Happy Birthday Celia!!!

Celia Jimenez. Words can't describe the blessing that you are in my life. I met you and your husband when God placed you guys in my life during a very pivotal time in my in my junior year of high school. Your personality and mine clicked automatically and from the very beginning I respected both of you so much. Despite the past experiences surrounding having youth pastors at Calvary, for the first time in my life, I felt like I was truly being shepherded my pastors. You challenged me in so many ways to push me to walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him in every good work. You told me the truth and held me to a higher standard, never backing down. You did all of this in the love and Christ-like compassion. When I couldn't hold my own head up to see into my future, you gave me a glimpse of what I could do and encouraged me to do it. You opened up your home to me and welcomed me into your life. And to this very day, I am still reaping the blessings of the time of high school. I know that you are always there for me in the hardest parts of my life and the most joyous and are only a phone call away....or even a drive if I needed to stay the night at your house. While we aren't physically close in the same location, the relationship that we have is merely one where we can pick-up where we left off. You and your family are my spiritual family and when I think of you I can truly say,  "Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith." Thank you for giving me the example of examples. "Imitate me as I imitate Christ." Thank you for being that person to me. I love you SO much and am incredibly blessed and honored to know you. I have the highest respect for you. 

Have an awesome fantastic happy birthday!!!!! Enjoy the cake!!! :)

Now that's a wrap

I just finished my last shift at Nordstrom Cafe (for everyone not familiar with this, it's a restaurant inside of the ritzy store Nordstrom). I landed this job and walked into the day I arrived here in Northern VA (or NOVA--that's what all the cool kids call it).

This summer has definitely been a summer of change. I arrived home to Charlotte on the  brink of my parents deciding to take the move to nova to seek job opportunity. I was challenged with the idea to stay in Charlotte. I had everything lined up-- the potential for my dream job I've always wanted since I was in sixth grade- to intern at Calvary's youth group and a part time work at Chick-fil-A, the job I've had loved since I was 16. The only problem was I don't have a car...Lorraine, may she rest in peace. So after exhausting my options, praying and seeking the Lord, and discussing it with friends and family I decided that moving up here with my family was the best option. A dear friend of mine told me sometimes the most practical options is God's way. If He doesn't open the doors for yes, continue on. So that's what I did. I packed up my Charlotte home with my family and drove up to NOVA and started at Nordstrom cafe with out even unpacking the boxes yet.


This job was a completely different experience. Only working at Chick-fil-A I was trained in high quality service. I know the whole nine yards--my pleasure, we are here to serve others, having managers that truly cared about our well being and loved us. My job was not really a job at CFA, it was a family and it was fun. But because of this environment I was trained in  how to work really well. My first day at Nordstrom I had a five minute overview of the register and worked it the whole day by myself asking a few questions (not knowing Nordstrom had a cafe I clearly knew nothing of the menu). Apparently this wasn't a common thing for most new trainees and I was told multiple times by managers and co-workers I was different....different for a variety of reasons. And I soon realized it wasn't only because of my training. Working at CFA I was in a Christian environment. Nordstrom was clearly not a Christian place. I was not accustomed to managers venting under their breath cursing out customers that made them frustrated, having a ton of different cultures bringing a ton of different religions (let's just say we have to inform every customer of the dishes that have bacon in them...because it's unclean and tonight being Ramadan I had three coworkers eating in the back as soon as it hit 815 pm). I realized that God put me in this place to be a light. I was able to share my faith with some of my coworkers and really just love them. It was such a unique and awesome opportunity.
I had my fair share of culture shock in general this summer. Let's just say nothing nothing nothing nothing compares to NOVA traffic. I got stuck in traffic on my regular 20 minute commute for THREE hours. I left work at 4 and got home after 7. I was traumatized. haha. But really. Traffic is an inevitable evil in this neck of the woods.


But also in this neck of the woods is one of the most exciting cities- DC! I like to say I was a professional tourist this summer. I had a friend doing an internship this summer here and her and I did every touristy thing including riding Segways on the national mall. I also did the double decker tour bus tour with my grandma who visited. WIN! I had so much fun the days and nights I went out. There is literally just so much to do and so much going on.


I was able to get plugged into a dynamic church- Mclean Bible. I can't quite say I experienced the community of Calvary, simply because life is just different here. I don't have the friendships built or the same church environment. But I made some good friends at the Tuesday night Bible study and was exponentially blessed by the fact that literally every other kid was connected to Liberty...so I wasn't a complete stranger. God worked out some pretty sweet friendships at LU that carried here.

There were many summer days and nights that went by I really wished I was in Charlotte or wanted to be somewhere else. That's a part of change and moving. I am stoked that I get to go back to Liberty and am anticipating familiarity and returning to my friends there. But yet, I know this year is unpredictable and I have no idea what God has in store for me. Last year my best friend said this year is a different kind of year. That was weighty for the events that took place. Well this year, I can't say it's a different kind of year, but it definitely will be a new year full of new exciting things, challenges, sleepless nights, stress, fun, and friendships and relationships.

To God be the glory. Greater things are yet to come.