TAYA ~ Teens and Young Adults

Things happen for a reason.

My childhood was a  roller coaster of good and bad. I remember days when money was so easily accessible that I never imagined life without the newest this or the nicest that.  Then, after the divorce, money was so tight that sometimes my family and I had to huddle together with only candles to keep us warm because we couldn’t afford to pay the electricity bill.

Of course, the drug dealing, verbal abuse, and emotional neglect imparted by one of my parental units only made such financial hardships that much more difficult to cope with.

But, in the end, God made me stronger.

-Fast forward several years.

While applying for college scholarships, I came across a state-level scholarship for seniors who had experienced adversity in their lifetime. So, of course, I applied.

There was only one problem, time.

Coming across the scholarship so late in the game, I hoped to fill it out the weekend it was due. Unfortunately though, I was required to have a signed transcript in order to apply.

Where was I going to get one of those on a Saturday afternoon?

Well, it just so happened that I had kept one hidden in my room from an application I filled out months before. So, on the day the scholarship was due, I was able to mail the application.

In late December, I finally received word back from the association. A voice on the other line told me that I had won the scholarship, but not the state level….I had been awarded the national scholarship.

So, you may say that by chance I had luckily come across the scholarship before it was due. You may even argue that it was a coincidence that I kept the old transcript, and that the association accepted it regardless. But, I would have to say that it was not by chance that I was selected as one of 104 students out of a pool of over 40,000 to be awarded this scholarship.

Without God allowing me to go through such trials, I would not have had the strength and confidence to involve myself in the many things that I have, allowing me the success that I have had. And, I know for sure that without the Lord constantly encouraging me with special  surprises each day, I would not have the spirit or the overall joy that I do today.

-Read: James 1:2-4

 

 

 

Jeli

I have dimples. That is all you need to know. Just kidding. I am Jeli. In the past year I have undergone a lot of life-altering events in which my faith has really benefited. I have learned a lot about what I have done wrong and what I should do right. That is why I am here, on TAYA. I want to tell you guys about those things that I did wrong, and to brainstorm ideas with you all on how to do right. So venture with me, think with me, and pray with me. :) Let's do this thing!