When I was born, it took a team of doctors, nurses, and my parents to nurture a three-month premature baby back to health. Even though I did not know it at the time, God was the biggest help. I was born with Spastic Cerebral Palsy, (CP) which comes with a package of muscle contractions, loss of hand-eye coordination, and fine motor control. Also, the left side of my body is more spastic (tense and contracted) than my right side. I have full function and feel throughout my entire body. However, my body makes the turtle from the Tortoise and the Hare look like Speed Racer, although not with my wheelchair.  CP necessitates me to have help with bathing, dressing, transferring, and repositioning from one spot to another.  My care givers also travel with me either by car or by plane.

Baylor University and Truett Seminary

The first week I had many physical difficulties.  I could not find my classes, just like every other freshman. I got stuck in the elevator, in the mud, and caught in the sprinklers. This was just the beginning. A few days later, my right arm (my good arm) got caught between the bed and the wall, when I was attempting to roll over.  I tried to scream for help for about an hour.  Since it was 3 AM, and my assistants had gone home, no one heard me. I did a GI Joe scoot to the phone and grabbed it with my teeth, turned it over, dialed the front desk with my left hand, and the person on the other end of the phone thought I was a kid making prank calls. She told me repeatedly not to call because it was not funny. This was the response I received each of the six or seven times I called.  So, the only thing left to do was breakdown, cry, and call out to God for help. I knew about God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit because my parents had given me a basic foundation (because they came from different traditions and they allowed my sister and me to find which fit us the best.) I had not come to know God personally at that point. Then, I heard an audible voice in the dark, alone in my room, that said, “Don’t give up.” I immediately stopped crying because I figured that I was either going crazy or that was God—and it was God.  About then, my neighbor came through the bathroom door to help me.

The very next Sunday, I went to church with a hunger and a passion that I had never felt before, in an attempt to figure out who God was and why He had chosen to reveal Himself to me in such a powerful way. Six months later, after going to as many Bible studies and revivals as possible, and after having several in depth conversations with the college minister, I gave my life to Christ.

In February of 1999, I was going to church and praying for God to tell me when the right time was for me to give my life to Him. I went into church; the sermon was about unconditional love. The preacher began to ask questions. The first thing he asked was, "Do you say you believe in God just to say you believe in God?" I shook my head no. The second question was, "Do you celebrate holidays just to celebrate?" I shook my head no because at that point God was becoming a very real part of my daily life, even holidays. The third question I do not remember because everything went silent; I couldn’t hear anything for a couple of minutes except for my heartbeat, which should have been the first sign that something needed to happen, but I was stubborn and wanted more just to make sure. Then, my body started to shake and my hands started to sweat.  A few seconds later, I heard a yes. I made my way up to the front to give my life to Christ.

Before, during, and after the day, I became a disciple of Jesus and was active in my college group. We would visit senior citizens, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities around the community. We would try to go visit every two weeks or so. And, this is where I first learned that ministry truly is a two–way street. Though I can’t describe in words what I learned from a wonderful group of elderly people, I definitely think that I got more out of it then they did.  That’s one of the experiences that I wouldn’t change for the world.

In December 2002, I graduated with my Bachelor’s in Psychology. That summer, I took my last trip (at least to date) to Washington D.C.  I was a camp counselor for inner city kids between the ages of 8 and 15. So, one can imagine all of the questions I got. Everything from, “How did God create the world in seven days?” to “Are you a mommy, or are you a child?”

Vacations

Persevering

I have experienced the loss of dear family members, including aunts and uncles. Two of my grandparent’s battled cancer and one died naturally, my sophomore and junior years at Baylor. Also, I was engaged, once for about 5 months. The breakup was one of the hardest things I’ve been through, because it was a loss of marriage, family, etc. I still have hope that god will provide the right person and we can love each other for who god has made us to be. In addition I went through a CPE program one summer that was physically and emotionally rough. I realized there I was not cut out to be a Chaplin.  “Failure” and “disappointment” are not words I use often, but in CPE they fit. I tell you these things because every journey with God is different and somewhat difficult, but HE IS ALWAYS WITH US. Through the good, bad, and in between, I see His hope all around me.

Past Events

In 2012, I was a keynote speaker at Texas A&M International University’s Voices of the Monte series. I spoke on publishing.  I officiated my first wedding and performed my first Baptism. In 2011, My Friends and I was published. (available for on Writing page.)  So, I did book related activities.  In 2008, I organized, lead, and was a speaker at Many Forms: One Body Conference (with Potter Vessel Ministries). In 2006, I was a guest speaker at the Joy Conference: God’s Special Purposes for God’s Special People. Then, at The Acts 1:8 Mission Conference, I spoke about my experiences in India. I have spoken at the Seventh and James Baptist Church in Waco, Texas a number of times, in part because I was baptized there, and eleven years later I was ordained there in 2010.  (So, I grew up in that church!) I hope that the heart of heather website will continue to add to my events bringing glory to god!