It's Saturday and I'm stuck writing a paper

Yes-It's Saturday and I'm here at the house working on a paper. Not my favorite way of spending my Saturday especially when the weather is so nice outside! But I can't complain, I'm pretty much done with the writing and will wait until tomorrow to write the second paper that is due. I really can't wait until this doctoral program is over with and I'm able to do away with school work!

These past few weeks have been extremely busy. So many things going on that it is hard to find some free time to get anything done. As many of you know, Luke and I continue to send out our resumes to a variety of colleges in the hopes that one of these days we will be offered a position. You know what really bugs me? The fact that almost every position "requires" that you have prior experience working on a college campus. Well, how do you get that experience if no one is willing to give you the chance? Anyway, about a week ago I had a phone interview with Colorado Christian University and on Monday I have an interview with Union University for the position of Associate Director of Career Placement and Development which by the way, I would LOVE this kind of position. I would be able to include my purpose training in so many ways to assist students as they seek out what it is that the Lord is calling them to in this season of their life. As I've said before, I am not getting my hopes up being that I have been turned down so many times. But, who knows. Luke and I continue to send those resumes out trusting that if the Lord wants to open a door for us at this time in our life, He will. And if He desires for us to stay put in Clermont at our current jobs, we are ok with that too. Life is pretty good in Clermont, we can't complain.

Things at my job are actually going well. I do enjoy working with the students and there's actually a part of me that doesn't want to leave them. I feel like next year could and would be so much better being that I will have an understanding of how the school works and will also know the students. Not to mention that I will have a much better idea of how to run my classroom next year in regards to curriculum and that Luke will be there too teaching! So, if the Lord keeps us here in Clermont, I will not be disappointed. We like it here and we've got a great church family and friends. But at the same time, if the Lord opens up a position for either one of us on a college campus, I do believe that we would need to take it so that we can get that "Experience" that is so needed. So, only time will tell. I still have my days where I would love nothing more than to be a full-time writer and actually have the time to sit at my computer and write. Who knows, maybe that will come about one of these days. So many things to accomplish, so little time! :)

On Monday I am actually heading out to one of the local Christian Private Schools to observe a teacher who teaches AP Literature. I am scheduled to teach this college level course next year to some of my junior and seniors, so I thought it would be great to go observe someone who has been teaching the course and in turn, get some great ideas. I am actually looking forward to this and learning lots from the teacher.

As far as my doctoral studies go, I have decided to stick with the current program at Nova. I have a real peace about staying put and I truly feel that the Lord will open a variety of doors for both Luke and I. Maybe one of these days when I get the urge to go to school again (didn't I just say that I couldn't wait to be done with this school stuff?) I can attend DTS and get my D.Min in women's ministry. You know, maybe that's why I am in the field of education, I just can't get enough of it! Yes I know, I'm weird!

I am currently in the process of going through the book, "Live Your Calling". This is a WONDERFUL book. If any of you are questioning what it is that you are passionate about and how you can use your gifts and strengths, I highly recommend this book. There are a variety of assessments in this book and as I am going through each one, it's becoming more and more clear as to how the Lord has created me and in turn, what He has created me for.

Last-The weekend of April 27th I will be heading to Tampa to attend the Growth in Faith conference for women where Katie Brazelton will be the main speaker. This is who I have been trained through to be a Life Purpose Coach and a 2-Day Life Plan Facilitator. After the conference, I will be taking part in Level 5 training with Katie which in turn, will certify me to lead my own training sessions to women who want to be trained as a Life Purpose Coach or a 2-Day Life Plan Facilitator. The great thing about this training is that women will no longer need to go out to California to be trained. They will now be able to find a regional trainer who can train them right at home! Going to the conference and training will allow me to meet up with many of the PTPM gals that I have not seen for quite some time, so I am really looking forward to that!

Ok, that should do it. I think this post may be long enough! More meandering thoughts to come later!

Ahh, Spring Break!

Yes, it is Spring Break and I am thrilled! It's so nice to have a week off. The only bad thing is that this year, Luke and I have different spring breaks, but I guess the good news is that I should have a good amount of time to catch up. I have about a million papers to grade and I have two projects due for my doctorate within the next couple of weeks. So, as much as I would love to just sit and read one of the many books I have just ordered, I must get some of my school work done.

This morning I had the opportunity to meet with two women from a local church who would like to have me as their women's retreat speaker! I am 99.9% sure this is going to happen. Our meeting went great and it seems to me that they are pretty sure that they would like me to come out and speak to their women. The retreat will take place in September at a local retreat center and it looks like I will be leading the 3 main sessions. I must admit-I'm nervous as ever! It's been some time since I have spoken in front of a large group, let alone a group of women. So please, if you think about it, please say a prayer for me! This is a biggie!

As far as my doctorate is concerned, I'm still going back and forth. Here's the deal-I know that one day I would like to work on a college campus overseeing their ministry program. I would really like to interact with students on this level. It seems to me that many schools would like you to have a D.Min degree or something of that nature. I do believe that again, if I stay with Nova or if I don't, either degree will be used. I guess I just need to really figure out financially which would be better and also, if I were to switch, how many credit hours will be accepted by the other school. I have been in touch with Dallas Theological Seminary and it looks like they will accept some of my credit hours. I have applied and hopefully within a month, will know exactly how many credit hours they will accept and such. So, we will see. I just keep praying and really seeking the Lord's advice along with others.

What's so interesting is that this past weekend, our good friends Jim and Lynne had quite a few college students from Cederville University staying with them. Lynne, who attended Cederville was hosting the Alumni meeting and both her and Jim invited us over for some food and fellowship. We had the opportunity to meet with the president and a variety of college students. The following evening, the four of us along with 10 college students went out to eat. It was great! I not only got to share with some of the college girls what Blooming Ministries is all about, I also was reminded of how I truly long to one day work with college students. One of the students told me that in the near future the school will be looking for an on campus women's ministry leader! Of course, my heart jumped and I immediately gave him my business card. So, after this weekend, it has become quite apparent to Luke and I that we do hope to make it to a college campus in the future. Maybe that was God's way of encouraging us to keep going down the path we are on and to not give up!

Last week I had the opportunity to hang out with my junior students all week. On Monday and Tuesday we did a local service project and then Wednesday we headed down to Palm Beach Atlantic University to do a campus tour. We stayed the night at a hotel and then came back on Thursday. Then on Friday we headed out to Islands of Adventure. We had a GREAT week! It was so much fun playing ultimate Frisbee and beach football with the kids! They also got a huge kick with me screaming while riding the Hulk roller coaster. If you have never been with me on a roller coaster, one thing that is unique about me is that I tend to yell out the name of Jesus-seriously, it helps calm me! It's crazy, I know! My students just laughed and laughed! I'm happy to be able to bring humor to them in so many more ways than this (beach football, etc.). It was really nice bonding with them!

Well, I should probably get going here. I am planning on meeting Luke at his tennis practice with his high school girls and from there, we are planning on getting a run in. Then after that, Jim wants to head to the mall with us to buy some stuff. Fun filled evening!