Purchase Conservatory of the Theater Arts BFA Acting class of 2017

Today is August 1st it has been a long seven months since Jessie's January, early February auditions for some of the best Colleges and Universities in the country. It has been a wild ride to say the least. May 1st has long come and gone; and at that time Jessie was still on the wait list for several schools including SUNY Purchase her #1 pick for a Conservatory Acting Program.  She has been dreaming of having a spot in there program for years now.  But no spot came or was offered, only an e-mail asking if she would like to continue to be on the highly ranked waiting list, she promptly said she would. They told her very occasionally they have something open in the summer and they would let her know by August 15th! Still the smallest shred of hope. So she does what she has to do and accepts the offer from Adelphi University.  A beautiful school that really wanted Jessie.  We love the Head of the Theater department Nick Petron.  The school also takes only 20 actors a year like Purchase, and those 20 work as an ensemble for the next 4 years.  It was a good fit for Jessie and we felt that if she could learn and really thrive at this beautiful school in one the prettiest parts of Long Island.  But her heart was still on the #1 Acting Conservatory in the country.
 As a mom I really wanted to write this last addition of my blog about Jessie's journey so many times ....but something always stopped me.  I just felt so strongly that God was doing something big. Teaching my precious daughter to trust him more.  Whether she was at Adelphi or Purchase she needed to trust and be happy knowing God had a plan for her there. So I can't write.  Jessie I think for her own sanity tries to concentrate and make herself be happy with going to Adelphi and for the most part she is. She manages pretty well with the exception of a few out burst of screaming and crying out to God and occasionally at me saying things like: "why? why don't they love me, why? why? why?"  Yes she would use those words, deeply personal and painful, gut wrenching to watch.   I am thankful these episodes were few. June brought another e-mail from Purchase saying they were making cuts to the highly ranked waiting list candidates but were interested in keeping Jessie on it if she was willing.  She emailed back and said she would stay on the list. She decided to call Purchase on around July 10th and they told her that the company was full but they were keeping the wait list open. So still not a no, but not a yes either. It is difficult this trusting business but I did see a letting go after that conversation and by the middle of July she was ready to go to her orientation at Adelphi where she made many friends and was ready to give it her all.  Because she was trusting, not perfectly but with tiny steps. Jessie's all time favorite verse is Jeremiah 29:11. I started this blog with it many months ago: "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Funny how that works...just when you let go of something you desperately want and decide to really start to believe what God says it becomes easier. Either way at Adelphi or Purchase Jessie was ready to work hard and believe God. July 31st comes I'm watering my flowers on the back porch it was a beautiful sunny day I was watering and talking on the phone with my mom.  I guess I have dreamed of this moment for months now. I certainly know Jessie has.... what it would be like if and when it ever happened.  Suddenly my daughters face is in the window that overlooks the deck and she is rapping  loudly and furiously on it trying to get my attention.  I look up from my watering and know ............she's laughing, crying and pointing at the phone she had clutched to her ear and she mouths to me "it's Purchase they want me"!!!!!!