No, that wasn't a joke. Yes, it's probably my favorite hook to get you to read my interviews. Anujin's parents literally sent her off to the circus when she was 9. She got to travel with clowns and others of exceptional talent to entertain and amaze audiences around the US. That's a pretty spectacular opportunity for a child. Meeting Anujin, I could tell she was the product of many experiences. Those experiences included living in Mongolia with her un-biological mongolian parents, learning contortion on the road and training in ballet with a Russian instructor in North Dakota. But, if you ask Anujin, she'll tell you her most jaw-dropping opportunity was meeting her true Father. It began in Arkansas when an old couple in their 70s inquired her parents at their doorstep if they could bring Anujin to church. Her parents, surprisingly, said yes and believed it'd be an enriching experience for their 7 year old daughter. Anujin will tell you that for a long time she had always been praying to "something" or "someone". It wasn't until attending church that that Person shared with her their Name. While attending boarding school in southern Kentucky, Anujin accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior. "God has been my one friend," she told me. But, in the past that friendship had been stifled by her desire to be perfect.
"It's an idol I know all too well and struggle with to this day," I told her. We all have our own definition of perfection. For some, it's perfection in relationships (people pleasing) while for others it's perfection in performance. Anujin's was the latter. She had found her identity in her performance and what people thought of her. Failing was her biggest fear. "I used to be loud and boisterous in college. I found my identity in my personality. Suddenly, God took that away from me. I became quiet and awkward." At first, I didn't believe her. But, then the Spirit reminded me of a story in the Bible where God took away Zachariah's voice. Both cases were acts of love, of course. If you get the chance to meet Anujin, you'll be able to tell her passion has returned, but balanced with meekness. She's a pure joy to be around. She'll listen to you and encourage you. You'll be charmed by her willingness to laugh at herself until her cheeks hurt. And if you're lucky, you'll be greeted with a silly Snapchat from her every day that will make your cheeks hurt, too.