GROWING IN GOD’S LOVE BY ANNALYSE DI SS INGER ’ 23 When I first visited Cedarville, I cried when I realized that I could never afford to attend. While I was disheartened by the cost, I recognized its value as a Christ-centered school with a focus on training me toward being a Christian educator. This focus would better equip me for the missions field than any of the other colleges I had looked at. I went home and decided not to make any decisions for at least two weeks. I believed in letting the excitement of school tours wear off. Free T-shirts and complimentary thermoses, the best that the dining hall could offer, and residence hall tours, while providing a glimpse into the life of a college student, create an allurement that distracts from the weightier decision. Emotional decisions do not leave room for much-needed prayers and wisdom. T h a n k s t o C e d a r v i l l e ’ s scholarships — the President’s Ministry Impact Scholarship, the Cedarville Fund Scholarship, the Founders Scholarship, the Cedarville Excellence Award, and the Pastor’s Recommendation Scholarship, to name a few — attending Cedarville became more feasible. I continued to pray for answers. The week of the decision deadline, I had my choice narrowed down to Cedarville and another college. Of the other Christian colleges other than option No. 2, Cedarville’s scholarships had made it the most affordable for me. In the end, I chose Cedarville for its authentic focus on training students to be Christ-followers in whatever career path they choose to pursue. In addition to scholarships, I have been blessed with many opportunities to work, allowing me to earn the remainder of my tuition costs through unexpected jobs. One semester, my uncle invited me on a trip to lay felt for a landfill for an extra $1,500. Another semester, my boss offered me extra hours doing alterations at home. Between the generous scholarships gifted to me by donors through Cedarville and my church and the 60-hour work weeks over the summers working for a furniture store, a sewing store, and a construction company, I am now in my junior year at Cedarville as an adolescent/ young adult language arts education major without any debt. On paper, there is never any way I can cover tuition, but God provided each semester, and I have always had just the right amount in time for the semester. I do not question God's ability to help me the rest of the way through college, if that is His plan. Since choosing Cedarville, I have wrestled with my understanding of what it means to truly love and serve God. Transforming my sinful nature of self-centeredness into a focus on loving God and others more whole-heartedly requires a daily struggle against self, but it has been refreshing to understand my worth in the context of my relationship with God. This understanding has allowed me to serve others better. I currently serve as the Vice President of Alpha Kappa Delta, Cedarville’s English honors organization, and as the Secretary of the Society of Engineers Aiding Missions. Cedarville has given me the opportunity to grow as a leader and form friendships with people across a wide range of fields. I am thankful that I have had this opportunity to grow, so I can be ready to serve in whatever capacity God calls me to after my time at Cedarville. Annalyse Dissinger ’23 is an adolescent and young adult language arts education major. I chose Cedarville for its authentic focus on training students to be Christ-followers in whatever career path they chose to pursue. 6 | Cedarville Magazine
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