One book that I believe is necessary for every person in the world to read is "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers. The book is based on the book of Hosea from the Bible, but even for those who are not religious, this book educates others on the importance of unconditional love and never settling for less than desired. "Redeeming Love" portrays a beautiful story of redemption, a kind of redemption that few people are willing to invest in. The story follows a man named Michael during the California Gold Rush who falls in love with Angel, a beautiful prostitute, when he sees her walking down the street. At that moment, Michael realizes that she is the girl God intended him to marry, despite her career choice. So Michael marries Angel despite her hatred for him and men in general. Over time, Angel learns to love Michael because of how caring, emotional, forgiving, respectful, and selfless he is. And Michael learns to love Angel more and more despite her past and her trauma, even when she leaves him. Eventually, the two end up together, but not without an immense amount of difficulty and pain. The two learn what unconditional, intentional, and all-pursuing love for a spouse is while most importantly learning the power of forgiveness, leading to Angel's redemption. This story makes me emotional because Michael's love for Angel and the way he continually forgives her inspires me to do the same for others. I have learned through this book that I can never know why some people make the decisions they do without understanding their lives, and it is impossible to know the lives of everyone around me. Michael seems to settle by marrying some one "below him," but I firmly believe the he never settled because he allowed Angel to learn from their mistakes and gave the opportunity to learn from him what true love is supposed to be like. After reading this book, I have a much bigger desire to serve those around me because I realize now that I might be the only glimpse of redemption that some people will ever see in their lives. Had Michael not made the effort to love Angel even when she hurt him, she would have never been the woman she never knew she was capable of being. Michael showed her that, and I think this book can show the world.

Growing up in the sports world has made athletics a huge focus throughout my entire life, whether that was playing myself, watching my older siblings, or watching professionals on TV. My two older brothers both wrestled and played baseball, so I was going to all their matches and games practically the moment I was born. I think back on how I was raised, and I wouldn't change any of it. I truly enjoyed all my time being taken up by sports. While many of my classmates dreaded going to their older siblings’ games, I saw it as a huge privilege to be there. When I was at home watching TV, chances were that I was on ESPN, Sports Center, etc. In the mornings before school, I would watch “Quick Pitch” on the MLB channel while I was getting ready so I could see highlights from the previous night's games. Eventually as I reached the age where I could start playing sports for myself instead of watching, I quickly realized that I wanted to be active for the rest of my life. I currently play softball for the University of Central Missouri, and I am nearing the time where I will have to stop playing the sport that I love so much. This passion that I have grown up with has led me to think about how I can obtain a career in the sports field, and I have been led to two options that I would like to pursue and look further into. I am majoring in graphic design with a minor in Spanish and after I finish playing softball and graduate with my bachelor’s degree, I plan to get my master’s degree in sports management while also being a Graduate Assistant for a collegiate softball program. I chose to major in graphic design because I like working on projects and I would love to work in digital media for a professional sports team, whether that be in the NFL, MLB, etc. I love sports and I love creativity, so I intend to combine the two. This is one reason I plan to study sports management to receive my master’s, so I have more knowledge of the sports world and exposure to marketing in sports. The other reason I want to get my master’s degree is so I will have the opportunity to have coaching experience at the collegiate level as a graduate assistant (GA). Because of my experience playing softball in college, I have seen the role of a GA in our program, and it makes me want to be a coach one day. To show other young women what discipline and determination are and how important they are in not only collegiate athletic careers, but in the rest of one’s life, would be such a privilege to have. I want to empower young women the way that I have been empowered by coaches. Not only would these career ideas allow me to keep sports, and specifically softball, in my life for longer than most college athletes, but they would also give me an opportunity to one day have an impact on other women in sports. The drive I have for sports is the same drive I want to potentially give others, whether that be through my work in sports graphics and marketing or through my direct influence as a coach. I am so thankful for the role sports has had in my life, and I am grateful that I have opportunities for athletics to continue to be in my future.