This is how I would have introduced myself to you when I was 5 years old.
One of my family’s favorite memories of me when I was younger is how I proudly proclaimed on the top of a picnic table that my name is Lindsay Ardette Ardette Stilphen.
There is really only one Ardette in my full name but when I was growing up I thought my middle name was so awesome that it needed to be said twice.
Much has changed since then. I started life as a loud and outgoing child, but I have grown into a quieter and more introspective young adult.
From kindergarten through 8th grade I attended a private Christian school. I loved going to that little school so much and I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. I am so grateful that I was raised in a Christian environment and was encouraged to learn more about God. I accepted Christ as my savior at a very young age, but I can’t remember when exactly. All I know is for as long as I can remember I have been aware that there is a God who sent His Son to die on the cross for my sins. My time at the Christian school was great because I learned a lot about Biblical History and who God is supposed to be. Now I see that the only problem was that I was just learning about who God is, not why He sent Jesus to die for my sins or how He wants to be a part of my everyday life.
Going into High School I was confident in myself as a Christian and knew that I could handle any peer pressure because I had good Christian friends and was too busy with classes and sports to get into trouble. I lived in a way that was pleasing to my family because I wanted to make them happy and proud of who I was becoming. I did everything in my power to be the good scholar and excellent athlete that they expected me to be. The problem was that I was relying on My Own Power. It never occurred to me that I should ask God if what I was doing was pleasing to Him because as long as my family was satisfied I thought I was doing everything right.
I graduated near the top of my class and received a rowing scholarship to California State University, Sacramento. I couldn’t have been happier with the way my life was going. I was taking the logical next steps for a motivated young woman. Going to a four year college on an athletic scholarship was always something very important to me; but looking back I don’t really know why it was so important other than the fact that it was what I was “supposed” to do.
My first year of college was pretty typical for a girl growing up in a small town and moving to the big city. I partied here and there because it was something I had never done growing up and I was able to convince myself that it wasn’t a big deal, especially because I was only drinking not acting promiscuous or anything. I slowly fell away from my Christian friends and started acting like the people that I was surrounded by.
READ WHO AM I? PART 2 for college and beyond!
I think that this song, "The Hurt and The Healer" by MercyMe summarizes my life up to this point
Follow the link below to view it : )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xzaivDbu9c
