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