I’m thrilled to introduce you to our new Blog Manager, Juliandra Durkin! Jules and I met through our Westmont College chapter and have stayed in touch ever since. Jules is sweet, compassionate and has a love for writing. I am so excited to have her oversee our blog “Know Your Value” and for her bring inspiring and challenging content our way! Please join me in welcoming Jules to our team!
-Allie
How did you first hear of WM?
How did you first hear of WM?
I was a first-year at Westmont College and I believe they were at the college club fair. I signed up to join but couldn’t go to any of the meetings that first semester because I had work the one night they met up! It was at the very end of the semester though, during finals week and I remember the Tuesday night so vividly when I got called off work and a friend in my dorm invited me to join her for the last WM meeting of the semester. Of course I wanted to go, only all semester! I felt lucky for coming that night when Allie Marie gave her testimony as well as the WM Westmont Chapter Director, who spoke into my life that night and became a dear friend.”
What attracted you to the WM ministry?
The transparency and authenticity of these beautiful women who didn’t have it all together and didn’t care because they knew their worth in God. I felt loved by the leaders and other women in the group. And there were fun meetings and leadership opportunities in the ministry at Westmont College.
What have you done since graduating college?
Lot’s of things! I stayed and lived in the Santa Barbara, CA for a year and a half after graduating, working and living with friends. Circumstances changed and I moved back to my home town of State College, PA. But it’s not easy being away from sunny CA! My latest endeavor is to take a road trip across the US, visiting friends, and make it to Santa Barbara to pick of some of my things I left in storage there!
What are your hobbies?
I LOVE being outside. In the woods. At the beach. Exercising, hiking, biking, swimming, it’s all good to me. I love reading and people watching at coffee shops. Writing is a great escape for me and I keep a personal blog Written Jewels, for anyone who wants to check that out! And one of my biggest passions is travel and learning about other cultures.
Why do you like writing so much?
Writing is a way for me to process life and use my imagination to take me places. I love to travel, but no longer have opportunities to study abroad like I did in college. Writing gives me that escape and adventure that I crave.
Since you like traveling, if you could choose one place in the world to live where would that be?
After this road trip across the USA, I want to go to Argentina. Or India. Or back to Europe. There are too many exciting places to see!
Do you have any heroes or people you look up to? Who are they?
Yes! Many amazing men and women have influenced me and left their marks on my life. So, I’m going to go way, way back to the Bible to Esther. Esther is a hero because even though I know her story and how her life ended and the divine purpose she was given, when she was living it, she had no idea. Her courage to show up for her people and complete the mission God set before her is encouraging to me when in periods of doubt, confusion, or unknowing. God knows, and like Esther, I have to believe there is a purpose for me, even if it looks dark in the moment.
Favorite Bible verse?
Habakkuk 3:18-19:
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord. I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.
