I live not far from the ocean- and when I look out on it and can't see the end of it- it becomes for me a tangible symbol of the love God that I have experienced over and over in my life- something that is deeper and stronger than what I can comprehend. After graduating with my undergraduate degree (in biology) I taught English in Shanghai, China. I was so excited to go back to this fascinating country that I had visited while studying abroad, but I didn't anticipate how the love of God would reach me there. In Shanghai, I ended up meeting Christians from countries all over the world- and many people who had been persecuted and paid a very heavy cost for expressing their faith. One day I was walking into a prayer meeting, and a Chinese woman about my age tried to enter as well, but the Chinese guard would not let her (only foreigners were allowed this free expression). At that moment, seeing how much that woman wanted to worship with us, I understood that I did not want to ever be on-the-fence or casual about my faith. My walk with Jesus deepened from that day on, and, as I have read his Word, I have experienced firsthand his promise that I would know the truth and the truth would set me free (John 8:32). Knowing that I am child of God, and he loves me without measure, has allowed me to break free from the trap of needing to accomplish things to be worthy of love or even just needing the approval of others. I've walked through several marathon-like challenges in life (getting a PhD, getting tenured at a research-intensive university, having a spouse walk away from our promises, having to raise children as a single mom). None of these challenges have been easy, but I have also never been alone. The Lord has been with me, and that has given me a fearlessness and an ability to take professional risks that has set me apart and made me unusual in the spaces I work in.