Finding My Dream

When I was little I wanted to be a cowboy. When I was a senior in high school I swore I wanted to be a police officer. As a freshman in college I didn't know what I wanted to be. As a sophomore in college I wanted to be a pediatric nurse. As a current graduate student I just want to be happy.

One year ago I had already received my acceptance letter for The University of South Carolina-Columbia to the Graduate School of Social Work. At that time I had a very well thought out plan of  becoming a therapist specifically working with Veterans.

This last  year I have had two amazing opportunities that have not only shaped me as a professional but have opened my eyes to my abilities as a social worker, my passion for serving others, and my ability to do far more than just listen.

This semester I got to volunteer with a brand new non-profit in Charleston called Palmetto Warrior Connection. The mission of Palmetto Warrior Connection is:

"To empower the Warrior and their family utilizing collaboration, advocacy and education by promoting relentless quality care." 

I cannot speak highly enough of the trained Veteran Advocates at PWC that ready to assist every veteran, active duty service member, family member and care taker that walks through their doors with housing, education, mental health support, and Veteran benefits.

Being a small part of this agency and their mission to reach every veteran and connect them with the services that they so immensely deserve has truly opened my vision and passion about outreach and advocacy!

The other opportunity that I was granted this past school year was a Graduate Assistantship with Operation Home in North Charleston whose mission is to help people remain in their homes by increasing safety and accessibility.

I've always sworn that I only ever wanted to do micro-social work, but this opportunity was on the macro level and I have slowly but surely made my way over to the "other side." Being able to connect community members with resources and agencies that can help them remain in their homes with integrity and respect has been an amazing learning experience.

If I wasn't afforded these opportunities this year I may not have realized my passion. 

I may not have found my dream.  Therapist.

Graduation is in 41 days. Maybe someday when I've stopped trying to save the world I will settle in an office and be a therapist, but not today. And not tomorrow, either. I can't tell you what's in my future, but now that I've found my dream I'm going to go confidently in the direction of it. 

What is your dream? What are you chasing after? 

Jeremiah 29:11

11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare[a]and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

I started this blog in January of 2014 as a way to document and remember the next chapter of my life. Unfortunately, I haven't been very good about remembering to write since last June. But, in the same regard, that can be interpreted as I haven't had time to write because I've been so busy living my life that God has so delicately planned for me. 

In a dual effort to not only record for my future self the memories I am about to make and the journey that I will be embarking on in a couple short months but also to stay connected and share with family and friends I am vowing to write AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH. Starting today. 

It is absolutely insane to think that I haven't written in over nine months. What is even more crazy to fathom is that my life has changed ten-fold in those nine months, and I couldn't be more happy about where my life is headed, those that God has placed in my life, and the adventures to come. 

In 49 short days I will have my very last class. Three years ago I swore I was never going to get my Masters degree, that it wasn't something that I wanted or needed. Funny how things work out. In 64 days I will be participating in my MSW Hooding Ceremony which is practiced tradition of social work students to commemorate the end. After all of the issues and stress that have come with attending The University of South Carolina I at one point debated not even participating in the ceremony. But, after talking with my dad I realized that down the road I may regret it. Partaking in the ceremony isn't for anyone else but myself. A celebration of my accomplishments, a transition tool, the ending to this chapter of my life.

                           Because in 73 days the next chapter begins!

Before my move to Charleston, I had spent the last eight months at home turning down blind dates, ignoring requests for my phone number and having every intention of continuing that behavior once I got to school. I had a plan. (I don't know why I haven't learned that those don't ever work out!) And, then I met my roommate. I would be lying to say that I wasn't attracted to him, but I had every intention of going to school, working, going out with new friends, and having fun being single in the city I had fallen in love with several years ago. God had other plans I guess, because my roommate became my best friend and now the love of my life. I do not know how I would have gotten through the last year in Charleston without him, and his unwavering support. 

It has been 250 days since we officially became a couple, and I will always remember that day. I will also always remember July 17th, 2014 because it was the day that I got the phone call from my boyfriend telling me that he had just gotten orders to Pearl Harbor and he was leaving January of 2015. While that could have been the day that we parted ways, and left each other as friends instead it was the night that he told me he loved me for the first time and the start of the rest of our lives. <3 

He has been so supportive of my education and pursuit of my dreams. There was never an expectation that I would follow him, or change my life plans simply for him. But, I have learned in these last 250 days what real love is and I can't imagine spending another day after graduation apart from my best friend. 

I have always said that I am a real gypsy. I can never stay in one place for too long. I am excited, and nervous, and elated, and scared, and so incredibly happy. Spending my life with my best friend and starting off in a beautiful place is just the start of our new adventure! 

On May 17th, 2015 I will board a plane in Milwaukee and touch down in the most expensive, and longest vacation ever  paradise. 

To my new adventure. To following my heart. To trusting God's plan. 

<3 Michelle