My life began far from Pittsburgh in the state of Oregon where I was born. I grew up in a loving family with my parents and two younger brothers. From a very young age I learned about the love of God through the example of my parents.

Because of my dad's work, we moved from Oregon to Connecticut and finally, when I was in second grade, we moved to Pittsburgh. We soon began attending Orchard Hill Church. I loved going to KidsQuest on the weekends and was a KidsFest camper every summer. When I was too old to continue to attend KidsQuest, I began to serve instead. Being inspired by my KidsFest counselor and their passion for Christ, I was excited to share that same love with other kids, starting with the 3-year- old room and later serving downstairs in 2nd through 5th.

As I headed into High School, I faced several challenges which caused me to question if my faith was more in my head rather than in my heart. High School has been a wild ride which began in 9th grade. After swimming competitively for six years, I had my dreams crushed when I did not make the varsity swim team.

I got some relief the next year when I met a wonderful adult mentor named Colette. She became my best friend, teaching me how to drive and helping me through tough times in 10th grade. She had so much wisdom and guided me in my walk with Christ. God revealed many things to me that year. As I began to see the ugliness of this broken world, He comforted me and helped me to come alongside a friend, just as Colette had done for me. Our friendship inspired me to build relationships with middle school girls by serving at Impact. I wanted to be the same type of positive influence in their lives that Colette had been for me. In my brokenness, I found God was able to bring healing by looking beyond myself and serving others.

11th grade however was not what I had expected. Colette moved, friends left me, and I found myself lonely and broken. I focused all my time in academics to try and hide the pain. I was bitter, numb and unhappy. Looking back on 11th grade, however, I smile because in the midst of my darkness there was light. Every Sunday I attended a small group led by Shannon Miller and Aimee Long. Together we tended to our souls. Hearts were mended, relationships restored, and real friendships formed. God never left me. In my time of need, He was there. He was in my heart, not my head.

In the summer of 2009, I continued to grow in my faith. I interned at Orchard Hill in Children's Ministry and I got to experience the love and passion that surrounds this awesome church. God continued to show up as I went to Saranac, a young life camp for high school students. God opened my eyes and taught me how to forgive. After my own camp experience, I went to RockBridge and served as a leader for my Impact girls - the ones I had been living life with for the past three years.

That brings me to where I am now, senior year. What a great year it's been! My Wednesday night small group has provided me with great people who love and care for me. I thank God for people like Shannon Miller, you have spoken so much truth into my life. Michelle Cotter, you are my best friend and I don't know where I would be without you. Emma Gryger, I love you no matter what. Maggie Boone, I love our heart to hearts and the time I spend with you. Emily Bonavoglia, you are an awesome person who makes me smile. and Brooke Schmitt , you are a great friend.

During spring break this year, I went to Haiti. How can I describe my experience there? I feel that anything I say won't do it justice. However, one moment in particular had a huge impact on me personally. Our team was working together with some of the older orphans of EBAC to paint the new IDADEE orphanage and prepare it for the 60 children who will soon be housed there. Most of the other rooms were painted, so together the team worked to paint the last room. Suddenly the orphans led us as we broke into song. The sounds of our worship and praise echoed in that room. It was beautiful.

Unbeknownst to us we were "breaking in the chapel." After painting as much as we could our whole team gathered in the chapel. Remi, who is responsible for establishing this new orphanage, joined us. Together, we prayed for Remi and the impact this new facility will have on the lives of children in and around the community. We began to sing Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I still get tears in my eyes thinking of that moment. God's presence was overwhelming. For the rest of my life, that hymn will be special to me. Throughout our mission trip, I can say I saw God's love in the most real way. I experienced how God uses our gifts. I watched people who put their full trust in God. I saw sacrificial love. I experienced amazing grace.

Now I see life differently than I ever have before. God is a big part of my life. As this chapter closes, a new one starts - college. I will be attending Grove City College next year with a major in secondary education mathematics. I am certain the people I have met and the experiences I've had serving my Impact girls has influenced my career plans by combining my love for students with my love for math. While this chapter in my life is exciting, it is also somewhat scary. As I move into this next phase of life, my middle school girls are also moving into their next phase - high school. It is exciting for us to make our journey together and it has been great to see how we have an impact on each other's lives.

I know God is with me. The Orphans at EBAC sing, "All my hopes and dreams, and plans I place within your hand, Lord I give my life to you!"

My name is Meredith Day and this is the beginning of my story.