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​As a YWAM missionary, I do not receive a salary, but rely on the generous support of friends, family, churches, and businesses. If you would like to be part of my monthly financial team or if you would like to give a special gift for a project, click the link below. Simple or tax-deductible options are available!

Things are amping up this year! We have new staff, new schools, and hopefully some great news ❤️​

​This January, we move the school back to Corpus Christi and I couldn't be more excited. There's something so special about running schools, training people in specific ways to take the Gospel to the nations. Whether it's the Bible, sailing, or discipleship, seeing this generation passionate about sharing the love of Jesus is the best! 

If you have ever had an interest in learning the basics of sailing and navigation, check out the school! 

One of the things that my dad was adamant about was how we honored his life. He refused to have a sad funeral, but wanted us to celebrate his life, in all of its ups and downs. So, with the crazy support of many of you, Little Miss and I were able to go to Wisconsin. It was a bit of a whirlwind, since Little Miss could only be gone for 7 days, but we packed in as much as we could. Aside from my dad's celebration of life, we spent time with friends at the Madison zoo, visited my home church, and celebrated my oldest niece turning 20 (how on earth is she that old already?!). I hope to be back soon, this time spending a bit longer than a week 🤞🏻​.

​As a base, we have talked quite a bit about preparing ourselves for the new season that the Lord is bringing. During intercession this week, the Lord reminded me of another prayer time we had on the flight deck of the USS Lexington back in 2021. As I looked out over the city, praying for revival, the Lord showed me a picture of a cluttered house, full of things that had been collected over the years. Things that when compared to the glory of Jesus, had no eternal value. These cluttered items made it difficult to move around and accomplish all that needed to be done within the space. I felt Him tell me He needed room to move. That in order to do all that He needed and wanted to do, in my life personally and in the church as a whole, I/we needed to get rid of the things that were hindering Him from moving freely. I was so thankful that the Lord brought this image back to my mind this past week. So, this is my prayer going into 2025 - to declutter my heart and spiritual life so He has the space He needs to move. 

​Here are a few songs that have been on repeat in my home for quite a while now. ​

On December 1st, 2019, our tiny team pulled into the Texas Coastal Bend. I had said yes to helping pioneer a new YWAM base in Corpus Christi - sight unseen. I had never been to Texas before. In fact, it was one of 4 states that I told the Lord I would 'never' live (He's sure got a sense of humor, haha). All I knew about Corpus was it was on the Gulf Coast and didn't really have much of a skyline (I had checked). I remember coming into the outskirts of the city after driving many long hours from Dallas. It was dark out and I could see lights in the distance that looked like a beautiful city skyline. I told Holly, "I thought Corpus didn't have a lot of tall buildings? This is so beautiful!" She chuckled and then laughed out loud when we got closer and I discovered they were not the lights from a beautiful skyline, but lights from one of the 4 or 5 oil refineries in our county. It was quite the introduction to my new home. 

The last 5 years have had more twists and turns than I could have ever imagined possible, both in YWAM and in my personal life. Our favorite phases have been, "Don't just be flexible, be fluid." and 'Plans subject to change." And while I am a planner who likes things to go a certain way, I have come to appreciate when things do always go the way I thought they would. I know my life would not be as full if I only did what I thought best instead of letting the Lord lead. His ways are wacky at times, but so worth it in the long run. 
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In October, we got to celebrate Little Miss's 1st birthday! She loves the Ladybug Girl books, so we went all out with that theme. She had so much fun with all of her friends, aunties, and uncles. She loved being the center of attention and discovered how fun it was to clap and see everyone clap after her (top right photo). She found that more entertaining than her presents! She's definitely a people-person😊. So thankful for my community who came out to celebrate her. She loves her people so much!
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This year for Thanksgiving, we got to spend it with the Schmidts and one of our new families, the Massengales. Little Miss absolutely adores their kiddos and they had so much fun playing and laughing together. I love the sweet community that I have here in Corpus!
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For the 1st time since I joined YWAM as a missionary in 2010, I have the privilege of hosting my mom in my home! She arrived on the 7th and Little Miss and her were best friends right away! She even got to join my church in their 12th birthday celebration and the dedication of their new sanctuary. I can't even being to explain what her being here has done for my heart. It's one thing to share stories of your life; it's an entirely different thing to share the experiences. So thankful that she is able to be here! My nieces, Sophie-Ann and Lili, decided it would be fun to experience a Texas Christmas as well. Having family here for Christmas is a pretty special thing!
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As you are praying about year-end gifts or Christmas blessings, please consider supporting me personally as a missionary. I do not receive a salary with YWAM, and all of my support comes through partnership with people, businesses, and churches who believe in what I am doing in Corpus Christi. The last time I formally fundraised for monthly support was right before I moved to Texas and I am amazed at how the Lord has sustained me month to month. After 5 years, I am needing to add new partners to the team and increase my financial support. If you would like to be part of what the Lord is doing here in Corpus Christi, please dive in and let me know! There are a few ways you can give - tax deductible options available. 

Meet Miss J (aka, JoJo, Jujubes, Chickaboom, Little Chickpea... she already has so many nicknames!). She has completely won my heart and the hearts of everyone she meets. She is full of adventure, loves people, and smiles so big I sometimes wonder how her little skin can stretch that far. Her name in Hebrew means, 'God will bring the increase' and 'something well established'. I believe that her mama has already spoken something very prophetic over her life in giving her her name. Please be praying for her and everyone involved in helping this precious baby. ​

Since I had originally planned on first receiving elementary-aged kiddos, I am still trying to get a few baby items for my house. If you would like to help, I've added a few items to my original Amazon registry. ​

"Why are you being so discontent, Andrea? It's ugly. This pattern of thinking isn't okay. Foster care is hard and these hurdles are nothing compared to what is coming when you have kids. Suck it up. You struggle with making friends because you don't put yourself out there. That's on you, not them. You loved your apartment when you moved in. What changed? You and your comparison of yourself to what you see on social media. Stop. You are letting discontentment come in and steal your joy. Be content with what I have given you, where I have placed you, the wonderful people who surround you, and my timeline."

It was a very humbling and tear-filled week. But it's good when the Father disciplines us, when He loving shows us the ugly in our lives so we can be made holy for Him. So, my word for this year is contentment. When these thoughts come in, I remember to be content, to not compare myself with others, and to trust the Lord and His plan for this year, even if I don't always understand the 'why'. ​

Fun Worship
If you're like me, you LOVE worship! Here are some of the songs that are always being blasted in my house. ​

I went huckleberry picking early Saturday morning. I had flown into Lakeside, Montana a few days ahead of our Bible conference, so I could assist with the set up. It didn’t take as long as we anticipated, so one of my friends invited me to go pick huckleberries on a little dirt road further up the mountain. It sounded like a really unique experience, since these berries only grow for a short season in this one region of Montana. I knew going into it that I might not be able to pick a lot, since they are small bushes that like the steep sides of mountains and I have knees that don’t always cooperate. It was the experience I was going for, and I knew the view overlooking the valley would be spectacular. ​

This past weekend, a bunch of our staff went to a retreat center a couple of hours north of Corpus Christi. It was such a sweet time together. We had long times of worship and prayer, reviewing the past year and casting vision for what is coming, and generally spending time together having fun. My biggest take-away was the importance of putting Jesus first in everything and allowing Him to refine the parts of me that are not completely sold out for and to Him. 

Check out the song list from our first night of the retreat:

On January 5th, we started our 3rd Chronological Bible Core Course! It's a school of firsts - first time we've had participants both locally and online, first class of all ladies, first time I've been the official leader, and the first time I've taught the inductive Bible study method, Philemon, and Colossians. It has truly been a privilege to work with these wonderful ladies and I can't wait to see all that the Lord is going to reveal these 9 months of studying His word!
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Last month, the DTS came back from outreach with fun stories of all that they had been able to do with YWAM Derby. After a week of team debrief and a baptism, we graduated our first trainee! It was such a special time to pour into this young man and commission him into the next steps God has for him. 
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Y'all, I never would have guessed how much I LOVE teaching the Bible! Last year I taught Proverbs at YWAM Detroit (and was so nervous!). This year, I am scheduled to teach 5 books a combination of 8 different times at 5 bases, some online and some in person. I've also been asked to record training videos for how to study the Bible using the inductive method. These videos will be used for the English-speaking online CBCC and SBS through YWAM Lakeside, MT.

I share this not because I want to brag or promote myself, but as a reminder that simple obedience changing things. It shifts our perspective from living our lives the way we plan, to living it according to His plan. 3 years ago, I started my CBCC, not because I wanted to (far from it), but out of obedience, both to the Lord and to my base leaders. And the Lord has used it in ways I never would have imagined. I am so thankful that He sees far more than I ever could and knows the small steps I need to take in order to be best used by Him. 
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This. This is a God-story! This is a testament to God's goodness and faithfulness. In May of last year, I began the process of raising funds to be able to prove solvency for the state of Texas. And for 6 months I didn't see any progress, so much so that it made me question if I had heard the Lord right. Did I get the timing wrong? Did I misinterpret what He said? I asked our team here to be praying with me because I was really discouraged and they all felt like I just needed to keep pressing in. They believed there were people who would come alongside this vision and ministry. Less than 2 weeks later, I get an unexpected phone call from friends who had been following my story and wanted to partner with me in the full amount I needed! Y'all, I cried so much for days over God's goodness, and their willingness and sacrifice! 

So, the process has begun! The next few months will be filled with paperwork, weekend training sessions, getting the room ready, and my home study. I am thankful that the Lord is letting me be His hands and feet to kids who are going through the unimaginable. Please keep me in your prayers, that I will walk in His love and wisdom. 
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That's right! This summer, I will be making the long drive to Wisconsin to visit with friends and family before I begin receiving foster  placements. I would love to meet with as many people as possible to catch up! Tentative dates are mid May to the end of June. 
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A huge shout out to everyone who has supported me over the years through prayer, finances, and encouragement. Thank you for your faithfulness, kindness, and generosity. I am really quite blessed to have such a strong support team and know that I couldn't do it without you!

In September, we launched our first ever DTS! While we may have a smaller school than most of us have ever been a part of, we see God's sweet hand in this time. Most of us are participating in the school in same fashion, whether it's staffing, leading times of evangelism and soaking worship, helping with the sailing track, or assisting with kitchen support (that's me!). It's been a time of growing together as a pioneering base. Added bonus for having one of my friends, Wayne Fife, come down from my home church to teach. That was pretty special!

The DTS is currently in their 9th week and are headed to YWAM South Texas for a week. They will be learning about evangelism and then putting it into practice working with refugees across the border. Then, at the beginning of December, they head to YWAM Derby (England) for their 2 month field assignment. Please keep them in prayer as they prepare for their ministry time there. 

Aside from the DTS, there have been other new beginnings. Carl and Erin Baird, one of our staff couples, are expecting their first child this month. This sweet baby girl will be the first baby born in our little community and we can't wait to meet her! I was privileged to host their baby shower in my home and it was so fun celebrating momma and baby girl!

The Baileys, another one of our staff families, celebrated both the purchase of a new (and super cute) home as well as the acquisition of a sail boat! The home is such a God-send to them, as they had been living as a family of 6 for over a year and a half in an RV. As a base, it has been so much fun getting to spend time at their new place for our community nights. The boat came as a bonus surprise! This is a huge blessing for them as well as for the base, as it will be available to use as an on-site trainee vessel for future schools. The Baileys share some of the details of their story in their latest newsletter! 

This past September, we were scheduled to start our 3rd CBCC, with me as the primary on-site school leader. Unfortunately, the few applications we had received fell through, and we had to postpone it. At first, I was REALLY disappointed. I had spent months preparing for it and having expectation not be met is never fun. However, the Lord knew that it needed to be at a different time. The person who was going to run the kitchen for the DTS had some major things happen and wasn't going to be able to do it. With the CBCC postponed, it freed me up to be able to help out in this area. 

Then last month, we felt that it was time to start it again, in January. We even have our first fully enrolled trainee! I'm so excited to have this school starting again. I love being able to teach others how to study the Word. And - unashamed promotion - would love to have some of my friends and family join in as well! For this school, we are also accepting auditing trainees, for those who would like to get a broad idea of how to study the Bible inductively and hear from teachers, both live and on video. 

I love when the Lord connects people across generations, cultures, and locations to fulfill His purposes. Since 2021, I've had the privilege of working with some amazing people in the online Bible world, helping to end Bible poverty and illiteracy. I've helped grade students' work and offer support as they work through the online CBCC, as well as helped create a training manual that is now in 7 languages (English, Spanish, French, Arabic, Nepali, Ukrainian, and now Russian) and used across all of online YWAM Bible world.

​This past month, I was invited to help train another base to start their own Bible school! This April, I will be joining Deb Possin (my favorite Wisconsin Bible leader) in helping YWAM Santa Cruz start their first BCC. As most of it is done remotely (with a couple of weeks of in-person teaching), it is something I can do while still serving at YWAM Ships CCTX. 

I'm constantly in awe of God's plans and timing. When I moved to Corpus Christi, doing a Bible school was something I never really had a desire to do. But the Lord used the lockdown to change my mind and I am forever grateful that I said "Yes" to the course. It really has been so life-changing and life-giving. 

As a volunteer member of YWAM, I do not receive a monthly salary, but rather am supported by friends, family, and churches. I can say that in 12 years of ministry, this has been something that has drawn me closer to the Lord and given me the opportunity to learn the value of interdependence. All the things that I've been able to help with - people to serve, ministries launched, hearts and bodies healed, people fed- it's all because I have a team of partners that are with me, praying with me and over me and supporting me financially so I can dedicate myself to full-time ministry. It is noticed and appreciated more than words can ever express.

For the last 4 years, I have had an overwhelming desire to be there for kiddos who are in foster care. And as I have seen and heard here in our community, the need for foster parents is huge. My biggest hurdle is proving to the State that I can financially take care of kiddos in my home. While they do get assistance, it rarely covers their basic needs. Over the next two months, I will be launching a fund-raising campaign to help me reach my monthly income goal to meet TX requirements for foster care. I only have $800 to go! 

​I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that this is something the Lord has called me to do. I'm looking for people who also have a heart for foster kids, but who may not be able to have them in their own home, or churches who wish to stand for vulnerable kids. If this is something you are interested in supporting, if you know of anyone who may be interested, or if you have any additional questions, check out the links below:

I have officially moved into my new apartment! I got the keys on July 22nd and with the help of some seriously awesome friends and co-laborers, moved all of my belongings across the parking lot to the new place. It has been a crazy 6 weeks of packing, cleaning, unpacking, and organizing, but I am so thankful! On the night I moved in, we all sat around eating pizza and praying over the apartment - that it would be a place of peace and refuge for those who visit (and future kiddos who come to live). Already there is a sense of peace here. My favorite spot is sitting on my couch, looking out my living room window at the green mesquite tree swaying in the wind. 

A huge thank you to everyone who helped with the move, whether it was helping with moving expenses, supporting me in prayer, or helping me lug all my belongings across the parking lot! 

"Don't despise small beginnings". It's a mantra we have had as a pioneering location these past 2 1/2 years. Developing roots takes time. Growth takes time. You don't always see it in the beginning, but deep roots means the plant will be establish, better able to produce fruit that will be full of nutrients. This school right now is a 'small beginning' that will continue to establish us in the community and will training future generations of biblically-trained mariners to reach the isolated. 

Our DTS currently has 2 trainees, but they are young men who have a heart to take the gospel to others using ocean-going vessels. We are so thankful that the Lord has entrusted these gentlemen to us for the next 5 months, to invest into their lives and train them in the ways of the Lord. 

Y'all, there is a hunger within the young people of Nueces County for something more than the world has to offer. Students starting up Bible clubs within the school, teachers and administrators are asking us to come to their schools to pray. It's making a difference!

One day we were praying over a middle school and had a strong sense to pray against violence that day and to pray for the peace of the Lord to walk the halls. We didn't know that this school struggled daily with violent outbreaks among the students. The next day, the principal called Mance and Amanda (the ministry leaders) and told them that it was the first day in a long time that they hadn't had any issues of violence!  

I'm am so thankful that we get to be part of this ministry out of New Life Church. It makes my 'teacher heart' so happy to see the local body coming in to support those who are teaching the next generation. 

I am one step closer to being a licensed foster care mom! I have the apartment that meets Texas requirements for 1 or 2 kiddos. Now to continue checking off the other items on the list. Here's what I still need to do:

Furnish the Room! I need to make sure that I have the supplies and furniture needed for the kiddos - 

• bed with mattress and linens
• dresser
• small night stand
• clothes and shoes of various sizes for the seasons
• books and toys for various ages

Prove Income. This is my biggest hurdle. You have to be able to prove that you can take care of the kiddos and that your income is over the federal poverty line for the number of people in your household. I'm getting closer, but I'm still not there yet. 

Paperwork and Training! Background checks, home studies, fire inspections, classes, trauma training - it's quite a long list. Most of these items are only valid for 3-6 months, so they will be done once income is proved. Agape Harbor, the agency I will be licensed under, is amazing and so great at helping me understand the logistics of it all. 

If you are interested in helping check some of these things off the list, click the button!

It's true, I am a perfectionist. Most people who know me well would not be shocked by this declaration. I've always believed in the importance of doing my best and striving for excellence in everything I do. It wasn't until recently, while crying through the study of Ephesians  in the Bible Core Course that I am doing, that the Lord showed me where this perfectionism stemmed from. 

As a high school student, I was relentless in my studies. Not because I wanted to learn more or had a great hunger for knowledge, but because I was afraid of failure. Afraid that if I didn't get good grades, that somehow I wasn't good enough. The pressure I put on myself was insane. I would take ridiculous notes in every class and then go home and rewrite them until they looked perfect. On an assignment, quiz, or exam, if I didn't get a perfect score, I would cry and berate myself. Since the score wasn't perfect, somehow I wasn't perfect. 

About 3 weeks ago, I started the unit on Ephesians for our BCC. At first I loved it. We had to read Ephesians about 5 times, observing the text and what was happening at that time. We had to pick titles for each paragraph, using only the words in the text, and only 4 words per title. That was interesting, but fun.

Then we got to something called the BRI or Basic Required Information. I didn't understand what was required of me in the assignment,  and all of a sudden, all of my insecurities and fear of failure surfaced. If I didn't understand what was required, how could I make sure I did it perfectly? If I didn't do it perfectly, I would get a bad grade. In my head, that number grade was going to reflect my value as a student and therefore, my value as a person.

​I felt sorry for my flatmate as she tried to talk me down. I agonized over it for days. I told my school leader I wanted to quit...several times. I didn't want to face the possibility of not being perfect. She encouraged me, as did my leaders and the people that are a part of the cohort, to keep pressing in and not give up. Then she was sweet enough to send me an example of what was the BRI could look like and it helped me get through the assignment.

As the unit progressed, we had to take time to dive deeper into each section of the letter to the Ephesians. I REALLY enjoyed this part. and could probably write paragraphs about what the Lord showed me while studying Ephesians, but I realized that my patterns of thinking about myself were really off. It was an area of my heart and mind that needed to be renewed.

I still want to do my best for the Lord in all that I do, but I can say, for the first time really believing and knowing, that it is not where my value lies. Getting good grades or being "perfect" is not the answer. It's in knowing that I am a daughter of the King who is loved for who I am. That is my identity and value.  

I am so thankful for the opportunity to do this Bible school and I look forward to seeing what else the Lord shows me as I dive deeper into His Word! It's pretty amazing!

Christmas has always been my favorite time of year. I grew up in a Christian home and read the Bible stories surrounding Christmas every year, but never thought about it in these terms. This past Sunday, Pastor Mike from New Life Church in Corpus, shared some insights we can take from Luke 1:5-38. It spoke to my heart so much that I wanted to share it with you. If you have been struggling with understanding God's faithfulness, unanswered prayers, doubt, or frustration, this may speak to your heart as well. 

Zachariah, a priest in the temple, and his wife, Elizabeth, walked faithfully with God. Scripture tells us that they were righteous in God's eyes and were careful to obey all of the Lord's commandments and regulations. It also tells us that they were not able to have children, in a time when being "barren" meant you or your husband had sinned and were being punished. Regardless of what others believed of them or how they felt, they continued doing what the Lord asked of them. They were faithful. Then on an ordinary day, doing exactly what he did on a normal basis, Zachariah was met by the angel, Gabriel, announcing the answer to his and Elizabeth's prayers. They were going to have a child. 

How often do our reactions and responses affect us? For Zachariah, his response had an immediate and difficult effect. When Gabriel announced the wonderful news that his wife  was going to have a child, what was his reaction? Probably what many of us would've said if we're honest - "How can I be sure this will happen? I'm an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years." How often do we hear from the Lord that He will do something in our lives and immediately ask, "How's that going to happen"? Or He calls us to do something and we come up with a list of reasons why it won't work. I've done it in my own life, over and over. We begin to doubt, to question.

For Zachariah, this doubting cost him his voice. He was made mute until his son was born. Perhaps Gabriel silenced him to to prevent him from canceling out anything that the Lord was going to do. Our words have power. At times, they can become our own worst enemy. When the Lord desires to bring breakthrough, but we're so busy voicing our doubts, concerns, criticisms, etc. we may miss out. We need to be careful of what we give a voice.  Stop voicing doubts, fears, frustrations, anger, or criticisms. It opens up the door for the enemy to mess with your heart and head. Voice truth. You can't mix fear and faith. 

When I read stories from the Bible, it can be easy to wonder why the people reacted the way they did. Many times my first initial reaction to their responses are, "Why on earth did they do it that way?" And then I remember, they were human and not fictional characters in a story. Then I think of Mary. I mean, seriously, here is a 13-year-old girl who gets visited by an angel who tells her she will become pregnant, as a virgin, and give birth to the Savior of the world! That would throw a mature adult! And what's even crazier is she had no frame of reference! It's not like she could say, "You know, I think I remember hearing about that happening about 40 years ago". Never in the history of the world had this happened, nor has it happened since. Of course she responds with a bit of doubt in the beginning. 

But here's her next response - "I am the Lord's servant. May everything you have said about me come true." Wow, what faith! She doesn't know the how, but she knows that "the word of God will never fail". She understands, in that brief moment, that God is true and faithful and trustworthy. The thing is, it's not our job to know the "how". It's our job to trust. To be faithful. To obey. 

This message for me was so encouraging! There have been so many times in my life where I have known God has called me to something, and for years, my response was much more like Zachariah's - doubt, lack of trust, criticism. Over the last year, the Lord has really been taking me on a journey of faith. This journey is so crazy that there's no way it will work unless He makes it happen. I need to rely on Him. I have to trust in what He has spoken, be faithful in what He has asked me to do, and keep doing what is right. I don't need to know how He will accomplish it, I just need to trust that He will. 

Whatever breakthrough you need, be it a marriage healed, financial provision, illness removed, faith increased, family members coming to Jesus, KEEP PRESSING ON! Continue to walk in what the Lord has for you to do. Love generously. Be faithful in doing good. And trust that He will, too.