This past year has been full of miracles and blessings from donating my kidney to a stranger in January to cliff jumping in the Aegean Sea in August. In September, God surprised me with the amazing opportunity to join the CEA dream team. I have been with CEA for about a month now and I was brought on as their new marketing and development associate. I am very aware of how God is working in mysterious and marvelous ways in my life.
I became a part of the Diocese of Phoenix family in August 2017. The parish that I call home is All Saints Newman Center at ASU. I started working for the Diocese in September 2017 as an administrative assistant in the Catholic Schools Office. This is how I also got to know the team at CEA. It was a blessing to have experienced working in the Catholic Schools Office as I was able to be a resource to the schools and help families find Catholic Schools. It is amazing to see the flip side of the job now working for CEA in helping families fund their children’s Catholic School Education.
Adapting to new places, meeting new friends, and moving to new states is nothing new to me as I am a military brat. GO AIR FORCE! My father, whom I admire and respect, served our country for 26 years before he decided to retire and begin a farm in the Florida Panhandle. My mother, on her way to sainthood, raised my three older brothers and me. Both of my parents came back to the Catholic faith before they were married and believed in sharing the love of our merciful God with their children and others. They taught me that our faith is what we lean on in the worst of times, but also something we celebrate and share at all times.
I grew up in a mixed educational environment. I was homeschooled up until 4th grade, then I attended Catholic school until 8th grade. The only exception was that I attended public school in 6th grade. For 7th and 8th grade, my mom drove me an hour and a half, both ways, to the only Catholic school close to our area. The long days with traffic were worth the Catholic education that was shaping and forming me. My parents sacrificed both money and time because they were dedicated and appreciative of the foundation Catholic School instilled. In 10th grade I got into Collegiate High School in Niceville, FL, where I was able to graduate with my high school Diploma and my A.A. in Journalism and Communications. After high school, I attended the University of West Florida and graduated with my B.A. in Communications at the age of 20. I believe my Catholic education set me up for success and gave me the foundation that kept me grounded in my faith over the years.
Growing up a cradle Catholic is a gift for which I continue to be thankful. I am grateful for my parents’ sacrifices to keep our Catholic education a priority throughout all the crazy moves to different states. Some of the greatest memories I have with my family are of going to Mass together. In August 2019, I began my journey with Kino Catechetical Institute to delve deeper into my faith. I am excited to learn the nitty gritty details of the Dogma and Doctrine of my Catholic faith at this stage in my life. I am excited to understand why we do certain things as Catholics and be able to share what I learn with others around me. I am most in awe of and fascinated by our Catholic faith being Universal. I can’t wait to go to a Mass in Africa or Europe, not knowing any of the words being spoken, but being able to understand and know exactly what is happening. This is the beauty of Catholicism.
When I am not at work, you can find me volunteering with AZ Donate Life, running the rugged maniac, playing soccer, spending time with my dogs, playing guitar and writing music, hiking Camelback, visiting family and friends, or planning my next adventures from skydiving over the swiss alps to hiking Mt. Kilimanjaro. I am a dreamer and adrenaline junkie, the best mixes of my mother and father.
My Favorite Quotes:
20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galations 2:20
“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.”
—St. Teresa of Calcutta
