My name is Lydia Jorgensen.  I am a 4th year Math and Chemistry Education major and I've been involved with Cru since I transferred to Tech in Spring 2010.  I wanted to take the time to share what God has taught me in my life since I started my college career in 2008.

To give you a bit of history, I grew up in eastern Iowa and was raised in a Christian home.  I didn't understand what having a relationship with God meant though until just before I started high school when my family started attending a new church.  At the new church I learned a ton more than I ever had before about God and how much He wants me to devote my life to Him and even though I didn't know it at the time, he was preparing me for the next step of my life.

In the fall of 2008 I started my college career at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI), studying math education.  I started out participating in Navigators (a ministry similar to Cru) but by the spring I started going my own way and trying to live life like I wanted to.  This led to a relationship with a guy my parents did not like, joining a service frat and trying to fill the hole in my heart where God belonged.

While I was attempting to live life, I heard of a program called National Student Exchange (NSE).  This program allowed students to take classes at other universities in the nation while still paying UNI tuition.  I saw Michigan Tech was on the list of schools and jumped at the chance to get away from Iowa and try something new.  Little did I know this decision would lead to the biggest change of my life.

In the spring of 2010, I packed up all my stuff and moved up to Houghton.  The first week was the hardest week of my life.  Never had I felt so alone.  During that week, I turned back to God and begged Him for help.  Thursday, He led me to Cru. Friday, He helped me find some girlfriends to hang out with.  Saturday, He gave me a chance to serve with Cru.  Sunday and Monday, He gave me a home in the girls house (known to Cru people as H.T.C.).  By the end of the second week, I knew He was telling me that Tech was where I needed to be. 

Since then, every semester brings on a new trial which I have to overcome in order to grow even closer to my Heavenly Father.  This semester I have realized how hard it is being a woman in this sinful world.  In Genesis, after Adam and Eve sinned, God cursed the woman with a desire for her husband.  I didn't understand how this could be a curse before, but I'm beginning to understand by realizing what my heart truly desires.  I'm in the process of putting my focus back on God but it's not an easy job and could use prayer if you think about it from time to time. 

Thank you for taking the time to read part of my testimony and seeing where I am right now in my walk with God.  If you have any questions or want to talk with me about your own testimony, please don't hesitate to email me (lajorgen@mtu.edu).  God Bless!