“I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the first grade. From that moment on, I became hyper-aware of how different I was. I started chasing the approval of others, doing whatever I could to feel accepted and fit in.
“As I got older, that desire to please people shifted toward boys. I craved their attention and affirmation, trying to find a sense of worth and belonging.
“When it came time for college, I chose to study nursing at Baylor. It felt like the logical choice—I had been around hospitals and medicine my whole life. But my mom saw my creative side and would often encourage me not to ignore it.
“Then, during my sophomore year, everything changed. While at a fraternity party at another school, a large wooden Greek letter fell on me. It shattered my foot and severely damaged my leg.
“The injury forced me to move home to Dallas. I had surgery, was put on a wound vacuum, went through nine casts, couldn’t walk for nine months, and spent another year in a boot. It was one of the hardest seasons of my life. But even then, I can clearly see: the Lord was making a way.
“Being stuck at home while my friends were off at school left me feeling isolated. I was in pain, physically and emotionally. Out of desperation, I texted a friend who went to The Porch, Watermark’s young adult gathering on Tuesday nights, and asked if I could go with her sometime. It happened to be a Tuesday. She immediately replied: ‘Pick me up at 6:30.’
“That night ended up being the launch of Watermark’s college ministry. God’s timing was unmistakable.
“From that night on, things began to shift. I got connected with people who were genuinely following Christ—people whose identities weren’t rooted in grades, relationships, or popularity. It was unlike anything I’d experienced growing up in Dallas.
“Not long after, I walked through re:generation, Watermark’s biblical recovery ministry, with my friend Sarah. That’s when I began to see that my fear of man and people-pleasing were actually rooted in pride. Processing that truth with someone I trusted was eye-opening. Eight years later, Sarah and I are still walking through life together, now in community with our husbands.
“While Jackson and I were dating, I received more life-changing news: I had gone into ovarian failure. It was devastating. I wasn’t sure how to process something so heavy with someone I was only dating. I knew Jackson dreamed of being a dad, and I didn’t know if I could be part of that future, so I tried to end things.
“But that season revealed the beauty of biblical community. Like the friends in Mark 2 who lowered the paralyzed man through the roof to meet Jesus, my community carried me. They held hope for me when I didn’t have it myself.
“Jackson and I did get married, and we’ve now been married for four years. There have been hard days, but the Lord has used them to strengthen us. He truly is a way maker—even when we can’t see what He’s doing.
“Looking back, I never would have chosen this path—diabetes, injury, infertility. But God used every piece of it. During my long recovery, I was introduced to embroidery. What started as a distraction turned into a passion. Today, I own a brick-and-mortar gift shop that specializes in custom embroidery. (See? God even redeems letters.)
“This isn’t the life I would’ve planned—but under the Lord’s direction, it’s become a beautiful masterpiece. He took what was broken—what literally brought me to my knees—and used it to reshape my heart. I used to live for the approval of others, convinced I knew what was best. But now, I’m learning to rest in the truth that my worth is found in Christ alone. I’d never want to relive those seasons, but I’m forever grateful for what God brought out of them.”