update

well, i haven't written in a bit, so i just thought i'd post a lil update. this past weekend my parents came to wheaton for a visit. this was their first time north of the mason-dixon line...they survived. :) we went downtown for a architectural boat tour (after an unsuccesful attempt at biking around lake michigan). then, we had chicago pizza, of course. on monday we went back to the city for a visit to the shedd aquarium and the field museum. it was a long day of walking, but i was grateful for the learning experience! we had lots of fun just touring around wheaton as well. from thai food downtown to walking around the lincoln marsh, there were lots of similar experiences that made the weekend memorable. i was grateful to have them here and i'm sure they were thankful to come and see where i lived. now, they can rest assured that i don't live in the ghetto!

as far as my job goes, i'm still training away. this has been the longest training process i have ever endured! however, there is cause for celebration....i will begin seeing clients on monday! this is a very unnerving, yet exciting task for me. i think i have all the information down pat, and hopefully my background in counseling gave me some sort of skills set. for those of you who don't know, the counseling we do is "peer counseling" and doesn't require a degree in mental health. most of it is very specific to pregnancy and/or the different options that women have in response to a "crisis" or "unplanned" pregnancy. there is a whole range of clients that come in--from 40 year old muslims to 15 year old plain ol' white girls. i am surprised at the extent of cultures, backgrounds, and socio-economic statuses that we see (and am extremely grateful for the diversity). i know that i will be challenged by every single woman that i sit across from in the peer counseling room....and i hope to walk away having learned as much from them as they did from me. so, say a little prayer for me that i am continually seeing my clients for who they truly are and able to speak to them where they are at in their lives. i'm sure that i will have stories and moments to share with you all as time goes on...

please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as i continue to transition to life here. i am still searching for different areas to "plug in" to. i hope that i am able to build connections and feel like i am "giving back" in some form or fashion. i am grateful for God having brought me this far and i know He will continue to guide me along the way. thank you all for your love and support as well. and, until next time....