Blog Post # 47: Transferring My Trust

There was a time when my life revolved almost completely around soccer. For so long, my identity felt tied to being an athlete. When I committed to a Division II school in North Carolina, I was excited for the opportunity and proud of myself for getting there. But as time went on, I realized something felt off. I was far from home, far from my family, and I also began to feel like I was letting my faith slowly slip away because I was so focused on soccer. The sport had started to take up so much of my identity that my relationship with God was no longer my first priority. That realization was hard for me. After a lot of prayer and reflection, I made the difficult decision to enter the transfer portal and look for something closer to home; somewhere I could grow not just as an athlete, but as a person and in my faith.

The transfer process can feel overwhelming and uncertain. You don't know where you'll land or if you'll find the right fit. But I took a leap of faith. I reached out, kept my options open, and eventually found a spot at Ave. From the very beginning, something felt different. There was a peace about it. It wasn't just about soccer or athletics but it felt like a place where I could grow in every part of my life.

Unfortunately, my journey here did not start the way I had hoped. On my very first practice at Ave, I re-tore my ACL. It was devastating. After transferring and starting over, to be sidelined immediately felt unfair and heartbreaking. I didn't know the team, and suddenly I was injured again. I didn't know what to expect.

But what happened next showed me exactly why I was meant to be here.

Even though I had just arrived, the girls surrounded me with love and support. They checked on me, encouraged me, and made sure I never felt alone. I quickly realized this wasn't just a team but it was a family and that means everything to me as an athlete and as a person. Being part of a family means showing up for each other, in victories and in setbacks. It means choosing to love one another beyond the sport.

While I wasn't able to compete, I had the gift of watching my teammates grow. I've seen the girls push themselves to become not only stronger athletes but also stronger women in Christ. Their work ethic, faith, and unity have inspired me daily. Being on this team has helped me grow in my own faith journey as well. The girls around me constantly challenge me to trust God's plan, even when it looks different than I imagined.

Transferring wasn't easy. Getting injured again wasn't part of the plan. But sometimes the hardest seasons lead you exactly where you're supposed to be. Ave has become more than just a school or a team; it's home.