Christians in this day and age live in a important and central time, as we are faced with critical issues made all the more complex by mainstream media. One of these issues is that of abortion. One that I believe is a central tool of the enemy to rip God's perfect plans apart. If we look in the Bible for answers, we will find without a doubt that abortion is murder and a terrible sin to commit here on earth, as it is willing murder of a being who has zero means of defense. The lack of action from Christians today to stand up for the unborn is appalling. Multiple times in the Bible, Satan used murder of babies in attempts to stop God's plans. First with Moses in Egypt and then with Jesus in Jerusalem. However during those times it was understood by the public that to be a horrifying offense. Now it is glorified. I fell in love with Jesus when I was fourteen and since then have done my best to follow him daily, although I have failed miserably. Praise God for his unconditional love and forgiveness. An issue that he has set ablaze in my heart is the political failures of America, and specifically the complacency of the church to become involved. He has called me to a career in government and law, so I will be attending Bryan College in the fall to begin my journey of education to get me there. I am not sure exactly what God will call me to out of school but I am determined to make a lasting impact in American politics. Our country is faced with many pressing issues that are blatantly contrary to the Bible's teachings. However today, there seems to be a movement in the American church to avoid all political involvement all together. I have been ridiculed by an alarming number of Christians for pursuing a career in government. I am not sure what leads people to believe that our God is not enraged by his church sitting idly by while his children are murdered at alarming rates before even entering the world. But alas, Christians are unwilling to vote or take a stand against abortion for fear of controversy. And by into the lie that church and government do not go hand in hand. I hope to change this sad reality by bringing awareness and urgency to believers who I hope will come to fight for the unborn. Jesus was the most controversial man of his time. He was our great example. There is no sin in standing up against the world's ideologies. While I am in a time of schooling, I still hope to live out this call God has put on my heart by openly discussing these issues, and speaking about the failure of the church to make a difference. I strive to do so in a lovingly bold manner, as Jesus exemplified in the gospels. It is my dream to see my generation rise up in defense of the unborn, and I cannot wait to see what God has in store.

Throughout my life thus far, I have been presented with many extraordinary opportunities that have allowed me to grow and learn. One of these opportunities became a passion and achievement of mine that I would have never expected. When I was fifteen years old, a mentor of mine asked if I would like to go on a mission trip with her and a team of 25 other people to build homes for those who did not have them in Guatemala. I was young, enrolled in dual enrollment programs through a community college, and was going to have to raise more money than I had ever had to go, but decided it was something I wanted to do. I worked hard around my high school schedule, sports teams, online school, and two jobs to raise the funds necessary and get ahead in my classes so I could be gone for the ten day trip. After working twelve hour days for seven days straight under the hot sun in Guatemala, one may think I would have been dying to come home. But I would have given anything to stay with the beautiful family I was able to give a small cinderblock home to forever. I fell in love with the people and country of Guatemala and my life was forever changed. Following that first trip, I attended annually since. I had to work incredibly hard each year to be able to go, and then work incredibly hard while there. But the rewards were eternal. I was able to share my Christian faith with people who had no hope, and give them more than they could have ever dreamed of. I learned there is no greater joy than to give ones all to serve and bless others. Not only did I learn the joy that comes from serving, I was able to see and experience people who truly live with nothing. I do not come from what many in America would consider to be a rich household, but to my family in Guatemala I may as well live in a mansion. I was humbled beyond measure during my time there and have learned I have no reason to complain over anything here in the United States. I also learned the rewards that come from hard work. These trips were anything but easy. I worked to raise the money for eight months in advance. A month before I crammed four weeks of high school and college into two, and then did manual labor for twelve hours before traveling all day back home. I learned perseverance, and that pushing yourself to your limit, especially for the sake of others, produces incredible fruits of labor. After these experiences, I have an attachment to Guatemala and its beautiful people. I am pursuing a law degree which I hope will allow me to help those suffering in poverty, not only in Guatemala, but in my own country as well. I hope that by putting my all into my schooling, I will be able to change the lives of many more than the three I was able to in high school. By no means will it be easy. My tuition is much more than I can afford, and the program is intense as it is designed to produce adequate lawyers. But I am inspired by the joy and tenacity those living in poverty have. I hope that by exhibiting some of their virtuous qualities, I will be able to change the world of more beautiful families.

My daily routine during my sophomore year of high school was quite unvaried, leaving me with few distinct memories. However I do vividly remember the day my personal finance teacher began to cry as she told us her experience with student loan debt. The class until this point had simply been an hour of my day where I would sit and complete my assignments in order my needed credit, but when my teacher was moved to tears my attention was caught. She shared that she had loaned more than she would ever be able to pay back, and due to interest rates she would be a slave to her debt until she died. My mind was blown, and I resolved that day to work as hard as I could to ensure I would not fall into the same trap. Although I do not believe all debt is bad thing, I knew I wanted to pursue higher education in order to fulfill my dreams of becoming involved in law and government, and without large amounts of financial aid I was going to need sizable loans. I spoke with my teacher and parents following my memorable personal finance lesson, seeking advice on how best to ensure financial security in attending college. I was advised to apply for scholarships, and to choose a school whose prices would be reasonably within my budget. With this in the back of my mind, I worked hard throughout the rest of my high school years. Now I am two weeks away from graduating, and two months away from moving across the country to pursue my dreams of obtaining a college degree in government, politics, and law. I chose a school where I will be able to obtain this degree and have what I hope will be the experience of a lifetime. However, the issue of financial stability remains. Having been blessed to have parents and a teacher who taught me the importance of being smart with your money, I plan to graduate debt free. I will do this by applying to as many scholarships as I can, living on a strict budget, and working as hard as I can in school. I know it will not be an easy task to pay my school 30,000 a year, keep my awarded spot on the volleyball team and accompanying scholarship, as well as keep my 4.0 GPA. However I am determined to do so, and I am eternally grateful for an education allowing me to be cautious in the realm of finances. I cannot wait to see how my seemingly insignificant personal finance class in high school will have paid off in four years.

It was just like any other day when one of my coworkers told me she could never believe in Jesus because of what Christians had done to her people. She is a Tribal member on the reservation I live on, and when she made her bold statement of defiance I was left with no time to prepare an answer or to think. I can remember standing before her like a deer in the headlights, as I blinked. I knew what I believed in, and I knew I should have a defense for my faith as I was called to have in the book of 1 Peter. But when she said this to me, I was left without a response. This instance sparked a journey of research and studying Systematic Theology and Apologetics. I am lucky enough to go to a school where we discuss Jesus every day, and I was gifted a Bible teacher wiser than anyone I have met previously. After my failed opportunity of evangelism at work, I asked him in class what I should say to anyone who presents the argument of hostile Christians against the legitimacy of the Bible. His answer to me was the beginning of what would be two years of study in how I might defend and share my faith in the future. As I began to learn and practice more, the Lord presented opportunity for me to share his gospel and defend his word. The most notable of these being on the annual mission trips I completely throughout high school to Guatemala. Even with a language barrier, God gave me the opportunity to share with his children in Central America that he is Lord, and that there is countless evidence for the accuracy of the Bible's claims all around. I experienced souls saved due to the willing nature of my teacher to train me, and the strength given to me by the Holy Spirit. It has now been two years since I was stopped in my tracks by a coworker making a claim against the validity of my savior. Praise the Lord, for today I engaged in a debate where I was able to combat ten direct claims against the Bible. Defended with concrete historical, archeological, and textual evidence as well as personal testimony. Not only has my knowledge in the defense of Christianity grown, but my faith has grown, as I have learned about the innumerable mounds of evidence proving the credibility of my savior.