The new game plan.

I got a call from Marissa (my main booker @ Elite) this morning. She and Jan (the V.P. @ Elite) had been discussing me and my career, and feel like I have plateaued. They want to take me to the next level. How? Two things: 1) more pictures in my portfolio (that meet their standard), and 2) traveling (which can provide the pictures if you go to an editorial-focused market...like Greece). But, they understand that the lack of money is holding me back right now.

So, this is their plan for me: From now through December, work here at home, and save money as much as possible. They will only call me to come up to Chicago if/when there are higher paying opportunities, so that I can save money on the back and forth travel and be available to keep working here at home. Then travel in January-February to Greece or a similar market, when I'll have enough money saved up to pay for it. I'll get lots of great pictures when I travel, and when I return, my new & improved portfolio will get me more jobs and take me to the next level. That is their plan for me.

I like it.

Only getting called about jobs with higher profit potential sounds GREAT. It's just so much more efficient in terms of the time & money involved in going to Chicago. It's something I've been wanting ask for, but I've held off because I know my place as a newer model (everyone has to work their way up and put in their time). So, it's what I want and it's their idea! Also it just feels good to get their encouragement to stay here and work. I love being in Macomb and investing in my life here.

I'm going to be helping my parents out, but I'm also going to look for another job here in Macomb. There is a new restaurant opening on the Square that has sparked my interest since the sign went up. Even while I was still planning to go to Greece, when I noticed that restaurant coming in, I had thought how nice it sounded to apply for a job there and just BE in Macomb. So, for the next few months...I will have that opportunity.

So, I filled out the application for "Il Spazio" this afternoon! And I just happened to read in the paper yesterday that the woman who was the owner of Bliss (the clothing boutique on the Square), whom I got to know through shopping there, has now sold it and is going to be the general manager at this new place! I guess this is a franchise of a restaurant in Kirksville, Missouri. It looks really cool. Check out the site.

I've been so utterly dependent upon God--just trying to follow the leading of the Spirit and being obedient to him. And each step is put before me at the proper time. God is preparing me and training me right now. For what, only he knows. But I am so sure that I am in training. My obedience & trust is being tested. I want to be faithful. Jesus said that he who is faithful with a little will be trusted with much. Whatever that "much" is--that's what I'm being trained for. I don't know if I've ever been so in tune with the Holy Spirit for a season of time as I have been lately. And I don't say any of this to boast. I'm just feeling such wonder at it all. Like a little child. Actually, I am boasting. In God. What he says is for real. The life of faith is for real.

I'm not going to Greece (unless the Lord wills it).

Well, friends, as far as I know at this moment, I am not going to Greece this fall.

God has a different plan for these next two months, so it seems.

And I am content with that.

What a time of growth this has been for me. He is shaping me and teaching me in such profound ways.

All the plans were in place with the Greek agency. Elite was planning for me to go. On the surface, the reason that I'm not going is that I cannot afford the plane ticket right now, and I don't think it's wise to borrow money to buy the ticket. And it is very likely that I'll have the chance again in the future to travel for modeling.

God's thoughts are not my thoughts; His ways are not my ways. Only he knows the real reasons for me to stay here for now.

His will be done, not mine. The depth of that statement is utterly mysterious & unsearchable & wonderful.

What freedom there is in it!

I don't know how much to explain here about this change of plans. If you have any questions, post a comment and ask.

My Seventeen is out.

Weird. I'm in Seventeen Magazine.

The "Hot Hair Ideas" the cover alludes to (on Ashley's shoulder) include one modeled by moi. Maybe I can help you "Find Your Style."

Just like Rufus & Meekus explain in Zoolander, "Models help people. They make them feel good about themselves. They also show them how to dress cool and wear their hair in interesting ways."

So here it is: My service to mankind. Hot Hair Ideas.

Check them out now. On newsstands everywhere.

Luv Charlie.

My latest work.

:)

In Wisconsin.

We're at Keith's family's cottage on Lake Delavan for the week.

The only internet access is at the Library here.

So not much blogging is going to happen.

But we're having a GREAT time.

More later.

Oh, maple syrup.

This is why I love it.

The end of a great weekend.

*sigh* It was a really fun, full weekend in Chicago with Natalie, Charity, Nate & Mere. Tons of walking around the city, concert in Millenium Park, fireworks at Navy Pier, going to Nate & Meredith's church...

Tomorrow: print job with Elise Bergman, a local designer who makes beautiful dresses. I met her through Meredith.

Elise is giving me one of those beautiful dresses. :)

Then I have to go to a "rehearsal" for Elite's huge 25th Anniversary Celebration. The party is Thursday night, and apparently they're parading us around on stage in front of 900+ people (many of whom are big deals) for entertainment & promotion. So we have to go practice that...

I'm now at Marcus' for the night and am hoping to catch up on some sleep.

Keith is at home and is leading worship for Teen Week at Argyle, which started tonight. Next weekend is Andrew and Sharon's wedding, which we are both standing up in. :)

I miss Keith. But by God's grace I have been doing well emotionally for the past few days.

Happy Birthday, Dad!!!

xo

No Listerine.

I did not get the Listerine commercial, but my great friend Ashley D. did!

She's shooting it now. I'm so excited for her!

And I'm just so excited that I've gotten called back to the first two commercial auditions I've gone to! I think that's a great sign!

YES. Better.

Today: great.

This confusion I've been feeling lately: definitely the Enemy trying to discourage God's work.

Today's models' small group: amazing time. God is so great!

Today's casting: I think I'm going to get booked for it.

Today's "fierce bikini poloroids" (as Marissa called them) to be sent to Greece, which she felt the need to take out on the sidewalk in front of the agency as people walked and drove by: actually went as well as that type of thing can go.

Getting together with Meredith tonight: wonderful talk.

This weekend with Natalie & Charity & Meredith here in Chicago: so excited.

I'm at Marcus' overnight because I found out today about a casting tomorrow. It's for Active Endeavors. They booked me for my very first paid print job ever. That was a year ago this past May. I had no idea how to move in front of the camera--I thought I did horrible and cried afterwards. It really wasn't that bad. But maybe tomorrow I can explain to them that last time we worked together was my first real print job and I'm much better at modeling now.

That's all for now. It's late.

xo

Needed: Perspective.

My mind is everywhere.

Home, Macomb, Chicago, Greece, Bushnell...

I have to stay grounded in the Word. Or I will seriously lose it.

I'm going there now.