A Leap of Faith

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"I'm glad you took this leap. I believe it will pay off eventually. ;)"

That was a text from my dad this morning.  Considering he was, at first, the most skeptical of my plans for this school year, this means a lot to me.

The leap he is referring to is my leap of faith into something suggested to me by Bob, the Catholic Campus Minister at Longwood.  Two friends of mine did it last year, and now it's my turn: to be a part of the Charlottesville Catholic Fellows program.  This past Tuesday I moved in with a host family from the parish that sponsors the program, the Church of the Incarnation.  From September to May I will live and work here, both at a part-time job (TBD, although I have an interview next Tuesday for a data entry position) and at the parish office (also TBD, but I would like to work with the youth and/or music ministry), and take classes at the Center for Christian Study (again TBD, but I have a couple of interesting choices).  The only sure thing for now is that I have a roof over my head (which I didn't even have confirmed until last Thursday!) and a wonderful family who has welcomed me here, both at the house and at the parish.  All the rest will come in God's time, including whatever comes after the program is over.

For a while I despaired at being left behind when it seemed everyone else was moving on, beginning a new chapter in life: getting new jobs, starting grad school, getting married and starting families.  Now I can say with certainty, as I haven't been able to for a long time, that this will be a great year.  I've joined the ranks of several EWC friends who have set off into the unknown; whether it's grad school for theology (which I plan to do within the next five years) or a program like the Fellows, we're starting something new that will help us grow in our faith and discern what God has planned for each of us in life.

"'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.'" -Jeremiah 29:11

Comments

  1. BethSeptember 11, 2011 at 12:03 AM

    I'm so excited for you, Alaina! Best of luck and you are always in my prayers!

    ReplyDelete

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