Lindsay's Story

Last year someone told me, "You think you know who you are, but senior year will make you realize that you really have no idea."

No truer words were ever spoken.This year has been one very unsafely shaped roller coaster.

First semester was the worst four and a half months of my life. Hands down. No questions asked. Every single day was a challenge. For the first time, I couldn't honestly answer "Good, you?" when people asked me how I was.

And then Grace.

My faith is not weak anymore. There is not one part of me that doubts there is a God, or questions if He listens to me. II Corinthians 5:7.

I understand what it means to live for Him. I understand what He has done for us. I realize I don't deserve it, but need to do everything I can to show Him thanks. I am happy. Sincerely happy. For the first time since I don't even remember.

On break at work I read the Bible, before I go to bed, I read it. Stoplights. Dinner. Lunch. Outside. I want to learn more.

On Sundays, I keep waking up about an hour before my alarm is supposed to go off, because I'm so excited for church, to learn more. That feeling that happens every spring when it starts to get warmer, and there's an uplifting feeling in the air, that is what it's like every second of the day now that I've allowed Him into my heart.

I want to tell people about Him. I want people to feel what it's like to know someone is always helping you. whether the problem is big or small.

I'm not afraid of dying anymore. I thank God for blessing me with 17 years of having her as my grandma, instead of crying myself to sleep because I'll never see her again. I thank Him for warm days instead of Brian Busby. I give him credit for the amazing people I have met this year. They have changed my life more than they could ever understand and I love them with all my heart and soul. I want to help Him, help people, whatever it takes.
Lindsay Ripley, 2/12/2008