"My Life: Thus Far"

Adria Hinrichs

Spiritual Formation

Dave Williams

August 20, 2009

An Efflorescent Expression

As I see it, I really do not. I know where I have been, but I have no idea where I am headed. The one thing I know is that Jesus Christ is Lord, as sole author and perfecter of my faith; thus, I will live in Him, and enjoy his goodness as long as I have breath in my lungs. Through this expression of my life thus far, I will strive to present a little background from whence I came, so that Christ, through me, may go out and be witness to his great and boundless love.

To begin, I accepted Christ at a young age; I have grown up in a Christian home: two parents happily married, an older sister, and two little brothers. I am exceptionally grateful for the positive impact my family has had on my life. Not just immediate family, but my entire extended family; the love and encouragement they have poured into my life are immeasurable. I am so blessed to have such a godly, gracious family to model for me a life well lived.

As I entered junior high, my faith really became “my own”. Through a more mature look at Christ and his love for me, and the help of my home church’s youth group, I was able to begin to grasp the extent of God’s love for me. Throughout high school, the Lord grew me and strengthened me in countless ways. Through my youth group, as well as my own study and experiences, God became more real to me. He is a faithful friend, who has my best in mind, a beautiful Lord, who creates things for my pleasure and enjoyment and the one Truth that stands, when all else give way to the constraints of the world. He is also sovereign. When trial and sadness come, He is right there in the middle of it. The last semester of my senior year was the single most influential few months in my life thus far. Through some friends’ sudden deaths via a car accident, I began to understand his sovereignty. Through a terrible car accident I was in shortly after my friends’, I saw his complete goodness and immeasurability in choosing to save my life, while he chose to take my friends’ lives.

The summer after my senior year, I moved all the way from Southern California to Haviland, Kansas, to begin my ascent into higher education. This was quite an influential time in my life as well, in a completely different way than the semester prior. I grew to enjoy the culture here, and accept the fact that not all things are like California--no mountains or sea in the prairie. The Lord grew me and drew me to himself in a way which I had not discovered last year.

Next, came China. This experience was so incredible, so fully shaping and forming for me. This summer, I went on a missions trip to China, to work with orphans for two weeks. The ultimate opportunity for a girl who adores children, and loves to love the unloveable. Each “volunteer” (me) at this summer camp for orphans has a “buddy” (an orphan). Although I have a heart for needy children, God slammed me with a child so needy and unloveable, that I could not love her on my own; through Christ’s love and grace, I grew to love my little girl. She is a precious Child of God, too. Just like the rest of the “buddies” I had--who were precious, sweet and so very lovable, my little girl, DouDou, needed love, too. So, I showed her God’s love in and through my words and actions that week.

I am now at Barclay for one more year, will graduate with my AA, and transfer to Chico State in California, to study child development and journalism. I hope to return to China to work with orphans and be a journalist for a children and families magazine. I am grateful for the experiences the Lord has given me. My life is so full, so rich; for this, I will praise him.