not just any calling... MY calling...
Hello my friends! I haven't written a blog in a long while, but this is something very important to me.
As long as I can remember, I have always wanted to be a singer. My first audience was a room full of parents watching their pre-schoolers. And I took to it! Sang and acted in children's choir musicals all through elementary school. Was part of the elite drama team at church in jr. high. Sang my way from 6th grade to high school graduation. And been a maturing member of the worship ministry since I was 15. I love to sing. It's my passion. And the more I pray and think about my life, where I have been and where I am going, I realize, it's my calling.
I had an audition on Monday night. An audition for a prestigious and reputable talent scout. A Christian company, even! The company is AMTC (Actors, Models, and Talent Competiton) and they have helped people navigate the rough waters of getting started in the industry for 26 years. They've placed countless people with agents and producers over that time.
So, I went Monday night and I waited through an hour's worth of explanations about the company, etc. And then I waited what seemed like an eternity before the host called out "next up we have Sarah, # 747." I decided to just let my annoyingly sweet personality out and as I walked up the stairs on to the stage, I proclaimed in full voice "oooh, I'm an airplane!" with my arms out at my side. Made everyone laugh. And made me feel a lot more at ease. I sang the first verse of "The Prayer." To me, it sounded kinda shaky. But to my mother, the one person I can always trust to be honest with me, I was one of the best who sang. Nice to know.
Woke up Tuesday morning and sat in the living room, staring at the phone. See, they promised that they'd make the callback calls that morning. So, I turned on my computer with the phone set right next to it. I checked my email, filled out a few more job applications, read some news articles... and stared at the phone.
It rang. Finally. They liked me. A lot.
I have been invited to enroll in their competition and work my way up to perform in front of thousands of agents, casting directors, producers, and labels. BUT, it's gonna cost me some money. So, my parents were not exactly jumping at the chance to help me with this.
I have been praying about this opportunity since I registered for the audition two weeks ago. And I finally came to a place where I was 100% trusting God with it. He knows the desires of my heart and he knows my passion for singing. So, when I heard from my parents last night (Wednesday) that they didn't think this time was gonna happen, they didn't think they should pay the deposit, I was really ok with it. No tears. No anger. Just peace.
I woke up this morning to this email from my mom:
I went for a walk this morning before work and was still thinking about this and praying.
I told Dad this morning that I feel we need to probably trust God on this.
If we start you with the $250.00, do you feel you can do the rest by writing support letters and working?
If you get 300 people to give you just $10.00 each, that is $3000.00. Wow.
There are probably that many people just at church who would love to help you realize your potential in serving Christ with the gift he gave you.
What do you think?
Love you
Mom
So, with that in mind, I am writing this blog. And it's tough for me to do it, because I hate asking people for money. I've never had trouble writing support letters for my short mission trips, but I felt different about this. Until I read through my mom's email a few more times and thought about what I feel my calling is. In a way, I am asking for the chance to be a missionary to the people in Hollywood and in the industry. That's what AMTC is looking for. People to be a light in a place that grows darker by the day. People of integrity to shine and bring the glory back to God. I always knew I wanted to be a singer. And I don't think it's a coincidence that all of my mission trips have put me in a worship role.
If you feel that you could partner with me in this venture, this opportunity, please pray about it. Like my mom said, if I could get 300 people to give me $10 each, that's $3000! This whole competiton, including pre-convention coaching and post-convention counseling, costs $3595. And, in fact, now that my deposit is paid, my first payment is due in little over a week. 10 days from now, I have to pay almost $500. I am unemployed. But, for once, I am not nervous about having the money. I am trusting that this is where God wants me. And I know he will provide. A job, a donation. He will provide. And it may be through you.
I don't want any of you to feel like I am pushing anything. I know this isn't the best money time in our country, which means I have to trust a whole lot more. I am simply asking for support. And not necessarily just financial support. I knowthat because I am following my calling, there are going to be attacks on me from the enemy. So, I'll need all the prayer and spiritual support I can get, too!
If you are interested in sponsoring me financially and/or supporting me spiritually, please email me (sarah.twilley@gmail.com) and let me know how you would like to help. And please be praying that I can somehow come up with $464.25 in ten days time.
Thank you!
Love, Sarah
If you'd like to check out AMTC and see a bit more about them, go to http://www.amtcworld.com
"Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart."
Psalm 37:3-4 (ESV)
