Most folks call me Kerina, unless we're blood related, in that case I'm "Rena", with an e, rather than an i; bizarre, but true, on account of my mumma. I've been on this earth for 22 years, anxious to claim more adventures & laugh lines. These things (about me's) are always so tough, I feel pressured, I keep telling myself,'if I can do this, I can do anything!'

I'm a wacky one. Laughing is one of my favorite things, it really is. There is so much freedom in laughter; I'd do it nonstop if I could! Focus. Okay. I currently reside in the little town of Port Huron, Michigan (Great Lakes, Great times), moved here at the age of 17 from El Paso, Texas. I was born in Houston Texas to a Hispanic woman and a Muslim, Middle Eastern man (you'd think I'd be tan . . . nope, I glow like a lightening bug). My parents divorced when I was two, my mother remarried when I was 12. My step-father is in the army, hence the move. I still live at home with my mother, step-father and my hilarious 7 year old brother (he keeps me young). I didn't do the whole college thing; instead I chose a career in painting faces, and cutting heads! I'm a hairdresser, no applause please. I absolutely loved it until, the dreaded until, the beginning of this year. I was in the middle of some highlights and all of a sudden this feeling of dissatisfaction came over me-at that moment I literally hated doing hair. I got angry at myself, thinking, 'oh nuh uh girrrl! This is what you chose you better snap out of it!’. I didn't. I prayed and was at peace with quitting my salon job and going full time at my other part-time job. I now work full time at the Blue Water Bridge for a Customs Broker, I'm what they call a 'Customs Account Analyst' (it's not even near as cool as it sounds, for real). I believe I will one day get back into doing hair, I really do. I consider myself a pretty creative person, and doing hair was one of my 'outlets', I don't miss it yet, but I will.

So I quit, went full-time and now I'm going to Cambodia. The end. Just kidding.... Feeling a slight sense of relief and some major confusion after quitting, I began to pray, asking God why that happened. I asked him to show me (very clearly) what my future entailed. About a week later, I had a dream (I rarely dream-or remember them, at least) that I was a speaker to young girls on their self-worth, purity and values. Woke up LOVING it! (Self-worth is something I've struggled with for a very long time) I began to pray and meditate on the dream asking for more answers, asking Him to use me for His Glory, and specifically asking to be removed from my comfort zone(oh boy). A few days later I had this sudden desire, (when I say sudden, it was like BAM) to go on a mission trip. I seriously have never wanted to go on one before, EVER. So I prayed some more asking for confirmation and all that good stuff. Let me tell you, I received many uh' those babies!

I eventually contacted AIM wanting to, maybe, go on a short mission trip for a few weeks. After scoping the Real Life options, first Country I clicked was Cambodia, because of the time frame. My heart was about to beat out of my chest, and into Harpo Studios. I bawled. If that wasn't God tugging at my converse laces, I don't know what was! SooOoo, here I am! Obeying my Daddy, anxious, nervous and out of my comfort zone (so far, at least..*awkward laugh*) nonetheless, excited!

In a nutshell, that is where I am and how I've gotten here. I'm completely trusting the Father in this journey. Giving up a job  that I am so blessed to have at my age, without, a college degree. Trusting in Him for all my needs. Anxious to spread his Love to the nations, and bring glory to His name. Woohoo!

Random junk about myself:

*My favorite song, for some reason, is Jessie's Girl, by the one and only, Rick Springfield.

*I ADORE sunflowers. (Okay so I love all flowers, but sunflowers are my favorite) I enjoy them so much, I have a tattoo of one on my right foot, it's definitely there, cannot be missed.

* I also have a tattoo on my left wrist of the word Faith, surrounded by music notes.

* I used to want to be a journalist. I wanted to major in music theatre. I wanted to be a nurse. I wanted to be a flight attendant. I chose hair.

*I have a horrible frog phobia. I hate frogs. Never, I mean NEVER, drive with me on a rainy, summer Michigan evening. Actually, maybe you should, I will ensure you value your life.

*I have a weird fascination with Oprah. Okay, I lied. It's not even her I'm intrigued by, I think it's just her name. I refer to her on a regular basis, and when I say her, I mean her name.

*Reading, I love to read. I could spend months in books. I want a house with a library one day.

*I can't look in the mirror when I brush my teeth.