Yep, finally...I graduted my certificate program for Non-Profit Leadership and Management Program in Austin, Texas....no more driving unless I just absolutely want too. This last year, one of the reasons I have not been able to post or do most anything is because I have been attending a program in Austin. I received a scholarship or half of one to attend....I was very excited that I was even accepted. MIRACLE!!! I have been so blessed and have learned so much about myself in the process which has been priceless. I can't even begin to tell you all that I learned throughout the year, but it has been wonderful meeting so many new people from so many different cultures, different backgrounds beliefs and everything else in between. I have grown to have an appreciation for all people. God has taught me to love people on a deeper level, learning to separate beliefs and backgrounds from people...He let me know that He loves all people. Who am I to think that some people are better than others or that I am better than anyone....this was just part of what I learned about myself. I feel as though on a spiritual level with what I am doing in the non-profit world and the women and children that I will be serving, I needed to learn this to even begin to help them. It was a great lesson for me. I had always thought I loved people enough, but God taught me that I didn't. I still had hang-ups, prejudices etc. and that I didn't love like He wanted me too. Sometimes, as a Christian, I help give us Christians a bad name which is so not my intention, but unconsiously, I do. I am a work in progress and hope I never get to a day that I am through learning more about myself. I thank God for this class that taught me so much on all sorts of levels. If anyone is ever interested in applying, it is through TANO (Texas Association of Non-Profit Organizations) held at Austin Community College.
These are some of the greatest new friends that I have made while in Austin, just a handfull...Victoria is one of the absolute best professional auctioneers I have ever witnessed raising 15 million or more in the last few weeks, working all across the US. Julia in between has become my second mom, FAMILY....with her daughter Natalia on the right who let me be a roommate while I stayed in Austin for the last year and her nephew Rocco, the cute little boy.
My awesome Cohort group in class whom I will miss greatly and already missing our conference calls...we had so much fun with our projects as you can tell. Christine Torres, JoAnn Swahn, Jane Murray, me, Heather Eilers and Daniel Guerrero, wonderful crew here.
Most of my class members...most precious people
I think I am the blurred vision across the stage, I see the bottom half of my face on the screen anyway.
My wonderful friend Candyss Bryant addressing our class, she was responsible for me getting accepted and the scholarship...her job with TANO is endless. She also works with the Army Rangers and you may see her on Fox News at some point sponsoring a few Army Ranger sniper sports
The awesome ever talented Barry Silverberg, President of Texas Association of Non-Profit Organizations...he loved using his cane to slap the desk to get our attention jokingly. He is a hoot and a complete clown...we love him!
