Life

Where do I start?!  I’m from Portadown, went to Killicomaine Junior High School (not such a positive experience), Portadown College (which I absolutely loved!) and then Stranmillis to study Primary teaching.  Through Stranmillis, I had opportunities to teach in America and Hong Kong, and also went on some mission trips to Zimbabwe and Senegal.  Through these experiences, God led me to teach in Kathmandu, Nepal in 2006 for 2 years, at a missionary kids school, and now I’m a P1 teacher in Belfast.  So, really my life has been packed full of blessings and amazing opportunities.  Of course there have been a number of low points too, but I feel incredibly privileged to be part of a great family, a wonderful church (Edenderry), and have amazing friends.

Faith

I have been a Christian since the age of 7.  I was brought up in a Christian family and brought to Sunday School, church, children’s meetings, etc.  It was at the end of one of our family quiet times one night with my dad and sister that I finally asked Jesus to be my Saviour.  Since then, I have sought to live out my faith in every part of my life.  Sometimes I have been close to God, at other times I have felt far away, but even through the lowest points of my life, I have been so aware of God’s peace and presence.  He has always been so faithful…  Right now, I’m reading a book called ‘Out of the saltshaker and into the world’ by Rebecca Manley Pippert.  It’s really challenging me at the moment to be salt in this world, to really live for God in every part of my life, especially at work, and to value people as God does.

CE

I have been coming to CE since I was in 2^nd year at Killicomaine, but it wasn’t until 4^th year, when I made really good friends at the College, that I really started to enjoy it and get more involved.  I have great memories of New Horizon, and it was really through CE and NH, that these Christian friendships were strengthened.  My first experience of overseas mission was also through CE, a trip to Senegal in 2002.  I’ve also enjoyed being involved in small groups and trips to Romania in more recent years.  Through CE, I have really grown in my faith, made great friends, and been given so many opportunities to serve God.

Bible character/verse

One Bible story which has always been one of my favourites, is Esther.  Each time I hear this story, I’m amazed by how God leads Esther to exactly the place God wants her to be, for ‘such a time as this’ (4:14).  The whole book is an amazing story of God’s grace and sovereign plan in rescuing His people, even though God is never mentioned!  This reminds me how God has placed each of us in a particular time, place, with particular people – and He will continue to lead us and guide us as part of His unique plan for our lives!