It was late at night after a concert, and I was walking back to the car with my mom. The car was just under a mile away and we were walking through downtown Sacramento. My mom stayed close by me the whole time and when we would walk by someone she wasn’t comfortable with she would wrap he arm around me. Being the person someone clings to when they don’t feel safe is the person I want to be. Whenever I see police around, I automatically feel safer. I want to be that person. My plan for the future is to obtain a degree in Criminal Justice and then attend the Police Academy as soon as I can after. The main reason I want to pursue this field is because I like to keep people safe. My siblings, friends, and even people I don’t know. Other people’s safety is of greater priority to me then my own. Whenever we go somewhere I know there could be a problem such as a downtown area or a crowded place, I’m constantly looking out for who I’m with. My best friend’s dad is a sergeant for a Sherrif’s department and one of my closest friend’s dad teaches at a police academy after having worked the streets in Los Angeles for many years. I have talked with them about some of the things that they do, and they’ve told me about some of the calls they’ve gone on. After speaking with them and doing some research of my own I found that I would really enjoy a lot of the stuff that they do. Also, they’re kids take deep pride in what their dad does. I want my job to be something that my kids can truly take pride in. Becoming a police officer would also give me another way to serve my church by serving on the security team. During the trophy presentation at the end of every sports season the main thing that coach says about me is my attitude and work. How, even when I would mess up, I wouldn’t take down the team with me. Or how I would always be the person to help shag balls after every round of batting practice. These qualities would be instrumental in becoming a policeman and succeeding in it. Often when I get put with a team for church or in a discussion group without a leader I tend to come out as the leader. I’m more than happy to let someone else take the lead but if no one steps up I take the role. Getting involved with law enforcement would provide me avenue to use all these characteristics to help those around me. Making other people feel safe is what I strive to do. The person that when other people see them, they know everything’s going to be ok.

I did not always want to play the guitar. The first 6 months of practice were torture. The learning process was not enjoyable and felt like a waste of time. My parents got me the guitar for Christmas and our church’s worship pastor offered to give me free lessons. He was a great teacher, but I just wasn’t interested in the instrument. The only reason I kept going was because my parents made me. Then I got asked to lead guitar one Wednesday night at the church youth group. Accepting this offer just meant more work that I had to do, and I did not want to do it. Reluctantly, I agreed and played that night. I messed up a couple of times and felt horrible when I sat back down, never wanting to do it again. But then the youth pastor walked up and encouraged me to keep it up and hoped that I would do it again. When I expressed my concerns to him, he shared a verse that will always ring in my ears,” Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ,” (Colossians 3:23-24 ESV). I was playing for the wrong reasons. I wasn’t up there trying to glorify God, and I was up there trying to look good for other people. After this experience I didn’t question playing for anyone. I was no longer playing for them; I was playing for an audience of One. Recently, while playing, I looked up into the congregation and saw someone with their eyes closed and arms raised singing praises to God. Immediately, I felt a rush of joy and thanked God for letting me be a part of His plan to bring him more glory. In addition, two of my friends are taking lessons alongside me from our worship pastor. This also served to deepen my relationship with them. Together, we eventually started playing in Sunday services, youth group events, and Christmas concerts that my church put on. Over the last couple years, I have played for thousands of people and helped them and myself worship God to the best of our abilities. Lately, I’ve been enjoying writing my own worship songs for Spotify. Even though I have worked hard to have the ability to do this, I know that God is the only reason that I am able to play the guitar and use music to bring Him honor and glory.