Simple Dreams

The Next Four Years (Crossing My Fingers)

My entire life I have grown up in a firmly rooted family living for Christ. I grew up as a “Christian,” but didn’t really understand what that meant to me personally until my middle school and high school years. Learning more about God daily has been such an interesting and amazing process to behold. I have grown in more ways than one, and have progressively been discovering how the Lord intends to use me and my life for His glory. Attending Azusa Pacific University would fit perfectly into that plan for my life, and not my own plan for my life, but God’s plan for my life. Since exploring different colleges is a normal process for Seniors, I lightly considered other colleges to attend, but there was never a question as to which college I would ultimately choose. APU holds every value and every attractive aspect that I would ever ask for in a college. I believe this is one of the most important things to look for when making such an important decision: will this choice improve my character, my heart, and most importantly, my relationship with God? The answer is yes. This past weekend, I was blessed to be able to attend APU’s All Access Event (November 7-8) and experience the immense passion, excitement, and dedication that both the students and faculty hold for God and the school itself. God truly is put first at APU, and as a person who strives to follow the same motto for my life, I believe that I would fit there perfectly. I strongly believe that to become disciples of Christ, we first need to be led and trained as disciples. Immersing myself in strong Christian situations has always been something that I have directed myself towards, so I am able to be as effective for the Kingdom as possible. The summer leading into my Junior year, I was asked to become a student leader for the high school group, Shift Students, at my church, Christ’s Church of the Valley. There is not a moment that I have regretted becoming a part of this amazing team. God has definitely placed me there because he has gifted me with the ability to lead others. Though I doubted my own abilities at first, I discovered that this was something that I needed to embrace because it was both my gift and my passion. Education is important to me, of course, but it is even more important to me that my education be infused with Godly qualities and values. My walk with God is more important to me than how much money I will make in the future, or how great of a career I will pursue. Normally, I would have to choose between a Godly environment and a good education, but APU would supply me with both an amazing education and strong Christian support. I would be blessed to go to a school as amazing as Azusa Pacific University. God first.