A year ago, I had declined my first Disney College Program. It was a long and hard decision to get there, but I'm thankful for the journey, and I'm thankful for the decision I ended up making. A lot of people ask me why I declined the program, so I wanted to share the full story with you, including my magical moment at the end. I was accepted for my first Disney College Program the first week of October 2015, only a week after my phone interview. I found out while waiting for the bus home from Target, and called my sister right away! I quickly found the Facebook groups and started a countdown poster. As I started thinking about next semester, I encountered some problems in the present semester. After struggling all semester to find a job, the search only got harder once I knew I would be leaving in two months, and somehow I had to find a way to afford my dorm and groceries. As I struggled with this, I started to think about other reasons not to go to Disney in the spring. At the top of that list: I had just started leading a bible study and was trying to initiate discipleship with some women, and I didn't know if I was ready to leave them. I knew the Lord could and would use me in either place, but I knew exactly what He was calling me to in Albuquerque. After lots of prayer, and seeking wise counsel, I decided to decline my college program. After declining my program, I found a job, and felt a great sense of contentedness and looked forward to next semester. I worked harder in school, at work, and in pursuing relationships, rather than giving up and only thinking about Disney, which is something I'm forever thankful for. A month later, I flew home for Christmas break, where everything changed....again! In early December I started regretting my decision to decline my college program. Of the two girls I wanted to disciple, one was pulling away and becoming less and less faithful, available, and teachable, and the other started being discipled by another amazing woman. I also became more and more discouraged by my bible study, with often only one or two girls showing up to bible study each week. Even though I had declined my program, I continued to receive emails about it, which only made me want it more. When I arrived home for the holidays I kept having to explain why I decided not to go, and one day I decided just to email recruiting and see if there was a chance I could un-decline my program, or at least stop receiving emails about it, it seemed like I hadn't actually declined it. A day later, I got a response saying I had done something wrong and had only declined in half the system, and that they could undo, it but I had 48 hours to decide. So, I talked to my dad, we came up with a plan, and I was able to re-accept my program, just the way it had been! You can read the post I wrote last winter explaining it all here. Looking back, I'm thankful for the way everything happened. I'm thankful that declining the program enabled me to find a job and helped me to continue working at my full potential with my bible study and school. I'm also thankful that I got an extra month on not being anxious for my program to start. Most of all, I'm thankful that I actually got to do the program. Working at Disney, I formed some of the best friendships of my life, and discovered a career path I really love, as well being involved in an amazing ministry in Florida with Cru. I'm so excited to do it all again! If you have questions or want to hear more about my crazy story, you can comment below, find me on social media, or contact me on my "about me" page. Subscribe to my email list to receive weekly posts in your inbox.
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