Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes!

As the last part of my (incredibly long, drawn out) college career is underway, naturally I've been thinking about the next steps. But I've also been reflecting on where I thought I was going to be and those memories make me laugh.
If I remember correctly, the first job I ever truly desired, with every passionate fiber of my being, was to be a waitress.
Picture this:
Little Amy running around the house at holiday meals, apron tied around her waist, notepad and pencil in hand.
"What would you like to driiiiiiiink??"
And then dutifully reporting back to my mom & godmother in the kitchen.
Now I can't remember if I actually followed through in retrieving and then serving the requested orders to my other family members, but hey, the thought was there.

Little Amy; Big cup.

The next dream came when I was a little older with a little more of a firm grasp on reality- the kind of grasp that told me being a waitress wouldn't sufficiently satisfy my love of shoes.
I dreamed of being an interior designer.
I loved to create things, spruce things up and give color and life to places that needed it. I think the only reason I liked to play with Barbies when I was young was to set up their houses.
Embarrassing Amy Fun Fact # 1.
I like to think I had good taste (& that I still do ;P) but soon enough I realized that I have no math skills.
Seriously.
None.
So working with dimensions, equivalencies, and area were probably not best suited to my skill set.
Oh well.

What did you want to be?

Next week I'll be beginning the mentoring stage of the candidacy process here in the West Ohio Conference. To prepare, we've been asked to write out our call stories. I think back on when that time in my life was so clear and it was in an instant that being a waitress or being an interior designer or whatever it was, it all fell away and something new began to take shape.
Things change.
Sometimes, most times, without knowing when or where. They just do.

We have to go with the flow (and if you know me even in the slightest, you'll know I am not the "go-with-the-flow" kind of chick.)
Being a waitress, an interior designer, a monkey trainer, a parent, a teacher, an astronaut, whatever you want to be is important because it's something you want, something that you and your heart desire.
We just have to remember to always be open to things that aren't in our direct line of vision.
That can be scary, exciting, and sometimes just plain insane but that's how we find the doors that open us up to so many new and wonderful experiences.

So January's visit has been set.
drumroll, please & thank you:
Duke Divinity School will be the 10th stop on this adventure!

First, I should give my disclaimer--
I have scheduled and then un-scheduled (which is how I like to say, "I bailed" in the attempt to make it sound less awful!) with Duke THREE times.
Boo me. I know.
So providing that mother nature doesn't send any freak snow storm to the mid-west before Thursday, we'll be there. PROMISE.
For this trip, I have recruited one my dearest friends, Corey, to make the drive with me.

@ the House of Heroes concert in October!

Corey is currently in his Senior year at Thomas More College in Kentucky where he is getting a one-up on me and a head start to his career in ministry by studying Theology. He is looking to further his theological education at one of the Methodist seminaries as well and Duke is on his list!
We're Jesus friends, tattoo friends (much to the chagrin of my father- love you, Daddy!), and best friends.
It'll be another whirlwind trip (down on Thursday, back on Friday) but it'll be fun.


Prayers and blessings to all of you & keep an eye out :)