In 2008 as P and I were talking about what our upcoming time in the states would look like, I asked P if it would be possible for me to take some classes for counseling as I felt the Lord leading me in that direction. A few months later after P died my life could have gone a million different directions and counseling was one of the top on my list. Months after being back in Indonesia, I felt the Lord nudging me again. I prayed about it for a while and felt the Lord asking me to stay in Indonesia. In being back in the states this winter, the Lord again put counseling in my heart.
Devoting 2 weeks to pray about it, I decided to apply to grad school for counseling.
I am in a fork in the road of my life where I am sensing the need to find E and what the Lord wants to do with E rather than focusing
and finishing what P and E did. So here I am formally announcing my decision to pursue my calling in counseling.
I will be starting classes this fall of 2011. A and I will be returning to the states mid-April. Getting back to the states mid-April gives us an opportunity to get settled, for me to take a summer class to fulfill pre-requisites and adjust to life in the states before starting school. A will be starting Kindergarten and I will be starting Grad School.
We have purchased a condo in the Chicago area where we will be around brothers and sisters who are willing to help with picking up and dropping off A, as well as helping with other things.
I pray that you all will continue to pray for us and be in contact with us as we start this new journey.
(This is a newsletter I sent out.)
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The Lord’s been good to me... From the first moment I started praying about this while I was in the states to this very moment, the Lord through scripture, people and through amazing ways has shown Himself clearly in the choices I make as I pursue this new chapter in my life. In Isaiah 9 it talks about Jesus being a WONDERFUL COUNSELOR and that in itself is God’s way to tell me that it’s not going to be me being the counselor, but Him in me. People have been so encouraging to me... I am floored by God’s gracious hand in my life.
We are planning to move back to the states, in the Chicago area, mid-April. My friend and her daughter (who is A’s friend) are planning on coming to pick us up. It’s kind of crazy how fast this is all happening. I feel bi-polar on some days, really sad I’m leaving and really excited that I’m going. It’s crazy...
Please pray for us...
* Hearts of the people that we will be encountering in our weeks here.
* Travel plans - tickets (good prices), weight on baggage, good times, etc.
* Our hearts as we say good bye and hearts of those we will be leaving behind.
* Details with packing up and selling our things here
* The power of God’s spirit to move through this nation.
* Logistics of grad school - financial aid, scholarships, tuition, books
* Our hearts as we say good-bye to P again...This has been our home, all three of us together, and we are saying good-bye to it. Bringing up a lot of emotions.
* That our story can be used for God’s glory as close up here and even when we are gone.
