HI TEAM! I’m Jessica, but often get nicknamed Jess, Jessie, or W because of my last name and there are almost always more than one Jessica. I even live with another Jessica as my roommate.

WHERE: I am a Texas girl born and bred! My hometown is Bastrop, Texas and is 30 miles East from Austin, the capitol of Texas.

ACADEMIA: I go to school at Texas A&M in Galveston in Galveston, Texas. In Galveston we are still considered real Fighting Texas Aggies WHOOP, but our school is just at the beach and our campus is only about 2,000 students. Who wouldn’t want to go to college at the beach? I am a Marine Biology major.

NINE TO FIVE: Currently, I work at The Mosquito Café in Galveston, TX. It is a little local restaurant and working there a year I have come to know the regulars. No my ideal work place but it pays the bills

KILLING TIME: Spare time what is that? I am taking 17 hours this semester and work 20-25 hours a week. On top of that, I attempt to be involved on campus. If I can find some time I love playing fetch on the beach with my puppy! She likes to go get her toy, take it swimming and then eventually will bring it back to me to throw again. I like to hang out with my friends and love playing board games.

THE IMPORTANT STUFF:

- I only fall up stairs not down them.

- I love sweet tea!

- My favorite animals are rays. I really like Manna rays but stingrays are cool too.

- I love my family!

- My favorite food is Mexican food.

- Purple is my favorite color.

- Like most of our group I love to sing especially when I am driving.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE: I went on a couple mission trips to San Antonio on one in middle school we went and built wheelchair ramps for people who needed them and on one in high school our purpose was to help the intercity homeless and put on a VBS. At my hometown church I have helped put on a few VBS’s and used to baby-sit during an adult bible study.

THE NIT N’ GRITTY: I have never been out of the country and am super excited to go to Kenya! I feel as though God had plans for me this summer to stop my career-oriented goals (internships, lab experience, classes, ect.) and to take some time out to devote time fully to serving him and his Glory. I just had this epiphany at the beginning of April, which was helped sparked along with Passion in Fort Worth and now within a month I am committed to going to KENYA, AFRICA!! I am excited and freaking out at the same time, even though I know that the Lord has a bigger plan and will provide for my trip. I know this trip will be life changing and amazing and can’t wait to meet everyone!

(P.S. I don't feel that weird writing this much about myself since all of you did too!)