Back in the Army Band AND Scholarship at UNLV-- WHAT?!

It has been quite a while since I have posted a new blog.  I have been in sort of a dead zone (actually, I was in a dead zone, except for the last few months, in which I have been very busy).  For a while, things just did not seem to be lining up for me the way I had hoped. I've been spending a lot of time deciding what direction I want to take my life at this point.  Transfer credits to UNLV were taking a while to get figured out, I couldn't decide where, how, and if I was going to finish school.  I spent a lot of time exploring my options, and prayed I would make the right decision.

Then, this last spring, I decided to play with the Flute Choir at UNLV.  I thought to myself, "I need to get involved with performing music again somehow," and figured that joining the Flute Choir would be a good way to get my feet wet.

I enjoyed playing in the Flute Choir, I met some great people and got to know the UNLV Flute Professor, Dr. Jennifer Grim.  Not only did my feet get wet, but I was presented with an opportunity to receive a scholarship to play piccolo in the UNLV Wind Orchestra.  I have been granted the scholarship, which will cover virtually all of my tuition.  UNLV, here I come!  

And as if that is not enough AWESOMENESS, another amazing opportunity presented itself to me!  I have missed being in the Army Band so much for the past 4+ years, and it seemed hopeless I would ever be a part of a band again any time soon.  When I moved to Las Vegas last year, I was preparing to transfer into a unit doing my secondary MOS - Automated Logistics Specialist - which I wasn't too excited about, until I talked to an Army Career Counselor who told me about an open slot in a Army Reserve Band that would be a 4 hour commute.  I called that unit, and now I am once again a part of the 300th Army Band in Bell, CA (near Los Angeles).  Yes, I must commute once a month.  But it's worth it!  I am so happy to be doing what I love in the military once again.  And to top it all off, I went to Hawai'i for Annual Training with the Band in July for 2 weeks.  As if being in the Band again isn't enough!  The trip was amazing!!!!!!!

The Lord has answered my prayers, and I am so grateful.  I was at a very low point before all of this happened, but I think that made me appreciate these blessings even more.