For those who are closest to me, they know that I have had an interesting last three years. What I thought was the perfect relationship turned out to be the opposite. I wouldn't say that I was blind to this fact, but I was too comfortable with being comfortable. Control became a major issue, trust was not there, and to top it off, God was not the center of that relationship. But it was okay because I was in love and in a long distance relationship, right? No. Over a year ago, I felt that God was calling me to better things, bigger dreams and, most importantly, a more Godly relationship. It took over a year of arguing and disagreements for me to finally gain enough courage to answer God's call. I ended the relationship, and God has done nothing but provide for me and give me peace about my decision.

From seventh grade up until this past April, I never spent very long without either talking to a guy or being in a relationship. When I moved to Oklahoma, I began to have a desire to be single so that I could truly find God's heart. This desire grew and I went through some situations that only my closest friends at ORU and my mother know about. This was the weirdest desire for me because of the fact that I was always in a relationship before then. But that all changed and it's the best thing to happen to me (besides dedicating my life to God, of course).

I'm content with being single. I love it so, so much. Each and everyday, I'm learning things that I couldn't do while I was in my last relationship. I can talk to the people that I want to without permission. I don't have to explain why I'm friends with this person. I can drive without having to let someone know where I'm constantly at. It's these little freedoms that I'm learning how to do again. And it really is a freeing feeling.

I'm the type of person who chases her dreams no matter what it takes; and, I have big dreams for a small-town girl from a redneck place in Arkansas. I want to change the lives of children and teens through dance and music, and I want to do it all for God. My biggest dream is to teach dance and band in a public school setting, on a Native American reservation and I'm chasing that dream everyday. During my last relationship, I compromised my dreams. I changed them for the guy I was dating. I made the sacrifices, while he made very few. Only recently have I realized that my dreams are back to being my dreams. They are not compromised for who I am dating.

I have time now. I have time to do what I want. I have time to really focus on God. Although working eight or nine days in a row at Silver Dollar City can get to be a major distraction, I can still grow closer to God even while I'm at work. He is everywhere, so I can pursue Him everywhere. I'm not perfect at pursuing God. It's probably the hardest thing I will ever do in my life. But I'm not giving up because He hasn't given up on me. I desire to be so in love with God, that my future husband really has to fall in love with God before he falls in love with me. And, with all the time I have now, I can really pray for my future husband and hope that he can handle my biggest of dreams and my craziest schedules.

To all the ladies struggling with being single, enjoy this time. Take advantage of the things you can do while you are single. Learn to love yourself and others. Go after God. Be so in love with God that your future husband has to fall in love with Him before he falls in love with you.