My Testimony

In order to know me better I would like to share with you my testimony. You can’t really know me unless you know this part of who I am. I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior when I was in the third grade. I attended a walk-through drama called Judgment House which depicted 3 teens who are killed in a drunk-driving accident and what happens to them when they approach the judgment seat of God. That night, I knew I didn’t know what would happen to me if I had to appear before the Lord’s judgment seat and decided there on Halloween night that I wanted to spend my life on earth glorifying the Lord and eternity in heaven with him.

I have been so blessed to grow up in a Christian family who has supported and loved me. Growing up in church allowed me the opportunity to grow in my faith, be surrounded by great friends, and mature into a woman who seeks to please God. It is my hope that the Lord used me during my year as Miss Mississippi to do a great work for Him. Esther 4:11 says, “Who knows but that you have obtained royalty for such a time as this?” I claimed this verse throughout that year, and continue to pray that I will be an effective role model for such a time as this.

I do know that God has a perfect plan not only for my life but yours as well (Jeremiah 29:11) and I am excited to see it unveiled. If you have never accepted Christ as your personal Savior, but you know that something is missing in your life, it is very simple to stop and pray. All you have to do is:

Accept that Jesus Christ is the Son of God
Believe that He died to save you from your sins
Confess that you are a sinner and need him in order to fulfill your life both here and in eternity.
This will be the best decision you will ever make.

 

My Mission: Increasing the Quality of Life of the Mentally Challenged

This invisible population of more than 7.2 million Americans has needs and faces challenges that most of us never realize. If it were not for my great Uncle Paul who was born with Down syndrome, I too would have remained uneducated of the concerns, needs, and challenges that surround these individuals. Each phase of their life is marked my unique struggles; however, a unifying concern among the families of those with mental disabilities is the question, “Who will care for my child when I am gone?”

My grandmother, along with other concerned families, began facing this question head-on in the late 1990’s with the vision of SON Valley. The mission of SON Valley is to provide a quality, Christian, permanent, assisted-living community for adults with mental disabilities. SON Valley is located on 80 acres in Madison County just northeast of Canton, MS. It provides security to residents and families as well as vocational training, health care, spiritual care, and recreational facilities.

SON Valley officially opened its doors December 4, 2007. It has been my privilege to serve as a spokesperson for the vision of this community for over 5 years, and I encourage you to learn more about us and how you can become a supporter of this much needed community at www.sonvalley.net.

I have been honored to work with many such organizations across the state of Mississippi, and I encourage you to volunteer just once. The love and joy you will receive from these special people will be unmatched by any you have experienced. Check out:

www.specialolympicsms.org
www.cmdss.org
www.arcms.org

 

A Call To Action: Africa

Blood:Water Mission is partnering with groups and individuals to empower Africans to build healthier communities through sustainable clean blood and clean water solutions, while developing social responsibility in the U.S. through initiatives that provoke personal engagement and ownership.

Blood: Water Mission is a non-profit organization founded by the members of the multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning band, Jars of Clay, to address the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa.

Blood: Water Mission exists to promote clean blood and clean water efforts in Africa, tangibly reducing the impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic while addressing the underlying issues of poverty, injustice and oppression. Blood:Water Mission is building clean water wells, supporting medical facilities, and focusing on community and worldview transformation, both here in America and in Africa.

We are all responsible for being good stewards of our time, our resources and our compassion in a broken world.

Your participation will give Africans the gift of clean water to protect them from life-threatening illnesses. Women and children will no longer walk up to 10 miles a day to get water. People with HIV will live stronger, longer lives. Communities will flourish and be changed. Your partnership can help save lives.

Every person has something to give in return for what has been received.

To learn more: www.bloodwatermission.com.