Choices!!

  
Well alot has happened since I last blogged! Sorry about not keeping this very current. I guess I just struggle sitting down to take time and write, as writing has never been my strong point as I prefer other methods of communication. :)
    Today has been a hard day yet at the same time it has revealed a lot to me. For the first time I had to apply a certain part of my training that I was comfortable learning, but something I prayed that I would never have to use. Seeing a teen make a wrong choice that has consequences you know they will hate and they won’t listen to reasoning is very hard. To see them deny their part in it and blame everyone else involved as if there is a short circuit and their brain can't handle that they are to blame for their own choices. Then to be the one that has to deal out the consequence and process it with them when they are still in denial is difficult.
     This got me to thinking about life and how many times does God try to show us we are heading in the wrong direction and we refuse to listen to His loving directions and we start blaming others or live in denial of any consequences that may occur because of our choices?. How God's heart must tear in two each time He has to lovingly watch as we receive the consequences of our choices and actions! Consequences we could have avoided if we had listened to His warnings! As I watch these kids and teens I work with I see so many lessons that I have yet to learn and at times I think God is giving me a feel of what He must feel as our Heavenly Father when we go astray or go through certain seasons in our lives.
     As Michelle Ventor said "People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime....." I believe God has put me here because these people, kids, and teens are instruments in my life because He has so much more that I have yet to learn and when I learn these who knows what may be next. :D

ADJUSTING TO WHERE GOD HAS PLACED ME

     I have been here in Idaho for a month now, which is hard to believe! At times the adjusting and being new has been hard and lonely, but God has been gracious and sent me little encouragemeents along the way.The kids are awesome though trying at times and my fellow co-workers are great!
    During my first two weeks I had lots of training, test, and other requirements that kept me pretty busy. In these last two weeks I have been doing hands on training with the kids while a supervisor "looks over my shoulder" and I am glad of this as I have always been better at hands on then in a classroom any day of the week! LOL
    When I first arrived here God gave me two couples that seem like they where sent by Him as a gift to help me as I began my new life here. One of those couples were already on staff here and they went the extra mile to make sure I had what I needed and that I felt welcomed. The other couple where new and in training just like me, but they sorta took me under their wing in making sure I got where I needed to go, invited me to their home quite a few times, and just kept an eye to make sure I was doing ok. (It helped a lot as I am kind of timid asking for stuff when I don't know people very well.) I have one more class to take and a few more requirements before I am finished "training" and I am looking forward to this!
   The kids I work with are ages 6-17 and they need a lots of love and patience as many of them act out because of hurt in their past. God has truly given me a job/ministry that fits the calling He has placed on my life! I look forward every day to the time I spend with these kids and that in itself is a gift from God as not many people can say with thier whole hearts that they LOVE the work they do!
     Pray for me that God will give me the words to speak and the wisdom I need as I spend time and work with these kids and that God will meet the needs in my life physically, spiritually, and emotionally.