…. And she lived happily ever after.

Being on semester project was the most challenging thing I’ve experienced since coming to faith. It has challenged my endurance, my motivation, my patience, my health, my relationships with people, here and back home. And my relationship with Christ. I willingly threw myself into easily the most spiritually empty and broken collection of college students in the country. And to be honest, I didn’t expect it to be this tough. We work between 40-60 scheduled hours a week. We live with 4-8 roommates. We use unreliable transportation that can eat up as much as 3-4 more hours of every day. We work late hours and early mornings back to back. Our sleep schedule is inconsistent. Ministry activities? Church? Community? HA. Inconsistent work schedules. Not enough sleep. Not enough money. Too much sleep. Unhealthy

eating habits. 1,200 miles away from everyone you love. Something I would do again? Nope. Something that I enjoyed? Some days, some days not. Did I ever cry? Weekly. Want to give up? Often. Think about going home? Everyday. Change my world, and those around me? Forever.

Doing this without Christ, I couldn’t. Relying on Him through my weakest moments, I had to.

Did I bring the good news? Yes! The gospel was shared from my own lips to coworkers, and friends from across the states and the world.

Did I learn to work as a team? Probably my toughest lessons and biggest growths happened because of my small team. But I learned to love and appreciate them, despite the fact that we couldn’t always literally be there for one another.

Did I personally grow closer to the Lord? Through my tears, my anger, my joy, my loneliness, my confusion, my frustration, my exhaustion, and my desperate prayers. YES.

Am I ready to be home? I’m ready to follow wherever the Lord will lead me…. As long as there’s no pixie dust.

Boardwalk

My final week of deployment was at Disney's boardwalk. Another 4 diamond resort. And another resort that was just as spectacular as the last. Very impressed. I would love to stay here. It's located near Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Downtown Disney.

It has a boardwalk outside the hotel, which is where I worked. The shops included; an icecream/candy shop. ESPN Zone. And The General Store (or really just your average giant disney store) The view was beautiful, and it stayed busy especially at night. There's live entertainment all along the boardwalk, restaurants, and a great view of Epcot's fireworks.

But as much fun as that all sounds I am so excited to be going back to the Grand. Being deployed was tough work. New management, new leaders, new store, new merchandise. And everything you thought was so simple is done just a little differently everywhere. I'm quite done with learning new things. I know I'm being a little negative, but I want to spend my last weeks with the people I know, and the friends I've built relationships with. Of course I met new people, but I didn't stay long enough to start any relationships.

It got me motivated to go back to my home resort and be grateful to be there with the people I know and love, as well as not have any regrets when I leave. . . In less than 2 weeks!!

January, February, March, April, May . . . where did the time go?

GRADUATION!

Of course I'm only graduating from the Disney College Program, but... I did it!! (nonetheless)

Of course it wouldn't be a magical graduation if all our favorite characters weren't celebrating too!

Lexi , Pluto, & I

Celebrating at the Magic Kingdom!

Yes, it's cheesy, but it was fun. :)

DAK Lodge

For the last 2 weeks I have been deployed to Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge! Mwahahaha. It's my NEW favorite resort. :) It is so amazing. Although I'm not so sure I like being deployed. It's fun meeting new CPs and just having a change of pace. Day after day at the Grand can get boring, it's hard learning a new location though. Especially knowing I will only be there for a few more days.

It has giving me renewed motivation to be at work. Although working as early as 5am has not been cool. It's been fun to see all my South African friends around the resort and my roommate Jennie.

I'm not sure why in my last month of the program I've moved locations, but it has challenged me to be more intentional with my friends back at the Grand and given me the opportunity to make new ones. Maybe it was just the push I needed and a nudge from God reminding me I'm not done here yet. 3 weeks left. One more at DAK Lodge. & then I'm being deployed to the Boardwalk Resort near Epcot! (yes I will tell you all about that too) Then a week back at The Grand Floridian, and then a week of fun.

PRAYER REQUESTS: I would not be anxious about leaving, but rather doing God's work right where He has me today. Also for WDWSP '11! They will be coming soon! I am so psyched for what God will do in and through their lives here!

I'm done asking why

I've been so afraid, afraid to close my eyes. So much can slip away before I say goodbye... but if there's no other way I'm done asking why. I'm on my knees, begging you to notice me. I'm on my knees Father will you turn to me?
-----------

If you're everything You say You are will You come close and hold my heart?
(Tenth Avenue North "Hold My Heart")

WOW. Every time I write a blog I can't believe how much time has passed. April showers bring May Flowers.. and then I will be moving back to the Midwest. Humidity is slowly engulfing the state of Florida and I am horribly sick. WHAT? So lame. Hmm, what is new in April? Been working alot, things have slowed down since Spring Break, but with Easter coming Disney is about to go crazy. I'm excited about Easter coming up, most Internationals don't celebrate the holiday and the whole easter egg and bunny thing is so lame. It will be fun to tell them about the origin of the holiday and what it means to me. My Chinese friends have already been asking all about it. "So do we just east eggs?" HA.

I'm excited for the semester to be ending, but there are still many more days in front of me to live for. Prayers for focus while I'm still here and courage to continue to take BIG steps of faith over the next month and a half, especially with the girls in my Bible Study and my roommates.
I never get to see my team, which has been hard, but I've really been leaning on my roommate. If I don't see her I get lonely. She's amazing. :) Loneliness has been my biggest struggle and something satan has used in attacking me this semester. I've been reading a book and doing a devotional called "Hinds Feet and High Places" It has been so good and such an encouragement. I'm really learning how to lean on God and and allow Him to choose to use my community to hold me up. As opposed to first turning to my community and having them show me God. I'm growing in my faith. I'm skipping the baby steps.
The semester is way harder than expected. It's a lot of personal growth I wasn't expecting or ready for. It's a huge "real world" slap in the face and it still stings. I'd be lying if I didn't admit I'm homesick, yea wherever the heck that is. But I must quote the entire Cru staff team across the world when I say "It's hard, but good."
It's worth it. Or it will be. When I look back at all the times I stood in tears, confused and had no one to turn to for hundreds of miles and all I could do was pray. I want the rest of my life to reflect this. I want to remember that no matter where I am or who is or isn't by my side He always will be. I want Him to be who I turn to first.

Okay... that was alot more words then I had intended. So I will just stop now. Bottom line. I MISS YOU! But I know I need to be here. (but only for a little longer)

Miami

Spring break CP style. Just got back from a 3 day trip to Miami Florida with the Disney Missional Team and a group of international disney cast members. We got to visit and bum on the beautiful beaches, as well as go to the world famous South Beach. It was fun to experience the hollywood version of Miami. The most fun I had on the trip was spent with a non profit organization called Touching Miami with Love. We did a lot of hands on work they needed done and believe me we sweat and got our hands dirty.

At the end of a long day serving we got to read and play with some of the children in their after school program. In this picture you can see Leon, a 7 year old who lives in Overtown, a poverty stricken area near downtown Miami. I got to read with him, play games and just love on him. It was sad to say goodbye, but I got plenty of hugs and will keep him and his city in my prayers. It was an awesome trip and was a great opportunity to spend time with the CP's. I spent a lot of time with my co worker and friend from China Sissie who has been coming to our Bible study and decided to come to Miami. It has been such an answer to prayers to have her so excited to be involved and learn things about Christianity and what it means.

The semester is halfway over, but I really needed that boost of encouragement that the Miami trip provided. It definitely made me thankful that I live, work, play, and serve in the beautiful city of Orlando.

No, gators didn't eat me!

It's been too long, if your only contact with me was online, you'd have thought I'd died. I thought February passed by quickly. It's already the second half of March. Spring has kicked off here in the south and that means sunshine and spring break season. Disney has been packed full of people, which of course keeps me busy and exhausted. My work schedule is pretty steady though. Love my coworkers :) Love my roommates :) Love my ministry :) Still MISS MANHATTAN.

I can't believe it's down to almost 2 months. That blows my mind. So much is still left to happen. Our team is planning a mission trip open to all CP's to MIAMI! It sounds like so much fun. That's coming up at the end of March and I'm looking forward to a few of my coworkers and I joining the missional team and a group of CP's for some Miami site seeing, some quality beach time, working with inner city kids, and talking about Jesus. Best spring break ever? YES.

Started a small group in my apartment complex :) We're studying Ephesians and so far so great! Keep the prayers coming. Ask me about it sometime and I'll give you detailed prayer requests on the interns God has placed in my life.

As far as me personally, I am doing well. I finally feel at home here, which of course means it's almost over, because that's just how my life works. God is really stretching me, and I am taking daily steps of faith to rely on Him, in things big and small.

Some of my favorite parts of the week are with my discipler Adrienne, playing in the parks with summer project friends, (love you Kelly), hanging with my precious Chinese friend Sissie, and of course bumming around with my roommate Lexi (watching PLL).

Okay that is about as productive as I can be with this pathetic update of my life here in sunny Orlando Florida.

have a magical day, or don't. Maybe just have a normal day, because wherever you are I'm sure there is a severe lack of pixie dust.

Time and Distance Change You

The end of February is fast approaching. I can't believe I've been here for a month. I must say it has approved from how I was feeling in January. On a daily basis I feel as if nothing has happened, but looking back things have changed. I have grown up, for one. I have learned that I can't put my full dependence on other people, because people can't fix everything. I truly see that I seek the Lord on a daily basis, and not just the community He provides me, but Him alone. I've learned that I am fully capable of spending time alone and being happy.

I have some new friends. I love my roommates. Lexi ( my Mizzou rival) is fantastic!! Love her. She's a bit crazy, but eh who isn't? Jessi, from California is another awesome CP! Lexi and I are currently trying to get her to watch our favorite show... she's not going for it. I work with some really great CP's as well (CP= College Program-er). I work with Jessica, Jessica is my new friend from Australia, man does that girl have some energy. Working at the Grand is so different from working in the Magic Kingdom, but I like it. I don't know which I prefer. The hours aren't as crazy as this summer. I get sleep! Which is a lot different from project.

My staff is amazing. I don't see them as often as I thought I would, but they're a blessing all the same. My discipler Adrienne is great. :) And my director Joshua and his wife Rose are incredibly sweet. (I lovelovelove their children!) Babysitting them is a great change of pace and escape from the college program. Plus they're Minnesotans! hehe.

So I'm still not sure what Kyle, Michelle,and I have gotten ourselves into, but I think it's good and getting better. Soon I will be completely comfortable and happy in Orlando, and then it will be time to head back to the midwest, but I will be changed, and so will the people around me. I was miserable and confused, but with much needed time in the Word and prayer, and some encouraging talks from Adrienne, and Michelle Patrick (Cru Staff- future Disney Team member) I don't feel as afraid of the unknown. I already took the step of faith to come here, I may as well give it all up to Him and see what He does with it. My time here is limited and I don't want any regrets.

WEEK #2 on project

Second week on project, first week as a CP. I could ramble on about things, but really there isn't much to say. I'm busy as a bee training in my new locations and picking up lots of new friends along the way. I'm always tired, but I'm starting to get use to being back in Orlando.

Michelle and I, we are at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

:)

My roommates and I and a few of our new CP friends! This is our first trip to Disney World together, where the new year of Disney has kicked off "Let the memories begin!" ... I couldn't have said it better myself.

First ever Semester Project. (from left to right. Lindsey (director), Michelle, ME, Joshua (director), and Kyle is in the back!

Just Keep Swimming

"Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming swimming. What do we do? We swim, swim, swim...are you my conscience?" - Dory, Finding Nemo

I think Dory here just sums up my life right now. I don't really know what lay ahead, and I may not be comfortable with it, but I'm going to keep going anyway and trust in the Lord to guide me.

First off, I completed my spring training!! No, not for my baseball team. :P The first ever Semester Project! It has been a long, challenging week. My emotions about being here have been all along the scale of crying for 3 hours the night before I left and being so excited to be in Disney I couldn’t stand it. Luckily my emotions don’t dictate my decisions, because here I am sitting in my new apartment. My team and I consist of the 3 of us interns Kyle, Michelle, and I who are actually in the College Program here at Disney. The rest of the missional team consists of 2 fantastic young women, Adrienne, and Cate and our two directors Lindsey and Joshua, who also has a wife Rose and her 2 super cute kids, and of course the director of the whole team Kevin! It has been encouraging getting to know them and hearing and sharing our stories. It’s great the different ways the Lord has brought our team together.

I still have my hesitations and a lot of anxiety about being here, but I’m here and I’m not going anywhere for a few months. I will be working at the Grand Floridian.. Oooh ahhhh. For those of you who don’t know much about Disney, it is a resort here. Disney resorts are detailed and perfect, and the Grand Floridian is the most expensive of them all. Perfect doesn’t even work. It is all white, think a Mary Poppins theme. Very high class resort, often people get married there. It’s very different from where I worked last summer, but I think it will be a fun new experience.

I have 3 roommates, and sadly Michelle isn’t one of them. They’re very strict on rooming underage and overage students together. But the girls are great.

I don’t start work until Saturday, because I don’t have to go through much training. (: but then the madness of ministry and work begin.

Anyway that’s a small update on what life looks like for me right now. I’d appreciate prayers for my roommates and I, that we would all connect well. Also that I find time to rest in the weeks to come as life gets crazy.

Love from Disney,

Jamie

Jamie Vigen

8136 Chatham Manor Blvd. Apt #24301

Orlando FL 32821

put GOD in the center and everything will come together

In about 36 hours I will be boarding a plane to Orlando, Florida. Whoa.

WORRY implies that we don't quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our lives.

STRESS says that the things we are involved in are important enough to merit our impatience, our lack of grace towards others, or our tight grip

of control.

Why am I so quick to forget God is in control? I am not moving across the country because I don't want to be with the ones I love. I just desire to know God more and to be a laborer of His kingdom, and for me right now that means packing up my life in 2 measly suitcases and moving to Orlando. I've been there, I've done this. Only this time it's going to be longer and harder and I have no doubt that I will grow closer to Him through this. My support will eventually come in full and with my paying job from Disney I will slowly pay my K-State tuition.

Works out perfectly... as if He had a plan all along... and I am just too WORRIED and STRESSED to see that.

Praise be to God for being sovereign, forgiving, and loving.

(quotes from "Crazy Love" By Francis Chan)

From One Adventure to the Next

It has been a long month. If I never have to live out of a suitcase again.. I would be so happy. That’s of course unrealistic because I will be staying in a hotel all next week. Ha it’s okay though, it’s all things I choose to do.

First off Minnesota was great. It was so nice to see my family and best friend Ally. It had been almost a year. Minnesota greeted me with 3 feet of snow and continued counting when I got there. It was a traditional Vigen Christmas, too many people, too much food, and enough drama to hold me over until next year. As much as I love my family I was relieved to head out to Colorado.

DCC was my first stop and it was as good as it is said to be. I got to see all my summer project friends and meet my directors for this upcoming semester. God realigned my heart for Disney and pointed me back to the place I’ve agreed to spend my semester.

Next stop on the adventure was Colorado Springs; a roadtrip with my closest friends. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to end my winter break. It was a good time to just chill out and spend some quality time with them.

I spent a few weeks in Manhattan spending some quality time with Isaac as well as my other friends. It was hard to be there once classes started and even harder to say goodbye. Luckily Isaac took me to my parents house in Iowa and spent the weekend with me. Although that didn’t make it any easier to say goodbye to him either.

Now I’m alone at my parents house, playing the waiting and praying game. Waiting and praying that I will reach full support. Waiting and praying that I will get the plane ticket I need. Waiting and praying that my new loan will go through. Waiting and praying that I will be able to pack everything I need. Waiting and praying about how God will use me in Orlando. Waiting and praying that I will make friends. Waiting and praying that I will allow Him to take care of everything I’m worried about.

Friday is the day I start my new adventure, I’m worried, but trying not to be. I’m a little uneasy about my support raising. My parents are still indifferent about the whole thing. And I already miss Manhattan. PRAYERS PLEASE.

Love from Iowa.