Major Career Change.....

So since I was in 9Th grade I have wanted so badly to build and own my own coffee shop in Columbus Montana, and have a place to call all mine. It would be located in Columbus, Montana. Literally within 50 feet of the Yellowstone River, and all around you all you can see at the end is mountains, the Bear tooth Mountains, Sleeping Giant, Red lodge, etc... I have had everything, and i mean everything, down to the colors of the walls, and decorations... everything. I even have a whole note book, full of the different flavors, types of drinks, names of drinks, etc... But in the last month I have been praying more and more about what God wants me to do. 

Honestly I don't think God is calling me to be a coffee shop owner. In fact I believe he is calling me to become part of the Law Enforcement, and train to become a Cop. Ever since I remember I have wanted to be the Police Officer who helped people in times of hurt, growing up I remember more good things said than bad about cops. I now know that there is a lot to commit to, and yes my life can be on the line for a great deal of the job, but think about it, all of our lives are on the line. We don't know when we will die, if we will be hit by a car, or shot randomly, or die of a rare disease unknown to us. I do know that yes, it may be riskier, but I am not in it so that I can go on high speed chases and get paid for it, I am in it to make it so that what the kids of today and tomorrow will be growing up in a safer community such as the one that I grew up in. I really feel the desire and need to become a cop. Ever since I was little my neighbor Ryan and I would watch the shows: Cops, AMW, and other related shows. We grew up respecting the police officers not hating them. I want to be there when there is a car crash and I am the first on seen, and to help in anyway I can to any degree I can. I have witnessed car crashes, and have been in one myself, and trust me those cops who helped me when I totaled my car, really cared as to how I felt, and asked if they could help in any way. I really believe this is where God wants me. 

I was talking to my cousin Chad, who lives currently in Montana, and he said that the U of M(Montana) has a excellent cop training program and that I should live and work full time, and take part time classes there, for the first year and go full time after that so I would save thousands on my college bill for living in Montana, I am highly and seriously considering this, and I think that it would be very beneficial to my life.  

If you get a chance to pray for me in this area that would be great!  

England!!!!!

So as most of you know, I am just waiting for the acceptance letter from England. If you haven't heard already I will tell you what's up. In January I was out with one of my close friends and he told me that he knew of a college in England it is through the Capernwray Bible Schools(Torchbearer Bible College) he had found out from a girl that went there, last year. We then met along with one of my best girlfriends to find out more about the school itself and every other question we could think of. Here are some of the details:

I would be leaving sometime in August(most likely the middle of August) and we(my friend Stephanie Serakos, and Lacey Wabshaw(who is still deciding if she(Lacey) thinks this is where she should go next year)) Once we arrive we are going to tour around the college about 2-3 hours in the west, north, east, and south directions to see what is around the college(since we can leave the college and either take a train, bike, walk, etc... to any town) so we are going to see what is around so we know where to go if we want to get out and about. Also there is one Starbucks but it is a ways a way. Since England's currency is pounds and not dollars, and since the American dollar is so weak, that the price of  a small latte is $8.00(in American currency). So it looks like Steph, Lacey, and I are all going to stop our coffee addiction, but I am getting used to straight black coffee... so it's all good. 

Also the college does not look at your grades from the college you currently attend, or high school. They solely go by the references that you have, so you have two people be your references.(which they literally check yes/no answers to the questions.) It is kinda of funny though, there is a 25 pound non-refundable processing fee, which converts to $36.69 dollars here in America.. haha. But the cool thing is, is that if if the England school is too full, I can always apply for the same school in one of the many countries that this school has schools...(The countries are: Germany, Greece, Australia, Austria, New Zealand, Canada, Costa Rica, Albania, France, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, and then there are two in the US, one in Colorado, and one in Texas). So your probably wondering why I want to go to England. Well the reason being is that I have always wanted to go to England, and this way there is a plane company called Ryan Air, and they literally cost under $20(American currency) to take a plane to Italy, France, anywhere in Europe. 

There are two different terms one from September till March("Winter Term") and one from March till May("Spring Term") I am planning on going to the Winter term. I would have a month for Christmas Break, and during that time I would more than likely travel around Europe with Steph and Lacey(if she comes) and if we decide otherwise we would come home(to the states) due to the fact that we are not allowed to stay on campus, because they hold different events that are planned ahead of time there, unless we want to work.. which I don't plan on doing. 

It costs roughly 8,000 for tuition for the Winter Term. Which really is not that bad. It includes, meals at the college, room, and board, as well as class materials, etc.. The reason the cost is so low, is because everyone who attends participates in daily chores, which is the basic chores that you do around your house, cleaning the bathrooms, or cleaning the dishes, etc... It is only a one year college, so I wouldn't be staying longer than that. But I think that it is plenty of time to get away and experience a different part of the world, and still be able to go to a Bible college!!  Also the cool thing is you would think that over in England they may be lacking in technology and have really old computers, but they have only Apple's over there. Which is great, especially for me since I have a Mac, so if I have technical problems, I can get help with it. 

Also another cool thing is that while the term is in session, everyone takes a 10 mission trip to anywhere from 10 miles from the school till Britain, or the Wales. There is no extra cost for that since it is included in the tuition for the term.

As far as dorms go: The guys, sleep in the same place the whole term, where as the girls are guaranteed at least one half of the term in the castle, but it is a possibility that you may get the second term in the castle, if not there is another dorm in the castle. 

As far as sports go there are tennis courts, a volleyball court, and soccer this is outdoors, indoors there is a heated swimming pool, sauna, sports hall, climbing wall, and table tennis room.

This school emphases on teaching their students more and more about the books of the Bible, missions, and other related issues, there are no classes, but rather there are lectures. 

After the Winter term ends in the middle of March, we plan on backpacking through Europe. I am super excited about that since I have always wanted to go backpacking through Europe, and go to England, Italy, Spain, Ireland, etc...

So I am just waiting to hear a reply from the college, which will be in about a month or a little longer than a month. I would really appreciate your prayers, as this all unfolds!! I really believe this is where God wants me! If you want to know anything or have any questions please feel free to ask, I don't mind at all!! 

Jess

The website is as follows:

www.capernwray.org.uk/euroschools/index.html