I have not forgotten you...

... I am just horrible at updating this blog!

Here are a few things that have happened in the past month... or 3...

• Family update: Krista got a job in Tennessee and a few weeks ago she and Ben made their move down there! Krista is now a teacher at the Tennessee School for the Deaf (I think that is what it's called) in the resource room for middle school students. Keep her in your prayers as she enters into her first year teaching! Also -- Ben is still looking for work. He is hoping to find something building related and has his resume out there. So we're praying for him too!! We miss them a lot, but are so happy that God has lead them there and know that it is going to be a great experience for them!

• In the middle of June, I had the opportunity to go up to Traverse City with some of my favorite ladies! Erin, Mandy, Jess, and I spent about 3 days in Traverse City just to "get away" and have some true girl time. It was TONS of fun... I always have a great time with those girls. And not too long before that, Mandy announced that she was expecting!! So there will be a little Baby Boes joining the world in January and I know we are all THRILLED for them!

• I am continuing to work at ACCESS and love my job. I am fascinated by all that I have learned about the nonprofit sector and am really passionate about the work that ACCESS does and just the amazing amount of collaboration that happens to serve people in Grand Rapids. I love it. There are some staff changes that have directly affected me. One is that we now have a Communications Coordinator that is here 3 (soon to be 4) days a week and she has been able to take a load off my plate in terms of social networking and communications-related things. We also have decided to have our 1st Annual Fundraiser Dinner, which will be April 22, 2010! We are in the beginning stages of planning, but have our location basically set and our speaker/entertainment in the works. I had my annual review at ACCESS last week and it is just so encouraging to be in a place that serves God first. I love it there, and they love having me there. It feels like am amazingly perfect fit for me right now and I am loving learning and challenging myself professionally. Which leads me to my next point...

• I have decided to take next semester off of school... for a number of reasons, but mostly because I just cannot say with 100% certainty that it is where I want to be and where I see my future heading. And it is a LOT of time and money to invest in something that just sounds like a good idea. First of all, if I did continue pursuing my counseling degree, I think I would choose to transfer to Western where I can get my MFT and LPC at the same time... family therapy is what I am most interested in and Spring Arbor is no longer offering that program, unfortunately. Secondly... I just really really like my job... and that is rare!! Who says that? But I really do -- and I love what I am learning about development and I love working in the nonprofit sector. I would like to take my time on school and really see what God might have for me in the nonprofit world. So... after I take my final exam this weekend, I will be taking a semester off to really think and pray about where I'm supposed to be.

• Another interesting transition in our lives is relating to church... Jordan and I chose to leave Keystone Community Church about 1 1/2 years ago and have kind of been church hopping ever since. It is a difficult place to be, but we are seeking God's guidance but desperately want a church home. We were attending one church for a few months last fall, but didn't see much opportunity to grow in worship leading there, and that is an area Jordan and I are passionate about and feel that we need to be connected with in a home church. For this summer, we have been going to church with some of our best buds, Jon and Mandy and Dave and Erin, in Zeeland. It is strange to be back in Zeeland for me and see the faces of many peoples parents that I grew up with! It is definitely a different feel being in a small-town church than some of the larger churches we have visited in Grand Rapids... and like I said, we are currently praying about where we will land. We desperately want to have a home church where we can sink roots down, but I suppose that isn't something that can be easily rushed... but your prayers on that are appreciated also!

• On a more exciting note... Jordan and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary on Wednesday!! WOW - time sure flies!! :-)

Those are just a few of the things that have happened in the past few months and a few of the things that we are praying about.  Jordan and I have talked a lot lately about how we are in transition... and just needing to take one day at a time and embrace that "we are where we are". We are looking forward to seeing how some of these transition points will resolve themselves... and I will be sure to keep you all informed as that happens!!

Overwhelmed... and loving it!

I am officially 2 weeks into grad school!

At this point I am completely overwhelmed with all that I have to do in the next 2 1/2 years, but I know it will be SO well worth it. I have found myself doubting if this is something I can actually do... will I be an effective counselor? Will I be able to actually counsel in a role that I enjoy? Will it be worth the thousands of dollars we are spending on this education? God has lead me here - so my answer is yes. It will be challenging, but that is why I am doing it. I want to grow as a person and as a "helper" in this world.

I am reading this book for my first class called Becoming a Helper by Marianne Schneider Corey and Gerald Corey. I am actually REALLY enjoying it - it is very applicable to where I am at in this journey - as they even discuss their own questions, concerns, and insecurities as they were beginning in this profession. They assure the reader that it is "okay" to feel this way - everyone does. I feel a huge amount of reassurance in reading this and confidence that I am taking the right steps.

Here they list suggestions for creating your professional journey - things I should keep in mind as I step into the counseling profession. However - I think these are good suggestions for anyone starting a new career.

• Look for opportunities to stretch yourself. Focus on what you can do rather than the limitations you have.
• Seek help when you need it, both personally and professionally.
• Find a group of people who are supportive and can offer you encouragement.
• Seek out at least one mentor and become closely networked with others in the helping professions.
• Get supervision and be open to feedback and learning.
• Remain connected to those people who mean the most to you in your life. Take time for your family and your spiritual core.
• Strive to integrate your personal and professional journeys. Be committed to taking care of yourself in all ways.
• Learn about people from cultures different from yours and become culturally competent.
• Stay humble and open. Be your genuine self. Lear from others and integrate that into who you are.
• Listen to your intuitive voice and create your own path.
• Don't think of mistakes as failures but rather as opportunities for growth and change.
• Establish both long-term and short-term goals.
• Realize that much fo your education will soon be out of date.
• Recognize that obstacles, disappointments, and failures are all teachable moments.
• Maintain a sense of humor.
• You're a part of the future. You can make a significant difference. Become an agent of individual and social change.
• Don't become easily discouraged.
• Work hard and set high standards for yourself.
• Think globally, act locally.
• Give back to the profession. Join a professional organization and attend conferences.
• Read, discuss, reflect, and keep a journal.
• Don't focus on the financial aspects of a job.
• Develop interests outside of the counseling field.
• Identify your strengths and limitations. Seek out self-exploration and therapeutic experiences.
• Keep life simple and passionate.
• Dare to dream and have the courage to pursue your passions.
  

I find these statements EXTREMELY encouraging. Reminding me that this is something that I CAN do with great success!! :)

I have decided that I am not doing the School Counseling emphasis anymore, but rather the Community Counseling. This will give me a wider variety of experience and exposure to different types of situations in my internship and elective courses - which will help me to eventually land a job somewhere. I have a passion for youth and young women - and I do not feel that I necessarily NEED to be in a school in order to do what I want to do. I don't want to limit myself to only working in a school at this point. While the School Counseling degree wouldn't limit me in that I would still graduate with a LLPC, my experience would not be as diverse and that is something that I want. We'll see - down the road I may want to take courses in School Counseling and see what I can do... but that is my decision for now!

Jordan has been EXTREMELY supportive and encouraging as I embark on this journey. I obviously don't have as much time to lounge around with him, but he is letting me study and do homework as he works on the house - relieving some of this work for me. He is an amazing husband! :) I guess that is why I married him!

Taking the plunge...

I think I finally made the decision to go for my Masters degree. I spoke with someone today from Spring Arbor University about their Counseling program and it sounded like a perfect fit for Jordan and I at this point in life. They have an "accelerated" program that would allow me to finish in 32 months taking class only 1x a week. Sounds GREAT! I have to get all my application materials in ASAP - and hopefully I will be able to begin in August. AHH!! It is scary, but I am thrilled. Prayers would be appreciated... that my app will get in on time (which mainly means my references) and that I will be accepted and able to begin in August!

Jordan and I have lately been doing more around the outside of the house while the inside is on "hold" for a little while. It is sooo nice with the warm weather and fun to play outside with Macy. :)