Setting Goals....Working Hard

A couple of years ago it was Michael

who decided that getting into the 

Professional Gardener's Program at 

Longwood Gardens was the thing

that would get him the training and

experience he would need to reach

his goals in horticulture.

He began with small jobs for local employers

Since that moment he has worked 

consistently toward that goal.  A high school

internship and a part time job there.  

Classes that he had to pay for himself.

Now he  has earned a spot

in the class beginning 

in January.  

It was a combination of 

knowing without question what the goal

was and prayer for God's will. 

More recently, Chelsea has determined

that she is passionate about baking

and wants to own a Cafe' one day.

Right now we refer to it as 

The Carrot Top Cafe'.

She has put all kinds of time and 

energy into learning food science,

food photography and working

in the kitchen.

She began putting in applications

to various bakeries.

There was one interview

and then we heard nothing.

So Chelsea recontacted them....

just to touch base.

Then one day she heard

back from them....

and that same day from 

another bakery.

That was an interesting test

for her....but it helped her 

to decide that the original 

bakery was her first choice

and she very much wanted to work 

with them if possible.

It would seem that when you are

fifteen the government has issues with

you working toward a life goal.

Even if we call it education she 

cannot work at learning her 

chosen profession in the 

bakery for more than three hours 

per day....

which knocked her out of the running 

for the donut finishing job 

for which she applied.

However, 

God had a plan.

A better plan.

When the bakery called her back.

they offered her a position

working in the retail side of 

the bakery and creamery.

She will get to see and do more.

She will learn the fine details of coffee

making, building the sandwiches, and 

serving ice cream to the many customers.

Over time she will learn the behind the 

scenes knowledge of running a cafe.

Just last evening in her first training

she made a latte' for a customer,

a smoothie for herself and

packaged baked goods for sale.

This may seem average to 

someone else, 

but to Chelsea it is 

all very valuable information

for her future.

We are praying that this is a long term

employment that morphs into an 

internship of sorts.

To other teens this would just be

a bit of extra spending money....

for Chelsea it is the next step.

Working hard to the fulfillment
of her goals.

Chelsea plans to participate 

in the 

High School Graduation Ceremony 

this

coming May 

to celebrate the completion of the 

academics required by the State.

She will have exceeded the requirements

by a fair amount but will continue her 

studies in what we will consider 

real life education.

She plans to study more and learn more

in this "internship" style learning.

In the meantime the prayers 

and hard work continue.