Annual Update

Once a year I like to pretend that I am a blogger. So, in this year's annual update I'm mostly going to focus on school. Why? Well, that's pretty much all I have to talk about. First and foremost, I love it. Second, it is an honor and a privilege to get to pursue my dreams and make a difference in people's lives. Third, I'm tired.

Currently I am set to graduate in 5 months. That feels like next week and 10 years from now at the same time. I am about half way through my clinical work and I see clients at Denton County Friends of the Family. This non-profit organization provides free services (counseling, legal advocacy, shelter, etc.) to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Yep, FREE. If you know anyone needing help for those reasons, please send them our way. You can't beat free counseling. Along with seeing individual clients, I also lead a domestic violence group (one of our many groups) as well as one of our Violence Intervention and Prevention Program (VIPP) groups for batterers (their services are not free, though). I do about 20 hours a week there, work part time interpreting, and am taking a full course load of grad school classes. Hence, the tired.

Although I still feel a little like Pinocchio must have felt when he was pretending to be a "real boy", some of the jangly awkwardness is wearing off and I am starting to find more confidence in my skills as a professional. Or rather, the Lord's presence coming out through my training. It is ridiculous how humbling and exciting it is to partner with the great Counselor in His work with the poor and broken in the world. Just tonight in my women's group I was profoundly moved as they emphasized to each other, "You are not alone." His sentiments exactly.

Anyway, my next big hurdle on this educational sprint is my National Counselor Exam (NCE). This is the licensing exam I have to pass in order to be able to practice. I take that test at the end of April, so I have to fit studying in, too. I'm already nervous about passing it. (Insert prayers here.) I'm believing that if He's called me to it, He'll equip me for it. Still nervous, though.

So there's the latest. Although it seems like this grad school thing has kind of flown by, it has been one of the most transformational experiences of my life. I have been shaped, molded, challenged, encouraged, and propelled beyond my wildest expectations and I can't wait to see what He has in store on the other side of this education. Stay tuned!!!