About 10 hours, 2 planes, and one shuttle bus later I finally arrived at my destination. I settled in and went to sleep and the next morning I awoke to truly begin my adventure in the former capitol city of Virginia. I first attended an amazing church, not too unlike the one at home in Central Oregon. The pastor and the church goers created a warm and very welcoming environment, the Pastor even e-mailed me a thank you note for attending later that same night.
After the service I then set out to explore the history of this city and its importance to the foundation of our country. I walked the streets of Gen. Washington, passed by the home of mayor Wythe. Listened to the incredible singing and preaching of the Mr. Reverend Moses. I listened to generals plan for battle, and heard one of the best quotes I have heard in a long time. They were discussing leadership and response to a question about the measure of a man's life. One general gave this response:
"A man is not measured by his mistakes, but rather by how he reacts to those mistakes."
I then continued in my journey only to witness an amazing reading of the Declaration of Independence and was amazed at how true those words written so long ago still ring powerfully true today. When suddenly we were interrupted by this man:
That's right, the original American villain, the hero turned traitor, Benedict Arnold stormed in to announce the takeover by the Redcoats. He was met with much disdain, loudly booed and hissed the entire time he was before us. What I found so amazing were the words this man spoke. Here he was a traitor and a turncoat, a former hero of the Continental Army. Yet, he spoke with eloquence making valid points of ill treatment of soldiers who return from the battlefield to the general public...words that honestly still ring true today...words that I would love for the people responsible for picketing outside of Walter Reed Medical Hospital and the ones who picket the funerals of those who gave all, and for people like the ones who deface the memorials dedicated to the ones who did not come home, those people should be forced to listen to his words...and how the ill treatment and disdain for soldiers upon their return do affect them in so many ways most people would never understand. I think it was put best by someone who said: "For those who fought for it freedom has a flavor the protected will never know."My journey continued the next day with a job audition. Honestly, this was one of the longest and most draining auditions I have been involved with to this day...however, it was personally one of the most rewarding experiences I have had in a long, long time. It would be too hard to put that entire experience into words, but just let me say I feel confident that I left everything I had to give on that stage floor. The decision is now in the hands of the men and women who observed and ran that audition. However, I firmly believe no matter what they decide God has a perfect plan for my life...even greater than I could ever imagine, and that if this is the job He has for me I know it is a job I could do, without question...something I would have never known had I not had the support of dear family and friends in making the last minute arrangements to make this journey...for that I am very thankful and know I will never look back on this time in my life only to say..."What if?"
Oregon here I come.
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