Emily Rachel: Chasing Dreams, Trusting Christ

I sat on my dorm room floor rummaging through a small cardboard box that held the only bits of craft supplies I had managed to bring from home.  Bits of ribbon, a bottle of modge podge, some tissue paper…..  I slid the box back under my bed, unsatisfied.  My creative itch needed scratching… and it needed it soon.

Then, Emily walked in.  Emily, with her long wavy hair, and timeless elegance, her adorable smile and doe-like brown eyes….

My mind went crazy with ideas.

Pearls. Peach rimmed sun hat. Curls. Glowly sunlight. Chunky cream jewelry. Lace. Sun dress.

and with that, we went on a photo shoot.

In the midst of laughter, and a setting sun, our peers watched as we trotted all over campus snapping photos, and making memories.

As I instructed her on how I wanted her to pose, she shared the latest rumblings on her heart.

This summer, Emily has the incredible opportunity of traveling to Kiefersfelden, Germany.  Each year, 16 students get picked from all over the United States to study opera with the International Performing Arts Institute.  World renown musicians and teachers educate these students in the alps for a three-week period.  Emily has such a passion for strengthening the vocal talent God gave her and using it for his glory.  While she is there she will be taking classes such as dance, German, opera business and will also have two daily voice lessons.

It’s been a process.  Such an incredible opportunity comes with a price tag, and raising the funds hasn’t been easy.  But it has happened, and is still happening.

The day before the down payment for the trip was due, Emily was short $300 .  She had been praying for God’s will in her decision to go to Germany for months. Emily knew it was his will, but the fact that she didn’t have the funds to even make the down payment, discouraged her.  She whispered a prayer under her breath and trusted that if Christ wanted her to go to Germany, then something as simple as a price tag wouldn’t stop her from going. Hours later, ten minutes before the deadline, Emily was anonymously given $200 and was informed that on top of that, her down payment had already been paid in full. 

Now, Emily and a few fabulous musicians from The University of Mobile are currently working on a small recording project.  This project will feature a CD of six hymns uniquely arranged by the musicians and all profits made will go to Emily’s pursuit of her dreams.

Be on the look out for the CD and be in prayer for Emily as she trust’s Christ and pursues the desires He imprinted on her heart!