Bio
I grew up in a Christian home. My grandparents have always been in church, and there was a minister not far up in my family tree. My parents brought me up this way, and I was in church every Sunday. I was tought various disciplines and stories through Sunday School and even participated in a few Chrismas plays. I always considered myself a good person and appreciated the faith and teachings I was introduced to. Although, outside of Sunday I was not very active in my faith and had yet to gain a full understanding of it.
When I was in middle school, I was asked by the youth pastor at the church we attended if I wanted to go on a Youth Retreat. I had previously not been very active in the Youth Group. The retreat promised to be a fun time, a weekend at a convention center where we would be able to get away, and participate in various activies. So I went to this, not really knowing what to expect in the services provided there. That weekend changed my life, it was a pivotal spiritual experience for me. It was from this point onward that I began to get serious about my faith. I left that weekend armed with a daily devotional guide which I was to use the next few weeks. I grew a lot in that time, learning to be more like Christ in my daily life.
There were various ups and downs from then on. I still was in church every week, and continued going on retreats and to convention with my youth group to help me to continue to grow in my faith. Some time through high school I began to be active in a Christian club on capus: First Priority. I enjoyed my time there despite the fact I had to get up very early every Friday to attend. It helped encourage and strengthen me in my faith amongst my Christian peers.
In 2001 I graduated from High School and went on to attend Messiah College, yet another indication of my commitment to my faith. There I looked forward to receiving a good education, with a foundation in Christianity. There were more ups and downs throughout my first two years. I became very busy, lacking time to participate in the youth group, regular Bible reading, and even sometimes prayer. I eventually hit a low point, a point where I felt distant from God, where the future was uncertain, where I wasn't sure what I should do. I became increasingly bitter toward things and toward my studies. I was on a divergent path through those times, seeking things I wanted, things that were not best for me. Having two majors and an uncertainty about why I was studying what I was, I continued to question things and at many times was depressed.
For the past few months, I've been climbing out of this valley. I am still uncertain of the path on which God has set me. I pray daily for help in spiritual growth and to follow the path He's set before me. I find joy daily in the promises in God's word. I pray for His plan to be accomplished in my life.
