Long time no speak....

Is anybody out there?  I'm now living in La Porte with my parents. I am preparing for the National Counseling Exam and searching for jobs.  I finally recieved my prep-guide yesterday (19th) and I will probably take the test on Monday.  Everyone pray I will pass, please!  :  )

Also pray as I respond to my potential job offers after taking the exam.  I ask God to give me guidance and decision-making skills in order to find the most appropriate place.

In other news...going on a camping trip at Galveston Beach with my Sunday School class this weekend and hoping to have lots of fun.

I am currently finished with school!  PARTY!!! 

I am staying with Joey and Tim in their apartment this week so that I can complete job interviews.

I just experienced my first interview today at Betty Hardwick MHMR.  I know Tara and Samantha, who also graduated from our program and work there as case managers.  I applied for a position where I will be able to work by connecting clients to community resources and psychoeducation on life and medication management skills.  I am excited about the difference I could make for the people if  I begin working there.

My interview went well.  I had answers for all the questions about my training and personal experience.  I also got a good idea about the position and ease of mind about the training I will recieve in order to perform the job. 

I actually met Samantha on the way out and she said she would ask the interviewer, her boss, about how I did.  Samantha said it was well that I brought in my portfolio to show actual proof of my training.  Now it's just time to wait and see.

I submitted my app. to another job with GoodWill also, and hopefully I can get an interview with them this week.  Pray that God will lead me to a place where  I will be effective.

Happy Birthday to BRANDON EADS!!  (I will call him later today)

 Formal Announcement:  I will graduate in 4 days, that's Thurdsay, August 10.  I will not be participating in a ceremony until December, though, so no one get excited.  Mostly what this means is that (me: bullets)

• I have no more reading for any classes!
• I have only one week to get clinical hours to graduate...
• I have only one week to move out of my dormitory and onto the streets...
• I have begun looking for jobs and have 3 prospects!

Informally,  I am VERY tired.  I have lots to do, not to mention Dr. Lucas has this crazy idea that we should have a final exam.  Imagine, an exam at the end of a graduate class, INSANE I tell you.

I am also reading through this book: Coming Out of Homosexuality, which my mom gave me.  Yes, you may write angry comments detailing your opinions on this subject.  I want to read everything I can, though, to make informed decisions, and I want to hear from both sides.  This is also why I am counseling with my pastor, because I can debate with him since he falls to the "its an abomination" side of things, while I am more liberal.  Pray for my own spiritual development in this area.

In Chains for Christ, Alan

A Little Bit about Muah!

You Are Marge Simpson

You're a devoted family member who loves unconditionally. Sometimes, though, you dream about living a wild secret life! You will be remembered for: your good cooking and evading the police Your life philosophy: "You should listen to your heart, and not the voices in your head."

You Are Mint Green

Balanced and calm, you have mastered the philosophy of living well. Your friends seek you out for support, and you are able to bring stability to chaotic situations. You're very open and cheerful - and you feel like you have a lot of freedom in life. Your future may hold any number of exciting things, and you're ready for all of them!

 UPDATE: ENTRY June 14-July 4 (Happy Independence Day all!!)

June 14- I have passed my comprehensive oral examination.  The experience was not as difficult as we all made it out to be.  Mostly our portfolio for graduation was edited and some questions asked about our approach to a case chosen to present to our supervisors.  I guess by now the supervisors know whether they believe we are capable of performing counseling services or not.  It feels good to say that I have been weighed and found adequate to enter my profession, however. 

June 3-24- I spent these weekends on dates with someone I met the last day of May.  I cannot be very specific about the details here.  Its been fun, though.

June 30- I was inside for 2 hours and someone stole the radio from my car.   I guess I'll have to roll up my windows in Abilene from now on. sheesh!

July 1- I finished all my homework, putting together a binder for my summer class and finishing revisions to my portfolio.  I am completely, gloriously, OUT of homework and classwork...well, there's a first for everything after all I suppose.

July 4- I plan on going to the County Fair in Snyder tonight.  A long way north, but glad to have something to do after four days off from school/work.

Reflection on Relationships:  I am not usually a worrier, about disasters, the future, the past, family and friends, or any usual fears people dwell on.  I'm usually not even properly prepared or cautious, ( like when I leave my windows down because its hot, and surely no one would be dishonest).  However, I worry too much about relationships, the future of relationships that is.  In a world that increasingly screams, PLAN, PLAN, PLAN..PREPARE, SCHEDULE, ORGANIZE!! I find myself wanting to plan far ahead for my relationships as well.  Now this is useful when you have to put down dates on paper because today's ethics hangs on proper paperwork (don't get me started).  I fully understand this after walking through the fire of graduate school to be purified and molded into a proper middle-classer.

However, in relationships planning ahead too far creates more unnecessary pain than benefit.  Why do I think like "if I plan on getting closer and eventually marrying this person, I should take a step toward that now" and "if I don't, I should break up because wouldn't it mean leading them on?"  Why don't I just live now and enjoy what I have--put off those decisions until later when the time to decide is upon me?  Well, that's what I'm going to do.  I want to be where I am, and I'm going to shut my brain up and enjoy it.  I need to live that way more often, and the world could use a dose of "not thinking ahead" too, to tell the truth.

DOXOLOGY:  God Strong and Mighty.  Sovereign and Completely In Charge.  Your Timing is Perfect.  Your Spirit is Comfort.  Listen and Be at Peace.  God Strong and Mighty.  He Holds You, and Molds You.  Make Me Holy.  Purify me through Thanksgiving, Peace, and Praise.

Amen.