I was raised in a Christian home, attending church every Sunday and going to a Christian school every weekday. The first time I remember ‘praying the prayer’ was when I was seven years old. I often felt that my faith was superficial, or just an act. I always asked myself if I really was saved. Was my ‘belief’ based on the fact that I wanted to save myself from punishment and separation from God? What did I even believe? Before my relationship with Jesus became personal, I realized that my faith was surface-level and that I was seeking what I thought was most beneficial for myself and my own desires. But God was faithful.

Being surrounded by my family and leaders here in student ministry who encouraged me to get involved in serving and going on mission trips allowed me to begin to take responsibility for my faith. The first time I went to Jackson, MS I was pushed way beyond my comfort zone, but the disruption in my normal routine opened up a window to my soul. The following year was filled with many accomplishments and tragedies that ultimately led me closer to God. It wasn’t until the 2nd mission trip to Mississippi, though, that I actively sought to get to know Christ on a personal level and truly dwell in His word. The circumstances of my life look very similar, but there’s more meaning and purpose to all of it now. I remind myself that I’m not going through life alone and I know that God is with me in every season of life. He has grabbed hold of my heart and has been gracious enough to continue to work in my life. In this current season, I’m learning to truly trust in God, to give up control and my idea of a perfect life, to lean on Him and acknowledge Him in all my ways through heartbreak and healing. I want to say yes to God in every aspect of my life, so that’s why I’m being baptized.