Before Hope, I looked for love, approval, and identity in places that could give me none—academic achievement, fitness, pageantry, relationships. I made a lot of not-so-great choices throughout my teens and early 20s and wasn’t even sure I believed in God, despite my parents faithfully taking us to Sunday school and church. Yet, in his kindness, God chased me down during and after my time at Iowa State (this was pre-Kairos, Hope’s College Ministry!). The seeds started to bloom when my cousin suggested I check out Hope during a rough patch. Before moving to Minnesota, I went to a few services and remember being captivated by the conviction in Pastor Mike’s preaching, which I now know was the Holy Spirit. When my first marriage unexpectedly fell apart, I decided to move back to Des Moines so I could attend Hope in person after listening online off and on for years. I was at a total loss and remember fully surrendering to God at that point. Little did I know, I would meet my now-hus...