“I am writing this blog post in the beautiful town of Kelowna, British Columbia. We moved here two months ago so I could pursue a degree in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia (UBC). ” Inspiring Women: Life With Emily L.

Emily and I met through my daughter-in-law Jazmin. The girls have been friends since they were babies. We sat chatting the first day I met Emily, at Jazmin’s bridal shower. I remember thinking, “This young lady is so easy to talk to!” Emily has been a blessing to Jazmin and to me. I hope you enjoy this lovely, young woman’s feature.

Inspiring Women: Life with Emily L.

Hello friends!

I am so honoured to be able to share some of my story with you.

I met Cindy through my best-friend, Jazmin. Cindy is Jazmin’s mother-in-law. Since then, I have been following her blog and all the Inspiring Women stories that come along with it.

When Cindy asked me to write for this segment, my first reaction was excitement! I love to write, and having such a lovely platform to share my heart makes it even better.

As I began to brainstorm, the fear crept in:

“What are you supposed to write about?”

“Nobody is going to care what you have to say.”

“Your life is really not worth sharing.”

As the self-doubt continued, so did my procrastination. When I didn’t have to think about it, I didn’t have to confront my fears.

Looking back, it seems pretty silly. I now can say confidently that God has brought me to this place, during this time, to share what is on my heart right now, for a reason.

Even though my anxieties are lingering, I know my God is bigger than that.

I know that the Lord has given me a voice, and a reason to share. So, if you’re still with me, I hope that I am able to send peace, encouragement, and love through my words.

A Little about me:

My life does not reflect the life of a typical 21-year-old. Honestly though, what is typical?

I have a hard time defining it.

When I was In grade 12, I was SO stressed.

“What the heck am I going to do with my life?”

I had no obvious talents, I wasn’t excessively passionate and I wasn’t an above average student. I didn’t have direction. Post-secondary schooling was something I did want to achieve, but I had no idea what I wanted to take.

I ended up applying to ten schools. These included University, College, and a bible college. I gave myself as many options as I could, so I could have some variety when it came time to choose.

Like I said before, I didn’t know what I wanted to do, so I ended up applying to programs that I thought I might like, and some that my mom thought I would be good at. After narrowing down my options, and changing my mind 20 million times, I ended up choosing to go into social work at a school 6 hours away from home. To make a long story short, I ended up dropping out after my first semester and moving back home.

Now, I found myself with even less direction and feeling like a failure.

I prayed and prayed and prayed for God to show me what to do.

“I will do anything, God! Just tell me what I need to do!”

I never felt like I got that clear answer I needed.

Our culture pushes post-secondary education so much that I wasn’t sure that I genuinely wanted to be in school, or if it was what I was being told do.

One of my favourite verses of all time is:

I put my educational career on hold. I ended up getting married and moving to Chicago. After our time in Chicago came to an end, we had the opportunity to travel to Europe for a whole month.

All of these things wouldn’t have happened if I was still in school. I truly believe that each of these things happened the way they did for a reason.

When we were in Europe, I decided to write a little blog to keep friends and family updated. It was something I loved doing on our trip. I loved being able to put my experiences into words.

After arriving home, I ran into one of my cousins. She told me about how much she loves reading my blog and complimented me on my writing.

It was a very simple, and passive conversation, but it really resonated with me.

“What if I am supposed to write?”

“Is this what I’ve been waiting for?”

I felt like suddenly, I found a passion, and something I actually wanted to work towards. And I found a way that the Lord could use me. I felt like I found “my thing.”

I am writing this blog post in the beautiful town of Kelowna, British Columbia. We moved here two months ago so I could pursue a degree in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia (UBC). I write this with tears flowing down my cheeks. Thank you, Lord.

A Typical Day:

Since moving to BC, our life has been so beautifully chaotic. I am passionately pursuing my degree, while working part-time, while being a wife, and while trying to make friends and explore this gorgeous province.

Each day is different, and I am continuing to learn so much.

My Daily Struggles:

Although I am so happy to be in BC doing something that I love, I certainly have my share of trials.

As much as I love school, it can be overwhelming and stressful. I am quick to get anxious and let my fears of failure creep in.

Plus I am also quick to compare myself to others, which leads me to doubt myself as a writer.

I will probably have these struggles until I graduate. And then after that,  I’ll find more things to be stressed about.  But the Lord keeps me grounded. His greater purpose remains. I know he is using me, and as long as I cling to that; as long as I cling to HIM, I know that I will be okay.

Joys in my Day:

I love where we live. Every day I walk out my front door, I shake my head in awe. I find myself walking around outside smiling like a crazy person.

Being able to find all of the hidden treasures British Columbia has to offer, brings me joy.

I do not take this place for granted.

As much as I love living here, I do miss my friends and family back home. Even though I don’t get to see them every day, we are still able to keep in touch. It is such a treat to be able to FaceTime or call my loved ones. I love being able to find the time for that. Thank you, Lord, for technology!

And most of all, I am so thankful for my husband. I can’t even find the words to express this adequately enough.

Though all the craziness in our daily lives, he has taken such good care of me and given me a million reasons to smile.

My Dreams:

I have a passion for film and television. I have always been fascinated by the film industry, even when I was a kid.

In pursuing this degree, I would love to come out of it and go into screenwriting.

I have recently started looking into going to film school after I graduate.

Writing a TV series or being a writer for movies is one of my dreams.

I also dream of my future family and all the babies that are to come (Lord willing.)

I don’t know what order these will come in and how the timeline will work, but I’m learning to take things as they come.

I’m sure that things will change in years to come. I’ll have new ideas and passions to pursue. But for now, I have a dream to work towards. And that’s okay with me.

 

Moments with God: 

My relationship with the Lord hasn’t just been a steady climb. I have had my fair share of doubts and questions, along with my anxieties and my tears.

In the past, I used to think I was a failure. I used to think that I wasn’t praying enough, or I wasn’t in tune with God because I didn’t have a clear direction.

God doesn’t always give you a big flashing sign saying “THIS WAY!” In fact, it’s rare when He does. God doesn’t always answer our prayers the way we want them answered, either.

I find myself thanking God for all the broken moments. All the let downs. All the “wrong” choices.

My life isn’t orthodox. I didn’t do things in the “right” order. I made decisions that some people may disagree with.

But I’m learning that that’s okay. I was called to something greater then I could have anticipated when I was in grade 12. The Lord has brought me here, today, to Kelowna, with years worth of memories and experiences, that shaped me into the person that I am today.

I know that I still have a lot to figure out. I will never have it all figured out. Instead of that being something that discourages me, it brings me excitement. I have this blank canvas ahead of me, and as I move forward, the picture becomes more beautiful.

For all the young ladies out there wondering what to do with your life: It is okay to wonder. It is okay to be confused. It is okay to take some time to figure it out.

It’s not a race. You don’t have to conform to the world’s timeline.

You are not slow, you are not worthless.

The Lord has His own unique plan for your life. You have your own individual purpose.

Seek God first. Find your identity in Him.

Everything else will follow.

I trust you enjoyed Emily’s feature! Laura is another lovely inspiring woman. She is a mom of four and shares her every day struggles with raising four kids and schooling them at home. Read: Life With Laura

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