Looking Back
When I was little, I would collect pennies and spend hours creating "penny pictures" and "penny towers."
In high school one summer, I started my own little baking business. I learned about project management, inventory, customer service - and of course I kept a spreadsheet of every detail. I made business cards, and my dad even charged me for the use of my parents' kitchen space & utilities! (no freebies in the business world)
In my third year of college, there was a moment when God brought to mind the verse in Ephesians - "for we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, to do good works, which He prepared in advance for us to walk in." I remember sitting in my car and realizing - there are an endless amount of "good works" that I could do... things that would serve others and please God. BUT if He has prepared specific things for me to walk in... then THAT'S what I want to do with the life He's given me.
Not too long after this, I spent a summer serving as an outreach team intern at YWAM San Francisco. That summer, I learned about God's heart for those without homes, those with debilitating addictions, those in material need. I was on a prayer walk with a group of people, and we passed by the office of a big accounting firm. I separated myself from the group and sat on the nearby steps, watching people walk in and out of this skyscraper. I remember thinking very negative thoughts about the corporate people... and then a thought that was not my own popped into my mind so clearly.
Fast forward a year, I got an accounting job IN THAT SAME BUILDING. I was now one of the “corporate” people walking in and out of the skyscraper! I had an incredible time working there for a handful of years... sure, it was very challenging, yet I was surrounded by amazing leaders and teammates and provided with plentiful learning and training opportunities. I am forever grateful to the people who poured into me during that time. I could never be where I'm at today without the community I had at the accounting firm.
After working four busy seasons, I sensed the Lord's release to go and do something that had been on my bucket list for years. I resigned from my accounting job, packed up my life, and went to Taiwan for 9 months to study through the Bible. WOW. During this time, not only did I get to deepen my understanding of and love for God's character and nature, but He also opened up doors for me to step into the role of a missionary accountant.
Nowadays
It's been just about 3 years since I moved into the Tenderloin. At the beginning, there were many question marks and my plans changed quite a bit! But now, I'm settled in seeking to love God and love my neighbor as a missionary accountant in the Tenderloin. I am serving as the Finance Director for YWAM San Francisco - I get to learn, grow, think, manage, teach, support, and champion missionaries across the Bay Area so that the various ministries can flourish.
I married an incredible guy who is also loving God and loving his neighbors - just without the spreadsheets ;) Paul is committed to relational ministry - spending time with those who are often overlooked by others in our neighborhood, inviting them into health, purpose, and relationship with Jesus. He co-leads YWAM San Francisco's popup church that 'pops up' in the street each Sunday morning.
Together, we host a bible study in our home where we look at stories in Scripture to better know God and grow in our relationship with Him - and we always finish with praying for one another.
We also have a cat named DaWhite. Still trying to figure out his ‘calling’ … :D
Dreaming Ahead
Paul & I are looking forward to our family expanding in October as we welcome our first child! Our desire is to minister as a family in the Tenderloin. That we, as a nuclear family, would continuously receive God's love and reflect His character to one another - and to our neighbors.
I am hoping to grow in the area of teaching - and am slowly working & dreaming towards:
1) creating & sustaining an internship program for the YWAM San Francisco Bay Area finance office where business students can come to learn & serve for a semester.
2) creating & coordinating stewardship seminars to offer YWAM students, staff, whoever else is interested!