'Knowing that I am in God's will, and He has big plans for me. That motivates me to continue on without giving up." This is how Betty Burns, this issue's Spotlight Teen answered the question, What motivates you to excel in life. Betty is a 17 years old student from Bernstadt, Kentucky. She enjoys reading, watching movies and listening to music. She has been homeschooled by her mother for the past three years and maintains a G.P.A. of 4.0 (way to go Betty!) Betty plans to become a Christian counselor and counsel children and teenagers. She would love to spend her summers doing mission work and helping people come to know how amazing God is. She plans to accomplish these goals by staying strong in God, finishing high school, going to college and most of all by never giving up. Betty is inspired by her parents, whom she feels has helped her to be the young women of character she is today.

B.M. How has being home-schooled affected you? B.B. I believe it was the best thing my mom could have done for me. At home, I don't have any class distractions and I can get my work all finished without interruptions. I also don't have to worry about the peer pressure that I had to deal with while I was in high school I get together with my friends on the weekends and have fun. It makes me look forward to the weekend when I get to be with them.

B.M. What is your favorite movie of all times and why?

B.B. Oh, this is a hard question for me! I just love movies…. I have too many favorites! I really love to watch older movies such as Gone With The Wind, or anything with Audrey Hepburn. I also love movies that are based on Jane Austen's novels (Emma, Pride & Prejudice, Sense & Sensibility, Persuasion). I don't know why I like them so much, I just do!

B.M. What advice do you have for young ladies who have chosen a negative path in life? B.B. I would say that God allows U-Turns. He is there waiting for you to return to Him and to start over. There is nothing that He will not forgive you for. Don't let something you have done ruin the rest of your life… start on a new path. Ask Him to forgive you and forgive yourself. You cannot make a fresh start without forgiving yourself first, no matter what you have done.

B.M. You've been a Girl Talk reader for some time now; is there one article, poem, quote, etc… that has touched you in some way?

B.B. Yes, I really loved the poem called "Believe in Yourself" written by Raquel Higgs. It was a wonderful poem that touched my heart

B.M What advice have you received that you will always remember?

B.B. When times get rough, and you just want to give up on everything, stay focused on God and remember that He is helping you the whole way through… it's not going to be easy, but with God you can get through it.