Kelly Colangelo
I fell in love with Jesus when I was seventeen, and I knew my life would never be the same! But, before…
I grew up in Upstate, NY in an Italian - Catholic family. At an early age my parents instilled strong values in me such as living a life for others, working hard, never giving up, and putting forth 100% effort at everything in life. In many ways our family motto was “don’t settle”, “don’t accept mediocrity” or “dream big.” I dreamed big, but as we all know God dreamed bigger. As a middle school and high school student, I excelled in my academics and athletics, I had a ton of friends, loved my family and was living a good life. Although, I often felt like something or someone was missing. Later, I would realize this was my personal relationship with Jesus.
In middle school and high school, I very much was concerned about what I looked like, who my friends were, and what were my weekend plans. I fell into the trap of what the world that told me “Do whatever makes you happy, do whatever you want.” And, that’s what I did. I rebelled, I lied, I drove recklessly, I was involved with gossip, I was a jerk to people, I went to parties. And, none of this really phased me. I was very much living my life for the unholy trinity of me myself and I. The more I got into this lifestyle, the more I felt miserable and empty.
Around this time, (by the grace of God), I attended a Steubenville Youth Conference in Ohio. And, this youth conference was the beginning of my conversion. In a very real way, Jesus became personal to me, everything that I learned about my faith became alive, no longer was I a slave to my sin, or to false promises, for the first time I believed God loved me…. unconditionally, and He loved me – Kelly. This was a major transformation in my life. When I came home from the youth conference, I was different. I was living my life for God. I was living my life for heaven. I made a firm decision to follow Jesus and entrurst my life to Him. I began attending daily Mass, reading Scripture, going to youth group – I began seeing the light.
As a result of my decision to follow Christ, I became active in youth ministry, I was committed to virtuous friendships, and it was my goal to create an environment that allowed others to encounter Jesus. God continued opening doors (and windows) in my life that offered me opportunities to share not about myself, but about the good work that God has done in my life. Jesus says that the reason He came to earth is to give us a good life. He says in John 10:10 “I came that they might have life, and have it abundantly.” Which translates to, “I want your life to be AWESOME! So it might be a good idea to listen to what I’m saying since I made you and all.” Don’t let anyone tell you that being a Christian means you don’t have fun or live a boring life. I am actually living my BEST life possible because I am following the order and way God intended for me to live.
It’s my life goal to go to heaven and take as many people with me as possible…so join me! Let’s crowd HEAVEN!