Choices...choices...and more choices

I've been pretty busy with school so I haven't posted within the last couple weeks. My idea of posting once each week during the "11 weeks of craziness" didn't last long! I'm finishing up week 3 (or is it 4?!).  My three classes started last week. I'm taking a class on creating a comprehensive school counseling program, one on special education, and one on curriculum theory. They're all pretty interesting to far. I'm finishing up week one but Luther, who is my biggest encourager, keeps pushing me to do more and more assignments so I won't be pulling my hair out when my huge assignments are all due...I'm finishing up week 2 and am half-way done with work for week 3. so far, so good!

Luther and I also celebrated our 2nd anniversary! It doesn't seem like it's been that long already! God has really blessed us!

This past week has been kind of rough. I've come down with something from my precious kiddos at work and was out of work Thursday and Friday. I'm still recovering and the medicine does not seem to be helping! It may be God's way of saying I need to get some rest while working full-time and going to school full-time. God always knows what we need.

So for some reason, today I have "choices" on my mind. This past week I have been reminded of all the choices we make in adulthood. Growing up we have our group of friends and as we get older, the people in our group changes, but the purpose of the group remains the same. Friends are a support system. They come to each other with dilemmas and hope to gain clarity and insight. Some choices are big and some choices are small. I have friends who are pregnant, friends who are trying to get pregnant, friends who are working on plans to get out of debt, and friends who are making life-changing decisions about jobs. It's hard when your friends vent and share frustrations/concerns and you don't really have an answer for them. Life isn't a right or wrong answer most of the time. Is my life going to fall a part if I make choice B instead of choice A??...probably not. I think as I get older I realize how important it is to pray. God doesn't have to be this scary being that doesn't seem real. He is a king, a father, and a friend. He is the guide and has all the wisdom we could ever need. Being in his presence is awesome when we take the time to do so. I know I'll never have the right answers so I'll just spend my time praying for my friends instead of trying to figure out the right words to say. That's the best thing I could do for them anyway:) Prayer can do amazing things. <3

Week two...

So week two kind of went by and I had no time to post! I hope that isn't a sign of things to come over the next nine weeks!

Week two was another intensive class...Education 741- Theories of educational leadership.

This was the first intensive I've ever taken that was truly intense! After I counted it up, I had three days of 15-hours of school work. Plus Monday and Friday! We had a huge group project that taught us how to go into an organization and analyze their current situation. We had to create initiatives and benchmarks to help the organization become "better." I just turned in the last assignment for the class about five minutes ago! Another 3 credits down!

My next three classes start Monday the 17th (our 2nd anniversary, by the way!) I'm going to be working this week to do as much as possible for the classes before they all start!

For other news...I've registered to the GRE. This is something I never needed to do because of my GPA but apparently you have to do it for accreditation purposes if you want to join the doctorate program. We'll see how it goes!

I keep thinking back to two years ago when I was totally panicked and stressed about our wedding which was fast approaching:) Because my classes are going to be crazy and it is cold everywhere within driving distance, we booked a trip for April. I'm super excited to go to Gatlinburg and stay in a luxurious cabin!

Back to work tomorrow! Is it bad that I'm hoping for snow this week?!?!

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year everyone!! It doesn't seem like it should already be January or 2011! Time is flying by!

Week one of classes are over! All post-work is submitted and another three credits are completed! I start my EDUC 741- Theories of Educational Development at 9:00 am Monday morning!

I always enjoy my solo rides home from Lynchburg because it's a great time to think and unwind! Yesterday I drove home and listened to various cds and radio stations. When I was close to Staunton, I turned on Spirit fm. It finally hit me that I think God might speak to me through song lyrics. I've been one of those people who gets frustrated when people tell you to "listen for God" because I feel like I never hear him! BUT...yesterday all these songs came on in a row came on that had certain lines that seemed like there was no doubt they were for me. It's like God is the dj and he knows I'm listening:) I'll post some of those lyrics for you too:)

The first is from "Mountain of God" by Third Day
Even though the journey's long,
and I know the road is hard.
Well the one who's gone before me,
He will help me carry on.
And after all that I've been through,
now I realize the truth
that I must go through the valley
to stand upon the Mountain of God.


I've had a pretty incredible life and haven't had many "valley's" to go through; however, I was processing all the schooling to get to my goal of counseling children and it hit me that I have to go through all of the necessary hoops in order to reach my full potential!


The other song was "Lay it Down" by Jaci Velasquez 


So I’m gonna lay it down
I’m gonna learn to trust You now
What else can I do
Everything I am depends on You
And if the sun don’t come back up
I know Your love will be enough
I’m gonna let it be, I’m gonna let it go
I’m gonna lay it down


This came on at the perfect time as I was reflecting and beginning to stress about all of the new information I learned in the past week about necessary things to do before completing my internship and degree. It will work out the way God intended and there is nothing I can do so there is no reason to become overwhelmed.

God is good! I'm excited to start the 2011 year and see what all it brings:)