I grew up in Irving, Texas in a Christian family. My parents loved the Lord very much, and because of this I was privileged to hear the words of the Bible and much about the Lord Jesus from a very young age. As I reached junior high and then high school my love for the Lord only increased as I pursued Him with Christian friends and began to develop a personal relationship with Him.
After I graduated from high school my friends and I all went in different directions for college, and I ended up in Austin attending The University of Texas. As a freshman, I still had a heart for the Lord, but I found myself a bit overwhelmed with college life and was quite homesick. However, during my first semester at UT I began meeting with Christians on Campus and it was here that my heart was so cared for and my needs, both human and spiritual, were met.
Through Christians on Campus I met several families who willingly opened their homes to students for meetings, dinner, and even to do laundry. Within the first few weeks of my arrival at UT, some other students and I were invited to a particular family's house for dinner. We ended up staying quite late and although I had just met the family, they invited me to spend the night and even cooked breakfast for me in the morning. Similar situations occurred countless times with different families and I was always so impressed with the loving care I received.
I also met several young people through Christians on Campus who had genuine hearts for the Lord. In these young people I found many companions that I could have fun with, but we could also really pursue the Lord. I remember one time when I was going through a difficult situation, and, not knowing what to do, I drove over to one of my friend's apartments, and we just sat outside by the apartment pool and prayed together in tears.
Now, as I look back on my college years, I can only thank and praise the Lord for His mercy and grace in placing me with so many believers who care for His heart's desire. I really saw Christ in the care I received through all these believers. This not only gave me a heart to care for others, but also made the Lord Jesus even more dear and precious to me.
E.E.
— Irving
