Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Home: a take on my autobiography

Home.

There is such comfort in that one word.

Home is a place of security,
a place of serenity,
a place of sanctuary.

Born in Gainesville, but raised in a little town just North of this lively college city, I always thought my home would be found in the coziness of small town life.

My hometown provided for a typical southern upbringing: growing up in the church, learning to respect my elders, and, of course, my absolute love for corn nuggets and fried chicken.

In elementary school, I won my first speech contest and my passion for public speaking took root. Soon after, the thought of finding my home in a big city in order to become the next Megyn Kelly became my aspiration. And despite my comfort and love of being a small town girl, I started to imagine my life, and maybe one day my home, in a big city.

In middle school and high school, I signed up for organizations, took leadership positions, and volunteered in ways that I knew would help me reach my big city reporter goals. I was told more than once that I had the gift of capturing the attention of those around me, that I had “that radio voice.” And with each passing compliment, my ego only grew.

In high school, my life was radically changed: I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior. The love of Jesus Christ changed every aspect of my life in one single moment, including all my hopes, dreams, and future aspirations.

I turned to the Lord to guide me in all my plans for the future, that they would no longer glorify me by showing off my gifts and talents, but rather glorify God!

My parents have always emphasized the importance of education. And being born and raised a “Gator,” I prayed for the opportunity to officially join the “Gator Nation” at the University of Florida. When I was accepted (Glory to God!) I didn’t hesitate to join the J-School as a Telecommunication major. And since my freshman year, I was given incredible opportunities to further my experience in this field, including reporting for WUFT-fm and UF’s Radio Reading Service for the visually impaired. I am truly thankful!

The University of Florida also gave me countless other opportunities and experiences, through organizations like the Pride of the Sunshine Marching Band and the Signing Gators club. When I look at my time at the University of Florida and see all I’ve been able to accomplish and how I have grown, I’m truly humbled! It was the Lord who made all of it happen!

As of right now, I have no idea what exactly my future holds except the fact that I have been called to the field of American Sign Language interpreting. I don’t know how to further that calling or where to start; I don’t know what I’m going to do once I graduate. Let’s be honest:

I am a simple college student and I don’t have it all figured out!
But I do have Jesus Christ as the Lord of my life and that’s all I need.


They say, “Home is where the heart is.”

That being said, my home is not a big city like I’d always envisioned; it is not a small town like I’ve always known; it is not even Gainesville where I have lived for the last 3 years. My home is where my heart is. And since my heart belongs to Jesus Christ, my home is in Heaven with my Savior.

“All I know is I’m not home yet, this is not where I belong.
Take this world and give me Jesus, this is not where I belong.”

-“Where I belong” by Building 429

2 comments:

  1. Sarah, I truly admire your willingness to share your religious background and how your faith has helped you get where you are today. I find that it is so important to stay true to what you believe and based on your biography I believe you might feel the same as well. I also am very close to my family, and find comfort in being home...although I always grew up in fairly large suburb type cities. I also think it's great that you love public speaking! While I do love being a reporter, I find being in front of a room of people to still be terrifying.

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  2. Fist of all, I think it's great that you continue to be so grounded in your beliefs, specially in college where most people lose focus of that part of their lives. Second, it is SO COOL that you want to do ASL interpreting! I taught myself the ABCs of ASL in 3rd grade but thats about all I know. I think it's a wonderful thing to be able to do and work in and it should be easy for you since you have public speaking, band and singing experience, then you'll have no problem translating in front of large crowds! Best of luck with your future endeavors!

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