“Hold my hand. Walk with me. Trust me. I’m going to take you on an adventure; specifically designed for you.”
-Holy Spirit
Have you ever struggled with the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I have! Although I learned to give a short succinct answer it never explained the compilation of all my dreams and desires. Thankfully God understands the struggle because he made me that way! As I allow the Lord to lead me down life’s journey it doesn’t always make sense and it doesn’t always feel comfortable but His way is always right. And so, with all the twists and turns, I joyfully share my story with you…
Like everyone else, my story began before I was conceived. My mother had a dream that she was holding a baby girl with the name pronunciation of “Ji-rah.” Sometime later she became pregnant. After a very difficult, hi-risk pregnancy, including 5 months of bedrest and 18 hours of labor that ended in a cesarean, I was born (a silent “S” was added because my father wanted the family initials to be the same). When I was an infant my mom was watching Christian television and heard them singing my name. She discovered there is a name for God in the Bible that means, “the Lord will provide; provision,” Jehovah Jireh, and immediately knew that her dream was from the Holy Spirit. As a result of hearing this story at a young age, Jeremiah 1:5 became one of my life verses. “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” I accepted Jesus into my heart at 8 years old and strongly desired to know him and share him with others, especially my childhood best friend who was Jewish.
“I want to be a doctor,” is what I used to tell people when they asked me that question. While pursuing pre-med at Vanderbilt University one of my professors deeply offended me by saying I should probably “re-think my direction in life.” I walked out of his office with a crazy determination to prove him wrong! Little did I know the Lord would use those hurtful words for His glory. I tried to ignore the tug on my heart but after 3 years of pouring my time and energy into pre-med studies I switched my major to Communication Studies and accepted the Lord’s call for me to go into vocational campus ministry. I traveled the world as a campus missionary, ministering to students at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and Vista University in South Africa, Auckland University in New Zealand, and University of the Philippines in Manila, Philippines. My home base was in Nashville, TN where I spent most of my time ministering to students at Fisk University and Tennessee State University (TSU). During this time, February 2007, is when my first book, “Heart Expressions from the Throne Room,” was conceived. I didn’t know it would take 13 years to birth! **Side note: I absolutely LOVE to travel and read. The mission field was delightful to me and after serving my time as a campus missionary I was ready to move to Mozambique to join another movement I had grown to love…but the Lord said no.
A few more re-directions happened in my life as the Lord told me to begin pursuing my love for acting and prepare for marriage. What?! Yes, you heard correctly! At a time when I was wanting to sit in the dirt with the poor and just love Jesus with the “least of these,” God opened the doors for me to get an agent and land many acting jobs on TV; one of my childhood fantasies. Click the link to watch one of my favorite jobs: a collaboration between Disney & Whirlpool. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7ZGYNhraTE&app=desktop
During this time is when I met my husband, Kyndl, who is a “creative” at heart, used to travel for missions and shares a similar heart for the entertainment industry. We fell in love and got married! **Side-note: there’s obviously WAY more to that story. The impact marriage has had on my life cannot possibly be captured in this brief description. In fact, it would be a good book-hmmmm.
Fast forward 7 years…we had a baby! Jenson Stanley is a beautiful treasure from the Father that leaves me completely undone by His love. Being a mother is such a precious gift. Again, the depth of impact motherhood has made on me cannot be captured here. Another book? Hmmm.
Sjhira Ellzey 