Hello, my name is Gete Reinfried, and I'm a junior at Warwick High School. I was adopted at four years old and grew up in a Christian household. Throughout my life, I've gone through phases where I considered myself a Christian, but my faith often felt shallow. I participated in things like reading the Bible and going to church, but it felt more like an obligation than something I truly believed in. Part of me always wanted to believe in Jesus because I saw the love and faith of others around me. I thought that if they believed, then it must be real. Bun deep down, I never truly believed for myself.

In middle school and high school, I often turned to God for my own benefit-listening to worship music before a soccer game or praying before a test for good luck. I'd hope for God to speak to me, but I wasn't actively seeking Him. I had parts of my life where I thought I believed in Jesus, but I wasn't truly living for Him. I'd go to church on Sunday, but that was about it.

Soccer was a huge part of my life and identity. It was something that brought me joy, hyappiness, and a sense of purpose. But as I faced more injuries over time, soccer became a source of anger, sadness and stress. It stated to tear at my confidence, and I found myself struggling with how much my worth was tied to my performance on the field. What once relieved my stress now became a source of it, and when I got injured again, I blamed God for my struggles.

This year, after I had surgery on my foot, I felt the furthest away from God I ever had. I felt incredibly alone and disconnected. Watching my friends play soccer and do things I could no longer do was really hard. It felt like God was taking away the moments I had been looking forward to, and I couldn't understand why. I struggled with the idea that my passion was slipping through my fingers, and I felt like I was slowly losing myself. I had a lot of time for reflection during that pierd, and it was then that a good friend encouraged my to read my Bible every day. I didn't do it with the hope of being healed, but simply to find comfort. I began, and discovered a peace I'd never known. In those pages, I met a steadfast Savior whose timing and purposes endure beyond my shifting circumstances.

Through reading His Word and turning to Him, I've learned that when something difficult happens, instead of blaming God, I should turn to Him and His Word. Engaging with Scripture during times of sadness, frustration, and confusion has brought me the greatest comfort I've ever experienced. I feel incredibly blessed to have parents who love God and have shown me what it means to live for Him. They've always been there to answer my questions and give me advice. They've shown me firsthand what it's like to live for Jesus. I've also been blessed with a best friend who supports me in my faith and reminds me of God's love. We talk about how He's working in our lives and the world around us, and having that kind of support has been a huge blessing.

Being adopted never played a significant role in how I saw myself; it didn't affect me in the ways others expected. Of course, I've wondered what my life would have been like if I hadn't been adopted, but I've come to realize that through adoption, I didn't lose a family, a home, or meaning-I gained so much more. Because of my loving parents and God's plan for me, I've come to see how wonderful the life God chose for me truly is. My identity is now in Christ, and I've learned to give Him my fears and worries.

I want to get baptized to publicly proclaim my love for Jesus. I want to live my life for Him and choose Him every day, because He chose me even when I didn't choose Him. In the past, I idolized things like sports and worldly success, but now I see how He is a work in my life, and I know that the peace and fulfillment I find in Him are more lasting than anything I could achieve on my own. My favorite verse is Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."