Personal Narrative: My Experience With Religion

I love storytime. Since I was a young girl, before I went to sleep every night I would ask my father to tell me a story. I would crawl into my bright pink sheets and my eyes would eagerly peak from underneath them as I waited for my father to take a seat on the side of the bed. There was one condition among my desire for stories. I wanted to hear about the miracles brought forth by God. I was always intrigued to hear of former miracles that proved God’s existence, such as individuals who were healed simply by a prayer or families that survived natural disasters because they had trust in the superior power. My parents, both Polish immigrants, have always been religious and thus they passed their beliefs onto my sibling and I. Religious practices became a part of our developing life. Attending church regularly grew into our weekly routine, praying everyday felt as common as eating dinner. Since religion has played such a large role in my life, I felt as though continuing my academic career in a school without religious aspects would be unfulfilling. When I first received an Olivet bourchier in the mail, the first thing that caught my attention was the small yellow flame with a cross drawn on it. I recognized the symbol quickly and I eagerly began my research on Olivet Nazarene University.
There are many different aspects of universities that I take into consideration during my college search. Other than religious affiliation, I regard location, academics, programs, diversity and flexibility. I was pleased to learn that Olivet offers exactly what I was looking for within all of my desires.
One of the most eye-catching lines I discovered when searching within the university's website is “We are Olivet.
Together, we believe. Together, we become”. This line itself moved me, it caught my attention and I felt a connection to those words. My church family connects differently than other my other social groups. Taken into consideration, it is obvious that we have grown with respect and comfort. There never seemed to be judgments or an unpleasant atmosphere. I fell in love with all the guidance I received throughout the years in my local church, and I gradually became my true self. Having such a large support group in Olivet would aid me immensely in my upcoming
journey.
University of Olivet Nazarene’s mission “education with a christian purpose” appeals to me greatly. I strongly believe that creating educated young adults who also have a christian affiliation will strengthen current day society. Such students will be taught in the field of their choosing while also gaining an appreciation for God that they will honor. I believe that young adults are straying away from morals and religion and by providing resources such as through the Olivet provides will help ignite the passion once again. Without young christian generations many of the best civic organizations will demolish and many individuals may be at lost of happiness. Throughout my whole life I have become a strong supporter of teaching individuals religion, through experience I have seen the benefits brought forth through faith. Throughout my college search I noticed that each school offered something for religious students, whether that be a club or a church, but no school I researched had such a strong religious offering as University of Olivet Nazarene. I am a strong believer that relationships built upon the foundation of God are impossible to destroy and an christian religious affiliation will lead the path to success. Attending a university that offers such affiliation will increase my motivation and help me find successes even within my losses. Becoming a part of Olivet’s community will help me develop healthy relationships that will last a lifetime and it’ll lead to my engagement in healthy choices. One of my favorite bible verses is “Faith can move mountains”(Matthew 17:20), and I am determined that being a student in Olivet will help me do just that.