My why I am a Christian is that Jesus died for my sins, he bore the pain that I my mistakes on the Cross. I can’t do anything, but I accepted that I am a new creation. I am Christian because that is what I grew up as for my religion. However, I did go through the motions of “going to church” when I was Roman Catholic. Up until the time that I was invited to go to my best friend’s church that was in Marshfield, Wisconsin called Faith Fellowship. I was welcomed there with open arms; however, I didn’t tell my parents that I was going to a “different church.” For all they knew, I was an active and practicing Roman Catholic and that was what I wanted them to know. I felt as if I was going to be judged, but I felt that my parents would also benefit from going to a different church.
So, I took them separately I took my mom when my dad was in the hospital, and my dad when my mom was in the hospital. I just fell in love with the community that just adopted me into, and the many different people that I met there. However, at that point I was still a Roman Catholic. I got baptized in July of the same year that I was going to that church, but I wasn’t a voting “member” of the church at that point. My best friend and I went to the class together after getting baptized.
Now, who led me to Christ? That would be a team effort. I had fought it when I had started to go to Faith Fellowship, but I finally gave into the burning in my heart by marking the box on the connect card. The lead pastor had called me on my cell phone while I was driving to go see my dad at the hospital, and I was parked in the parking lot. I basically told no one that had happened, not even my friend. I would also say that one of the former “pastors of discipleship and counseling” also have had a role in leading me to Christ. Also the friends that I made at bible study, have also played a role in me to becoming the better Christ follower that I am.
The meaning behind Find my Journey is that there are many times where I am just doing that. Finding my journey. I have flub and failed too many times, that I just wanted to get the whole thing of “what” had happened, and how I have changed the “little” part of the world that I am in. My hope is that another person that I have touched will then change their world, and so on. I want to work to help others, but also show others how they can help themselves. I may not be the “right” person, or even the “correct” person, but I can try to help others to find the “right” person to help them on their way.
Everyone has “those” commonly questions about me, some of which are going to be silly and some not so much.
Why do you have short hair?
There is really no reason of why I have short hair, or even sometimes my hair is extremely short. My hair is so thick, that it gets weighed down and I sweat so easily it’s just easier in my book that way.
What is Cowden’s Syndrome?
Cowden’s Syndrome (Disease) is a genetic disorder that causes cancerous growth to grow all throughout my body. The big things that get the doctors worried, and that I am in the clinic for follow ups on are Skin, Kidney, GI, Thyroid, Breast, and Gynecological cancers. This also is the reason why I have a large head (and no it’s not because I have a “big brain”). I also have a learning disability, and a cognitive disability.
Due to my Cowden’s my thyroid was the first to go, then my breasts, then a hysterectomy was done. My skin gets checked once a year, my kidney (at this point) I will not need to get checked to make sure nothing grows a tumors is at the age of 40. I also have had skin cancer once, so yes, I am a cancer survivor.
What is HS?
HS orhidradenitis suppurativa a skin condition that causes cyst to grow on my skin. Normally they are treated with antibiotics, because they can cause infection. For maintenance, they have put me on a biologic drug. But that can cause people with Cowden’s to grow more cancer, and in my case the biologic that they chose didn’t work for me.
Why I am I in school for Human Services?
I wanted to make a difference in the world that I live in. I know that there are so many ways that I could, but helping people was always something that I liked to do.
When you graduate, what do you hope to do?
When I enrolled into the program, I wanted to help people who were sexually assaulted (a.k.a being a Sexual Assault Advocate). Now, I am still not sure. However, the world is still wide open into “what” I want to do. I was enrolled into a program during winter break of 2020, where I went to an intensive 6-day program where I learned a lot about the different aspects in mental health and substance abuse. This opened my eyes to what “else” I can do with my associates.
When I graduate what will your degree be? Associates of Science of Human Services and a certificate in Substance Abuse Counseling.
What is CPS?
Certified Peer Specialist, and it’s a test that I will be taking in a few months. This is the test that would make me state certified.
Where do I work? I have quite a few different jobs, I work for my dad through the state to take care of him. I work at a few different school districts as a substitute teacher’s aide, and I also work at the Medical College Of Wisconsin-Central Wisconsin Campus as a Standardized Patient for the future medical doctors.
What is my dog name? Kerby, not Kirby. A “big adorable fluff”. He is a maltaseshih tzu , he is a small dog with a huge personality. He is also a very “old” man, but he also at times still thinks he is a puppy!! 🙂
What is my ultimate favorite hobbies? Photography, writing, and cooking
Best and Worse Subjects in School?
My best subjects are Choir or music class, and Art class.
My absolute worse subject is art (clay aspects), and math.
How many degrees do you have?
I have a High School diploma, and an Associates of Science in Early Childhood. I also have a certificate in Office Support. So, technically I have 1. I have attempted to get my Bachelors in Elementary Education/Special Education, but I was flunked out due to my math grades.
What makes me feel the proudest? There are so many different things that makes me feel the proudest. Right at the moment, what made me feel the proudest is passing my math class throughout everything that has happened this semester. I also have been in a choir to a passed priest (during his funeral and when he was in the stages of dying) and I also sang at a funeral for a firefighter and cop who passed away due to a fire accident. Another thing would be seeing my brother everytime he comes home (although at times he drives me crazy), it’s so much better than having him in a ICU bed fighting for his life.
What is my biggest regret? In my 33 years of life, I have a few regrets. I never got to tell my grandma’s that I loved her before she passed away, although I know that she is enjoying her life free of all of her medical issues. I was very close to her.
What is your biggest success so far? It’s a toss up, between passing my math class and finding out I was eligible for internship/service learning project for school. I want to try, and tell the story behind what is going on in my life.
What is my favorite season? Late Spring/Early Summer when its not too hot, but also not too cold…
What is my favorite animal? I have and always will love bears, although I do have fond memories of riding a horse when I “graduated” from Early Childhood.
How big is your family (mom and dad’s)? My mom’s side of the family is 8 brothers and sisters. She is the baby, so my grandparents had 9 kids in 10 years. My dad’s family is small, he comes from a family of 6, but only 4 are now alive.
Favorite Relatives on either side of the family? On my dad’s side: my aunt Jean because she is a amazing lady and she was my “bus driver” for so many years! On my mom’s side: my aunt Rose, Pat, Judy, Janet, my uncle Pete (a.k.a Godfather), and my uncle Bob
Favorite Sport Team Green Bay Packers and the Wisconsin Badgers…. Duh!
Favorite Food Stir Fry
Favorite People (dead or alive)
My grandma’s
My uncle (BJ)
Alina
One of my friends from Church
My former Instructor
My friend from College
my priest friends in southern Wisconsin and Michigan
What makes me happy? Seeing my superhero brother, having life, helping others, teaching kiddos at church, seeing my friends from church, and being with my family.
What is your favorite place? Normally, I would say my house. I used to say where I volunteered at. Now, I would say, my Church or being with my friends from the radio station.
What was your major turning point in my life? My superhero brother when he was seriously ill and in the icu. Another thing would be when my uncle passed away suddenly. Life can be so short, so taking every moment that I can get is what I am looking at.
Find My Journey~Mental Health 