I was adopted at a young age and raised in a family of eight children outside a small town in Southwest Iowa. Through this process I did not learn how to handle emotions, and I also did not develop a relationship with my adoptive parents. Instead of developing healthy relationships, I found that through hard work and accomplishments I could gain the approval of others. I placed my worth and acceptance in the accolades from others and strived for positive attention from those around me. When I failed in any way or when things didn’t go as I wanted them to, I resorted to anger as an outlet. I internalized my anger but soon found that because my heart was filled with anger, I could not contain it anymore. This would get me into trouble. 

I was saved when I was in 3rd or 4th grade and I understood that I was a sinner in need of a savior and that Christ forgave me of my sins, but I did not have a full understanding of His grace and mercy and did not know what it truly meant to give my pain, confusion and anger to Christ and allow that to be replaced with the Holy Spirit. I had no doubts or confusion on the parts of my faith that I did understand, but I was not discipled and I did not pursue a further understanding of what it meant to be a true Christ-follower. 

I went through high school and college with many unanswered questions about my faith. I found that the longer I left those questions unanswered, the harder it became to confront them because it would reveal to those around me that my theology was so shallow. I let my insecurities and pride keep me from growing a true and meaningful relationship with my heavenly father. 

In 2013 my family moved to the Altoona area. We searched the internet for a new church and our first visit was to High Pointe. We found that it was a good fit and met with Pastor Greg at Starbucks in Ankeny. I revealed to Greg that I had many questions and felt as though I needed to review everything that I understood and believed about my faith. I was relieved when Greg encouraged me to ask questions about my faith and to gain a full understanding of what I believed. Instead of shaming me for my lack of knowledge, he met me where I was in my walk with Christ. In the following months I began to attend the Theology Program with Pastor Chris and to develop a true Christ-centered worldview. I finally learned how to communicate with God and learned how to truly off- load my pain, guilt, stress and anger and replace it with the love of Christ. Colossians 3:9-10 says “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” I now understand that it is not enough to attempt to simply stop my undesirable behaviors. I must give those things to Christ and replace them with actions, thoughts and words that glorify Christ. Galatians 2:20 says “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” When I intentionally pursue this exchange of the things that I want for the things that Christ wants for me, I experience a peace and freedom that is not attainable in any other way. 

I am so thankful for the grace and mercy that I experience each and every day and I look forward to sharing with others the peace and freedom that comes with knowing and serving Christ!