I have gone from cooking dinners of Hamburger Helper and Rice-a-Roni meals to making homemade food from scratch. I have gone from a city girl who had only one plant stay alive under my care to working a garden full of broccoli, cauliflower, colored peppers, lettuce, strawberries, zucchini, squash, tomatoes, jalapeños, and sweet corn. I came from a girl who wasn’t sure if she wanted to have kids to God working on my heart to have one beautiful daughter whom I love more than I ever thought I could. I went from working full-time (and if I’m honest, judged stay-at-home moms a little – sorry!) to a missionary, wife, and mom. And while I enjoy my ministry to women, I know my main role is keep some kind of peace in our home in a completely different world. I went from living and enjoying conveniences and luxuries to understanding basic needs and limited comforts.

And all that is good! I have changed and God has worked in my life to make me (hopefully) more like Him. I have learned HARD lessons. I have made BIG mistakes. I have swallowed my pride and looked foolish. I have felt alone, unworthy and completely overwhelmed. But in all of it, God is working in me. I never imagined this life for myself. I never imagined living in Uganda. I never imagined doing the things I’ve learned to do. And I’m grateful. I’ve learned to never say never because God can do anything. And my life is a testimony to that.

So if there’s something you want to do, TRY IT. If there’s someone you want to get to know, make the effort. If there’s a dream you have, start working on it. If there’s something new you learned, celebrate it. And “Never Say Never, Again!” (Cue Fievel Mousekewitz from “An American Tail”).