A Face of XA

I grew up in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago in a small town called Cary. I am the youngest of three girls in my family. We grew up in an Episcopal church and were faithful attendants. I went to Sunday school every week, attended youth group events, and was basically forced to go to church every Sunday. Although my sisters got connected with the youth, I did not. I never really cared about church, took it personal, or made any friends. I went simply because I had to, and because it was tradition.
My senior year of high school, my two older sisters were off at Arizona State, and I was home alone with my parents. I was going through a season of depression after injuring my shoulder in volleyball. During this time, I started to rebel from my parents and tried to fill the void in my heart with anything I could. I started drinking, doing drugs, and seeking numerous boys for attention. I was lonely and depressed, and I thought that these earthly things would make me feel better, but they didn’t.
After I graduated high school, I came to Arizona State following in my sisters’ footsteps. They were, and still are really involved with Chi Alpha-one as a student and the other as a recent graduate working on staff. Being the independent sister I was, I decided that I would go to Chi Alpha but not really get involved or talk to people. However, this is not what happened. I attended a ‘Back to School Prayer’ night at a chapel on campus and could not stop bawling during worship. At this point, I was completely out of my element, but knew that I wanted more of whatever it was that I experienced. I started meeting with Candi and going through The Purple Book. It was then, in the middle of Starbucks, that I prayed to accept Jesus Christ as my Savior. Since then, I have jumped into Chi Alpha with two feet. I have been involved with Fusion groups, one on one discipleship with Candi, Wednesday night meetings, and other various events. Through all of these events, I have not only had fun, but formed lasting, genuine relationships with people really on fire for Christ. Chi Alpha has taught me not only how to have relationships with people but also how to have a relationship with Jesus, how to pray, and how to listen to God. After this journey God has taken me on, I am really excited to see what His plan is for me next. May the glory be to Him for all He has done in my life!