Transitions... again

After several false starts at blogging, I'll make one more attempt! I think the reason I falter is that I expect myself to write these profound pieces that will send everyone to their journals when I'm done :). It began when I wanted to be Elisabeth Elliot when I grew up. I loved reading her books when I was in junior high and high school. It gave me the greatest longing to point people to greater faith in God, just as she had pointed me to greater faith. Alas, that dream as a young teenager still drives me... my words have to count!

Another hindrance, too, is that I don't have children that say cute things or that I can take pictures of.

I live in a studio, so there aren't many photo's of home renovations.

I love to cook, and love friends blogs that include wonderful shots of luscious offerings on display. Studio stove, studio fridge, studio sink.

I do love words. And making people laugh. So maybe that can fill in some of the space whenever I write. And maybe I'll find a child or two. Or a picture of food out of a magazine.

Word for this blog? Transition: noun - movement, passage, or change from one position, state, subject, concept, etc. to another; change: the transition from adolescence to adulthood.

Tomorrow, Monday, marks the beginning of my last week at my current job as Assistant Manager of a therapeutic residential program for adults with severe and persistent mental illness. I am two months shy of working there for 3 years. I wasn't sure I would last for 3 months when I first began there. I had no experience in mental illness and it was a bit daunting to learn on the job. I do love people, though, and it became clear that that was what God had called me there to do. I so longed to communicate respect, love, and value to this incredibly misunderstood and undervalued population of society. I have had the privilege of creating a home for them, too... cooking, cleaning, shopping... boundaries, conflict resolution, straight talk... working through delusions, confusion, and life stuff. God gave me a family. I am sooo thankful!

In one week, I will begin a new season as a Graduate Student. Two weeks ago, on a Tuesday, I paid off my consumer debt. Woohoo!!! On Wednesday of that same week, just one day later, I signed a Master Promissory Note promising to pay back an exorbitant amount of school loans so that I can make more money so that I can pay off the exorbitant school loan. Or something like that. I am terribly excited!

I am definitely a touch nervous, too. But not nearly as much as I would have thought. I am so thankful that I'm beginning this journey as a "mature" student. Surely the life experience that I bring to the table will count for something! This school, U of TN School of Social Work, seems very similar to my undergraduate experience. Classes 2 days a week, field placement 2 days a week, work every other moment :).

Speaking of work... I have an interview at Costco in the morning! I used the word transition earlier. A mere 4 years ago this week, I left my 18+ years of ministry with Campus Crusade for Christ to follow my dream of using my mercy gifts. In that 4 years, I have held 4 jobs. Thankfully, two of those jobs were accomplished within one year. I held the 1st one for 2 1/2 years working part time and the 4th one for these last 3 years. So... my resume became much more colorful... including retail at the mall, hiring nannies and caregivers for families, delivering food for a foo foo restaurant to include some catering, and working with the mentally ill population. Now I'm shooting for a warehouse feel. Colorful I tell you!

Oh, and I did use a friends kitchen to cook their birthday dinner. This is where I'll throw in a picture of food. I made Shrimp and Grits... and man they were good!

I am loving this journey that I'm on. Yes, I struggle with fretfulness about money, school, life. But I'm so aware of God's presence in this journey that He has called me to. The last 4 years, this long season of transition, has included some of the most honest conversations with my Savior. I have wrestled, plead, submitted, and repeated many times over. Many times, I haven't even been aware that I was doing this! I am thankful for His constant presence.

I look forward to dialoguing a bit with you. This post has been more of a catch up post. We'll see if I can be more narrow in my focus next time. Probably not. Maybe.