When I was younger and my dad was in the Air Force and my mom was continuing her education, we moved a lot. By the time I was 12 I was lonely and depressed, which turned into self-harming behavior.
In high school I became more involved with my church youth group and very busy with after school activities. It seemed to give me the outlet I needed to stop physically harming, but I still made poor choices with friends in high school and college.
In college, I studied hard, but I also partied hard. I remember being at a point where I’d start drinking while writing papers so I could be caught up by the time I went out. I graduated burned out and feeling so guilty.
"God gave me peace where I used to have hurt"
In my internship following college, I lived in a mostly vacant dorm that was later condemned. There was no internet access and 2 other people in the building. This season helped me detox from a lifestyle of running on empty and gave me space to pray. I prayed for forgiveness, for strength, and for direction. My first job after my internship brought me to Lancaster and eventually LCBC. Through teaching on the weekend and the 20-somethings gatherings, I received messages of love and forgiveness. I met my husband here, too. He’s my accountability, my prayer partner, and the sweetest daddy to our little girl.
I was baptized because God loves me, even at my worst, and he gave me peace where I used to have hurt.