Aha Moments

Lately, I have been very concerned about the path I have chosen. As an aspiring youth minister I don't plan on being rich, but I want to have a stable income. Currently I am going to a local community college and volunteering with a youth group full time. I couldn't understand how I am staying afloat without a job and a yearly $6,000 family stipend. I am a clothes, accessory, shoe, and coffee junkie who donates on a regular basis so I figured all my money was gone.

I reluctantly asked my mom to write down how much I had left. She looked at me like I was insane and said a number. I must have asked her a thousand times to repeat it. Apparently I had a lot of money left over. I couldn't imagine how that was possible. I mean I bought a bunch of clothes, went to New  York City, paid for two quarters of college, donated to church, bought Christmas for two family's of seven, and drove all over. But I had forgotten something.

I was doing what God had asked me to do. He said it would be tough because I'm not going to the school I wanted or working right now. I just didn't think I could make it. Being someone who rarely asks for help, handouts are not an option. So God found another way. He blessed me with wonderful friends who let me stay for dinner twice a month and a great youth minister who wants me to succeed. My youth minister even found a possible paid internship for the summer. This was my aha moment. Now I know I am stable and I can still do everything I dreamed of...with His help.

If you have aha moments I would love to hear about them. Feel free to comment :)

Photo from: http://www.phillytechguy.com/home/images/stories/aha-moments.jpg

Contest!

So when I was in New York City I saw this wonderful play written by Theresa Rebeck called "Seminar." The cast includes Lily Rabe, Jerry O'Connell, Hettienne Park, and Alan Rickman. The play was amazing and the cast was too. I had the chance to meet everyone except Hettienne Park. So I am entering this contest in an effort to meet her and share the play with my mother.


I'd encourage you all to enter too. Trust me the play is worth the trip to New York City.


Enter Here:
http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents/special-giveaway-win-tickets-to-see-the-new-alan-rickman-writing-comedy-seminar-on-broadway

Vacation

I just got back from an amazing vacation in New York City, NY.  Honestly, it was the best trip I have ever been on. I researched everything from my hostel to the local events. I didn't leave on a whim, this trip that has always been on my "bucket list." It really started out as a hypothetical thing/way to cross off things from the list, but it soon turned into a reason to forget.

Since the beginning of my senior year I have spent everyday with my best friend. I always knew he would leave for the Marines, but I was never prepared. He left in late August and won't return until mid-December. Even then he will only be home for a week. When he left I signed up for college and soon found out when my winter break was scheduled, November 23, 2011 until January 9, 2012. I couldn't go all that time without him, so I decided to do something about it.

For my graduation I received around $800 and I didn't have anything to do with it. After I put a third of it in savings I began to research. If I stayed in a hostel and worked for my mother I could go to New York for a week on $900. For once I was taking control and doing something on my own. There comes a time in everyone's life when they need to control things.

As soon as I got to the train station all I could think of was my best friend and how alone I was. The whole trip he never left my mind. But I found a way to cope. I believe that God has a plan for each of us and keeps us safe. Well, I definitely saw that on this trip. Just as he came to mind a fully robed Franciscan friar got out of a car. As I checked my bag and received my ticket he struck up a conversation with my mother. He never promised to see I was safe on the train, sit with me in sight, or see me off at Penn station, but he did. God sent me him to feel safe. That experience gave me enough confidence to pursue the trip to the fullest, even if I was physically alone.

In that trip I received a message. God wants us to be happy and experience everything the world has to offer, but there is always a message. And He knows what He's doing. I had the best time because I trusted Him to keep me safe. Once I said, "I'm glad you are watching out for me." He made everything amazing. For example: I met Alan Rickman, Jerry O'Connell, Lily Rabe, and Hamish Linklater. Even though they were extremely busy they had time for me. Also, I made some wonderful friends. At the play I met two wonderful women from London who made sure I met Alan. And I watched chick flicks with two very gruff looking German men. I skipped the Christmas tree lighting for that and I loved it.

Sometimes God is subtle as a truck, but when he whispers it is magical.