T-16: Unreal

That seems unbelievable that there are only 16 days until I graduate with my Masters degree! I will officially have an MS in Communication Sciences and Disorders, and be able to apply as a M.S., SLP-CF. That means that will be paid for the work that I do, but I still have to be supervised for a certain number of hours before I am certified as CCC-SLP. Lots of hoops to jump through still.

Since I last posted, I have taken my Praxis exam and almost completed my final 7 weeks of graduate clinical hours. I won't know my score on the Praxis until right around graduation, so we'll see. No serious job hunting has come from my end, but I am still confident that God will point the way. If any of you have a summer job that I can work for some extra money until I transition into a career job I would greatly appreciate it!

I always try to look back and find something that I've learned in the spirit of this blog. This time its a little harder to see...I have gained confidence not only as a professional but as a "grown-up", I have felt a deeper connection with scripture on a daily basis, and I have found a new soft spot in my heart for the elderly population. Working with the "end-of-life" atmosphere has given me a new perspective on life, choices, and loving others. Even though I have no clue how to best serve specific patients with speech-pathology on certain days, I do know how to love them through a smile and a servant heart.

May this post find all of you living in the light of His Grace, being changed because of what you've been given. I would love to hear from any of you and/or pray for you! As one of my patients said today, "There should be dancing everyday"....how profound :D

Take one Step at a Time, There's No Need to Rush

Happy Texas Independence Day!The countdown to graduation is officially at 2 months, 8 days, 13 hours. It is so close I can taste it!
I haven't been numbering them, but I hit another milestone recently: passed all of my comprehensive exams! All that's left is the Praxis exam in April, graduation, and finding a job. I have no clue where I will end up. I want to stay in Texas for sure, but city is up for debate. It is time for this lifelong Abilene resident to fly! I would not change my childhood for anything and Abilene Christian University has formed me in more ways than I can count. At the top of my list are Houston and Fort Worth/Arlington, simply because I know people there. I would like to do my clinical fellowship in a rehab center, hospital rehab or school. We'll see what God has in mind for me. So if any of you can help me network to current speech pathologists that you know, I would greatly appreciate it!
While I am excited to move out of the academic world, I am so nervous as to what life will entail and who it will include. I trust that God will provide for what I need, who I need and when I need them, but I am human. For anyone that has been though higher education, delaying the job world, I am sure you know how I feel. Yes, you have a depth of knowledge, but are you ready to face the mess that comes with reality? Even without degree, I'm not sure I would have survived. People near and dear to my heart have successfully made the transition. Deep down I know I will too, but I'm just being honest about what I am currently feeling.

The title that I chose for this blog 3.5 years ago, "Dara to Discover" initially referred to my travels abroad (which I hope never end), but now it has come to encompass so much more than that. I have discovered things about myself, about others and about God along the way. These four components are ones that I hoped would be a part of my identity but I could only imagine what form they would take. If you've read blog posts of mine before, you know some of what I have discovered.

My prayer for all of you is that you take your time, don't rush. Let the timing and decisions be God's. He loves you so much and wants your heart. Your flaws are what make you beautiful!

I AM. Are you?

This past weekend I had the opportunity to be a part of Winterfest in Arlington, TX. For those of you who may not know, it is a big "youth rally" type gathering. I went most of my years in middle and high school but it was somehow different this year. Not sure if that's the grown up side of me or an actual fact. The theme was The Way...looking at the seven I AM statements of Jesus in the book of John. There were five speakers, three days, and one purpose (see what I did there :). Basically the same premise as when I was growing up, but with less "rally" aspect. No Friday night concert from a Christian band. Only one t-shirt booth. More Christian college booths. Lots more singing. Laughter til I cried and great lessons.

The whole idea was to withdraw from ourselves and realize what God has done, what he is doing and what he will always do. The core of His being is a multifaceted diamond that includes all of the statements. I was reminded of how unlikely it was that one man would fulfill this many prophesies.

I AM the way, the truth and the life.....

I AM the vine.....

I AM the good shepherd....

I AM the gate....

I AM the light.....

I AM the bread of life....

I AM the resurrection and the life.....


What can you do besides lay yourself down at his feet?! The word "the" is singular. His loving arms not only point the way but show it. He is the truth we search for. When we remain connected to Him, the pressures of life are bearable and when we are broken, His power is made known. He is the voice we need to listen to and know by heart. The gatekeeper has the "all-access pass" and is the safest person to know. His light casts out the darkness and calls people to change. Three times the word LIFE is used in these statements: He sustains us, He gives us a purpose, He gives joy. The fact that he has risen and death could not hold him is the best "ending" and perfect "beginning".
My talk with the Junior girls in my hotel room was uplifting. It amazes me how much they've grown in the past 4 years that I've known them. Wow! They will do great things for the Kingdom and I'm so privileged to be a part of it.

Are you ready to be who you were created to be? There are days when I wish I knew the future and exactly who I am going to be, but then I would miss the blessings along the way. Live the Life that is within you!!

After all it's all about Love

Today was another one of those days that I learned the same lesson in 5 different ways. The theme was the same. Each point connected back to the center, as spokes on a wheel. First, came class time where I sat by someone I respect greatly. I knew the question would come, but I was not ready for how it would affect me. My emotions won out and another friend jumped in, with only the most gracious encouragement. I am thankful for the uplifting words shared from both of them. In service, we talked on the topic of love. Our preacher did a wonderful job of approaching the subject, saying that it could be boring, something we had heard before. Yet if we give love the only meaning that truly defines it, then we bring new life to it.
I will add some more points from the sermon as this post continues, but I want to also mention the book series that I have been reading (recommended by my Mom): the Bailey Flanigan series by Karen Kingsbury. There are 4 books: Leaving, Learning, Longing and Loving. I saw myself in every page of those books. Searching for my place in the world, leaning on my family and faith in God, facing trials and fear, longing for an earthly husband, yet longing for God's love with each passing day. The author writes of God's plans for our lives, waiting on His timing, and praying despite our feelings. God is speaking to us if we choose to listen.
The messages from those books were still in my mind today as I listened to the sermon. We use the word love too often. I love being outdoors, I love playing games, I love...when love cannot be separated from God and how we love others. It is CORE. Love pays the price. Love risks forgiving. Love makes us new people. God's Love does that. Love is demonstrated. Love captured your heart.

Jesus is the one that defines love. He demonstrated it. He paid the price. He risked forgiving us. He made us new. He captured my heart.

One of my friends from my story this morning pulled me aside after service and introduced me to someone. It was a 10 year old girl from Rwanda. He said to her, "I want you to be just like her (meaning me) when you grow up." Heart overflowing...I did not deserve such a compliment. It once again tied into the idea of love, proving how much I was first loved and how much love I have to give to others. Finally today, I went with the youth group to see Les Miserables (my second time). Of course I cried again, but I was impressed by the amount of high schoolers that did as well. For those of you that don't know the plot line, it is a story about grace and love. The first act of grace and redemption causes several other lives to be positively changed. Each character has the choice to respond in thankfulness or guilt. Each character has his or her own faults and whether the gifts are deserved or not they are given.

One of the final lines states: To love another person is to see the face of God.

I believe this to be very true. Love is demonstrated. There are no greater commands than to love God then love others. I am still learning but I'm glad God is teaching me these lessons. He knows exactly what my heart needs. How is your heart? May love and grace reside there always.

2.0.1.3

Made it to the year 2013...never thought it would be here. I do not normally make "New Year's resolutions"  but I do like to look on the past year to see what I learned and how I can be better for the future. God has done some amazing things in my heart that I never anticipated in 2012. In no particular order, here are a few things I learned:

He taught me how I can be independent yet dependent on Him. I am still learning the balance.

He taught me through life in two other countries, Zambia in Peru, how to appreciate people for   who they are, see the best in them, and allow them to touch my life.

He taught me through my times of contentment how good He is, but reminded me in my times of despair how good He is as well.
             John 16:32-33
             Jeremiah 29:11-13

He asked me to forgive and then heal.

He asked me to be patient and earnest in prayer, finding myself as seek His face.

He provided opportunities for my gifts to be used for His glory.


When I look back on 2012 in this way, I cannot help but be thankful. The people that formed my year are a blessing that I will treasure, whether we see each other every day or once a year. I cannot begin to imagine what God has in store for me in 2013 :)

What did you learn in 2012? How will it drive or change your 2013?

Definition

Pitch. It can be a noun or a verb, black tar or to throw a baseball, for singing or the movement of a ship. This word describes my present state. I have been thrown a pitch that could be black or brilliant. It could prove that I can sing or it could move me where I don't want to be. I was not ready for the pitch by any means, in fact it hit me in the back of my head. I am still dizzy with confusion and not sure what direction is forward. The definition is still to be determined. Here is what it is not....
It is not going to define me before it changes me. This pitch can be learned and learned from. Some people have to learn everything the hard way. I've never thought of myself as one of those people but that does not mean I am unbreakable. I get bruised and beaten the same...the key is to know who the Coach is and hear His voice. When I choose to go my own way, that's when the pitch turns black....that's when I get tossed overboard to drown, never resting...that's when the wild ball hits and I am unprepared.

There is one type of pitch that can bring joy to others and healing to the soul. Just like singing or having a voice, it is a gift. But this pitch can be elusive and not easily attainable. The desire to attain it may not be enough to overcome all of pitfalls along the way. The Coach knows the best way to learn your pitch and is the only One worthy to lead you there.There will be many voices around you telling you what you should and shouldn't do, think, or feel. The Opposition wants us to stay down when we get dizzy and never see the light. But there is good news! My Coach has never left my side. He knew the pitch before I did. He has trained my mind and heart to be ready when the time came. It was unexpected so I was hurt, but now I can choose to pursue brilliance, and my perfect pitch. My perfect pitch may not look that way on the outside and I may not see it for awhile. That's part of my definition. A refining of my character, perseverance, and faith.

For some reason I felt the need to write this in a metaphorical terms, so I hope I still conveyed everything in an understandable way. I also hope that this will encourage someone else who is facing trials. It is temporary. Our heavenly Father, our Mentor, our Redeemer, our Coach, has the best for His children. As I learned tonight in our reading of Proverbs 16, verse 9 states: "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." So as I seek God, I am also seeking my life and what he has in store - no worry involved.

Power of a Prayer

I am past the halfway point of my last fall in school...ever. That is difficult to comprehend still. This blog has been going off and on for 3 years now and I've learned a lot in that time. Today I am reminded of the power of a prayer, also the title of a Matthew West song. The song reminded me that I am not to worry about anything because I can hand over everything to God with just a prayer. One of the best things about prayer is that it can change the person who prays and it can change the person it is about. Over the summer and during all my travels, I know that people are praying for me because I asked them to. But I am confident and can feel that people pray for me during the school year as well. Otherwise I would not make it through. Whenever I feel overwhelmed that's what turns things around and gives me another perspective. Try it and see. It does not have to be full of formal terminology, just your heart. The freedom that follows is more satisfying than any other choice I make on earth. Another piece of the power comes in action....living changed. That is easier said than done and its why prayer is a spiritual discipline.
So to those who pray for me, thank you for helping me grow and teaching me the power of a prayer. May we all use this valuable tool to "be the change we want to see in the world".