MY TESTIMONY
I grew up in a family who went to church on occasion, but I never really understood who Jesus was other than the stories I understood from church. As I got older, my family stopped attending church, and I began to understand that my family felt that the people in the church did not share their values. However, that confused me for many years because the Christian values that had been discussed in church were certainly all values that my family valued as well: love, humility, kindness, generosity, etc.
This confusion sent me into reading the Bible for myself. I read chapters on my computer or phone using online Bible apps or websites. However, this just led to more confusion because the Jesus that I was getting to know was wonderful and full of every value that my family could ever hope for me to have. As I continued to mature, I began to understand that we are all sinners and that we, as earthly beings, will always fail to be the perfection that Jesus is. That includes people in the church.
This epiphany did not discourage me from learning more, but it caused me to dive deeper towards Jesus because I knew that He was the goodness I was seeking, even if the people in my local church did not show that same goodness. In my freshman year of college, I bought my first Bible inscribed with my name. I began following Christian influencers I could relate to and be lifted up by including Sadie Robertson. I began listening to Sadie's podcast targeted towards young Christian women. This gave me the strength to embrace my faith more publicly in my relationships, even with my family who no longer actively pursues their faith life.
I came to understand that my journey with Jesus did not have to be tainted by this world, and I found hope and peace in Him. I try my best to live like Jesus and have a relationship with Him. I know that I am not perfect, but striving towards a life that pleases the Lord is always worthwhile. I began working in churches as a musician and joined a church young adult group. The church has given me a great community of friends and believers, but I do not expect perfection from them because I know that I could never meet that expectation of perfection either. I simply try to live my best for the Lord, leading with love, and praying that this world will someday find peace in the true values of Jesus.
This confusion sent me into reading the Bible for myself. I read chapters on my computer or phone using online Bible apps or websites. However, this just led to more confusion because the Jesus that I was getting to know was wonderful and full of every value that my family could ever hope for me to have. As I continued to mature, I began to understand that we are all sinners and that we, as earthly beings, will always fail to be the perfection that Jesus is. That includes people in the church.
This epiphany did not discourage me from learning more, but it caused me to dive deeper towards Jesus because I knew that He was the goodness I was seeking, even if the people in my local church did not show that same goodness. In my freshman year of college, I bought my first Bible inscribed with my name. I began following Christian influencers I could relate to and be lifted up by including Sadie Robertson. I began listening to Sadie's podcast targeted towards young Christian women. This gave me the strength to embrace my faith more publicly in my relationships, even with my family who no longer actively pursues their faith life.
I came to understand that my journey with Jesus did not have to be tainted by this world, and I found hope and peace in Him. I try my best to live like Jesus and have a relationship with Him. I know that I am not perfect, but striving towards a life that pleases the Lord is always worthwhile. I began working in churches as a musician and joined a church young adult group. The church has given me a great community of friends and believers, but I do not expect perfection from them because I know that I could never meet that expectation of perfection either. I simply try to live my best for the Lord, leading with love, and praying that this world will someday find peace in the true values of Jesus.
HANDBELL CHOIR DIRECTOR
In August, 2022, I joined the Central Highlands Community United Methodist Church in Elizabeth, PA as the handbell choir director. I love that I have the ability to guide people in their faith through music as my faith life is also very important to me. I am grateful for the community that this position has given me.
Once a week, I rehearse the ensemble with music that I choose to challenge them musically but also to allow them to have fun and create beautiful worship music for the congregation on Sundays. I am thankful for this ensemble helping me to stay in touch with instrumental music and conducting, keeping those skills strong and present. I will also occasionally step in to play for a missing member, and I really enjoy the opportunity to make music in this setting. Our new pastor has four sons, several of whom have become members of this ensemble. The 11-year-old and 9-year-old boys have learned so much so quickly, and I am so proud of their hard work in being able to play with our group. The 5-year-old is also an honorary member who we love to have hang out with us and learn bell technique so that when he is old enough to join, he can jump right in! |
WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
SOPRANO MUSIC SCHOLAR
Fall of 2018 through the spring of 2020, I acted as the Soprano Music Scholar at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Greensburg, PA. In this position, I was a member of the Chancel Choir and the Handbell Ensemble. Acting as a section leader, I attended rehearsals, services, and other performances such as recitals.
This experience helped me to become a better musician in several ways. I expanded my knowledge of sacred music and sacred music repertoire through singing and playing a variety of sacred choral anthems, hymns, and songs. My sight-reading skills also developed greatly through this experience in both the choir and in the handbell ensemble. Lastly, I gained experience in leading the other members of the choir vocally and assisting them as necessary. I am grateful for the opportunity I had to work with members of the Greensburg community and for the opportunity to gain musical experiences in a new environment with new people. Making connections with these wonderful church members was such a blessing, and singing and playing with them was very meaningful to me. |