As I said goodbye to my friends and family, boarded the plane, and watched Columbus, OH disappear in the sky...it became real. I am going to L.A. Here was the thought thereafter, "WHAT THE HECK AM I DOING???" I mean, I've been bargaining with God since I was 14 and realized that this day would come, but seriously, now? Then I thought, "Am I ready? What if this isn't 'God's will'? What if I don't succeed? What if I actually fail? What if...What if...What if?"
You see, I had to make this trip by myself. I had to let go, let God, and trust him completely. I love my family, and if you know me, I love love love my little niece, Evelyn Renee Kenney. She has brought so much joy and perspective in my life, which actually lead to some form of healing. She was a miracle, all babies are, and for some reason her life touched me from the first time I held her in my arms. People will tease and say, "Alisha, you do realize that she is NOT your child." And I say, "Yea, but it never hurt anyone to be loved so much!"
A year ago, I remember driving back to IWU from Cleveland after Evelyn was born. Tears flooding my face, and saying goodbye once again to my family and this precious new life. Why am I saying this? Simply because that drive home is what drove me to bigger goodbyes in coming to my current city, L.A., California. While I was driving I examined the current culture. What would Evelyn have to see, face, and struggle with when she was my age? Cause let's all be honest, it just seems to be getting worse. People say we are 10ish years behind Europe, and "God" is almost non-existent in many of their lives. This reality scared me. In 10 years? No God in today's mainstream culture? Everything and anything goes is soon going to be the "norm" and the "standard?" What would Hollywood look like....
Like I said, since I was 14 I felt "called" or rather a strong passion and conviction towards Hollywood. The people, the culture, the city, but being in 8th grade at a NYC mission trip...I had no idea what that call really meant. I felt the same conviction when Evelyn was born, and throughout the past 6 years I randomly will feel so passionate towards Hollywood. Psh...I could care LESS about being famous, wearing the right clothes, getting the cutie dog, or even saying my "Thanks to God" speech at the Oscars. Weird, I know. I think it's because I realized there's something bigger than that, and I could be involved in an eternal impact. Simply put, I love people. For some reason God has placed a deep conviction to be here, in L.A., at the heart of "miracle mile" where all the world is influenced by it's vibes.
It's a journey, and one that I am really excited about sharing with you along the way. I do ask that you do pray! Pray for Hollywood, the celebrities, the behind the scenes workers, and this culture. In class today they asked if anyone felt like they had a "boring" testimony. The one where you've had an amazing family, friends, and life so far. Sure, you've had some bumps, but nothing like other people who share! I raised my hand. "Good," they said, welcome to the minority. People here will be fascinated by your "perfect" story. I'm not saying that any testimony is better than any other, but the fact that even me, who has had amazing roots, can still relate is pretty exciting! This is a mission field. Yes, the starbucks, the studios, the offices, the streets, and even (as I found) the airport. This truly is the city of "lost souls" and already I see so many people lost and lonely.
I am really excited to learn, grow, develop, and trust as God guides me through these next 16 weeks. Who knows where I'll be. I'm not sure who said it, but someone did in a film we watched today and I love this concept! "I soon realized that my dream isn't to be a 'star,' but to be a 'light' for Jesus Christ."
Pray, love, and dream today!
God Bless,
Alisha Stevens
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