School Begins

Starting tomorrow it begins. I'm officially beginning to do what the Lord has created me to do. I'm excited, nervous, and a lot bit afraid. I've finally got most of my office settled.... at least the part that people can notice. The desk is still a mess, the cabinets unorganized, and who knows what else....but my IKEA decorated office is SWEET.

Before:

After:

I hung up some cool kinda sheer material over the window of the door to aide in confidentiality (aka so other kids don't know which kids are getting therapy). I like the feel of my office, it's professional and sharp, but calming....at least I hope that is the effect it has on the kids.
It still doesn't quite feel like home. I need a few more things on the walls and to have the administrative components all in place (desk, cabinets, files). But it's good enough to start out. I can do more a little bit at a time. This is the first time in my life that I've began a job knowing that without a doubt it was orchestrated by the Lord. Knowing that you are where the Lord wants you to be is a huge comfort. Especially when you are diving into the deep end and are going to be immediately responsible for the mental health and in some cases lives of very troubled youth. It's terrifying really. My calling in life is to reach out to those who are hurting and help them find hope. My job is to be the one person that believes in them when no one else does and advocate for them in the schools when the teachers and principles are ready to expel them. My job is to sit with kids who. in their 14 years of life, have experienced so much tragedy that they think ending their life might be the best option. But I need to remember that most importantly my job is to love them. If I felt like there was any way that I could manage this on my own.......I wouldn't be relying on the Lord so heavily. Without Him I will not be able to do this. I won't be able to help them, I won't be able to stay sane, I won't be able to survive this career. Please pray for me as I begin. Pray that the kids can adjust to having a new therapist that they don't know or trust. That I can connect with them and build rapport quickly. Pray that I allow the Holy Spirit to lead me in my sessions. Pray that I am confident in my education and God given abilities. Pray that I don't miss something that is important. Pray that I can balance my life and my marriage with a career that is as intense as this. Thank you.
Week one here we go.