In December 2004, I graduated from Biola, and for one of my final classes, we had to write a huge paper analyzing an organization. We could pick any one we wanted, and I chose Mercy Ships, a non-profit missions group that does a lot of medical work. Well, my professor liked my report enough that she wanted a copy for her records, so she kept it for a while. During this time, a student happened to be meeting with her, my report happened to be on her desk, and that student happened to be the daughter of the new CEO of Mercy Ships. She told her dad, who was interested in seeing it, so she contacted me to get a copy. I sent one to her and she sent it on to her dad. This is in February 2005. On April 1, 2005, I got an e-mail from Steve, her dad, the CEO of Mercy Ships. He liked what he read in the report, and said he wanted to talk to me about me working at Mercy Ships' US headquarters in TX. It would be a 2 year position, and I would be working on developing a strategic plan for Mercy Ships. Wow. I was thrilled and replied immediately. But wait, it gets better. A few days before I was to fly to Texas for a week of orientation, I got a call - the CEO had resigned. I decided to go ahead with my plans and see what happened, and Mercy Ships was able to fit me in with all the rearranging they now had to do.

Well, that's not the end of the story... I began at Mercy Ships working in Human Resources as a Project Specialist. But there weren't as many projects to do as I had time to do them. In December 2005, I told my boss that what I'd love to do, in an ideal world, would be to manage either the Guest House or the Anchorage Cafe (both on-base businesses). From January to mid-April, I took a Gateway class, and it just worked out (more "coincidences") that the position of Guest House Manager was available when I got back from outreach in the Dominican Republic.

I worked as Manager of the Cafe and Guest House until mid-August 2007. At that time, when my 2-year commitment to Mercy Ships was up, I decided to come back to California, to work with my dad in his business, Vista Flags.

Little did I know that within a few months I would be headed back to Texas for 6 weeks, again working with Mercy Ships. I helped as Administrative Assistant for the Gateway program, and had a wonderful time being back in that environment. God also blessed me with something new - a courtship with a man I had known and admired deeply during my previous time at Mercy Ships. (See my March 2008 newsletter for more.) Leaving Texas was a step harder this time... We started a long-distance relationship, prayerfully seeking what God had in store for us.

In April 2008, Dave came to California for a week-long visit. I didn't see it coming, but was more than happy to say "yes" when, on April 13, 2008, he asked if I would marry him.

We were married September 20, 2008, and it has been amazing and a blessing!

It's wonderful and awe-inspiring to see all the little details God put into place to get me to Mercy Ships and back - in the stories I've just related, and in all the factors that led into my interest in missions and Mercy Ships. I praise God for His clear leading and for giving me the desires of my heart - a life partner who loves me and loves the Lord, and opportunities to serve Him with my life. Who knows what the future will hold?

Last updated December 24, 2008