Allow Me to Introduce Myself

Hello! My name is Amy, and I am the official secretary for BRIGHT Children International. Bessie and I thought it would be a good idea for me to introduce myself to the community that is supporting BRIGHT. I enjoy movies and long walks on the beach and... oops, wrong site...

I am a Board Certified Music Therapist and a recent graduate of Eastern Michigan University. I met Bessie when I had the opportunity to intern at Music To Grow On from September 2009 through March 2010. However, I am currently working "down the road" in Indiana, 2200 miles away. What better way to start an international non-profit than to have the president and secretary running things transcontinental?

When Bessie called me at the beginning of the summer about flying somewhere with her to do something related to music, I was intrigued and thought, "Sure, that could be fun." Little did I know what was in store. God tends to have bigger plans for us than we have for ourselves. Fall rolled around and suddenly there was an organization that needed to be named, a logo that needed to be designed, brochures that needed to be created, and fund raisers that needed to materialize. I wanted to be involved. I felt called to be involved. Like the song says, "I'm gonna sing when the Spirit says sing." Or move when the Spirit says move... Or go when the Spirit says go.

It's amazing to see how God can prepare us and use us to make a difference for Him. Working with BRIGHT Children International is an incredible fit for me. I have a passion for music and for children (hence the music therapist), but I also have a heart for traveling, and international adoption stories bring me to tears. How blessed am I that all of this has been packaged into one non-profit!

A few years ago, before anyone thought about BRIGHT and before I met Bessie, someone asked me what I would do if I never had to worry about money. My response was, "I'd move to Central America and provide music therapy for the children with disabilities there, because they can't afford services." I just love how God works these things out. While I might not be moving anywhere, I am being given the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children all around the world... that's really cool (or is it hecka cool?).

People, God is doing something big here! And my heart is all in it. I've seen therapeutic services make a difference in a child's life, and I have seen the difference a child makes to life. Not all of us are able to adopt a child, but we are all able to make a direct impact on the lives of these children and (hopefully) their forever families. Everyone has their own talents, their own gifts, their own resources... I'm using mine to support BRIGHT Children International in whatever way God calls.