I spent 2015 with 3rd Generation O Squad on the World Race where I had the privilege of serving those in Dominican Republic, Haiti, Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Swaziland, Botswana, and South Africa. It was a life-changing journey in which my Heavenly Father broke habits, healed past wounds, and ultimately spoke my True Identity through His eyes. My life is different because of Him, all that He did and allowed me to do, and His use of the World Race to help me along.

I am a recovering perfectionist. I used so many things to try to earn more love from God, and in the end, I was just left empty. That was until God used people around me to point out my defense mechanisms. After awhile in counseling, I realized the mask I wore and some reasons for them. God used books like "Daring Greatly" by Brene Brown and "Boundaries" by Henry Cloud and John Townsend to take me deeper in my understanding of how I'm wired.

I graduated from Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis, Missouri, December 2012. I majored in Human Services and completed two minors in Psychology and Religion.

I have been playing guitar since I was 8 years old, shut the door on it a few years ago only to have God open the doors again while I was on the Race, specifically in Malaysia and the Philippines. While in Malaysia, I had the opportunity to play music with a young woman, Samantha, who was born blind. Her piano playing was like an AED machine to my musician heart. While in the Philippines, I had the opportunity to teach guitar to elementary and middle school girls. The door is now open and I'm stepping back in to this part of my heart where God already is.

I love to bake and don't know much about cooking yet. Fun (somewhat embarrassing) Fact: I didn't know how to cook chicken until month 9 of the World Race.

Some of my favorite foods: sweet potatoes, Goldfish crackers, any type of berry, green beans, pad thai, carbs, and most desserts.

My favorite color is purple and usually cannot abstain from buying something if it's my favorite shade - lavender.

Someday I would like to backpack through Europe, skydive, write a book, learn to play the drums, piano, and violin, and hug a live brown bear or grizzly bear.

I dream of leading mission trips for people of all ages, but specifically teenagers and college aged individuals. I am pursing this dream, as well as my passion for worship, through Center for Global Action in Gainesville, Georgia. I welcome you to read more about this journey by subscribing to my blog updates.

I hope you have enjoyed the latest installment of "Getting to know Taylor." This program was brought to you by Adventures in Missions. Stay tuned for more... (can you tell I did radio in high school?)          

P.s. Click here if you'd like to check out my blog from The World Race.