A Year Transformed

April 9, 2026

Today I’m celebrating one year since I publicly gave my life to God.

And I know what you might be thinking—that sounds weird. Honestly, it kind of does. If you had met me 10 years ago, you probably wouldn’t recognize the life I live now.

But this life of obedience and discipline doesn’t feel restrictive or heavy. It feels peaceful. It feels grounded. It feels self-aware. It is the pursuit of continually becoming better, wiser, and more loving. It is the realization that life becomes far more fulfilling when you stop putting yourself at the center and begin putting others first.

Last year, when I shared my baptism story, that was the moment it all truly took root. But what did I do over the next year to keep growing deeper in faith?

I started with a four-week spiritual gifts class, learning what truly makes me me. Instead of forcing things that didn’t fit, I began leaning into the strengths that came naturally. Once I stopped striving and started strengthening what God had already placed in me, everything began to feel lighter and easier.

Then summer came, and as we all know, church life can turn into a little bit of a ghost town. But I still wanted to stay connected to the community, because there is something so peaceful about being on campus—surrounded by like-minded people who are all searching for truth, purpose, love, and belonging.

At that point, I had really only read parts of Book of Genesis and still didn’t fully understand the Bible.

That summer, the church offered Wisdom Book readings through Book of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and likely Song of Songs.

Proverbs felt like little nuggets of wisdom for everyday life—truths that seem so obvious, yet hit differently when written through a biblical lens. It helped me make Scripture feel current and practical.

Ecclesiastes especially stopped me in my tracks: a king who had everything, yet still found life empty. Everything is smoke. How relevant is that in our digital age, where we scroll through filtered lives on Instagram while missing the beauty right in front of us? That book made me slow down. It made me think. It made me present.

Fall was a doozy, but honestly, I felt like a college kid going to trade school. I never really had the college experience, so this felt like stepping into something I had missed.

For the next four months, I immersed myself in Knowing Freedom, learning how to release guilt, shame, anger, and the emotional burdens that had kept me from living fully free. Through Scripture, I learned how to hand over the weight I was never meant to carry. Jesus died on the cross for our sins—the least we can do is surrender them back to Him and walk in freedom.

Knowing Freedom Ladies

Wednesdays became The Story of God, an overview of the Bible that finally helped me understand the bigger picture. Seeing Scripture as one connected story made me want to lean in and actually read it.

I also met amazing people during that season—people I still keep in touch with today. That was another gift of this year: community, friendship, and a deeper understanding of who we are as people.

Thursdays became Alpha, and this is where my heart truly came alive.

I loved helping create hospitality in a way we don’t often see in everyday life—sharing meals, making friends, and asking the big questions:Who is God?Why do bad things happen?Why do we hurt?

It became a safe place to bring pain, church wounds, disappointments, and the hardest parts of our stories. Every Thursday night became something I looked forward to. It was fun, yes—but it was also holy. People shared their darkest places, and in return found connection, truth, and hope.

Alpha Experience

And then Sundays.

Sunday school with my fourth graders gave me such a beautiful perspective. God calls us to maturity, yes—but also to keep childlike hearts. Those kids reminded me what wonder, trust, and joy look like. I loved worshiping and learning alongside them.

Discovery Tag Team Badge

Then sitting in service myself, giving that one hour fully to worship, gratitude, and surrender—it became the moment every week where the slate was washed clean.

Moving into 2026, I took an eight-week theology class, which opened my eyes even wider.

I saw the incredible work believers are doing around the world. I saw how blessed and, honestly, spoiled we can be, while others live in fear for simply speaking their faith out loud. Some face rejection from family, cultural pressure, or shame just for believing differently.

Meanwhile, we so often argue over the smallest, silliest things—disputes that have gone on so long it feels ridiculous that we still let them divide us.

Again and again, I feel called back to Alpha.

I love hearing people’s stories. I love witnessing transformation. I love showing people that kindness is real—that people can be safe, caring, and genuinely invested in helping you become the best version of yourself.

Today I’m celebrating with three friends who were baptized on the very same day. Though they had given their hearts to God decades before, we now share this special anniversary as a marker of the day we publicly declared our faith.

We are soul sisters forever.

We support one another through bad times, good times, and all the ordinary moments in between—checking in, making sure each other is healthy, strong, and anchored in faith.

Because faith doesn’t stop at the water. Faith isn’t about knowing every Scripture. Faith is a journey.A life.A transformed heart that loves others deeply and learns to value what truly matters.

It’s letting go of the things that don’t matter.

And if you’re reading this and wanting to know more, reach out. Let me tell you what’s available.

Soul Sister

You do not have to become some “nutso church person” or give up everything you love.

Walking in obedience has been one of the most wonderful things I’ve ever done for myself.

For many years, I lived rebelliously—self-sabotaging, creating pain in my own life, and mistaking chaos for freedom. What I found instead is that this structure, this surrender, has actually given me the life I always dreamed of.

And again, I pinch myself that I get to share this transformation with you.

Wow, what a year can do.

Friends For Life

In Loving Memory of Sara Lucas

As I reflect on what a year of transformation can do, I would be remiss not to dedicate this story in honor of Sara Lucas, a beautiful 13-year-old girl whose life here on earth was cut far too short.

Sara’s strength, her joy, and her motivation to learn and live a God-centered life left a mark far beyond her years. She leaves behind her loving parents, Supranee and Steven, and her sister, Scarlett, who continue to carry her light forward.

While her physical body may no longer be here on earth, her spirit remains all around us—reminding us that time is limited, life is precious, and faith is stronger than ever.

Watching this heartbreaking loss unfold, I witnessed something profound: I saw community rise up. I saw the church step in with love, support, prayer, and unwavering presence for this family. It was a powerful reminder that while life can be dark and painful, and bad things do happen, it is in those moments that faith, strength, hope, and community carry us through.

Sara In Our Hearts Forever

So I write this in memory and honor of Sara—a child of God, a light that will continue to shine forever in the hearts of all the people she touched.

Her devotion, her discipline, and the faith she carried so beautifully will continue to inspire the way we move forward.

May we all live a little more present, love a little deeper, and hold tighter to what truly matters because of the life she lived.

With Love,

Alicia