So, this morning at WAC Pastor Greg preached on the passage in Joshua wherein the Israelites are preparing to cross the Jordan. They had to follow God completely by faith up to the point where they actually stepped into the flooded river and got their feet wet, and that's when they saw the waters part and where able to cross safetly. Sometimes following God is like that: we can be lead in a certain direction and wonder, "how on earth is this going to work out?" but God waits for us to take that first step of faith before showing us what He is really going to do. Pastor Greg pointed out that God likes to make us wait on Him because it forces us to trust in Him...but sometimes, us waiting on Him is actually Him waiting on us to take that first step of faith.
This evening in my mini-church, I mentioned that I was really worried about what I was going to do after I got back from Spain. I don't know if I want to pursue K-12 teacher's liscensure (did God close that door during my undergrad because He wanted me in Spain first, or because I'm not meant to be a teacher at all?), if I want to pursue a Master's in TESOL without teaching liscensure (in the hopes of teaching adults or teaching somewhere other than public schools), or if I'm supposed to make a completely different career path. I looked into some programs at Northcentral Technical college here in Wausau and was interested in the paramedic technician program or the DHH Interpreter program, and I've also thought about going for a master's in counseling. (If I did that, I would definitely want to go through a Christian school, and it might mean going back for a second undergrad first). My mini-churchmates kept saying I have two years to decide, and even then I don't have to decide right when I get back from Spain. I guess they're right, but not knowing might mean getting stuck in an entry-level job again (NO MORE CALL CENTERS OR WAITRESSING, PLEASE!!!), and trying to get everything in place while I'm in Spain could be a real nightmare. I almost transferred from UWL to UW Madison while I was studying in Mexico, and getting together my transcripts, applications, etc. was an absolute nightmare.
One of minichurchmates, Winter, pointed out that she sees me as someone who needs to look ahead and know what's going on in the future. She's right; I do tend to forget to live in the present. I should add that today after church I mentioned to a friend, Angie, that I was going to Madrid next year and she flipped out with excitement for me...and I just kind of stood there grinning and saying, "Yeah...I'll be excited once I get my support raised." I can't get excited about the future unless I have all of my ducks in a row!
I don't want to make God wait on me...but sometimes, He is going to ask me to wait on Him. He isn't always going to show me everything laid out in front of me. Sometimes, He is going to ask me to take the first step of faith- and, sometimes, He's even going to make me wait on that.
I know what I need to do right now. I need to live each day as it comes for God's glory and make sure I'm following Him hot on His heels. I need to trust that He will provide me with what I need to serve Him in Spain, and that He will take care of things when I get back, too! If I'm earnestly seeking Him, it's not like He's going to hide His will from me just to tease me (He's "God the Father," who wants to do great things in my life -- not "God the Pesky Younger Sibling" who hides important stuff from me just to watch me sweat!). Now, if I can just keep that in my head, I'll make life a lot less stressful for myself!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Hi Everyone!!
Okay, I'm thinking it's probably time to just start a new blog...I haven't touched my Xanga since graduation, and blogspot seems to be more popular among my peers at this point (so it's easier for me to stalk my friends on here...hehehe!)
Anyway, an update...
I finished my BA from UW La Crosse in December of 2009, with a major in Spanish and an minor in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. I moved back to my parents' home in Wausau, where I am still living now. Not exactly what I had planned to do at age 24, but with the job market the way it is (on top of the monkey-wrench that got thrown into my career plans right before graduation!), it was by far the best financial decision I could make. Sometimes its tough to be an adult and still have to answer to my parents, but ultimately I am so thankful to them for helping me out while I complete the next steps in my life.
After graduation, I spent the most discouraging eight months of my life working in a call center where I occasionally felt like I was helping people, but mostly just got screamed at for things that weren't in my control (all for a whopping $8.50 an hour). I had originally thought that God had taken away my dream of becoming a teacher because He first wanted me to go serve on the mission field in Spain for a year, but no opportunities to Spain were on the horizon. I sometimes wondered if answering phones was all that my college degree was going to get me...but, of course, God had other plans that I just couldn't see.
In August, I was offered a position with the Greater Wausau Area Americorps Team, serving as a bilingual aide for the Newcomers Center at A.C. Kiefer (in a 4-year-old Kindergarten classroom). The Americorps living allowance was a slight paycut, but the educational award at the end of the year will more than compensate! I am working with an amazing team of educators and a great bunch of kids at Kiefer and I'm really learning a lot about what teaching involves. My heart is still set on secondary education (especially middle school!) but getting this experience with the little ones has definitely stretched me!
Well, obviously the Americorps position was a one year thing...but at the same time, God also randomly led me to One Mission Society, and...well...I'm not quite sure what happened, but somehow I ended up applying for a short term program doing ESL ministry in Spain, and I was accepted. I say I'm not sure what happened because there were months and months of looking for an opportunity to serve in Spain, then I randomly stumbled across a page on the internet, emailed the organization for more information, and now I have no idea where that page is or what it said! But I will be leaving in August of 2011 to teach English (in a very informal setting) and build relationships with the people of Madrid, with the hopes of eventually sharing the love of Christ with them. I don't know many details yet, but I do know that I will be raising about 22,000 in support (prayers please?) and that I will have four weeks of training in July in Indiana. Details will come as I obtain them!
Hmm, what else...still doing some modeling, mostly promotional work since that's what's available in Wausau. I've thought about trying to get a second job but I'm torn between needing money and needing rest. I'm really hoping that modeling opportunities- even non-glamorous promotions - will continue to come in steadily enough that I don't need to search for a second job. Also working on building my online business, Appleton Enterprises, but that will be slow this year as preparation for Spain will take a priority over my other finances, including business investments.
Oh, I have been able to get involved with my "new" church, Wausau Alliance. I started attending there just after Christmas 2007 whenever I was home from college, and I always went with one of my best friends, Katie. Katie, the Air-Force Wife, moved away a few months before I graduated, so not only did I miss her terribly but I had to go to church without her. It was scary the first few weeks, but God provided me with some amazing opportunities to serve and to have fellowship with others. Between now and last January, I have gone from sitting alone every Sunday to sitting with a whole group of people around my age (often followed by lunch and fun times after the service!), being part of a wonderful mini-church, and serving as an Awana Cubbies leader, Sunday School helper, and helping with Children's Church and in the nursery. I really look forward to Sunday mornings now and always come home from church with lots to process throughout the week. I think that Wausau Alliance will be one thing I will miss the most when I leave for Spain.
As far as life after Spain, my options include a) Going to grad school to pursue teacher certification (probably at UW Milwaukee); b) Going to grad school for a Master's in TESOL and pursuing a career teaching adults (we'll see how I like teaching in Spain vs. working with the Wausau School District) or c)Going to Northcentral Technical college for a different degree unrelated to teaching. Glad I have two years to decide that one.
So, that's life right now! More to come!
Anyway, an update...
I finished my BA from UW La Crosse in December of 2009, with a major in Spanish and an minor in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. I moved back to my parents' home in Wausau, where I am still living now. Not exactly what I had planned to do at age 24, but with the job market the way it is (on top of the monkey-wrench that got thrown into my career plans right before graduation!), it was by far the best financial decision I could make. Sometimes its tough to be an adult and still have to answer to my parents, but ultimately I am so thankful to them for helping me out while I complete the next steps in my life.
After graduation, I spent the most discouraging eight months of my life working in a call center where I occasionally felt like I was helping people, but mostly just got screamed at for things that weren't in my control (all for a whopping $8.50 an hour). I had originally thought that God had taken away my dream of becoming a teacher because He first wanted me to go serve on the mission field in Spain for a year, but no opportunities to Spain were on the horizon. I sometimes wondered if answering phones was all that my college degree was going to get me...but, of course, God had other plans that I just couldn't see.
In August, I was offered a position with the Greater Wausau Area Americorps Team, serving as a bilingual aide for the Newcomers Center at A.C. Kiefer (in a 4-year-old Kindergarten classroom). The Americorps living allowance was a slight paycut, but the educational award at the end of the year will more than compensate! I am working with an amazing team of educators and a great bunch of kids at Kiefer and I'm really learning a lot about what teaching involves. My heart is still set on secondary education (especially middle school!) but getting this experience with the little ones has definitely stretched me!
Well, obviously the Americorps position was a one year thing...but at the same time, God also randomly led me to One Mission Society, and...well...I'm not quite sure what happened, but somehow I ended up applying for a short term program doing ESL ministry in Spain, and I was accepted. I say I'm not sure what happened because there were months and months of looking for an opportunity to serve in Spain, then I randomly stumbled across a page on the internet, emailed the organization for more information, and now I have no idea where that page is or what it said! But I will be leaving in August of 2011 to teach English (in a very informal setting) and build relationships with the people of Madrid, with the hopes of eventually sharing the love of Christ with them. I don't know many details yet, but I do know that I will be raising about 22,000 in support (prayers please?) and that I will have four weeks of training in July in Indiana. Details will come as I obtain them!
Hmm, what else...still doing some modeling, mostly promotional work since that's what's available in Wausau. I've thought about trying to get a second job but I'm torn between needing money and needing rest. I'm really hoping that modeling opportunities- even non-glamorous promotions - will continue to come in steadily enough that I don't need to search for a second job. Also working on building my online business, Appleton Enterprises, but that will be slow this year as preparation for Spain will take a priority over my other finances, including business investments.
Oh, I have been able to get involved with my "new" church, Wausau Alliance. I started attending there just after Christmas 2007 whenever I was home from college, and I always went with one of my best friends, Katie. Katie, the Air-Force Wife, moved away a few months before I graduated, so not only did I miss her terribly but I had to go to church without her. It was scary the first few weeks, but God provided me with some amazing opportunities to serve and to have fellowship with others. Between now and last January, I have gone from sitting alone every Sunday to sitting with a whole group of people around my age (often followed by lunch and fun times after the service!), being part of a wonderful mini-church, and serving as an Awana Cubbies leader, Sunday School helper, and helping with Children's Church and in the nursery. I really look forward to Sunday mornings now and always come home from church with lots to process throughout the week. I think that Wausau Alliance will be one thing I will miss the most when I leave for Spain.
As far as life after Spain, my options include a) Going to grad school to pursue teacher certification (probably at UW Milwaukee); b) Going to grad school for a Master's in TESOL and pursuing a career teaching adults (we'll see how I like teaching in Spain vs. working with the Wausau School District) or c)Going to Northcentral Technical college for a different degree unrelated to teaching. Glad I have two years to decide that one.
So, that's life right now! More to come!
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