My "brief" biography

So... for the North American Hellenic Ministries board (NACOM) meeting a few weeks ago, each of the missionaries here was supposed to write up a quick little biography description with our prayer requests so that the board members would know us better (especially since there have been so many of us that are new!), and how best they could be praying for us. Like I just posted, I can definitely feel those prayers being answered! But anyway, I thought I would expose my dorky self by showing you the process I went through to cut my "brief" bio down as small as possible so that it wouldn't be drastically longer than everyone else's. Oh, the crazyness of being such a passionate creative writer... haha. So, are you ready for a good laugh? Let me copy and paste the various drafts for you... (I'll mostly just post the "background" section.. because that is what I modified the most times... the rest was pretty much the straight forward format that everyone followed): (And if you're bored and truly don't care... please feel free to just skip below to the final product!):

Background: I am the oldest of three in a close-knit Christian family. I have lived in two small town, Dutch communities, and I am thankful for the long-term relationships these places naturally cultivate to make me feel known, loved, and encouraged. God gave me a clear calling to ministry in high school, and the opportunities to lead worship and plan church/mission events haven't stopped since. In 2008, the summer after I graduated from college, I connected with HM as a member of the Pioneers Edge team. I helped with the sports camps, OJ, and even a "last minute call" to OG3, China. In January 2009, I moved to Greece to serve with HM for as long as God allows.

Background (choppier...): Oldest of three in a close-knit Christian family. Thankful to feel known, loved, and encouraged through long-term relationships cultivated in the two small town, Dutch communities I have lived in. Since receiving a clear calling to ministry in high school, opportunities for me to lead worship and plan church/mission events keep arising. Summer 2008 - Pioneers Edge team member. In addition to helping with the sports camps and OJ, I followed the call to OG3, China. January 2009 - moved to Greece to serve with HM for as long as God allows.

Meggan De Jong
From: Sully, Iowa, USA
Training: BA in Music Ministry & Christian Ed. Ministry from Northwestern College, Orange City, Iowa
Background: Oldest of three in a Christian family. Thankful to feel known, loved, and encouraged as part of the two small town, Dutch communities I have lived in. After call to ministry in high school, have had continuous opportunities to lead worship and plan church/mission events. Summer 2008 - Pioneers Edger. Helped with sports camps, OJ, and followed the call to OG3, China. January 2009 - moved to Greece to serve with HM for as long as God allows.
Current Prayers: Connections & relationships, Focus on THE goal, In tune to the Holy Spirit’s leading, Filled to overflowing with the love, joy & peace of Christ

Background: Oldest of three in a Christian family with small town community roots. Lots of opportunities to lead worship & plan church/mission events. Connected with HM the summer of 2008 to help with camps and Operation Joshua, and then went to China for OG3. In January 2009, came back to Greece to serve long term with HM.

And the winner is... duhn, duhn, duh...

Meggan De Jong
From: Sully, Iowa, USA
Training: Music Ministry & Christian Ed. Ministry - NW College, Orange City, Iowa
Background: Oldest of three in a Christian family with small town community roots. Lots of opportunities to lead worship & plan church/mission events. Connected with HM to help with camps and Joshua, Summer ’08. Went to China for OG3. Back to Greece to serve long term with HM, January ‘09.
Current Prayers: Focus on THE goal; Connections & relationships; In tune to the Holy Spirit’s leading; Filled to overflowing with the love, joy & peace of Christ

Okay, yes, that was the final one, I promise. Commence laughing NOW! ;)