1. Setting the stage
Growing up as the oldest daughter of Christian music-ministry parents, you’d think I’d have received all I needed to know in order to not make some pretty goofy mistakes in my life. And of course, I did receive much of what I needed. I just decided I needed to make sure it was all true.
My name is Angel Christine and I’m somewhere in my thirties. Blonde-haired and blue-eyed, with an average build and beautiful straight white teeth, I might be considered a good looking sort of woman. Regardless of other opinions, I know I am treasured in the eyes of God and of my husband. I grew up in the metro-Detroit area in Michigan. Born in the Soo (Sault Sainte Marie) in 1975 to Harold and Gail, ages 20 and 19 respectively, I moved six weeks later to a little town in Minnesota. My little sister, April, was born there 2 ½ years later, much to my great joy. After all, it was awfully kind of my parents to provide me with a live doll to spoil, coach, dress up, tease and otherwise try to run her life. By the time I was 4 years old, we had lived in Minnesota, Kentucky and Oklahoma. We were settled into a little house in Mount Clemens, Michigan before I started kindergarten at the local public school.
Although the doctor supervising my birth believed I'd have developmental problems because my mother had a difficult and dangerous delivery, the Lord proved him wrong. I was an exceptionally bright student, always participating in the cutting-edge scholastic programs, joining any and all academic or music programs. I avoided athletics like the plague but otherwise was very active in the public school system through middle school. Then, after much prayer, my family decided that April and I would be better served academically by attending a private school for my high school years while April started in middle school. Looking back, for my sake I believe it was definitely the best decision. I’m not entirely sure April’s experience there was quite as rewarding, however, this is my story. Wink, wink.
I graduated from that Christian high school as valedictorian in 1993 and went to a nearby University the following autumn. I’d like to say that I prayerfully considered many schools, applying all over the country and carefully weighing my options. But I didn’t. We had no idea how to properly apply for scholarships or what deadlines we needed to meet. Even so, I make quick decisions and am well-known for thinking I know what I’m doing straight out of the gate. This was no exception. I enrolled in Latin American courses my first semester, as well as the general required courses but quickly decided that I would make more money if my Bachelor’s degree was earned in East Asian studies. So I spent a great deal of time and money learning all about East Asian cultures, specializing in the Japanese language and culture. In the Motor City, this appeared to be a wise choice and a great plan but I really had not sought the Lord as much as I should have. I think my readers will perhaps agree with this assessment as my story continues.
All this information is great, you may say, but what about my spiritual growth and my personal experiences? Well, I’m glad you asked.
Growing up as the oldest daughter of Christian music-ministry parents, you’d think I’d have received all I needed to know in order to not make some pretty goofy mistakes in my life. And of course, I did receive much of what I needed. I just decided I needed to make sure it was all true.
My name is Angel Christine and I’m somewhere in my thirties. Blonde-haired and blue-eyed, with an average build and beautiful straight white teeth, I might be considered a good looking sort of woman. Regardless of other opinions, I know I am treasured in the eyes of God and of my husband. I grew up in the metro-Detroit area in Michigan. Born in the Soo (Sault Sainte Marie) in 1975 to Harold and Gail, ages 20 and 19 respectively, I moved six weeks later to a little town in Minnesota. My little sister, April, was born there 2 ½ years later, much to my great joy. After all, it was awfully kind of my parents to provide me with a live doll to spoil, coach, dress up, tease and otherwise try to run her life. By the time I was 4 years old, we had lived in Minnesota, Kentucky and Oklahoma. We were settled into a little house in Mount Clemens, Michigan before I started kindergarten at the local public school.
Although the doctor supervising my birth believed I'd have developmental problems because my mother had a difficult and dangerous delivery, the Lord proved him wrong. I was an exceptionally bright student, always participating in the cutting-edge scholastic programs, joining any and all academic or music programs. I avoided athletics like the plague but otherwise was very active in the public school system through middle school. Then, after much prayer, my family decided that April and I would be better served academically by attending a private school for my high school years while April started in middle school. Looking back, for my sake I believe it was definitely the best decision. I’m not entirely sure April’s experience there was quite as rewarding, however, this is my story. Wink, wink.
I graduated from that Christian high school as valedictorian in 1993 and went to a nearby University the following autumn. I’d like to say that I prayerfully considered many schools, applying all over the country and carefully weighing my options. But I didn’t. We had no idea how to properly apply for scholarships or what deadlines we needed to meet. Even so, I make quick decisions and am well-known for thinking I know what I’m doing straight out of the gate. This was no exception. I enrolled in Latin American courses my first semester, as well as the general required courses but quickly decided that I would make more money if my Bachelor’s degree was earned in East Asian studies. So I spent a great deal of time and money learning all about East Asian cultures, specializing in the Japanese language and culture. In the Motor City, this appeared to be a wise choice and a great plan but I really had not sought the Lord as much as I should have. I think my readers will perhaps agree with this assessment as my story continues.
All this information is great, you may say, but what about my spiritual growth and my personal experiences? Well, I’m glad you asked.
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