I could seriously write a novel on my whole life story, so I
will give you the readers digest version. There are three major trials that
happened in my life that have radically transformed me.

But first a little background on my life. I grew up in a
loving Christ centered Christian home. I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior
at a young age. I grew up going to church and Sunday school every Sunday and
youth group during the week.  I was also
blessed to have gone to a Christian school from Preschool to 12^th grade.

My true passion and joy in life has been soccer. I have
played soccer since I was 7 years old. I played club soccer all year round and
played Varsity soccer in high school. Little did I know the irony that my
passion of soccer would start a chain of trials in my life that God used to
lead me.

I was playing in a soccer game and to this day the whole day
is still a blur. A girl 10 feet away from me kicked a ball like a missile and it
came right at my head as if I were a target. I lost sight of the ball in the
sun and WHAM!

I was diagnosed me with a concussion. I had daily headaches and
had bad whiplash. I went to physical therapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy
every week for 6 months. I had to get glasses for the first time in my life
because I had double vision. I had problems with short term memory and other
problems associated with concussions.

I questioned God daily on what his purpose was for me. What
was the purpose of me going through this pain and hardship. But all I could do
was trust in God to take care of me and he would show me the path he has planned
for me.

I was just starting to see the light at the end of the
tunnel until my sister and I got into a car accident in which I received my
second concussion (9 months after my first one). The same symptoms were back
for a second round. At that time I knew I wouldn't be able to play soccer my
senior year of high school and the hopes of a college soccer scholarship were
gone. And the weekly schedule of therapy was back.

Once again I was overwhelmed with frustration and confusion.
Why God? Why a second time? What is the purpose of all this? But I learned to
be patient and trust in God's plan for me.

After a few more months of therapy, I was starting to get
back to normal. I graduated from high school and felt God calling me towards
nursing. My first year of college was going well.

Just as I thought everything was going so well in my life
and I had grown in my relationship with Christ, God had another plan for me. I
was in a second car accident this time with my mom and received my third concussion.
As you can guess...all of my symptoms returned and back to physical therapy I went.

A verse that has helped me through all these trials in my
life is 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you,
for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the
more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ's sake, I
delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in
difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

I didn't see any of
this coming, but I would not be where I am in my life right now if it were
not for these past three and half years. God has tested and grown me in ways
that I never thought he would. I have learned how to trust that he will never
give me more that I can handle. He has a perfect plan for me and I will go
wherever he calls me!

If it were not for these injuries in my life I would
probably be at a four year college, studying nursing and playing soccer. I
would not be going on an 8 months mission's trip.

I am blessed, I am humbled, I am thankful and I am ready to
set the world on fire for Christ!