Senior Alexandra Ryans saw Jesus three years ago.

A freshman at Morton Ranch High School, she had just finished online school for the day and was sitting at the table downstairs at her dad’s house. Alone. Just like every single day of the school year.

She was depressed, suicidal, hopeless. She started to cry.

She looked over to the chair next to her, and there He sat.

His face was blurry. He had long white hair that blended in with his white clothes. He was glowing. And Ryans told Him everything.

How she felt alone with her struggles. It looks like my life is the only life that’s crumbling, and there is nothing I can do to stop it.

How she struggled with lust. I keep trying to use worldly things to heal.

How she was a bad daughter. I got my first “C” on my report card because of geometry.

How she just started playing volleyball. I’m not good.

How she hated her body. You make all these beautiful people around me, why on earth do I look the way I do?

Since that day, Ryans started reading the only Bible she had, the one that her grandmother gave her. And no, a miracle didn’t happen that made her completely happy in an instant. She was still hurting. But this time, she didn’t feel alone.

For the first time, she was giving every single burden that she was feeling to God, and He was lifting it off her shoulders.

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Then in her sophomore year, things changed. Ryans moved to Bellaire, where her mom taught ESL English, and ate lunch in her classroom every day. It was difficult making friends.

She doubted God. What are You doing? Why am I here? Why isn’t this going the way I thought it should be going?

She prayed every day. Went to her church, Second Baptist West Campus, every Sunday. Read the Bible. She realized she was here for a reason, and she doesn’t regret leaving her old high school anymore.

She wouldn’t have met amazing people like her volleyball teammates and become captain of the varsity team. She wouldn’t have become co-president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She wouldn’t have received the guidance of teachers like Juanita Camarillo, who hosts morning prayers and cheers Ryans on at volleyball games.

Coming to Bellaire helped with her walk with Christ because she was surrounded by people who were going through the same struggles as Ryans.

But still, throughout it all, Ryans values her relationship with God the most. It’s comforting to her to know that, no matter what happens, God will be the same God. Patient and listening.

Ryans used to think that she had to be in a formal setting to talk to God, which isn’t true. So now she talks to God every single day.

On the way to school. Jesus, am I ready for this interview?

Walking to the next class. God, I did not do good on that test, but that’s okay. It’s fine.

Before, during and after volleyball games. Losing sucks. But I know You ended it the way it needed to end.

And He listens one hundred percent of the time.