by Jennifer Park

These past four years of college have definitely been such a blessing from God. Looking back I can see the faithfulness and the sovereignty of God. It is amazing to see how God has placed so many people in my life who have helped me grow and continue to encourage me in so many different ways.

College was a totally new experience from me. It was the first time I was away from my parents (for an extensive period of time) and I didn’t know how to handle the “freedom” that came with it. In fact, I think I hated the responsibility that came with being a college student. I knew I had to find a church to attend but my shy personality kept me from going out and actively finding a good church. I would try to go home as often as possible and on the Sundays, that I couldn’t go home, I would go to a church that myhome church pastor recommended. But the problem was that I wasn’t growing and I wasn’t seeking to grow either. I obviously did not have my priorities straight. I feared man more than I feared God.

God, knowing my shy character, planted people in my life who have led me to Lighthouse and ultimately to Him. To a non-believer it might seem as if it was pure coincidence that I randomly met a girl in my Japanese discussion class who also just happened to go to CCM. But to me it really was the work of God that on that particular day that the two of us would be paired with each other. She eventually invited me out to CCM and on that night I somehow was able to join small group where I met girls who truly loved God and desired to honor Him. I don’t even know how and why I decided to stay at Lighthouse. But I am so glad that God brought me here and I have grown so much over the few years that I was able to stay at Lighthouse. I don’t think I can write all of what I have learned over the years but I feel like the reoccurring theme of my four years in college is learning to put all of my trust in God. Even when I was shaken to the core, God held me close. He taught me the importance of placing my trust in Him (Proverbs 3:5-6) and not to rely on myself or other people.

God has changed me slowly but surely and has shown me so much over the past few years. And when I fail, often, He shows me so much love and mercy. He never fails to encourage me and teach me, whether it may be through verses in the Bible that reassure me of His unchanging character or through fellowshipping with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. I thank you all for your continual encouragement, prayer, continual accountability and especially setting great examples of what it is to be good sisters in Christ. I want to thank all those who have shown me patience and have shown me so much love! I truly thank God for leading me here to Lighthouse! All praise and glory be to Him!

Favorite place in SD: Anywhere where I can fellowship with fellow sisters and brothers in Christ!
Favorite Verse: Romans 8:38-39
Advice for collegians: As a student, to remember that even their studies should be for the glory of God but to never let studying be an excuse for keeping yourself from growing in Christ. Christ should be first and foremost in your life!

by Jeff Derrenberger

My college experience… let’s see… well, I’ll start with how I applied to colleges based on several criteria: Is it sunnier than Indiana? Is it warmer than Indiana? Is it not located in Indiana? UCSD has matched all those criteria, and I’ve not been disappointed.

I came in as a biology major and ironically never went to a single biology class. Some of you who know me are probably thinking, “Yeah, that’s because you skipped all of them.” Haha, wrong! I didn’t sign up for a single biology class! Taking chem lab was enough to make me realize that I never wanted to set foot in a lab again, so I quickly bailed on bio and switched to physics. While that may seem illogical to some, I’ve always enjoyed math and thought it would be a good fit for me. But after a year of physics, I found that I didn’t have enough desire to press on through the increasingly complex and theoretical problems. So as I lied on the floor of my apartment contemplating my future one afternoon, I apparently lost track of time and was doing this in the dark. That’s when my roommates stumbled upon me and have made fun of me ever since. However, I had resolved my problem of “I’ve only done math and science my whole life, what do I do now?” I switched to linguistics, and I’ve enjoyed it ever since because it’s allowed me to use my mathematical, problem-solving side in an area that really interests me: languages.

While that’s the academic side, college has greatly been about all the Asians I’ve encountered. Um, I mean, all the people that I’ve encountered. Truly, I have countless memories of good times over these past four years, and I am so grateful for the relationships I have with friends, roommates, and the family here at this church.

And that’s what I’m most thankful for when I look back on my time at Lighthouse: the people here are actually my family. It’s a bit strange for me to reflect on my time at this church because I now realize that I wasn’t a Christian for nearly all of it. But for my friends to truly become my brothers and sisters is a blessing that I can’t even begin to describe. I will always remember the prayerful hearts of those who deeply cared for me as I struggled greatly with the entanglement of a false gospel. This is a church that prays, and as I’ve seen, prays fervently. And God is gracious to answer those prayers.

While I’ve learned many things over the years pertaining to God, Scripture, and the Christian life, the true Spiritual growth obviously didn’t begin in me until recently. And to save me, God had to show me the total sufficiency of His Son. It was only then that I was able to see that I had never truly trusted Christ in the past. I basically had believed that salvation came through faith in Christ plus one work (baptism). It took a lot for me to actually see (and believe) that and to then see the truth of what was accomplished on the Cross, but now I affirm that the Gospel is indeed Christ crucified and that it is “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).

As for the future, my current job that involves hanging out with international students (as well as my studies in linguistics) has made me greatly consider teaching English as a foreign language. So I’ll likely be in San Diego for at least a year taking classes related to that, and then I may hop over to a foreign country (most likely Japan or possibly Korea) and teach English. But wherever God may take me, I look forward to knowing Him more and more.

Favorite place in SD: The cliffs
Song that will define the era in 10 years: Rylynn by Andy McKee
Favorite Verse: Philippians 3:7-14
Memory that stands out the most: Too many to pick one. I’ll always remember the friends I’ve met.
Advice for collegians: Christ died on a Cross for you. That is not a small act. Seek and live to know Him and to love Him and to become more like Him.

by Josh Lee

I entered freshman year lonely, scared, and searching. Socially anxious and spiritually empty, I was a miserable, people-fearing freshman. I spent most of my time with J. R. Cuevas in CLICS Library, hiding from my suitemates. Christianity was my hope. But I only saw God as the means to my self-centered ends. If I was holy enough, God owed me good grades, lots of friends, social confidence, and a successful life. I quickly grew frustrated when my parachurch involvement and religious duties failed to give me what I wanted.

My sophomore year was much happier. I lived in Matthews Apartments, surrounded by a comfortable Christian bubble. I seldom felt lonely. By God’s grace, I endured my closest friend’s battle with depression. But I still struggled to study and wondered why I was living. Even surrounded by friends, life felt meaningless. I searched for a Christian ministry, book, or sermon that would forever fix my empty feeling. Though I had friends, I lacked a relationship with the most important person, Jesus Christ. I knew about Him, but I did not know Him.

On a cold, dark, May night, I sat down at a computer in the Science and Engineering wing of Geisel Library. Desperate for a spiritual solution, I hunted for answers at biblebb.com. A MacArthur article appeared. It was on saving faith. I thought I was saved, but according to MacArthur, saving faith required a humble submission to God as well as intellectual belief in His Gospel message. Had I humbly submitted? Maybe not. But I was religious! So were the Pharisees. But admitting I was unsaved had scary consequences. What if I died right then? I would be in hell! But if I wasn’t truly saved, I’d still be going to hell. I wanted to make sure. I trusted that if God was who I thought He was, He wouldn’t let me die before saving me. It was my first act of trust. I admitted that I was not a Christian. For the first time in my life, four years after praying the sinner’s prayer, after 19 years of church attendance, after 2 years as a small group leader, after 4 quarters of parachurch involvement, after being baptized and becoming a member at LBC, I finally saw myself as a wretched sinner, rightly condemned before a holy God. I asked God to save me and started to walk home, not knowing what to do or when God would save me. Then I immediately felt intense joy, like I was shot with a missile of happiness. This sinner was finally saved!

I was extremely excited. Now I could be the super Christian I always wanted to be! Riding the spiritual high of recent conversion, I assumed everyday would be bliss. To my dismay, I still struggled in school, I was still anxious around people, and a newly regenerate conscience started to make me feel bad about my sin. Bummer. Lighthouse’s excellent preaching was largely wasted because I still wanted a transcendent spiritual experience that would perfect my sanctification and make all my problems go away.

But God is gracious, and my life slowly began to change. After my salvation I started to see God as a person with a mind and heart, rather than as a vague, impersonal force. Pink’s Attributes of God and Tozer’s Knowledge of the Holy taught me more about Him, and led me to a deeper knowledge of Him. Chris Mueller’s “Aggressive Christianity” tape series (thanks Peter!) taught me that the Christian life was a progressive battle; I needed to stop looking for dramatic experiences and start growing a little every day. The way to grow in Christ-likeness was not to conjure up spiritual highs but to grow in my understanding of God’s word and to live out that understanding in everyday decisions.

By the end of my 4th year I had a grasp of what it meant to be a Christian. What is the Christian life? To love God, and love people.

Favorite place in SD: My house. Come over sometime.
What song will define this era for you: “Who I Am” by Casting Crowns. My first Sunday as a believer, they did body worship to this song. I couldn’t stop crying.
Favorite verse: Jeremiah 15:5-8
Memory of college stands out the most: Getting saved.
Advice for collegians: Cultivate a God-glorifying appreciation of academics and learning. It can be an idol, but that’s no excuse to neglect the mind. Studying can be fun! If you like learning, staying awake in class will be easier, finals week will be more bearable, and your GPA will be higher.

by Joanna Lai

The past four years of college have been unexpected. I never imagined that God would use these four years to change me so significantly. From the beginning, God started to strip away the dross that consumed my life to form a more accurate view of Him.

Before coming to Lighthouse, my attitude towards church was characterized by apathy and selfishness. Though I had gone to church for most of my life, I only attended because I had to and it was all that I had ever known. I did it out of routine and it was one that I did not enjoy. Although eventually I began to want to learn more about God and enjoyed hearing sermons, I still didn’t understand the connection between love for Christ and love for the church. That was my attitude when I came to Lighthouse.

Coming to Lighthouse, one of the first things that I learned was that I was sinful. Though many would find this to be a morbid thought, it was an epiphany for me. I was always told that God loved me and that God died for me, but to understand what He saved me from and why He did it really eluded me. But as I began to learn more about God’s character—His holiness, righteousness, and grace—the more I began to really understand the work of Christ on the cross. I was pleasantly surprised by the teaching I received from Lighthouse. The sermons always challenged me. They weren’t watered down, but God’s word was preached faithfully. It was so different from what I was used to and I hungered for more. However, I still had a hard time with applying all the things that I was learning. I was still consumed with my self-centeredness and wanting people to satisfy my own needs. I used my shyness as an excuse, not making an effort to get to know the church but expecting others to make the effort. Thus, the first years of college were difficult in getting to know people and trying to overcome my selfishness.

One of the major things that I learned my junior year was the importance of God’s word. I realized that for most of my life, God’s word was simply given to me. I simply heard and accepted and never really went back to the source or really considered why I accepted what I heard. After a time of trials, I found that I really had to go back to scripture as the authority of everything I did and believed. It was such a blessing to dive into scripture everyday and pull from it truths about God and His will for me. I found that scripture was relevant to everything that I did and was comforting through every trial. Another major thing that I learned was God’s love. I always struggled with loving others. Yet as I learned more of God’s love, it demanded that I would love others in the same way. When I considered that God did not love us based on anything that we had done, I realized that I needed to show Christ’s love in the same way. Christ humbled Himself to the point of death on the cross for sinners like us. I was compelled to not merely love those who were lovable nor to seek after my own interests in the relationships that I pursued, but to put others interests first and choose to love others apart from whether or not they loved me back. Though I still struggled with selfishness, my love for others (especially for the church) finally had its foundation in Christ. I find that every year I am at Lighthouse, the more I love the church. I’m so blown away by the love I have experienced here and the awesome examples of Christ’s love demonstrated every week, always giving God all the glory.

Favorite place in SD: La Jolla Shores
What song will define this era for you: “Voice of Truth” by Casting Crowns
Favorite verse: Philippians 3:7-11
Memory that stands out the most: Intercepting a pass at Mission Bowl with my nose! Never played again!
Advice for collegians: You can never be too young to live for God’s glory (1 Timothy 4:12)

by Ben Lee

My college experience has truly been a time of trials and tribulations. It was difficult for me to gain a spiritually healthy perspective as to why I was being tested to such an extent, but I eventually learned to believe that God is sovereign and that He is good. Trusting God’s good nature is the only reason I persevered, and it is also the only reason why I’m here today.

Going into the specifics of everything that I’ve learned would take eternity for me to explain, so I will provide an abridged, yet encompassing version of my spiritual growth. I entered college as an unsatisfied, egocentric individual always arguing over petty matters and grouching about things that I didn’t have. I leave now realizing that my sins created a thick veil, stymieing my view of God’s blessings. I know now that I have loving parents who have financially bottlefed me for the past four years, that I have a Bible preaching church that loves to exhibit the gospel, that I have an arsenal of spiritual siblings who are willing to partake in this spiritual warfare, and best of all, that I have a covenant bond with God. My life is made and I thank God for everything.

Favorite place in SD: Main Gym
Song that will define the era in 10 years: Hope
Favorite verse: James 1:12 and Matthew 6:33
Memory that stands out the most: Skating around campus at 3am with Goldberg 4508. You boys know who you are
Advice for collegians: God disciplines His children for their betterment so believe God is good and He molds you int His liking for your good.

by Andy Shin

Many say that your college years are some of the best years of your life. Of course, we’re still very young and do not have much to compare, so I would agree. My college years were fun and memorable. But more importantly, these have been by far the most significant times of my life. This is when and where God saved me. To be more specific, sophomore year was the time and LBC was the place. Nathaniel Kwak, who I had already known from back home, invited me out to LBC when we were freshmen. I still remember bits and pieces of that day. It’s probably what all collegians will tell you when they first visit: the service was at the break of dawn, the message was painfully long, the pastor was intense, and an ancient hymn was sung. I quickly fled and didn’t return until sophomore year. During that summer, I noticed how much Nathan had grown over the past year. On the other hand, I looked at my life and saw how things were the same or worse. Something was wrong. But to be honest, I think I was even more envious of the many Christian friends Nathan had made and showed off on his Xanga page during that time. Regardless, God in his sovereign plan brought me back to LBC and kept me here ever since. Though I grew up in the Christian church, it was in college and at LBC where I truly repented of my sins and submitted my life to Christ. That was when I was challenged to defend my faith, break the sinful patterns of my life, pursue holiness, love people, and share the good news.

The popular question for graduating seniors is, “What are you doing after college?” A couple years ago, I would have eagerly chosen to go back home in Orange County. The logical choice would be to go back and live with my parents, find a job, spend little, and save a lot. However, things have changed. More importantly, the things I value most are not the same.

There are two aspects of this church that I really appreciate and would look for in any church I go to. First, it is the high view of God’s Word. The Bible’s inerrancy, consistency, and relevance in all cultures and times are all taught and held onto. This high view not only affects the teaching but how the church is led. I think this past year really revealed that to me. When it came time to make decisions, no matter how drained and discouraged they may have been, the elders were confident in their actions. Through much prayer, study of the scriptures, and Biblical counsel from other pastors, they were able to make their decisions with courage. This confidence came from knowing that their decisions were consistent with the Bible so that they might be God-glorifying. This confidence did not come from themselves but from God who graciously provided the wisdom through the word. I would always want to be at a church that demonstrated not only this kind of high view of the Bible but also that kind of love for Christ and the church.

The other aspect that I love about the church is the discipleship environment you get as older Christians reach out and invest in the lives of younger Christians. As a recent convert, it’s a blessing to have older men at the church who show signs of faithfulness in ministry, wisdom, and love for Christ. It’s one thing to read and hear about godly men and it’s another to see them live it out, personally challenge you, and lead by example.

The crazy thing is that I have nothing to say for all the things God has blessed me with through this church but that it was only by His sovereign grace. We don’t deserve it, can’t earn it, and don’t seek it, but God knows that we need it and He is good. Always good.

Favorite place in SD: I’m a homebody so it’d be my apartment.
Song that will define the era in 10 years: The earliest LBC sermon I can recall, and actually remember the content from, was titled “Stained Glass Masquerade.” That was when I was introduced to Casting Crowns and that album. Unfortunately, in terms of secular music, this era hasn’t been able to produce a classic that we could look back and still be respected for loving. Maybe Kelly Clarkson.
Favorite verse: Ephesians 2:4-5. The Gospel message.
Memory that stands out the most: Boys’ Appreciation during our sophomore year. Our class sisters cooked for us, made us shirts, and took us to a Padres game. Couple weeks later, we made them hotdogs and played games.
Advice for collegians: Love God, love others, get committed to a church, be a member, find an older married man, get discipled by him, learn a lot, and do it all soon. Do it now!

by Alice Ting

As I reflect on these past four years of college, I can’t even begin to put into words just how faithful God has been to me in constantly demonstrating His goodness and His grace in my life. Leaving the comfortable surroundings of my Ohio hometown behind, I arrived at UCSD a quiet and timid young freshman fearing that I’d be like a fish out of water and wondering why again it was that I had decided to come all the way out here. God was quick to comfort me though as I soon discovered He had brought me to a place where there was an abundance of good churches and fellowships to choose from. Not only that, He provided a group of fellow brothers and sisters who I quickly bonded with as we searched together for where it was that God was calling us to. I’m still constantly amazed and thankful when I think about the people that God sovereignly brought into my life, many of whom have become some of my closest friends and biggest encouragements these past few years, challenging me to grow and pointing me to Christ.

This was just one of the many times throughout college that God used to teach me that I needed to trust in Him. I’ve learned that, as Philippians 4:6-7 constantly reminded me, I have no need to worry or be anxious. He is faithful and sovereign in His plans and, though it definitely took me a while to learn this, God was patient with me. I was always one who liked things planned out and found comfort in knowing what was ahead, so dealing with uncertainty was tough. Again and again, God brought me through different trials and struggles, teaching me to rely solely on Him and not myself. As I grew, I was able to find comfort and peace in Him through prayer and His Word in a way that I wasn’t able to before.

God has been faithful in growing me in many other ways as well. In both revealing more of His character, holiness and righteousness as well as the depth of my sinfulness, I see more each day just how much I need God. Though I entered college thinking I had a good understanding of the gospel, I grew to have a deeper appreciation as I began to better grasp its meaning and significance in my life. I learned that the gospel was not just for those who weren’t saved, but it was just as important for me now – a sinner still just as much in need of God’s grace. I needed to constantly go back to the gospel, reminding myself every time I failed and fell short that it is by Christ living the perfect life and dying for my sins that I am forgiven and can come before a holy God. It is in knowing this that I can rejoice and praise God, that as I recognize more of just how sinful I am, I see all the more how amazing His grace is.

In God’s grace and sovereignty, He led me to Lighthouse just this past year. Though I haven’t been here long, I have felt so blessed and encouraged by the strong teaching of God’s Word and especially by the many faithful men and women who, through their actions and their lives, I can see are truly living for God’s glory in every way. I have been so challenged to not only know God’s Word better, but to live in a manner that seeks to honor and glorify God in all that I do. As each week passes, I’ve come to appreciate God more and more for bringing me to Lighthouse and I look forward to running the race towards Christ alongside my fellow brothers and sisters.

Favorite place in SD: The cliffs-I can’t help but marvel at God’s majesty and beautiful creation every time I’m there.
Favorite Verse: Proverbs 3:5-6 and Ephesians 2:8-9
Memory that stands out the most: Having really good long talks with friends. I think the record was 8 hours. That was definitely freshman year when we were crazy and didn’t sleep much.
Advice for collegians: Really appreciate a good solid church like Lighthouse

by Alex Fok

If you would’ve asked me 4 years ago what I imagined my college experience to be like, it would’ve been pretty much the complete opposite of what has taken place these past 4 years—and I owe all my praise and thanks to God for that. Before coming to college I considered myself a Christian because I believed that there was a god, but I didn’t understand what being a Christian was. Hearing and understanding the gospel for the first time my freshmen year initiated a gradual process in which I began to build my relationship with God. The spiritual growth that I experienced during the critical times of my relationship was developed primarily by the teaching at Lighthouse which always taught me to point my eyes towards Christ. One of the hardest challenges being in college was applying this towards studying, and how I could study to the glory of God, and even to this day it is a still a struggle but as I’ve learned living the Christian life will always be a difficult path to walk. However, I’ve also learned from Lighthouse that you are not alone in this war; that you have a church filled with individuals that are willing to encourage you and keep you focused on Christ, which I am truly thankful for. I am thankful that God has blessed me with such an amazing church that has allowed me to take my Christian walk seriously.

As I leave Lighthouse I’m saddened that I have to leave the church that has given me an abundance of teaching throughout my Christian walk, yet I’m also excited to apply these things that I’ve learned throughout my 4 years here and use this knowledge to help encourage others at the church that I will be attending back at home. Hopefully I can obtain the teaching, fellowship, and encouragement that I have received at Lighthouse and continue growing in my relationship with the Lord. As I prepare for graduation, I’ve come to realize that I shouldn’t worry about what happens in my life but rather put my trust in the Lord and His sovereign plan that He has laid out for me. Hopefully, His plan will lead me back to Lighthouse, but as for now I know that I will be heading back home and that is about it.

Favorite place in SD: Geisel – that place is awesome
Song that will define the era in 10 years: How Deep the Fathers Love For Us
Favorite verse: Matthew 6:25-34
Memory that stands out the most: It went by too fast, it all seems like a blur but we’ll start with being EV’d to by Bach
Advice for collegians: Don’t break your leg your senior year, definitely not as a fun as it looks

by Misun Kim

All throughout college, I hated church. I complained about the long sermons, old praise and hymn singing, the church building/lights, activities, fellowship, and soon even the pastoral staff and leadership. Yet it was so ironic that I was dating a pastor at that time and that I was still attending Lighthouse. I still went out to LBC because I had conviction that God wanted me at this church.

I needed to learn obedience, submission and humility. Submission to God involves humility; it is acknowledging that I am neither qualified nor able to do what I ought to do. I thought my will needed to be strengthened, but strangely, I only became stronger only when I surrendered (2 Corinthians 12:10).

As I surrendered my will to God, the Holy Spirit began to resolve these conflicts within my heart. As I committed myself before God to understanding and loving the church, God showed me His truth as a standard for making choices. He taught me a single-mindedness that I never knew before. And after a while, I began to realize that what God requires of me is really what I want to do. As long as I was walking daily with the Lord, I can be sure that the decisions I make are in His will.

I’ve had many meaningful conversations with the people at this church. As I got to hear their stories, I was less tempted to judge others and had more understanding as I became acquainted with the wickedness of my own heart. One of the people who had made an influence is Mrs. Grace Lee. I remember coming to her with feelings of guilt towards the church and serving. I was doubtful whether guilt was an acceptable motivation to change my heart and attitude because guilt was not God’s means of discipline since it’s contrary to the cross. God didn’t want me to live with guilt, but He showed me grace and love, which was His way of motivating me to live righteously. God’s grace is not given as a ticket for me to keep complaining, but rather it motivates me to submit myself willingly, joyfully, and obediently to Christ who loves me so deeply.

With the prayers of Grace and couple of other sisters, God changed my heart. As God takes me far beyond Lighthouse, His light will shine on me, alerting me to share my story with those who struggle with their faith and church. I will take a piece of Lighthouse that will glow in my heart, so I may shine the light of Jesus.

Favorite food: Korean
Favorite verse: Philippians 1:6
Favorite artists: Mariah Carey, Neyo, Justin Timberlake, Fergie, Beyonce, Beachboys, David Crowder
Things I want to do before I die: Sky diving, scuba diving, pet a shark, fly a jet, rock climbing, backpack in Europe

by Keziah Kim

The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

Looking back on four years, I praise God for His great wisdom and sovereignty in bringing me to San Diego. In His steadfast love, He knew, always knew and will always know, what is best for me. I came into college thinking that I knew what church was all about and that I had this Christian life down. I grew up in the church and I was a P.K. I read the Bible and earnestly desired to live it out. In the face of trials, I trusted God. I grew up going to AWANA and knew all the songs and memory verses. I did all the good little things a good little girl was supposed to do. Pretty good, wouldn’t you say? Sadly, I was so deceived for I lacked an understanding of the one truth that mattered: the Gospel message. Little did I know that I stood a guilty sinner before a holy and wrathful God. I failed to recognize that the bitterness, hatred, and wickedness stored up in my heart were a direct offense against Him. Yet, He is so gentle and ever so kind. In His great mercy, He saw me, a very lost sheep, and directed me to San Diego. Though it was my last choice, I was just glad to get away from the debilitating heat and boringness of Gilbert, Arizona, the hypocrisy and drama within the church, the broken family on the verge of another split, the crushed relationships, all of it. Then He brought along Jenie, a warm-hearted senior who invited me out to Lighthouse Bible Church. I never knew that such churches existed! The pastor taught the Word of God fiercely and boldly, and the church actually acted like a loving family. Somewhere along my first couple of quarters here, the pieces of the Good News slowly came together in my heart. I recognized the greatness of our God, the ugliness of my heart, the hope of Christ, and my need to repent. God saved a wretch like me!

God has made it clear to me that He is ever faithful and true. Especially in the beginning of college, He placed many trials in my way to test my faith. There were financial burdens that created uncertainty of staying in San Diego to finish school. There were family problems back at home. A close family member passed away. There was the uncertainty and confusion of reconciling with long lost family. Yet, God faithfully provided the hope of His Word and a loving church family that supported, encouraged, and walked alongside me during those times. He taught me not to be anxious, but to be prayerful in all things and to trust wholly in Him. I have learned so much through the teaching and guidance found through Lighthouse, and I praise God! Though I have a long way to go, by His grace, my love for Christ has grown tremendously and I hope to continue to say at the end of each and every day, “If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus ‘tis now.”

My prayer for the future is to have a teachable, moldable heart. I pray that I will be willing to be used in the way that seems best to Him to spread His glory. I pray to be a beautiful vessel until the day I die, for His name and His name alone.

Favorite place in SD: I used to love journaling, thinking, reading, etc. on warm spring days, with the sun rays piercing through the Eucalyptus branches at a place I would call “city on a hill” (aka the top of Peterson Hill). Hahaha.
Song that will define the era in 10 years: Great is Thy Faithfulness, My Jesus I Love Thee
Favorite verse: Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:19
Memory that stands out the most: The times spent laughing and or crying with our class
Advice for collegians: Your relationship with Christ must always be a priority. There are no excuses, for one makes time for the things that he/she values.