Newbie

This is exciting.

I finally caved in! As I spontaneously decided this last night before bedtime, it made me realize I haven't blogged in probably over eight years. I have since tried it out numerous of times but I always fell through after a few weeks. Let's hope that doesn't happen.

Why blog now??

Great Question! So many things have sparked in my life since I turned the ripe old age of 18 (In other words, college). Opportunities have been given and my time of decision making has but only been limited to only a couple years now until I get that diploma (I'm already halfway through college!). In this stage of life I feel it compelling and satisfying to write out my feelings of simply what im going through with life alterations I currently face. So, why not blog about it?

This idea of blogging was rooted through me staying home over my summer break from college. Since there's only so much to summerize over a facebook status, I thought how much more convenient it would be to just write out the whole darn thing out (No more KISS). I would love to give you all my insight on life and by what the Lord has been teaching/guiding me through all of this. Heck, maybe that's why I have the sudden urge to blog! I can exhort these feelings God has placed in my heart, to take action and walk on the path God has planned ahead for me. It would be fun to keep people imformed of everything going on in my life. So, here's what HAS been going on:

The Past 2 years...

We can skip the whole "Yeah, I switched majors I think like..3 times..maybe??" explaination when I greet you at that Christmas party because I've had to explain that kind of stuff to just about every adult that I have crossed paths with, curious as to what I really am up to in college, and what im doing with my life, and  "why did you switch?", "are you sure this is the right decision?", "But you said you always wanted to be a dentist!" Yeah, I know I did. But God had to close the door somehow. It just wasn't my fit and I know God has something planned way better for me.
I will admit I was on the struggle bus for some time. After my first major in Biological Sciences (pre-med) I swiched and my new majors consisted in other natural sciences that would be of no real use to me and I probably would've regreted staying in that major field ( It was environmental related). I started panicking last summer trying to sort out future careers in those fields. Google was not helping with my situation. Career options were heavily limited to "environmental scientist" and "Let's-Collect-Data" type of jobs. Then I started getting really caught up on money and the whole "How am I ever going to survive?" type of ordeal. So I had to stop. And Pray.
I really needed the Lord back in my life because last summer was just awful anyway. I sort of shut the door on him for some time when I was going through an ordeal with college. I almost switched schools because of it. I was leaning on the wrong path (my own). I wasn't looking to my Creater for advice. I wasn't looking to Him for guidance. I looked to myself and I felt les miserables.
I had a couple melt down moments with one of my best friends last year because I felt so confused. WHAT did God want me to do at OU? WHAT was I sent for? WHY? The time bomb was ticking and I didnt want to become a fiftth year student (God forbid)!
But clearly,there must've been a reason.
It's hard to decide what the heck you're going to do with the rest of your life when you're only 18. Its like the school throws you in a pit of unlimited options sending an overwhelming surge down your spine and you kind of want to lose it. Nothing seemed to interest me. I hated math. I forever now hated science. What subject or class was I ever like "WOW. THIS IS SO COOL. LETS LEARN MORE!!" I just had to cool off for another semester and let God do the molding. From fall semester to Spring semester of my sophmore year I was able to really focus my being on God and just see where the heck he was going to take me. Leading bible study was really convenient for that . I was able to medidate on Him more and I was abel to recieve the comfort through that and my bible study girls who have supported me in so many ways ;)
It happened all at once.
I was reading online at the options they gave for majors/minors. I finally looked up Psychology and figured it didn't require math...Nor Chemistry?! How delightful!
Something else I figured out was that Psychology WAS actually a pretty neat class I took in high school. I loved learning how people think, behave, and develop. I decided to take a course and see how that went.
well, I got an A.

I figured this Psychology route was definetly going somewhere. I started feeling satisfied in this. I loved the idea of counseling other individuals too. I love to hear what other people are up to. I kind of like to get in people's heads, see what they're thinking. No questions about money, no questions about success. I felt at peace and content with this decision. God needs me in this field. You will be suprised at how much people need counseling; the variations are practically limitless. From marriage, family, support and recovery, alcohol, abuse, anxiety, child, and adolescent, the list goes on...
I've currently been leaning towards getting my masters in Guidance/School Counseling for high schoolers. I think how fun that would be to work with the younger crowd. 
I geuss I'm making this much longer than intended. But the point is, God has truely showered his grace on me and shown me a pathway; there IS a light at the end of the tunnel. I am fortunate enough to serve as an intern for the Vineyard Columbus Counceling Center this summer as I will be taking in phone calls for new clients/ setting up appointments. This is going to be such a great opportunity for growth and wisdom in this field. I've been training these past few weeks on the phones and getting to know the system better. I've gotten to know the staff and their share of stories, how they help these people. It makes me realize, as faith based counseling, they see the situations so much differently than that of secular counseling. Because theres no way on earth you can counsel someone without giving away the truth and using the Great Counseler Himself to work through these people and their lives. These counselors may do their job diligently, but they are vessels that lead to the Great Counselor Himself to finish his job.
I am so thankful to be working with these people. The staff is wonderful and so genuine.
I can't wait to see how the summer holds!
Also, I work at a concession stand at a movie theatre. Come see me.

Blessings!

Olivia