graduated.finally.

This blog has been neglected for ages.  I've missed taking the time to reflect a bit. Recording thoughts and feelings and the events happening in my life. At the gentle prodding of a dear friend, I'm going to attempt to get back into the groove of writing again. And I must admit I am excited about the idea of reflecting and recording being a priority amidst the chaos of life.
I had no idea where to begin. I mean, its been a little over two years since my last post on this blog. As I contemplated my "first" post, this dear friend said, " You need to write about graduation and all you have accomplished..." I instantly thought of some awful Christmas brag letter we are all too familiar with and I pushed the thought far from my mind. Again, the gentle encouragement to record for my kids the accomplishment of going back to graduate school. This time instead of the brag letter, I thought about the good things that can happen amidst adversity. And I realized I want my kids to set goals. I  want them to know that even when all the odds seem stacked against them and they feel like giving up is the only option, that hanging on and persevering is also an option. And its the option I hope they take. Because in the end it all pays off. And all the tears, heartache, despair and feelings of failure... eventually make the achievement all the sweeter. Yes, the achievement of finally receiving that Masters Degree Diploma.... and the opportunities that has given me.... tastes pretty sweet right now.

Getting here was a bit rocky.... I applied to graduate school in February 2008. After careful consideration I chose to attend Western Kentucky University - as part of their online cohort. I took my first class in the summer of 2008. Come fall, I was working full time for the school district as an "SLP" on a provisional contract while taking a full load of graduate classes, serving in the YW presidency, and raising kiddos. I recall people always asking me.... "how do you do it?" I remember thinking, I do it because that is what the plan is and it needs to be done.  Sure it was overwhelming at times, but quitting any one of the things making me "busy" was not an option.... Stumbling blocks began as I was unable to go to Kentucky that first summer for clinic. This put externships back a year, which meant pushing back graduation. But at the time, I just kept feeling like 2009 was not the summer to leave my family. 2010 rolled around and I went to KY for 5 weeks. Loved the cohort I was with and the friends I made. Returned home, and I continued taking classes, working, and completing externships to earn my 400 clinical hours necessary for graduation. The summer of 2011 brought great disappointment as all of my summer plans for my third and final clinical externship  fell through one by one. Graduation once again slipped through my fingertips. Fall rolled around and I continued working for the school district and I hoped and prayed that I could obtain a contract for an externship for the summer of 2012. I needed a medical type placement working with adults. Long story short, I got an externship site worked out. And now that I'm on the other side looking back I can honestly say, it was all for the best. The externship experience was extraordinary. My supervisor taught me more in 40 days than I thought possible. Lasting friendships were forged. I landed two jobs. I discovered loves and skills I didn't know I had. And at the end of it all I find myself saying, the Lord knows me.  I wanted things on my timeline. I did not want to exercise patience....but that was not the plan. And it was not the plan because ultimately, He knows best. And when we have faith and do our part, things eventually work out.