Hey everyone! In case if you do not know me, my name is Ciara Woodin. Some of my favorite things are sports, animals (especially my two dogs), my family, and being outdoors. But, there is someone who is number one in my life, and His name is Jesus. He has been my best friend since I was nine years old. You may be wondering why I specifically said my age, so I would like to tell you a little more about me.

Ten years ago, my parents’ marriage ended in a divorce. To my almost 8-year-old self, my world collapsed at my feet. At the time, I felt alone, misunderstood, and most of all, doleful. Even talking to other people didn’t help me to feel like myself again, and I was at a loss. After some time had passed, a really close family friend named Michael invited my family and I to go to Church with both him and his family. During the following year, I learned so much! As I continued to attend Sunday School and talk to the teachers, I learned more about who Jesus is.

At 9-years-old, what stood out above all else was this: He (Jesus) died for all of us because He LOVES us! And He didn’t only love us then, because His love is continuous! I then accepted Him as my Lord and my Saviour, and something amazing happened.

Do you remember that void that I was telling you about? You know, the loneliness, sadness, the anger? Well, that all started to disappear. Little by little, that void began to be filed with happiness, fulness, and joy. Here is the thing: this wasn’t just a heart change. It was a life change. Jesus became the my comforter, and the one that I could lean on in tough times. When I felt alone or like I could not trust other people, I knew that I could confide in Him and He would listen.

You see, one thing that I have learned through my struggles is that no matter what we experience; the good, the bad, the strange; He has a purpose for all of it. And He will use those experiences to help others and give us the chance to share about Him.

One of my favorite songs at the moment is “My Lighthouse” by Rend Collective. These are my three favorite chunks of the song:

1. “You are the peace in my troubled sea.”

2. “Fire before us. You’re the brightest. You will lead us through the storms”

3. “I will trust the promise. You will carry me safe to shore.”

So, why am I telling you this? This summer, I went to a camp with my church at Houghton College known as NTS. The title NTS stands for "Never The Same". This year’s theme was Threads. During the week, what really stuck with me was that our lives are a part of this beautiful tapestry that God has been weaving since the beginning. And that got me thinking, where do I fit inside of God’s tapestry? We all have a purpose, and God has a unique, perfect will for all of us.

This is part of my mission: to find my place in God’s perfect tapestry. As I do embark on this adventure, I know that not all of it will be easy. God promises us that when we follow Him, there will be times where we struggle. But, in the end, it will ALL be worth it.

So, this is me, and I am so excited to share this adventure will all of you!