bulldogCatholic_FOCUSmissionary_stephanie-Parks

“My favorite animal for a pet is a dog. Or, more specifically, my husky/lab girl back home, Moxxi! However, my favorite animal as a body guard would be Aslan.”

My name is Stephanie Parks and I am bomb.

Why did I become a FOCUS missionary? The FOCUS missionaries at Drake were the people who taught me how to see Jesus as a real person who loves me and is present in my daily life in so many ways. They also taught me how to love others in a way that I was really missing out on. When considering whether to become a missionary or take a teaching job, I decided that I would always be restless until I rested in the Lord’s plan for me, which included following Him with everything I have and am!

I had a hidden talent once, but I don’t hide it anymore. I have a semi-useful knack for editing papers. Students, hit me up! I’d love to hep you out!

Saturdays. I love Saturdays. My fav is a long run followed by an afternoon of blogging, reading, and eating cookie dough.

My favorite quote? JPII’s words from World Youth Day in 2000—

“ It is Jesus you seek when you dream of happiness; He is waiting for you when nothing else you find satisfies you; He is the beauty to which you are so attracted; it is He who provoked you with that thirst for fullness that will not let you settle for compromise; it is He who urges you to shed the masks of a false life; it is He who reads your heart your most genuine choices, the choices that others try to stifle. It is Jesus who stirs in you the desire to do something great with your lives, the will to follow an ideal, the refusal to allow yourselves to be ground down by mediocrity, the courage to commit yourselves humbly and patiently to improving yourselves and society, making the world more human and more fraternal.”

This Year at UMD

I’m pumped to be continuing my second year reaching out to athletes on campus! Varsity Catholic, the athlete movement within FOCUS, is alive and well at UMD! As a former collegiate cross country and track athlete, I am so excited to pass on what I’ve learned about how athletics is prime practice for sainthood. We’ve got athlete-specific Bible studies, monthly events and speakers, and the skills to make a great cheering section. Play a sport? Want to get involved? Email me and we’ll make it happen! Go Bulldogs!

Let’s Be Friends

http://twitter.com/stephanieparks1
stephanie.parks@focus.org
www.stephaniegoesthedistance.wordpress.com

umd-newman-bulldogCatholic-focus-missionaries-2016-groupPhoto-traci-Kulesa

“I specialize in both pretending to be a countercultural hipster and also being the most basic American you’ve ever met.”

My Name is Traci Kulesa

I’m a big fan of Jesus. I’m from the teeny town of Warner, South Dakota but claim any place with a Tabernacle and good friends as my home (Bring it on, Duluth). My mom and dad are cute and super in love. Therefore, my older brother Tony and I exist. Tony must also really love his high school sweetheart and wife Kelsey, because their first child will be liberated from the womb very soon!

In 1832 scientists concluded that I’m hilarious and should therefore be given free coffee on the regular. I’m a huge fan of flannel, various beverages, bearded faces, musicals, strange foods, chill music, and the power of language and communication overall. My day is easily made when I get to take part in my ultimate passion: genuine conversation with wonderful humans.

I specialize in both pretending to be a countercultural hipster and also being the most basic American you’ve ever met.

Things/People that make me smile:

  • The Eucharist
  • Cows
  • Beards
  • Anyone’s laughter
  • Blessed Mother Teresa, soon to be Saint Teresa of Kolkata!
  • Dick Van Dyke
  • High- and Low-quality movies alike
  • Terrible puns and dad jokes
  • Basically every video on YouTube

Let’s Be Friends

This Year at UMD

Jesus Christ is going to continue falling in love with you and asking you for your Yes. I’d like to help you respond if you’re game.

umd-newman-bulldogCatholic-focus-missionaries-2016-groupPhoto-Megan

My Name is Megan Carlson

I prefer a veil of mystery, but I am willing to share the following.

My favorite….

  • Snack – Cheez-its (preferably white cheddar)
  • Hobby – cross stitching and various crafting
  • Class from college – Infectious Diseases, immunology
  • Cuisine – Italian
  • Pet – Definitely a small dog, but possibly a penguin. For reasons.
  • Saturday leisure – cross-stitching, probably while watching a movie
  • Quote – “There are no great things, only small things with great love” – St. Teresa of Calcutta
    Then there is this…

More about me…

  • I became a FOCUS missionary because Jesus told me to.
  • If I could live anywhere in the world, I would have no idea how to pick. But I REALLY love Minnesota though.
  • I’ve been as far as California and Florida, but never outside the U.S.A.
  • I have two siblings. 1 younger brother, Matt, and 1 younger sister, Amelia
  • If you could win gold in any Olympic sport, it would be for puns and cheesy jokes

Let’s Be Friends

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/megan.carlson.62442
Twitter: @MeganRose646
Email: megan.carlson@focus.org

umd-newman-bulldogCatholic-focus-missionaries-2016-groupPhoto-Megan

My Name is Megan Carlson

I prefer a veil of mystery, but I am willing to share the following.

My favorite….

  • Snack – Cheez-its (preferably white cheddar)
  • Hobby – cross stitching and various crafting
  • Class from college – Infectious Diseases, immunology
  • Cuisine – Italian
  • Pet – Definitely a small dog, but possibly a penguin. For reasons.
  • Saturday leisure – cross-stitching, probably while watching a movie
  • Quote – “There are no great things, only small things with great love” – St. Teresa of Calcutta
    Then there is this…

More about me…

  • I became a FOCUS missionary because Jesus told me to.
  • If I could live anywhere in the world, I would have no idea how to pick. But I REALLY love Minnesota though.
  • I’ve been as far as California and Florida, but never outside the U.S.A.
  • I have two siblings. 1 younger brother, Matt, and 1 younger sister, Amelia
  • If you could win gold in any Olympic sport, it would be for puns and cheesy jokes

Let’s Be Friends

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/megan.carlson.62442
Twitter: @MeganRose646
Email: megan.carlson@focus.org

umd-newman-bulldogCatholic-focus-missionaries-2016-groupPhoto-Megan

My Name is Megan Carlson

I prefer a veil of mystery, but I am willing to share the following.

My favorite….

  • Snack – Cheez-its (preferably white cheddar)
  • Hobby – cross stitching and various crafting
  • Class from college – Infectious Diseases, immunology
  • Cuisine – Italian
  • Pet – Definitely a small dog, but possibly a penguin. For reasons.
  • Saturday leisure – cross-stitching, probably while watching a movie
  • Quote – “There are no great things, only small things with great love” – St. Teresa of Calcutta
    Then there is this…

More about me…

  • I became a FOCUS missionary because Jesus told me to.
  • If I could live anywhere in the world, I would have no idea how to pick. But I REALLY love Minnesota though.
  • I’ve been as far as California and Florida, but never outside the U.S.A.
  • I have two siblings. 1 younger brother, Matt, and 1 younger sister, Amelia
  • If you could win gold in any Olympic sport, it would be for puns and cheesy jokes

Let’s Be Friends

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/megan.carlson.62442
Twitter: @MeganRose646
Email: megan.carlson@focus.org

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