Lessons from Washington, D.C.

I wanted to share tonight one of the very cool places I got to go this semester. It was called Alternative Spring Break through United Way Break A Difference. This meant that I would volunteer my spring break and help out with the Boys and Girls club for a week in Washington, D.C. I helped out in the teen room and every afternoon would talk to the kids about my experience as a college student and how they can succeed through education. I met some Amazing people from Universities from all over the country including this very cool group from New York University. During the mornings we had free time to roam around D.C. We went to the Smithsonian museum of Natural History and Art where I saw the famous Hope Diamond, the museum of Archives where I got to see the Declaration of Independence and Bill of rights, the Library of Congress, The Capitol, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Washington monument, and a few other cool places. Sadly, I did get to see the White House from a distance but I did not get to see it up close. I also was VERY sad because I did not get to go to DC Cupcakes in Georgetown! It snowed while I was there and we had to walk to the subways and I felt so cold that I wanted to cry like a 5 year old little girl but I survived! I had never met any of these people that I met on this trip but all of the were so helpful and never let me feel alone or let me get behind. I slept on these foldable cots from the Red Cross every night and had to bring my own sleeping bag and bedding. All of the volunteers slept in the Boys and Girls Gym. Let me tell you THAT was an experience. At the end of week a lot of people were crying and breaking down because they felt so moved by the children that they had encountered during the week. They were so happy to have been able to help them with their homework and tell them that they can achieve anything they want to achieve in life. These children came from poverty and were very thankful that we were there. While so many of my friends were crying and having an emotional moment I realized that I was stone cold. It wasn't because I didn't love been a volunteer or because I didn't think that what I was doing there was impactful it was just that I had lived a very different life. I understood that although education is important to having a better life, it isn't the only thing that matters. Don't get me wrong, I believe in Education and I am pursuing my bachelors degree at the moment but I know that the most important thing on this earth is to know Jesus! What matters most is that you get to heaven and that you take your family and as many other people as you can with you! I was a Senior Camp counselor for 4 years and those were some incredible moments in my life where I was praying and crying my eyes out for one of our young people that was struggling between church and the world. I know that the time that I have invested in prayer and in conversations about the world of God are priceless and are what makes the difference in eternity. I loved this trip for so many reasons but I think the best reason is because I came home with some new perspectives. I realized that I need to get back to my first love and get back to the things that Really matter. I have got to somehow get my life back involved in the ministry of our teens at church and use my life as a testimony. I need to take advantage of every opportunity that I get to tell someone about Jesus and let them know that yes, going to college and making good decisions in your life is important but there is not a more important decision than serving Jesus and putting a determination in your heart that you are gonna make it to heaven! Here are a few pictures from my fabulous adventure!! Enjoy and be blessed in Jesus! ~Lorraine

Junior Year at University of Arizona South

I have been away from my blog for WAY too long! I just survived my first year back as a full-time college student at University of Arizona South. I just finished my Junior year as Human Service major with a 3.2 GPA. It could have been a LOT higher but lets just say "Life" got in the way. I am just happy it is over a 3.0! Six online classes, a part-time job, and being a piano teacher will kinda burn you out. The end of 2014 I was working at Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona as a Program Facilitator in the Social Justice Department and Loved it but in January of 2015 I got the opportunity to become the Student Body Treasurer of UA South. This was a paid position which allowed me to be part of the Executive Board that pretty much made all the decisions for the Student Body. This job made me feel Awesome!!! :) I have 3 weeks of unemployed & no homework bliss until my Summer school classes start June 8th!! This past weekend I was celebrating with my friends on their bachelors degree graduation from 3 different colleges. On Thursday as a board member I was there to set up and help run graduation for UA South in Sierra Vista, AZ. On Friday I went to celebrate with my friend Jessica at the Gaslight theater since I had missed her graduation from University of Phoenix 2 weeks ago. On Saturday I drove up to Phoenix to Jayne and Jordan Hill's graduation party from ASU. I cannot wait till I graduate next May!! By Sunday I was Wiped out and could not get out of bed! Today I am feeling much better and ready to start the Summer and getting back to some of the things that I love. Writing, Reflecting, Youth Services, & Piano playing! Here are some pics from this weekend. Notice in all of them I am wearing Red and Blue, UA colors! Bear Down Wildcats!! :) ~Lorraine

UA South Executive Board Graduation.