Etsy

Here is a link to some of the beautiful jewelry my sister makes. (Some of mine might sneak in there too!)

Be sure to keep stopping back, she's adding more daily!

A Decade

Today is ten years exactly since I graduated from high school. Yesterday marked ten years of being a legal adult. At first, the thought of my ten year reunion sounds ludicrous, but then...I began to reflect on this past decade. There are certain times when it is hard not to reflect on life, where it has gone, and where it is going...New Year's, birthdays, and ten year reunions.

Ten years ago I was a lost, uncomfortable girl working at Burger King just trying to figure out what was next after high school. Since then, I have lived in five different states, had three different cars, worked over a dozen jobs, lost and gained relatives, and made great and not so great friends. I have laughed until I cried and cried until I laughed. I have been a barista in Florida, insurance rep in Ohio, meat market employee in West Virginia, and supportive living specialist for the developmentally disabled in New York...and so much more. When I look at these facts it feels like a lifetime...and it gets me excited.

The thing about reflecting on the past is...it leads to thinking about the future. I am so ready for the next decade. I am ready for my next adventures. I already know that my next ten years will begin with me obtaining my masters degree, moving to Washington DC and beginning to immerse myself in the ministry I know I am called to, all within the first six months. How could a decade that follows that be bad? I know it will not always be easy or fun, but it will be full of truth and God. With these things, I am ready for whatever is next. I finally feel like I'm at a place that I am content in a way that is deeper than before. Perhaps it could be describes as a peace that passes all understanding...

YEA!!!

Well...I got it!!! I got the position with the Protege Program at National Community Church in Washington DC. I honestly got a little teary when I read the email. I cannot remember wanting anything this bad before.

My position will be split between Ebenezers coffeehouse management and event planning. It actually could not be more perfect for me. I feel that I can learn so much from this role, at the same time I feel like I actually have something to give back as well. It begins in September and lasts an entire year. I now need to find a place to live but I am trusting that since God has allowed me to be accepted into this position He will help with the rest. Now I just want to hurry up and finish school and get this summer over! (I never thought I would wish the summer that has barely started would end, but I sure do!)

Now...to get some sleep, though I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve...I can't even imagine what it will be like when I get even closer!

Here is a link to better explain what I will be doing.

Interview!!

I got an email today asking if I am available tomorrow for a phone interview for the Protege Program. I was like,"Ummm...yes!!!" I'm so excited, though I am trying to understand that it is only an interview and not an offer for the position. I cannot help but daydream about this however. It turns out I have a two and a half hour break in the middle of my day tomorrow and I didn't know what I was going to do during that time. So it actually worked out perfectly. I'm just praying that I can remain focused and be articulate for the interview. I'd be furious if I blew it because I got too nervous or excited. It's for the Protege that works directly with Ebenezers, the church run coffeehouse on Capital Hill. I don't think it could be much more perfect than that. So that's the update on that for now :)

New Job

So I just started a new job...a new job that is totally out of my comfort zone. I am finally doing something that pertains to my degree but it is so different to really be out there rather than just studying about it. I think I will enjoy it for awhile, but certainly not forever. There is a lot of bureaucratic mumbo jumbo but I think that the interactions with clients will be rewarding.

I am working with the mentally disabled and helping to support them as they learn everyday skills such as independent bathing or making purchases independently. I am on week three of training and its quite exhausting learning so much new stuff continually. I am ready for a vacation already!

I am still praying that I get this internship in DC. I was told that they would be making selections at the end of May. I had not heard anything either way and was of course going out of my mind. I don't think it was possible to check my phone more often than I was. Lately I have even been getting ideas and a vision for what I'd like my role to be in this church...and it has really made me really excited. So I broke down and emailed them today to ask if they had made their selections yet or if they were still reviewing applications. I quickly got a reply that they were still reviewing applications and she said I would hopefully be hearing something in the next couple of weeks, complete with a smiley face. This means I might just find out on my birthday. Wouldn't that be a great present?! I honestly don't understand why I would have the desire and vision I have had recently if I wasn't supposed to be apart of this. I just would not make sense to me, unless I am supposed to be apart of this in a different way. I don't know, I just know that this is the one birthday present I am really praying for!

In a nutshell...

Well this week has been interesting. I've started a new job so I am in training mode right now. Honestly...I'm not sure about this job yet. It has many pros and cons and well...I'm just not sure. I am hoping it is only for the summer but you never can tell. Anyway, it feels like I haven't had a moment to breathe this week. I hate being stressed but I've had a few things on my mind lately that are not helping the mission to remain stress free this summer. But that is life I suppose. Well anyway yesterday my week seemed to culminate in one moment...one moment that said all.

I should back up a little. A couple very close friends of mine are currently pregnant. I'm so excited for them. Today was one such friend's baby shower. So yesterday I was at Walmart picking up a card and one last baby item to throw in the bag of baby goodies. When I reached the register, the cashier asked me if I had a little one. I said no and he said, "Oh you're going to a shower?" "Yup, my good friend is having a baby," I said. "Does that make you feel like you should be having a baby?" he asked. "No, I've got some time yet," already I had a feeling that I really just wanted to stop this conversation but instead he went on. "Yeah, well lots of my friends are getting married and having babies and I feel like I should. Then I just think, man I am no where near getting married or having kids. But I guess I still have some time too, I'm only 21. And you don't look like you're anywhere near 30 so you've probably got time too." Then I punched him in the face.

OK, maybe I didn't really punch him but instead said, "yes, I still have some time," and took my bags and left. Apparently when you are a 21 year old male, you think women hit menopause at 30. So yes, that is my week in a nutshell...thankfully a new week starts tomorrow. I pray this new week will be better...and that I can avoid his line at Walmart in the future.