Well I haven't blogged in a while...

Today I discovered a group on facebook that is called F Jesus Christ. Wow. It seriously broke my heart to see that. It had all of these people bashing Jesus and Christianity in general. They used all of the stereotypes like "Jesus hates gays." "Christians kill the homosexuals" and the most contradicting one "I'm an atheist. Jesus and Christians are the most hypocritical people." What? How does that make sense? You JUST said that you're an atheist then went on to say that Jesus is hypocritical. Atheism is when you don't believe in Jesus, so if Jesus doesn't exist then how is he hypocritical? I am a Christian and I am very proud of that. I've seen Jesus work in my life and make miracles happen. I don't have a problem with homosexuals nor do I judge someone who is having sex outside of marriage. I'm sure some Christians do, but I am not one of those Christians. I can't stand how atheist or people who don't believe in God say that Christians are all judgmental yet these atheists judge Christians. I don't hate gays, in fact I have a lot of gay friends. Jesus loved everyone. He actually hung out with the thieves and the prostitutes and the other "non Christian" type people. He never judged but instead he loved. I try my hardest not to judge people and love them for who they are. I think some Christians shove Jesus down people's throats and that is why they get turned off. Saying stuff like "You're going to hell" isn't very Christian like and it isn't showing God's love. Now I am not here trying to preach a lesson saying what you should and shouldn't do because I admit that I am guilty of doing that. I remember like 4 years ago I was having a conversation with some non-Christians and I really did shove Jesus down their throats. I regret that and I have definitely come a long way from that. In this facebook group it said something about how there is no proof that Jesus existed. You're right. There isn't physical proof. There isn't like Jesus' bones laying in Jerusalem or his DNA anywhere but there is the Bible. I know people think that the Bible isn't truthful or that it what made up but I guess that it just takes faith. Faith. That was another thing the group talked about. They had a quote on there saying "Faith isn't finding the answer, it is the stopping of asking questions." To be honest, I still ask questions. I still challenge God to show me he is real. Now I truly believe that he does exist but some days when I am praying, I feel like I'm talking to the ceiling or the wall. I don't think I will ever stop asking questions. Not necessarily about his existence but just about how everything came to be.

I believe in God. I strive to live for God. I have morals and I have values. But just because I am this way, doesn't mean that I dislike everyone who isn't like me. In fact, I LOVE learning about other religions. I like hearing people's opinions on Christianity. I don't start spitting out facts or anything but I sit there and listen and ask questions. This facebook group...it breaks my heart that people judge Christians like that. We all aren't cruel and hypocritical or judgmental. God tells us to love others and that is what I am trying to do. I want to love the people who I disagree with and the people who are complete opposite of me. I want to love like Jesus loved.

A VERY Exciting Opportunity

My whole life I felt like I had to hide my stuttering. Like if anyone knew, they would avoid me as if I had an infectious disease. It is embarrassing to talk to people and when you stutter they look at you like your stupid. Most people don't know this but stuttering is neurological NOT a social disorder. It isn't because of stress or because we can't handle the world as it is. It is a gene which they just recently discovered. Anyways...

I am a very arsty person. I love to sing, dance, and act. I also LOVE to write my own music. Now being a stutterer, I automatically think "Oh. I can't act. I stutter." Then I met Taro.

I went to a re-evaluation for my speech last month at Misericordia University. It was terrifying. I had to call random places and talk to random people and ask questions. After I got hung up on, asked "what?" like 10 times, and stuttered the most I have ever stuttered, the speech guy handed me a brochure. On the front it said Camp Our Time. After reading it for a little bit, I soon came to find that it was a summer camp for kids who stutter. My mom started researching Our Time and came to find out that they also have a theater company in NYC for teens who stutter and want to act without any pressure. They meet every Saturday from October to June. Without me knowing, my mom started emailing some of the staff who then got her in touch with the founder Taro. Taro said he wanted to meet with me. So this past Friday I went up to NYC and met with Taro.

Taro also stutters and it was amazing to hear all the stuff he did. He didn't let his stuttering define him. We talked and at the end of the meeting, he told me that he wanted me in their Saturday program! :) :)

He told me that in June, they perform on stage, with all of the stuff...like costumes, sets, and lights. This is amazing. I squealed like a little kid! This is such a great opportunity for me and all of the other teens in the world who stutter. I also just learned that over 3 million Americans stutter. That blew my mind. I use to feel alone...like no one understood me but now with this group, I can be ME and I don't have to hide my stuttering.

This theater company is pretty popular. Celebrities come out to the performances such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Diane Sawyer, Bill Cosby, Lauren Graham, Carly Simon and many more. It is great to hear that celebrities have an interest in stuttering. I don't know who all is reading this but if you want more information you can go to www.ourtimetheater.org