Hello, my name is Carissa Lynnette Cash, and I'm a Christian. Before we get to the nitty-gritty of why I am who I am and believe what I believe, let's get some things out of the way.

No, I don't believe that anyone that isn't heterosexual should burn in Hell. Frankly, I don't believe anyone should burn in Hell. Hell is bad.

No, all Christians do not think the same way. In fact, I don't see eye-to-eye with most other Christians, and I'm a Pastor's daughter.

No, it's not always sunshine, rainbows and doves. Sometimes, it's dark, depressing and lonely.

Yes, I am open and willing to discuss my faith with you, should you have questions about it.

Now that that's taken care of, let's get down to business.

I grew up in a Christian household, so my weekly routine was pretty much the same. School Monday through Friday, relax on Saturday, church Sunday morning and Youth Sunday night. Contrary to popular belief, however, I am not a Christian just because I was raised as such. When asked the question, “Why do you believe in God?," my answer is simply that I’ve seen, felt and experienced too many things in my life to not believe in God.

As a child, I was odd. I looked like a boy and was really, really weird. Because of these things–and many more–I was severely bullied. So painfully, in fact, that I got to the point where I no longer wanted to be here on this Earth. I would ask myself questions like; “Why me?," “What did I do to make them hate me so much?” and the most important question of all, “Why did God do this to me?"

If you’re a Christian and anyone tells you that you shouldn’t question God, they’re wrong. Questioning is the part of Christianity that no one tells you about. Pretty much every Christian I know has gone through times where they questioned God and their faith, myself included.

When I was struggling through my bullying, I felt as if no one was there for me. I only had God to lean on, so he became my rock and foundation. Through him, I found a new support system: my youth group. We have a great time at Pilgrimage every year growing and shining the light of Christ all around us.

Throughout my dark times, as I've come to call them, I knew I had one person to go to that I could always count on. Her name is Hunter, and she is my cousin. Well, more like my sister, in all honesty. We have grown up together, and she is one of the strongest followers of Christ I know. We thrive off of each other and know that we can go to each other when we need a faith renewal.

She and I have struggled through some of the same things, and some completely different. However, I know for a fact that I would not be half the woman I am today if not for my lovely sister (or seester, as we've grown to call each other).

Not only has my faith helped me through hard times, but it has given me the opportunity to help others in the same way. People know that if they ever need anything that they can come to me and I will be waiting for them with a hug at the ready.

Faith to me is so much more than a word. It's a feeling; it's...indescribable. It makes you feel as if even though everything is going wrong, you still have one thing going for you. Your faith.

Faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. Matthew 17:20