Jesus + Me = BFF. (Courtney Weatherly)

I always knew I wanted to go to college upon the completion of my high school education but never really knew where I wanted to go. There were some of my friends who knew exactly where they wanted to go and what it would take to get there, since the 5th grade. My older sister, Sam, went to Fresno Pacific so I was familiar with the Christian school thing. I loved how small the school was and how friendly the people were. Because she played volleyball and my family never missed a game, we got to visit a lot of schools (mostly Christian schools) all over California. By the end of my senior year, I decided that I wanted to go to a Christian school because I simply liked the idea of a Christian school. I began looking around and ended up applying to 6 schools (too many applications). I applied to CBU because my mom saw it online and thought it was worth a shot. Later on in the year, I visited CBU and could see myself fitting in with every aspect of the school. As acceptance letters started to come in and financial aid began to work itself out, I could not see myself anywhere but CBU.

After 4 years of being at CBU it is has become clear to me that God led me here. When I took a tour of the campus, I cannot explain the feeling that came over me that I was right where I was supposed to be. The people were so great (and if you’ve visited, that’s not just an act), the campus was beautiful, and the cafeteria dominated all others. I chose to come to CBU for the surface reasons and never imagined what would happen when I got here.

Looking back, I have realized that my spirituality and faith had never been really challenged before. Something that I can say that CBU truly believes in is encouraging its students to grow in academics as well as in Christ. Through Christian courses, leadership and ISP (International Service Projects) I have found that I have grown more in my time here than in any other time in my life. I have been encouraged to ask questions about what I believe and to not trust in what I have been told. More than anything I have been motivated to share Christ with others. Because CBU has such a great quality of students, I have surrounded myself with people who believe the same as I, and have felt that I have grown with their encouragement and love.

In coming to college, I knew I would grow in academics but never imagined how much I would grow in the Lord. I am so grateful for this progression and cannot put any price or loan amount on how evident this change in me was. These years of growth have been so positive and I am so appreciative the God used CBU in such a great way in my life.

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