Meet Larissa Murphy – IF: Local Scholarship Winner
Larissa Murphy – IF:Indiana (PA)
Larissa is…
Passionate, Sacrificial, Brave, Committed, Thirsty
Why is this important that Larissa attends the IF:Local Leader Gathering?
Larissa is my sweet daughter-in-law.
She and my son were married after he suffered a traumatic brain injury. This isn’t the life that she envisioned for herself and the man she loves but she has jumped, in-no holds barred.
She works full-time, cooks dinner every night, is Ian’s caregiver (once his 40 hour a week aid leaves), hosts their small group from church, serves on the board of at least 2 non-profits and had her first book published in 2014. (Eight Twenty Eight)
She is the one who cuts the grass, hangs every picture, takes out every trash can and scrubs out her whirlpool bath and invites me over to soak!
She does much more than this but these things are only a small glimpse of how she bears the Creator’s image.
She loves like nobody’s business. She has a way of drawing women in and building new relationships without giving up on the old ones.
That’s just it. She doesn’t give up. Even when it’s sad and you don’t get your heart’s desire and people criticize the most vulnerable you.
Larissa hosted a small gathering in her home for the last IF conference. It was a source of hope and nourishment for her. I would love to see her attend the leader gathering because she hasn’t really been to a retreat when she wasn’t the speaker! She is always willing to give more but sometimes I think the poor girl must be plum wrung-out.
And ….did I mention that she is funny and cute and has a great sense of style?
What are your dreams for your local context?
I would love to see this event done on a large scale in my area. We live in a beautiful, safe, sheltered town. It is incredibly easy to look away from what is happening in the world and even under our noses. There is a large university located here that not only attracts students from our state but the entire world. The largest international student population is from Saudi Arabia. They are coming here. To us! What a privilege and opportunity. I don’t want to look away. I don’t want the church in this area to look away.
Want to join Larissa and other leaders like her at the IF:Local Leader Gathering?
Spots are still available. Register today!
