“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Grand Island, N.Y., is a small community where everyone knows each other. It’s on an island between Buffalo and Niagara Falls, and it’s where I grew up. My parents still live in New York and my dad, Cal, actually serves as FCA’s state director, and my mom, Sherrie, is his administrative assistant.

As far back as I can remember, FCA summer camps were familiar places for our family. I went to camps even before I was old enough to compete and got to tag along and watch the athletes and take part in the evening chapel services. By providing those opportunities and by taking me to church every week, my parents were deliberately raising me to hold God as the focal point of my life.