She received the book from an aunt.
“I started reading the book [Kisses From Katie] and it’s about a girl who was supposed to go to college just like me and she ended up being a missionary instead,” she said.
Hedges was astonished at the similarities between the book and her own life.
“The way she was talking was like she was taking the words out of my mouth,” Hedges said. “It floored me like I could barely read it. I had to close it and put it away because it was like too much to take.”
The book helped confirm Hedges’ decision. Since her choice to go, she has received immeasurable amounts of support from friends and family, especially her mother.
“She’s psychic. She knows me more than anyone,” Hedges said. “After I told her she was like ‘I just knew you weren’t going to college! I’m so happy I just knew you were supposed to do missions!’.”
From her best friend, senior Heather Thornberg, Hedges received the same reaction.
“I thought she’d freak out like, ‘We were supposed to go to college together!’ But she didn’t,” Hedges said. “She was just like, ‘I always knew you weren’t going to go to college! I had that feeling! Every time you talked about college I just couldn’t see it!’”
Hedges doesn’t always receive support for her decision to move across the world.
“A lot of people are thinking I am out of my mind and I think, ‘Trust me, I know this is what God wants me to do. I have to do it.’” Hedges said.
Hedges’ solid relationship with God has given her the courage to become a missionary.
“I have so much against me right now but I know that’s just going to make God stronger through me,” Hedges said. “I’m completely trusting in God and that he has a plan.”
-Written By Libby Rayne, Opinion Editor