It begins.

Well, as of July 2014, I am no longer a Music Education major. I, Ellen Packer, am now studying Media Communications with an emphasis in Multimedia.

It's so scaarrryyyy.

I first started having doubts in my Music Education career path early in 2013. I felt that I was reaching my limit. Stress. Interest. Passion. They were all kind of wearing me thin. While I love youth, music, and everything the two together can produce (I practically live for moments of aesthetic marvels), I just wasn't feeling like I was right where God wanted me. I was too comfortable.

Growing up, I was constantly affirmed in music. I was the definition of a music kid. I kid you not, my schedule Senior year consisted of AP Music Theory, Orchestra, and Choir - all in a row. I didn't really have any other place at school. I wasn't especially smart or popular, so I filled up all of my spare time with honor choirs, drama, voice lessons, and solo performances. In a lot of ways, music was all I really knew. Yes, I chose music because I love it. It's fulfilling and one of God's greatest tools. But I also chose it because it was comfortable. I set a goal to complete my degree in four years and return to my old school to teach at the middle school. It was a perfect plan. No holes. No pitfalls. And that was the problem.

God's plan is not my plan. And God's plan is about a bajillion times riskier. Trust me - haha I sometimes shake just thinking about it. But in the end, God wants us to rely on him. To get out of the comfort of our boats and walk on the water a little.

What I didn't mention about my childhood was the little, secret nerd I had become. FLASHBACK TIME! In fifth grade, I attended the birthday party/slumber party of a dear friend. Long story short, we pulled an all-nighter and watched the first season of InuYasha. For the most part, I was terrified. But I still fell in love with the fantastical feeling of it all. By the time I hit sixth grade, I was hooked on shows like Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Prince of Tennis, and MAR. It wasn't long until I was your regular otaku - conventions, fanfictions, hermit lifestyle... yep, they were all me (guilty as charged haha). I was doodling characters in my planner, notes, and - well anything I could get my hands on. When I finally got my first sketchbook, I didn't really know what to draw until I created my first original character. Nanashi, or Nana for short.

Nana was me. She represented my spiritual life- my struggles and my triumphs. From the very beginning, God was using my art to bring me closer to Him. And Nana was only the beginning. God has revealed to me that my calling is encouragement - showing people their true potential and helping them reach it. Fostering dreams and unveiling passions. And in my own experiences, it was animated characters that brought that all to life for me.

I was actually in a public restroom when God suddenly sent this revelation - CHILDREN'S PROGRAMMING. What people are exposed to as kids really effects the kind of people they chose to become. I want to be a part of God's plan. I want to help people realize their true selves - the selves God created them to be! And I want to do it using animation.

Drawing wasn't something I was necessarily good at, but I loved it regardless. I've kept at it and continued to improve. I still have a long ways until I'm at a professional level, but I have confidence that with time and practice - it's possible!