Hey guys, what’s up and welcome back to hear & now podcast I cannot believe it’s another week another episode. I swear the weeks are flying by so fast but yet they are just going by so slow anybody else? but they extended the stay at home order for Pennsylvania until June 4, at least where I live. So Lord help us all. We definitely need some prayers and good vibes. But I kind of wanted to just catch you guys up on what’s been going on around here with me. I haven’t done a life update in a while so I feel like it’d be kind of fun to do that. Today Monday, the 11th was the first day of our hope writers writing challenge. And basically I post every day according to the prompts. You guys can join in on the fun too by going to the link I have down below. But today’s prompt was rewrite. So in case you don’t have Instagram or just want to hear it again, here’s what I wrote today. Day one, rewrite. That little picture up there is for my first day of college. Little did I know that just a few days later, I would make the decision to walk away. Life didn’t go as planned. You guys can listen to my episode about this link in bio. I took an entire semester off to heal things that were broken. now I’m standing on the other side of it. I’m thankful more than ever that this is where God led me. He gave me so much peace and purpose in knowing he was completely in control. I’m eternally grateful. He rewrote my story. And my story isn’t over yet. And neither is yours. How are you rewriting your story today? Yes, every day this week I’m following hope writers writing prompts and posting here so check my story highlights to join in on the fun. edited to add. I’m actually back in college now. I started my first official semester online in January. And I’m so thankful to be able to do this and pursue my dream of being a major, a theology major So, um, like I said, it’s been a while to since I’ve updated you guys where I am, especially since I recorded my very my third episode of the podcast, which was “when life doesn’t go as planned.” When I recorded that episode, it was literally the day after I made the decision to leave college and come home and I was already home at that point. And if you aren’t familiar with my story, I started my freshman year of college at a school not too far from my hometown. And everything is all laid out in planned in terms of accommodations for my hearing loss. But within the first week, nothing was in place and sci fi was a big concern. And long story short Exactly. One week from when I moved in, I moved out. I was already planning on going home that weekend for Labor Day. But basically I made the decision that morning to hand in my withdrawal letter. And I came back to my dorm room and packed everything up. And it became very traumatic for me because if nothing else in my life went right, college was supposed to be the one thing that did. Now, someone might ask why I chose to walk away instead of attempting to remedy the situation. And what I want to say is that i kind of got to this place where it had happened enough already that I was kind of burnt out and just tired of asking people to do such and such for me- where it has happened enough already that I was kind of burnt out and just tired of asking people. So yeah, I just kind of got burnt out and I was just tired of asking people to help me out at that point. And I don’t really think I’ve said this too much on my podcast or anywhere for that matter, but I actually struggle with a lot of anxiety and it’s gotten a lot better. Thank God. but it just became a big part. of my life that if I didn’t heal from all the past traumas and hurts that I’d had in the past, then it was preventing me from moving on in the right direction. And so God kind of handed that to me. Not in the way that I intended it, or that I had planned it. But he gave me plenty of time to slow down and kind of reevaluate where I was. And just learn to trust completely. And I was kind of angry that I had this no big plan and it had always been my dream after high school to go to college, and get my degree in four years and just have like the perfect life after high school, and after all this stuff that I had when I was younger, Well, God laughed at me again, as he does often. And he said, You need to just trust me this time. And so I did. And with it came a lot of tears and frustration and just anxiety and just nervousness and all of the words that are, you know, related to that. And I, I just took a rest. And so from, you know, August 30 until January, I stayed home, and I took the semester off. I podcasted a lot. And I wrote a lot on my blog, and I started my novel, and I healed in a lot of places. And I honestly can say that if I didn’t take that time, I wouldn’t be where I am today. And I’m just in the I don’t even know what the word is, but I am just happier than I’ve ever been before. And even all this stuff that’s going on with the quarantine, I’m seeing it as an opportunity for other people to take the time to rest like I got the opportunity to. And things are thriving. I’m thriving, and like I said, I have just never been happier. And one thing I guess I didn’t clear up very well with other people is that in January, actually, in November, I made the decision that I wanted to go back to school and continue on with my degree. I was going to enroll in classes as soon as I got home and kind of figure it out from there. But ironically, the deadline was the day before I chose to leave school. And so that didn’t work out and I realized that It’s okay to not have the same path as everybody else to it’s okay to not finish your degree in four years, it’s okay to not finish your degree, by the time you’re 22. Or you don’t even know how you don’t even have to know what you want to do with your life. And I did it. And I changed my major twice already before I got to school. I was originally an occupational therapy major for a five year master’s program. And then I switched to digital media marketing after I started my podcast, and then I was going, I don’t even know what I was doing after that. But then I came home, and then I made the decision in October or November to go back to school in the, you know, spring of 2020. And I’m proud to say that I completed my first semester I enrolled in an online program And I was kind of just taking classes for a little while. And as the semester kind of got on a little bit more, I realized that my true passion is actually in learning theology. And I’d always kind of have an affection for it, especially because it’s such a huge part of my life, as you guys all know. And I was like, but why am I Why am I doing this? Like, what am I going to do with this in my life? Like, I could go back and I could teach theology high school or I don’t know. It’s like, why am I Why am I getting a philosophy degree as well, like it just didn’t really make sense to me at the time. And I kind of had a revelation as the semester went on. And it got closer to the end and finals are coming and all that stuff, and I was kind of praying. You know, the pair told you guys about last It is telling me what to do with my life and I will do it. And I’m praying that and I’m like, what’s my purpose and talking about God on a podcast or telling you guys my story or sharing on my Instagram or blog or whatever? Like, what’s the point? What’s all this for? And it’s just kind of one of those moments where everything just falls into place. And you’re just like, this is exactly what I’m meant to do with my life. And it’s such an amazing feeling, because it gives you so much peace and purpose and clarity and which is exactly what I wrote in my path in my Instagram posts today is that God rewrote my story, even though I was so mad, and I was like, I had a plan from the time I was eight years old of what I was going to do in my life. And from then on, he laughed, and he said, Nope, not this time. And so I decided that my life was going to be for the glory of God. That’s what I was going to do and I was going to do it in the best way. I knew how studying theology and teaching people about theology. And so, my next goal is to continue college. Prayer now where I’m where I’m at is a good place. I’m doing it completely online distance learning, which has been great for me because it also allows me to have a side job as an entrepreneur, and do this for you guys. Because it’s something that I really love to do. And from then on, then I’ll go to graduate school. And then I can’t believe I’m saying this out loud. Um, but I actually went to go to law school to study canon law, which if you’re not familiar, it’s basically a Canon lawyer is a person who defends the Catholic law and doctrine, and if nothing else in my life, that’s exactly what I wanted. Doing is teaching people about God and making a living out of it. And that’s amazing. And so that’s where my plan is right now. I don’t know what it’s gonna look like or how it’s gonna work out. But I have a purpose. And there’s just such a peace and knowing that I want nothing else for you guys is them to know peace right now. And besides that a little bit more in the present. I’m actually taking two summer classes. This I started today, the 11th and they will go for another couple of weeks. And then I’m also doing fall classes. And I’m just like, so psyched because I mean, I know that’s so stupid to say about school, but it’s just like knowing that I’m doing the right thing. And I feel peace about it and I feel happy about it. And it’s I can’t I just can’t stress enough. It’s just like the best feeling in the world to know what you’re doing is right. And it’s okay. And yeah, I I figured I just update on my college and what’s going on with that. It’s just, yeah, it’s just so fulfilling to be able to spend my life studying something that has such a big impact and effect I’ll be. So that’s cool. And that’s the academic world. In terms of like work and personal stuff on my podcast is going great. I love spending each week coming up with episode ideas for you guys and sitting in front of a mic to talk to you. And just kind of sharing what’s going on in my head and where I live, and hopefully impart some wisdom to Yeah, but as always, if there’s an episode that you guys Want me to cover or topic? please shoot me a DM that would be amazing. And I always want to make sure that I’m doing what you guys are looking for like where can I serve you the best? Yeah, podcast is going great. Blogging is going great. Instagram is going great. Make sure you guys are checking out my challenge to seek to do the writing, you know thing prompts. And if you want to join in on the fun you can that’ll be super fun. So yeah, today is day one. And so we end on Sunday, I think also make sure that you guys check out my Instagram posts because my partner in crime Megan, and I have a giveaway going on right now. And that ends this Friday. In so that’s gonna be fun. And then next week, we have Another special announcement, I have another special announcement to share with you guys as well. So make sure you stay tuned for that. But yeah, the giveaway ends this Friday or Thursday, and we choose on Friday. And it’s a bunch of fun stuff that can get you through quarantine. And make sure you check out the link down below. To enter. All you have to do is like the post and tag some of your friends and you get bonus entries if you share it on your store and tag all the people involved. So yeah, that’s just that’s fun for me to do giveaways. I love them. And I want to find a way to get back to you guys as well. Um, see ya what else what else is now? And yeah, we’re still in Second Corinthians. And it’s kind of annoying, because all he wants to do is go out and it’s summer break now, even though I’m still taking classes and I just want to go swimming, and I want to go get ice cream and stay out late and just do All the summer things and go to the beach. Yeah, so I’m praying praying praying that is ending soon. Because I just want summer so yeah, anyway, um, I’m trying to think if there’s anything else I want to catch you guys up on. Um hmm. Don’t forget that hope writers is opening their membership next week I believe. So if you’re interested in learning more about writing, this is a great place to start. I will have information down below that you guys can check out as well. And I always talk about them because they have a special place in my heart. I wouldn’t have started my novel if it weren’t for them. And if you are not yet in our Facebook group, women and Instagram marketing link is down below. It’s a great time we just hit like 750 members or something. And this is our first month. During this and it’s so amazing and you guys can learn all the tricks and tips and tricks of using her Instagram for good purposes, I guess. What else? Okay, here’s something else I want to say is that if you guys are struggling with anything in particular, and there’s anything that I can do to help you, whether it’s make like a general podcast episode talking about something or you want to check in with me and have me you know, give you some advice or whatever, let me know shoot me a DM and email, everything’s down below. Or if you want to submit an anonymous request, my podcast survey is down in the show notes. It’s just like a Google forum or something. You don’t have to put your name on it. You can send an episode request if you want to. I think that would be a good way for you guys to Help me out there. Because like I said, I always want to do what you guys are looking for. And I feel like I’m always boring you by talking about things that I want to talk about instead of hearing from you. Um, so yeah, I think that is a that’s it for this episode. Um, I have some fun things coming up for you guys. That I know hope you will stick around to check out. So without further ado, thank you guys for joining me on this episode. I hope you enjoyed it. But if anything, I want you to take away that it’s okay to not have a plan. And it’s okay to just trust and just to know that God has a plan for you. And it’s not. It’s not ironic that it’s not a coincidence. I should say that the picture that I posted is my first day of college and the little sign in the background on my dorm was Jeremiah 2911. For I know I have the plans I have for you since the Lord plans to give you hope and a future. Not coincidence. That was totally planned. Anyway, again, thank you guys so much for listening, and I’ll see y’all back next week. Peace out guys.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai