I had lunch with a friend yesterday and she commented on the fact that I haven't given her any updates, here we go. So I didn't forget about my Day Zero Project, but I know that I haven't updated this blog in about 7 months. The summer was super busy with work, and then I resigned from my job at the end of the summer and moved to Nashville as a student in a creative arts ministry program. While there I was able to sing and for the first time write songs. These are some of the things that I've crossed off (in order on the list).
# 6& #7 - Write a song and perform a song. - So, here's the video that I've kept hidden from most of the world. Here I am performing the first song I ever wrote just a week after I wrote it. Thank you so much to the team of musicians who encouraged me every step of the way!
#14 - Mentor 5 teenage/college age girls - unfortunately due to the sensitive nature of this one and in keeping the privacy of the young women, I can't share much, but all I can say is that you can always be a teacher and learner in every season of life.
# 46 - Tell a Stranger that Jesus Loves Them - I was in Stop & Shop a few weeks ago around 11 o'clock at night buying some tea. I met an Armenian woman who was a cashier. She told me that he throat hurt and that maybe she should try the throat coat tea that I was buying. I walked away, but felt like I had a pit in my stomach... It was so late, clearly a woman at her age didn't want to be working in the grocery store at that time of night, maybe she's lonely, and she told me her throat hurt... I ruminated over these things for a minute or two as I walked towards the exit, then I somewhat embarrassingly turned my cart around and walked back to the lady. I told her that I'm a Christian and that I believe in the power of prayer. I asked her if I could pray for her right then and there. She said yes, we held hands over the register and I prayed for this sweet woman. I prayed healing for her in the name of Jesus and that she would know how much she was loved. When we were done praying, she told me that she felt something in her body and that her throat felt better, she then told me it was her birthday the day before and that she felt this this was a birthday gift from God. I told her how special she is to Him and how much Jesus loves her. I had a choice, I could just leave and keep thinking about it in my car, or I could take a chance and maybe look foolish. I took a chance, and watching God touch this woman through my simple act of obedience, melted my heart.
# 51 - Be debt-free (minus the condo) - As of September 15th, I'm 100% debt free, INCLUDING the condo (because I sold it, lol)!!! No school loans, no credit cards, no car payment, no mortgage. Such freedom!
# 66 - Pray with a friend from another state once a month for a year - When I made this Day Zero List last September, my friend Graci was one of the first people I shared it with. She said that she wanted to be the one to pray with me. She lives in Kentucky. And so we did...we started on September 8th 2016, (her birthday) and on the 8th (or around the 8th) of every month we have called each other and laughed together, cried together, dreamed big dreams together, and prayed together. Although I have known Graci for about 5 or 6 years, a year ago, I didn't know her family and now they have become like family to me. We have see God transform our dreams, our families, our churches, and our friends over this year, and I am so grateful that she got to be the friend I prayed with!
# 90 - Learn how to take a compliment - This one has been hard for me, especially when people have complimented me on singing. I never felt adequate enough as a singer, so I never felt like I deserved the compliment. Yesterday, while visiting at a friend's church the woman who was sitting in front of me came up to me after the service and told me that she enjoyed my singing behind her. In the past I would've tried to deflect or become uncomfortable, but yesterday I simply said, "thank you". My time in Nashville has healed some of the parts of insecurity and inadequacy, and for that I'm grateful.
# 93 - Meet and Truly Get to Know the Neighbors - This makes me a little sad, because after I became friends with our sweet and sassy neighbor Carolyn, she, her husband and 2 little girls had to move. I don't regret it for a second though. It was so nice have such wonderful neighbors. I guess we need to get to know the new ones who moved into her house now. This picture was a dinner party that we had at Carolyn's house before she moved.
So there you have it! 11 more things crossed off my Day Zero List! It's amazing what you can accomplish when you are intentional and write it down! Did you start yours yet?
To read my Day Zero - What is it? Blog Post visit: http://toriaseetaram.blogspot.com/2016/09/day-zero-project-what-is-it.html
If you'd like to follow along as I check things off OR help me accomplish #58 and make your own Day Zero List, here's my link - https://dayzeroproject.com/user/Toria/list/120916
