Before I came to Mines I was at a very low point in my life and had been ignoring God for my sophomore, junior, and senior years of high school. I was going through the worst things of my life, and rather than clinging to God when I needed him most, I shut Him out completely. I partied all the time, and used drugs and alcohol as ways to escape my problems. When I got to Mines, I knew I wanted to do things different and get off to a better start. I didn't want everyone's first impressions of me to involve drunkenness. I still went to a few parties because that's what my new "friends" did, but I hated them all. Finally one night my friend Rebecca invited me to come to Bible study which was being held at the EP. That is when I found God again.

I knew the minute I began talking to Ashleigh, Andrea, and the girls in the study that these were the people I wanted to be friends with and that they would help me walk with God again. I felt uneasy at first, because I was so ashamed of my mistakes of the past, but after going to Cru and hearing testimonies I realized I wasn't alone. Also, the study leaders and people in Cru didn't ever judge me or treat me different just because I was new. The prayer and support from Cru is so amazing and comforting, and the people involved with Cru really set examples of how I want to live my life for God. It was a miracle that I went to that one night of Bible study and found Cru to help me get back on track. Now I feel like I have lost 100 pounds and that I can finally have purpose in life again.
 
Grace Bernard (Freshman)