Hello Everybody!
Even though this is my first post, it's already been a long and exciting way that has led me to this point! Without my friends, family, and "adopted family" (as in the people who I am not related to by blood - but in basically every other way :) ) I would have never made it this far. And even though many of you have been there with me along the way, let me remind you of how I got here:
In 2004, I came to Calvin College as the German Assistant for a 1-year program. Little did I know that I would become a Christian that year and that my life would be changed forever.
In 2005, I had to return home to Germany because I was not able to afford Calvin's tuition. For a year, I attended a German university that provided the students with great academics - but not with a life style like Calvin did.
In 2006, I experienced a miracle when I was offered a great scholarship through Calvin and when an anonymous sponsor agreed to help pay for my tuition and I got to return to Calvin once again.
In 2009, I graduated from Calvin with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and Media Design. During my years at Calvin, I interned with several Christian organizations (Wedgewood Christian Services, GIFT), was involved in many student organizations and even started my own (Calvin's Ballroom Dance Club).
In 2010, I worked for a real estate company in Grand Rapids (Eenhoorn LLC) as the executive and marketing assistant when another miracle happened: One of my coworkers asked me if I had ever considered going on a mission trip and she introduced me to YWAM.
For the remainder of the year until today, I have been working hard to collect the funds that would allow me to join the program PhotogenX that sounded like it was made for me. Since my family is not Christian I did not grow up in a home church, fundraising was and is exceptionally hard for me. With the great support of my friends, I organized pop can drives, street performances, taught German and dance lessons, did babysitting, functioned as a romantic date planner, hosted ballroom dance events, garage sales, wrote letters and emails to churches and friends, sold my moped etc.
Now, in 2011 I am living back home in Germany until April to be with my parents and to continue my fundraising. I have gotten closer to my financial goal of what I need to raise but there are still some holes I need to fill before April. However, this journey has started, developed, tested and strengthened my faith - as well as my friendships - in a way that I had never expected. I now know that there are people who I can rely on and who will stick with me in good as in bad times. And I have learned that being a Christian does not shelter you from hard times or disappointments. But I have also learned that being a Christian assures you that there will be better and even greater times ahead. Looking back at my journey thus far, I have been amazed by God's patience and graciousness time and time again.
And if God is for us, who can be against us, right :)? [Romans 8:31]
In 2004, I came to Calvin College as the German Assistant for a 1-year program. Little did I know that I would become a Christian that year and that my life would be changed forever.
In 2005, I had to return home to Germany because I was not able to afford Calvin's tuition. For a year, I attended a German university that provided the students with great academics - but not with a life style like Calvin did.
In 2006, I experienced a miracle when I was offered a great scholarship through Calvin and when an anonymous sponsor agreed to help pay for my tuition and I got to return to Calvin once again.
In 2009, I graduated from Calvin with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and Media Design. During my years at Calvin, I interned with several Christian organizations (Wedgewood Christian Services, GIFT), was involved in many student organizations and even started my own (Calvin's Ballroom Dance Club).
In 2010, I worked for a real estate company in Grand Rapids (Eenhoorn LLC) as the executive and marketing assistant when another miracle happened: One of my coworkers asked me if I had ever considered going on a mission trip and she introduced me to YWAM.
For the remainder of the year until today, I have been working hard to collect the funds that would allow me to join the program PhotogenX that sounded like it was made for me. Since my family is not Christian I did not grow up in a home church, fundraising was and is exceptionally hard for me. With the great support of my friends, I organized pop can drives, street performances, taught German and dance lessons, did babysitting, functioned as a romantic date planner, hosted ballroom dance events, garage sales, wrote letters and emails to churches and friends, sold my moped etc.
Now, in 2011 I am living back home in Germany until April to be with my parents and to continue my fundraising. I have gotten closer to my financial goal of what I need to raise but there are still some holes I need to fill before April. However, this journey has started, developed, tested and strengthened my faith - as well as my friendships - in a way that I had never expected. I now know that there are people who I can rely on and who will stick with me in good as in bad times. And I have learned that being a Christian does not shelter you from hard times or disappointments. But I have also learned that being a Christian assures you that there will be better and even greater times ahead. Looking back at my journey thus far, I have been amazed by God's patience and graciousness time and time again.
And if God is for us, who can be against us, right :)? [Romans 8:31]
