I asked Jesus Christ into my heart at a retreat service when I was five, and I have grown up being a part of a strong church and strong Christian family. I never stopped following God, but I did end up in a place I didn't want to be, where I wasn't being the Christian I claimed to be. Despite my best efforts and earnest desire to stop sinning, I couldn't change myself. I finally became desperate to the point that I just surrendered my sin and struggles to God, and that is when I was finally able to live in His victory. I still stumble in my walk with God every day, and every day He picks me up again and calls me higher. I can now wield God's power over the devil every time he tries to tempt me or put wrong thoughts in my head. Ever since I can remember, I have felt called to be a missionary and to work with children. I teach Sunday School at my church, and every time I work with kids, I feel like I am where I am meant to be. I have also spent every summer since I was 14 as a summer missionary for Christian Youth in Action, traveling around Wyoming teaching the Gospel to children. The greatest fulfillment and overwhelming joy I have ever felt has come when I have had the opportunity to lead a child to put their trust in Jesus Christ. I cannot describe the splendor of that moment, and that is why I do CYIA (Christian Youth in Action). I hope to become a missionary and own an orphanage someday, probably in South or Central America, but I am waiting on God's plan to see where He wants me to go, with whom, and when. My goal is to be able to educate children at my orphanage without having to send them to school, which is why I am studying to get a teaching degree. Currently, I am working on my Associate's Degree in Elementary Education, which I will graduate with at the same time I graduate from high school next May. I plan to then complete a year of studies at Worldview Academy's Christian apologetics program in Canon City, Colorado. After that, I hope to attend a Christian college to get licensure in Elementary Education, study teaching ESL (English as a Second Language), and do missionary studies as well. I do not know exactly what college I am going to attend, but I am waiting for God to show me where He wants me to go. Thinking about this much school is sometimes discouraging, and I certainly cannot afford it on my own, but I truly believe this is the way God is leading me. I know He will provide in His own time in His own way. Certainly, many people think that I need to hurry up and decide where I am going to go to college and figure out what country I'm going to, and if I am going to get married first. They think that I am crazy or irresponsible for not having it all planned out by now, but God's ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts than our thoughts. Many times, God's plan seems foolish to men; the Bible is full of such examples, but His way is always the best way. I know that if I wait for Him, the result will be so much better than if I go off on my own ideas. The more I learn about God and read the Bible, I realize just how worthless and useless I am without Him. I am completely incapable of any good or love without His powerful Holy Spirit working in me and through me. When I consider this, I am in awe of how much He loves me. The thought that the perfect Lamb of God came to earth to die for and redeem a wretch like me is overwhelming. Then to think that not only did He redeem me, but He also has a purpose for my life and calls me to tell others about Him; such an amazing thing is almost too wonderful to think about. I have often struggled with feeling like I will never be good enough for anybody, and if I don't perform well enough, people won't love me. However, these thoughts and feelings have to flee in the realization that the God of the universe loves me so much that He died to save me when I had done nothing to deserve it. I want to die completely to myself and live only to serve Him and show His love and splendor to others. All I want to do is bring joy and glory to God. I know that I will never be perfect, and I will frequently fail, but I also know that all God asks of me is to love Him with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love others with His love. I will continue to serve Him and rely on His grace, love, and strength to sustain me for the rest of my life. Then I will serve, love, and praise Him perfectly for the whole of eternity. I wouldn't change the joy and peace of knowing Christ my Savior and His love for anything in the world, and by His grace and mercy, I am willing to do whatever He asks me to do, even to death. If I were to receive this scholarship, it could help me greatly in paying for college so that I may continue to seek complete licensure in Elementary Education and take missionary studies. I currently only have enough funds to pay for a year with Worldview Academy, and my parents are unable to pay for me to go to college, but my God isn't. I know that if I follow God's will, He always makes a way. He has taught me to trust His provision in the past year or so, and so I know that I need not worry about a thing. I greatly appreciate the opportunity that this scholarship provides for young Christians who are passionate about their relationship with God and have a burning desire to serve Him. I do want to say that I am a junior in high school, which may disqualify me from this scholarship. However, I have greatly enjoyed to opportunity to write about how God is working in my life, and how much I am overwhelmed by His love and grace. I thank you for your careful consideration, and I hope that you will be blessed as you read about how God is working in the lives of many young people.

Book butterfly has been my nickname since I was old enough to read books on my own. I have always loved reading (so much so that I have very thick glasses at this point), and the many books I devoured on Sunday afternoons and on long car rides have taught me valuable information and life lessons. Through reading historical fiction, I have learned how to see history, and situations from different people's points of view, and that has helped me to relate to others and resolve conflicts. Quotes from many books have resonated with me, and I use them in every day life to make good decisions, to value what is truly important, and to be a good example to the people around me. I have learned about true courage, and that courage can be shown in danger and without. Favorite books line my shelves; great teachers that I return to time and time again for wisdom, comfort, and thrill. The Bible is the greatest book I have read, and will always be so. It teaches me how to love, obey, and follow Christ, the greatest example anyone can follow. His love, commands, and glory fill the pages, as well as the accounts of so many people who struggled like me, and yet achieved victory through Him. Every time I read from the Bible, there is something there for me to apply to my life right then, and I discover new treasures in His Word each time I read it. Other books have also had long lasting impact on my life as well. Historical accounts of Christians throughout all of history who suffered for Christ, found strength in Christ, and lived for Christ inspire me to be grateful, encourage me when I feel defeated, and strengthen me in my faith and determination to serve Him. I have also learned ways to cope with sorrow, fear, and defeat from these true stories of lives well lived. In addition to the Bible and inspirational books, I also enjoy reading historical fiction, mysteries, classical literature, and other types of books full of intrigue, risk, humor, and real life stories. These books, such as the Chronicles of Narnia, the Prince Warriors, the Dear America series, the Mandie Books, the Boxcar Children, The Bracken trilogy, the Horsefeathers series, Tale of Two Cities, and many others, are dear friends whose characters have brought to life history and the people that lived it, cuddled up beside me on dull days, been my life long friends, and showed me what it means to be brave, mess up, get back up, and inspire those around you. I have never had friends to support me, teach me, or encourage me, so books have been especially precious. I have learned many things from books that have become so engrained in me that I hardly realize I learned it from a book. Spiritual insight, encouragement, correction, guidance for daily living, history, and how to look at others' perspectives are all tools that I have gained from my dear friends - books.