible verse, quote, or song lyric that has meant a lot to you? Explain.
A song that has meant a lot to me in these past few years has been “Worthy of my Song” by Phil Wickham.
“I’m gonna sing ’til my heart starts changing
Oh, I’m gonna worship ’til I mean every word”
“I’m gonna live like my King is risen
Gonna preach to my soul that You’ve already won
And even though I can’t see it, I’m gonna keep believing
That every promise You make is as good as done”
“And in the blessing, in the pain, You are worthy
Whether You say yes or no or wait, You are worthy
Through it all, I choose to say, “You are worthy””
This song really hit a soft spot in my heart, and it was very real to sing. There were times where my heart was not in the right place and I knew that only he could change it, yet he is still a good God and King. No matter what his answer is, he is worthy.
What or who is helping you through this stage of life?
This has also been a season of growth in so many other ways. My mentor, Vicki Tierney, has been a huge blessing in my life, walking through every stage with me- always a listening ear and speaking truth. And of course, my husband has been wonderful through each season we have walked so far. He is the most patient person I think I have ever met. He is so kind, sweet, and always there for whatever I need. I have been blessed to have so many other friends and mentors walk alongside me and do life together!
Just for fun…If you had a week and an unlimited budget, where would you go or what would you do?
I think I would travel to some fancy tropical island. I would do all the fun tourist activities- swimming with dolphins, excursions, exploring, shopping, etc!