Change

       Deciding on a internship was difficult for me for a while. Starting back in November/December, I began thinking about what I would want to do for my internship/last semester as an undergrad at Auburn. At first, all I wanted to do was find somewhere in Auburn to work and complete my internship credit. I had my heart set on staying in Auburn, for several reasons, and the thought of leaving to do it somewhere else just wasn't appealing to me.  I just kept telling myself that I would find somewhere in Auburn that would be fun, and I wouldn't have to leave anyone that's close to me, and I would be able to stay right where I was comfortable. After many conversations with my parents, and close friends, and lots of praying, I began to look at other options.  That's when I decided that I could do my internship in Florida at the Boys and Girls Club in the Teen Center and live at our beach house for the summer.  The thought of being at the beach ALL SUMMER LONG sounded great! Which leads me to where I am now...
       Tuesday I left Auburn, and moved down here to Florida.  Never thought leaving would be this tough. Leaving and saying goodbye to everyone close to me was very difficult. On the drive down Tuesday, I did a lot of thinking and praying. I just kept asking God to give me a peace about everything, and to comfort me while I spend my summer away. I know that there is a reason for everything, and I know God has a perfect plan for my life, but because of all the mixed feelings and emotions I was having, I just prayed that He would lead me in the right direction and just prayed that me being here in Florida was the right decision. I want to embrace this experience and this opportunity that God has given me.  I know that I was placed in this city, and at this job, for a reason, and I want to get the most out of it.
     Wednesday was my first day at the Boys and Girls Club. When I got there, I knew I was where I was supposed to be because of the peace I felt when I arrived.  I wasn't nervous at all. As soon as I got there, I had the teens coming up to me asking if I was a new worker, and asking how old I was and where I was from.  I had some of the kids telling me I sounded country, telling me that I was pretty, and that I was nice.  Then I had others asking me to come play basketball, or pool, or come to the computer lab with them.  I knew right away that I was where I needed to be by the way the youth had latched onto me as soon as they saw me.  To feel "so loved" by total strangers was exactly what I hoped for.  I want to have that presence around them where they feel comfortable enough to talk to me, to want to play in the gym with me, to just sit and share stories about their day with me.  Everything about my first day went as well as I had hoped it would. Today was my second day and it was just like the first.  Everything went great.  The other staff members are so nice and we all get along really well. I already feel so blessed to be here and working with them.
         I still have several weeks left, and I know that I will have some days that are better than others, but my daily prayer is that God will just continue to bless me and that I just stay positive and continue to embrace this experience and get the most out of it as possible!


~Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."~