Speaking of roommates, it has helped tremendously to have them around during my down time. It's something to look forward to at the end of the day instead of entering an empty apartment. Already we have supported each other through struggles in other relationships, heartaches, fears, physical pains, and daily defeats. Even the smallest of conversations and just the actual presence of others being around has influenced all three of us. I'm excited to see how the dynamics and support continue as we begin leading a journey group (Bible study) in our home. So many things to be looking forward to and watch evolve over the next few months.
Another opportunity that has presented itself is graduate school. I'd like to share a bit of my process and journey to this "idea". In college, the idea of becoming a school counselor was always evident but more of something in the distant future. Through certain life experiences, I felt as though it was position of influence that I could give back to, just as it had been done for me. I've had several close people encourage me and reiterate the idea of my dream, but again it remained distant in my mind. This past year when I've been asked about my future I always find myself saying that I see myself in counseling but I have never taken a step toward pursuing it. In the following months of those conversations, I had a friend from Gallup ask me to take one of the strength tests so that he could practice in becoming a "strength's coach." During the meeting discussing my results, he asked me if I had ever thought about becoming a counselor. This spurred on more encouragement and seeds planted in my mind. Still...no action on my part. About a month ago, a college friend came down to visit and we had the opportunity to talk about where we are career wise and where we would like to be eventually. Again, I shared my passion and desire to do counseling at some point in my life. The next weekend, this friend came down again and had felt like God has placed me on their heart. With more conversations they asked me how I felt like I was eventually being "called" into counseling. To that I shared about past experiences and grace that had been present in my life through all of those things. How I believe that God can bring us through so much and often that leads to being there for those who need help coming through the same fires. I shared about how the encouragement comes through other people, sermons, etc. The next day, Sunday, the sermon was over grace and how so often God brings people through their own fires to pull other people through similar ones. After that sermon, my friend approached me and told me they felt that echoed the conversation we had the day before and that I should pursue this idea of counseling. This was the encouragement I needed, but still had fears of time, acceptance, ability, etc. On Monday morning I walked into my assistant principal's office and somehow, once again, the topic of counseling came up. It just so happens that his daughter is in the program at UNO (University of Nebraska-Omaha) and is teaching at the same time. He called her up and we talked for a good 30 minutes about the program. A day later, I received an email from a professor there saying that he had heard about me from one of his students and would love me to start the program at UNO. Since then, I've been studying for the GRE that I'll hopefully take before Christmas and begin grad. school by next summer (the tentative goal). I know this was a drawn out way to explain that I am beginning my pursuit of a counseling degree, but I felt the need to share how I felt God tugging at my heart and how although I gave resistance, He continually pulls through.
