I had it all planned out. Get David through college. Get the house paid off within a year or two after that. Pursue a Master's Degree in Biblical counseling. Retire from teaching and see where God takes my counseling ministry.
God must have looked at me and chuckled to himself because, as always, His plans didn't look like mine. You'd think I'd learn by now that when I think I have something figured out, I should brace myself for that unexpected curve ball.
And here I am. Sitting on a ten acre plot of land, in Indiana, with a new mortgage that will stretch a few extra years beyond my "plan", with a son still in college back in Texas, lots of medical bills, a house in the middle of renovation, and working in full-time ministry as a teacher (with Biblical discipleship as the main goal.) And yet, God opened an opportunity for me to join a Biblical counseling team at my church and start the certification process that will have me certified as a Biblical counselor right as David should be graduating a year from now. And I can put every bit I learn to use in my job every single day as I'm learning.
A reminder that He puts the desires in our hearts because He already has a plan.
When I recently found out that my new church had a Biblical counseling team and ministry that I could be involved in, they casually mentioned that maybe I could go to an upcoming conference (Called to Counsel) with them at the end of April. The only catch was that it was going to be in Fort Worth, Texas, so I'd have to pay for airfare. (The person telling me about it had no clue that my son went to school 30 minutes from the conference location.) At first, I jumped at the chance, (and I had the full support of my boss because it goes hand in hand with my job), but then the cost started to overwhelm me, and I almost backed out. But when the lady in charge of the counseling ministry offered to let me room with her, I knew this was something God was pushing me to do. So I looked carefully at the schedule and booked tickets that would also allow me to briefly visit with my family.
David agreed to pick me up at the airport for the first day and then to pick me up after the conference ended on the third day to take me to see Juan and to stay the night with my parents. David still goes to LakePointe Church every Saturday, so he mentioned that we could go together. I love that he still goes and I really looked forward to going with him. After seeing how much our LakePointe family showed up and supported us through his biking accident, we both saw just how integral it is to be engaged with a church family and we both have a deep gratitude for those relationships. I hoped I'd get to see and hug a few of those friends if we happened to see them at church.
I didn't tell anyone else I would even be in town because I'd barely have time to go out to eat with Juan and his girlfriend (I intentionally planned time with just them so that it would be quality time), make it to church with David, and have any time left with my parents. I had hoped to swing by and see one friend to say hi and give her a hug, but I would have to leave that up to God to work out. I felt bad that I couldn't see my brother and his family at all in this short visit.
God really blessed my time at the conference and really whet my appetite to dive into the Biblical counseling ministry and the certification process. I love that there's a team and that they've all gone through the same certification so I can lean on their support, experience, and encouragement. I love that I found more of my "people" here in Columbus, and it was such a strange feeling to be in Texas with them. My roommate and I really connected in a deep way, and I am so thankful for that new friendship and ministry partner. I look forward to learning so much from her, as I already have in just a few days.
After the conference ended on Saturday, David picked me up in Fort Worth and drove me to drop my things off at my parents' house, then took me to meet Juan and his girlfriend for a midafternoon lunch at 3:00. When we got done eating together, we walked to a coffee shop and sat outside and talked for another hour. at 5:30, Juan and his girlfriend left and David and I headed to church. Oh, how I loved being back. It will always feel like home there, especially when David is there with me. I wasn't expecting to see my friend, Martha, who David and I stayed with after his accident, because she was supposed to be out of town, but she ended up being there. :) I also saw other Life Group friends for a few minutes, and I even got to see my old coworker from Bullock Elementary who taught in bilingual ed. with me for 19 years. Such a gift to see those friends ever so briefly and to snap a picture with them. After church, we stopped by to see my closest friend, Amy, and then we made it to my parents' house at 8:30. We were able to sit and talk for the next two hours until we all got too tired. I got up at six to shower and had breakfast with my mom. Then due to an unexpected mishap with my ride to the airport, my brother came to my rescue and got me to the airport--which was actually a very meaningful time to me that "wasn't in the plan".
Yeah, I'll admit, that's a lot of fit into a day, and it all feels like a blur right now. But I'm thankful for a few new pictures to let me know it all really did happen. At the same time, I found myself in tears once I got to the airport because the time was just too short.
My faithful chauffer arrived
And we enjoyed a lovely breakfast and coffee time together at a restaurant called Brewed. Good conversation with my favorite company.
Arriving at the conference
My roommate for the weekend and a new relationship that I am very thankful for.
She and I connected really well and understood each other very well. She runs the Biblical Counseling ministry at Terrace Lake right now.
Dinner at Spring Creek BBQ with my new Indiana friends.
(Now that sure did feel strange.)
A sign I found in the bathroom that made me feel right at home.
(Look at the second book for the book study. I said, "Hey, I know her!")
Enjoying a beautiful Texas morning before Day 2 of the conference (and a little peace and quiet in a very busy hotel, filled with lots of visiting sports teams)
Julie Lowe,
the speaker I was most interested in due to her experience with counseling children
(and her book, Building Bridges, about counseling children)
A panel of the four speakers from the specific track I went to
Shauna and Michael VanDyke, Julie Lowe, and John Henderson (who wrote the manual I'll be going through for my counseling certification)
A very brief time with my parents, which I so wish could have lasted a little bit longer
30 quick minutes and a hug with my bestie, whom I miss dearly
A God-ordained run-in with a friend I taught with for 19 years, who "just happened" to cross my path as I was leaving church (I even prayed that God would let me see her while there!)
Another friend from both Life Group and ReEngage that I crossed paths with on my way out
A quick 5 minutes to say hi to my old Life Group, so thankful that Warren and Martha were NOT out of town as they had planned
A church that will always feel like home, especially when I got to attend with my son, at his request. Going to church meant less time to see family, but being there with David just filled my heart.
Baptism week
Josh Howerton and a powerful sermon on the reality of Hell and the eternal separation from God
Chris Kuti leading worship
An updated pic with my boys
Dinner and coffee/drinks with my boys and meeting Juan's new girlfriend, Loren, for the first time. (BTW, I really like her.)
Smile, Dad! I'm taking a picture!
So happy to see my mom. I hate that I couldn't get there earlier or stretch the time any longer.
The Dallas skyline
It was nice, Dallas. I miss all the people and the weather, but definitely not all the highways and traffic. The quiet country roads in Columbus are growing on me.
No comments:
Post a Comment