Fellows Reflection: “A Year Ago”

A year ago, if you had told me I would be studying for the LSAT (Law School Admission Test) and taking it in two short months, I would have called you crazy. A year ago, I committed to join the inaugural Abundant Life Fellows Program and move to Charlottesville in August. A year ago, I was hoping that by the time I graduated from Penn State University, I would have more clarity on what my post-college life would look like. I knew that I could potentially go on to a graduate program, but that would most likely have led me to veterinary medicine.

A life-altering conversation

Fast forward six months to October. Abundant Life staff headed to Dallas for the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) national conference. During our four days there, I heard a woman, Jennifer Koh, speak about her career in immigration law. For some reason, something stirred in me as she spoke and I felt drawn to learn more about a career in law. Afterward, I had the opportunity to speak to her and ask some questions. I had studied Animal Sciences in my undergraduate career and felt like it would be absolutely insane to make the switch to law. Not to mention, my father is a lawyer and to be honest, I’ve never been attracted to the work he does. But, after this conversation, I felt overwhelming encouragement to think more about it and realized that shifting to law could be a real aspiration for me. I pressed forward in praying about the possibility and, over Thanksgiving break, committed to trusting God in pursuing a law degree.

A passion for advocacy

Through Abundant Life and CCDA, I’ve seen how law can be an incredible avenue to advocate for vulnerable people and spread the love of God.

I have always loved advocating for people, whether through my college ministry of WyldLife or by fulfilling older sibling duties to my little sister. Yet I never considered law to be an avenue for advocacy. Through Abundant Life and CCDA, I’ve seen how law can be an incredible avenue to advocate for vulnerable people and spread the love of God. Since this crazy idea of attending law school popped into my head, I’ve stood back and watched as God has made it so very evident that He will provide whatever I need. I’ve met and sought counsel with practicing lawyers and current law students, and I’ve connected with an LSAT tutor at Clayborne Education. My parents have supported the decision, and I’ve seen my heart soften towards this kind of work in general.

Next year and beyond

I am currently hoping to apply to law schools this fall and start attending in the fall of 2021. In the meantime, I would love to stay in Charlottesville after the fellows year doing paralegal or legal assistant work. With all the craziness going on in our world, most of the normalcy we are used to has come to a complete halt. I would love to invite you into praying that I would be able to take the LSAT on June 8th, and more importantly, pray for the world during this time. I feel very blessed to know that my problems are minimal compared to some of the other uncertainties that our brothers and sisters currently face. Above all, I believe that God has made a way for me, and continue to trust in his ability to do so.