Warning:  Slightly melodramatic post ahead.

You guys know what a Presbytery service is?

A presbytery is a governing body of church leaders; however, in the church, a "presbytery service" is (can be) one in which church elders have a time of formal prophecy for you.   I know.  It sounds odd.  Despite your faith backgrounds, you'll just have to take my word that it can be an entirely validating experience.

I took part in my last one in 2002.  Pastor Bob McGregor from City Harvest in Vancouver, WA killed it - right on the money.  I'd never met Bob before, but he quietly informed me I worked with people in crisis (at the time I was working with DV victims) and that I had known a lot of pain.  According to Bob,  I would know a lot of pain in the future (enter 2007), but I would go back to graduate school and I would counsel families.

I've held on to that for 9 years, which, at times, has sucked.  And that's my clinical term.  Definite low spots since early 2007.

But let's revisit where I'm at:

I went through a terrible two years, but
now I'm in grad school and
I've just been offered an internship position at my first choice.

I got the phone call this afternoon, right before I was set to lead a group on "Americans' Relationship with the Muslim Community."  The lady who interviewed me last week said, "So, I haven't had a chance to check your references, but I can't leave you hanging.  Pending a good reference check, we'd love to have you here.  I really like you and you'll fit well with the agency."

Next year I'll be providing individual counseling (to kids) and family counseling (to kids and families) in NE Portland.  This is what I came to school to do -- I've waited 9 years to do this.  It's strange to remember a time when I couldn't think past the end of the week when, now, I can't wait to see what next year holds.

(Hopefully it also holds a mouse free apartment, an improved golf game, and a little bit of icing for one of my ring fingers, but we'll start with this internship.  Enter sigh of relief and a well of gratitude here.)

5 comments

  1. Kylee on April 29, 2011 at 7:26 AM

    Yay! I just love hearing these things. I love you. A few months ago I typed out mine from my senior year in 2004. And back then none of it made sense. But, reading it now most of it has come to pass. And yes these past three years have been not the easies, but thank you Jesus for turning it all into good. So excited for you!

     
  2. Fiona on April 29, 2011 at 10:16 AM

    Congratulations a million times over!

    It takes a while sometimes but things work themselves out in the end if you persevere a dont give up hope. So glad to hear your getting where you want to be.

     
  3. Ronna on May 4, 2011 at 6:41 AM

    YAY YAY YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I'm so proud of you!!!! You have EARNED every minute of this from start to finish. Hard stuff and good stuff and all the inbetweens. I love you Lisa!!

     
  4. Angela on May 4, 2011 at 10:19 PM

    This makes me so happy to read about!

     
  5. Lisa on May 5, 2011 at 8:26 AM

    Thanks, yous. ;)

     


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