Hello all,

        My name is Jessica Fouch (Fu-shay, it's French)! :) I just turned 21 on the 21st of February! I live in Bartlett/Elgin, Illinois during my breaks from school while the rest of the time I spend in Manhattan, KS studying @ Kansas State University (Go Cats)! I am a first year graduate student studying Regional and Community Planning and hopefully Youth Development.

        Some say that it's the journey and not the destination, however I've been living my life for the destination. Now God's teaching me to enjoy the journey and those who are traveling alongside. We only get one life to live. Why not enjoy it and embrace all our Savior has created? So I'm smelling the flowers, dancing in the rain, singing out loud... Seriously, I am relieved to live life and not feel like the weight of the world is on my shoulders because it's a burden I never had to carry...if only I had given it to God all this time (sigh).

        For the first time in my life, I am not ashamed of being me and I refuse to hide who I am any longer. I am extraordinary because God made me that way. I was thinking, the other day, that all it takes it a little Extra to be extraordinary. Anyone can be extraordinary and anyone can be ordinary. So why should we settle for ordinary when God has created us to be extraordinary like Him? :) Now I can see how the pieces come together, all our needs and desires (if according to God's will), life lessons: failures and successes, personality traits; etc all make us the creation God intended. He didn't make any mistake when He created us.

       So here's my short life story: I've known since I was (probably) 5 that God had a calling over my life. I started prophesying and singing at age 4/5. I use to write poetry, songs, and random thoughts and lessons life has taught me, play the drums and violin. Somewhere along the way, I started running from the reflection in the mirror, gained control of my emotions, took my heart off my sleeve, stopped using my gifts for the most part and just cruised through life because no one seems to notice or care either way.

       So now I'm in a transitional stage, where who I pretend to be and who I am start to go different directions. God will no longer accept my "just good enough" and demands my best. My life's journey is full of questions that I don't have the answers to right now. It's been a long time since I've been this real...this Me. I love kids and will change the world for every boy and girl. I love the color green (maybe even a little 2 much). I love to randomly burst out in song and maybe even dance. I love thoughtful things and people (and unthoughtful people)! :) I love to look for a deeper meaning whether in a song, movie, or a book. I love my family and friends. I love (good) surprises. I love to travel and new adventures. I truly love the little things in life. And most importantly I love God and His people.

      Well, that's a little (or a lot) about me! Life is for the living and I rejoining the team! :) And I am Super excited for what God has in store for His people!

       Live, laugh, love,

       Jessica