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mandi submitted a contest entry to
Write A Letter To A Place That Changed You 4 weeks agoDear Billings, MT
Mandi FosterDear Billings, Montana,
My new home. The city I have grown to love over the past two years.
I had never even considered your existence. A phone call in March 2023 revealed to me that the Bible college that had accepted me was relocating there. Therefore, I, too, was moving there.
You were a city to which I had never been. Still, I spent two days driving across the country towards you, experiencing a myriad of emotions: relief, sadness, fear, apprehension, anxiety, anticipation, excitement, to name a few.
You were the city I drove toward, knowing there wasn’t a single person there who knew of my existence. Strangely enough, the thought relieved me more than I would have imagined. Driving toward you, I felt the heavy blanket of sadness for all I was leaving behind, yet knew I needed the change. You were the light at the end of the dark tunnel that was 2022. You offered the hope of a comforting change.
You were the city I drove toward, facing the fear of the future as I apprehensively pondered the uncertainty of a new start. A new start for a burnt-out teacher, taking a year to be a student again herself. I drove on as the anxiety crept in, as it often does. Would Bible college be everything I was hoping it would be? Could I make any friends? Would I find a job? Were the Montana mountains really greener, or would I feel alone as I did in Oklahoma?
And you were the city I drove toward, full of anticipation and excitement for the major life change I was making. For the first time in years, I felt optimistic, as though my life was about to be better. This hopeful yearning was enough to drown out the fears and anxiety. Beyond ready for a new adventure, all I desired was to blend in with the other students, focus on God, and heal in peace.
I’ll never forget the moment I crossed over the Montana state line on August 21, 2023. I felt a weight lift from my shoulders as I admired the mountains on either side of the road. When I saw your sign, I knew I was almost there, almost to you, my new beginning. The word ‘Billings’ promised much at that moment.
In your city, I started tutoring college students in writing during my studies. This caused me not to blend in (as I’d planned), but to stand out to professors. You were the city where I became an adjunct writing professor (something I had dreamed of for 10 years) under the mentorship of the most talented writing professor I’ve ever known.
I realized I did not want to leave you when the allotted year was coming to a close. I made you my permanent home in 2024 (at least for now). You are the city I wake up in every morning, feeling so thankful to live here. The city I’ve fallen in love with, the city that gave me back my spark. You’ve brought incredible opportunities into my life, both for my career and my personal life.
Billings, Montana. You were an inhale of fresh air for a woman who was suffocating. In your cold, thin mountain air, I finally felt as though I could breathe. To someone feeling the chill of solitude, you were a warm, comforting blanket. You were the bandage God used to mend my broken heart. You’ve brought green sparkle back to my eyes, and my laugh has returned with fervor.
Billings, Montana. My new home. I wish I had been as happy in Oklahoma as I am under your bluffs. However, I realize if I had been, I would have never driven across the country seeking the refuge of your majestic mountains.
Thank you, Billings.
—Mandi
Style Score-89%
Voting starts July 26, 2025 12:00am
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mandi submitted a contest entry to
What would the old version of you say to the new version of you? 1 months, 2 weeks agoAspiring Author Becomes Writing Professor
Mandi FosterDear 20-year-old Mandi,
Hi, it’s me. Well, it’s you. Ten years into the future, that is. You wouldn’t believe what life looks like now, yet you would be proud of how far you have come. At twenty, in 2015, I know you face much uncertainty as you leave your teen years and decide what to do with your life. You chose Elementary Education as your major and are in the midst of your college studies at Oklahoma State University. Working with children is your passion, and you have a God-given gift. You are now a second-grade teacher, and your students love you.
This may hurt, but you need to hear it: none of the guys you love in your twenties will choose you, but I promise you will be okay. Please, don’t waste your beautiful heart on them. The moment you stop caring about them is when you will feel peace. You’ll realize in time that you don’t need a guy. You have accomplished much more with your life than they have. Don’t believe me? You know how you just completed Composition I and II and thought, “I could teach this”? Well, you’re teaching it. Yes, you are now an adjunct professor at a Bible college, teaching freshman writing. How did that happen? Do I have a story for you…
In August 2023, you moved from Oklahoma to Billings, Montana, to attend Montana Bible College. You completed the 1-year certificate in Biblical studies. You needed a break from teaching and wanted a relaxing, healing year. Several of your professors became curious about you throughout the first few weeks. The other students were 18-year-olds; therefore, some of your work stood out. Professors began sending students struggling with writing to you, and you tutored them.
One of your classes was a beginning writing course: Effective Written Communication. During the first class, your professor overheard you talking about your time in graduate school. He seemed surprised that you were taking his entry-level writing course. You told him you loved writing and felt you could learn more from him. The last week of September, he approached you during class. He asked, “Has the Vice President of Academic Affairs reached out to you yet? I hope it’s okay, but I told him you should be the school’s writing tutor.” He had said a student in his writing class loved to write, had a Master’s in Reading and Literacy, and was tutoring students out of kindness.
Soon after, the Vice President of Academic Affairs approached you and asked you to be the school’s writing tutor! You met with him to discuss the position. Towards the end of the conversation, he said, “I have something else I would like to talk to you about. I don’t need an answer now, but I would like you to teach a class here this Spring. How would you feel about that?” This was completely unexpected, but a pleasant surprise. The class was called Teaching Children. He heard from your writing professor that you had 5 years of teaching experience and a Master’s degree, and it was a perfect fit.
Your first evening as a professor, you were very apprehensive. Having never taught college before, you were experiencing all the anxiety and doubt that comes with trying something new. However, no one seemed to doubt your ability or whether you deserved this position. It wasn’t long before you became comfortable in front of the classroom, even though you were now in front of 20-year-olds instead of five-year-olds.
As the semester came to a close, you knew you didn’t want to return to Oklahoma yet, but also didn’t know if you should remain in Montana. Until you received an email from the Vice President of Academic Affairs requesting to meet with you regarding your future with Montana Bible College. He informed you there was an opening to teach the writing course and asked if you would be interested in teaching it. You said, “Absolutely”!
The rest is history. You are now a writing professor, like you’ve been dreaming. You’ve become a fearless, accomplished woman who still loves writing and writes as much as possible. Please don’t forget how much you love to write, even in those darkest moments. Writing always brings you joy; make time for it.
Well, you made it. You’re thriving. At thirty, your words are inspiring college freshmen. Now, I am waiting for a letter from our 40-year-old self, telling me we have finally published our novel…
Anyway, I’ll keep you posted. Keep praying and keep writing!30-year-old Mandi
Style Score – 83%
Voting starts July 2, 2025 12:00am
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Mandi, what an inspiring story! I love how the position as a writing professor found you at a time in your life that fit perfectly. Sometimes it seems like the stars simply align in our favor! I am glad that you are able to look back and give your 20-year-old self hope for a fulfilling future. Thank you for sharing your experience!
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