This is me
There are a lot of variables that make a person who they are. These are mine.
college grad
I graduated in May 2023 with a BA in Biology: Ecological Science at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. I spent my last semester as an undergrad in New Zealand as I studied abroad through Creation Care Study Program (CCSP). As a student at Northwestern, I took various classes but my favorite and most challenging courses were in Biology. My favorite Bio courses included: Invertebrate Zoology, Aquatic Ecology, Ecology, Animal Ecology, SEA-GENES, and SEA-PHAGES which were rewarding as well as academically challenging.
The Bio. courses I took here brought me so many new lifelong friendships that I am so grateful for. Who knew I could become best friends with classmates over pressed plants, Ethanol, mussel dissections, field trips in the middle of Iowa, and van flat tires. The professors who taught me and my classmates are wise but most importantly caring. I am thankful for the bonds that were created through the Biology department but also grateful for the lessons I learned and the greater love I have for God, our creator.
retired athlete
My whole life, up until a couple months ago, I was always playing some sort of sport. In grade school I played basketball, volleyball, soccer, or really anything I could besides softball (don’t ask why I don’t remember young April’s brain). Since I was a kindergartener, I played soccer and I didn’t realize my love for the game until high school. In college soccer became more than just a competitive sport but my team was my second family. In my last four years of playing I found amazing role models, best friends, and women that are like sisters to me. I add this section to “about me” not because I was a successful athlete (the opposite really) but because this sport brought me experiences and people that shaped who I am. It’s been hard to not be an athlete even if it hasn't been that long but I am grateful for my team and how close we became through this beautiful game.
daughter, sister, niece, granddaughter, cousin, aunt , etc.
A huge part of my life is my family as it is for many people. I have a decently large family and family friends who basically are my family. I grew up in an environment where Christ was to always be the center of our lives and all that we do is to praise him. Various family members helped me in a journey to find who I am as well as who I am in Christ. I have many Christian role models in my family that I am so thankful for. My family has always been close to one another and I’ve experienced various life circumstances with them from Cancer diagnosis to dancing at one our family weddings. My grandparents have always been supportive of me in whatever I do and show me how a marriage can last for many years. My parents have raised me to find my own path in life but to also remember who I came from. My sisters and I never got along growing up but now I can say we are each others best friends who go to each other for anything. My brothers-in-law are my biggest protectors and give me hope that if my crazy sisters can get married then maybe I can some day (hehe love you Erin and Leah). My uncles, aunts, and cousins always show me self-less love by asking about my life over theirs and are always super fun to hang out with. My family friends have always been family to me that so much my practically 3rd sister’s child is my niece. That confuses many people but we are all so close and involved in each others lives that saying we are just friends doesn’t amount to the relationship we have.
I grew up with such a loving and supportive family who shows me the importance of being involved in a community as well as being a servant. I look forward to every family gathering I have because creating memories with them fills me with joy. I love them :)
friend
My friends play a huge role in my life and have helped me grow as a person. I love my friends that push me to get closer to the Lord and will drop everything if I need them. Words can not describe how thankful I am for each and every one of them. At college I found lifelong friends, roommates, classmates, and teammates who support me in whatever I do. My favorite memories with my friends include: a trip to Texas, long nights in the lab studying, trips to Los, preseason soccer trips, staying up late with my roommates, going to other athletic events at NWC, attending their weddings, getting coffee, watching long movies like avatar, and going to church every Sunday together.
follower
My life is much more than the labels I described above because they won’t last. The most important variable in my life is being a follower of Christ and continuing to build a relationship with Him. I have been around the Christian faith my entire life but being a Christian is more than just a label to me. Through God’s grace and love He chose me to experience life and someday eternity with him. So I am a friend, student, sister, etc. now but ultimately I am a child of His forever. To me that means living this life for Him not myself. In all that I do, I want to praise him and make Him known. I am not perfect and am a sinner like everyone else but God picks me up and forgives me each time.
It’s hard to explain a 22 year relationship with God in these few paragraphs but in each stage of my life God has been faithful. The life following Christ is not easy, nor does He state that it is but, He says He will be with us. In the good times and in the bad times God is present and calls us to love all and praise Him.
Two of my favorite Bible verses include Psalm 113:3- “From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.” & Galatians 2:20 -”I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” These two verses give me purpose for living each day and knowing that I am not my own but I am God’s child. To me this is such a beautiful thing to belong and being given purpose.
