Sunday, May 09, 2010

Claiming my 'Major Award!'

A few months ago, I entered an essay contest that was featured on I Heart Faces. I never dreamed that I could win...I just decided to participate on a whim, with the thought that maybe if three people even read my essay, they might become interested in the plight of orphans.

The prize was a two-day photography workshop with a wonderful photographer named Amy Wenzel.

The day that the winner was to be announced, I completely forgot to check the website until 10:30PM. I clicked on it and started to read...excited to meet the person who had been chosen. To my utter shock and amazement, I saw my own name. NO WAY! I still can't believe it.

Tomorrow morning, I will be getting on a plane to claim my 'major award.' I am excited but nervous. I hate leaving my family.

I get to have dinner tomorrow night with Amy Wenzel and one of the co-creators of I Heart Faces, Angie Arthur. Wooo! Angie and I are going to be sharing a hotel room as well. I can never. ever. ever. ever. EVER. let the teenager know that I am spending two nights in a hotel with someone I met on the Internet. ha.

Tuesday and Wednesday, I will be attending the workshop. Hopefully afterwards, I will be able to take better photographs!

This is totally a gift from God. It was just one of those things that He unexpectedly handed to me. To illustrate the point, here in her own words, is Amy Wenzel, describing how she chose the winner.

To introduce the winner, we asked Amy to write her thoughts about how her decision was made. Amy wrote:
"...All of the entries were so touching. I found myself in tears wondering how in the world I was going to choose someone. I just wanted everyone to win the contest. I didn’t feel adequate to even make the decision. So I prayed that Jesus would help me to connect with one of the entries in a very special way so that it would leap off of the page and do a little dance right in front of me, and I would just KNOW that this was the person I was meant to bless with the giveaway..."
I don't even know what to say other than that it is just such a sweet, precious gift from my Father. I know that He wants me to do something with it--not just soak up the blessing, so I am really excited to see what He has in mind.