What a Week!!

Oh my goodness...  The past week has been a legitimate rollercoaster for me.  I took my boards last Tuesday, and then was in a state of limbo until yesterday when I found out whether I passed or not.  It was the longest week of my life, fraught with stress, emotion, and frustration.

But in the midst of all of this, some good things occurred -- secured myself a new fitness job, which is very exciting!  I'll be teaching some Monday/Wednesday/Friday morning Boot Camp classes (see http://beyondfitphysiques.com/ for info about what that's all about) and I'm super stoked about it!  I'm excited to be involved with a group of wonderful women who will help motivate and encourage me to be more steadfast with my own habits (I've already noticed changes!).  Teaching is honestly one of my favorite things to do.


Daniel has also applied for a position with the local police department in my town and has an interview on the 2nd.  It's very exciting for him (and for me! I'd love for us to be closer!!) and so prayers would be greatly appreciated as he begins the process.  He's also signed up to take his motorcycle class the weekend of the 5th, which successful completion means he can carry passengers (aka ME!).


And Tuesday was the big day --- the day I found out whether or not I passed my board exam, which determined whether or not I could begin working at the hospital, which determined my financial health.  So no pressure!  I was at work and checked the website for my name on my lunch break -- nothing popped up.  I wasn't sure when they would begin posting, so to double check (and to see if I'd simply failed), I checked one of my classmates.  There her name was.  I checked mine again.  Nothing.  I'd failed.  I called Daniel and just burst into tears... My world was reeling.  I thought it could happen, but I'd been praying so fervently that it wouldn't happen.  I would have to work at Cato for three more months.  What about my financial support?  Would that continue or would that get cut off?  Would I have to move to SC?  Then a small flicker of hope sprung up in my mind --- maybe they were posting alphabetically and hadn't gotten to the L's yet.


I got back on the website and checked several classmates who alphabetically came after me.  Not a single one was posted.  The flicker of hope burned a little brighter.  I called Daniel back and explained my theory.  He supported it (but then again, why wouldn't he?  He was hoping for this pass as much as I was).  But I was so rattled that I couldn't stay on the phone with him after telling him what the website was and how it worked.  There was no way I was going to be able continue checking the website.  So I decided to meekly sit and attempt to eat my lunch (although my stomach was in such knots of fear and anxiety that it was quite difficult) in quiet -- to calm myself down, and to try and stop the flow of stress-induced tears.


Five minutes into this attempt at peace, my phone rang.  It was Daniel.  "Alright PTA License Number 4-8-5-9... YOU PASSED!"  I literally jumped up and down, in circles, did a strange star looking jump, and yelled (yes, in the middle of my workplace) "I PASSED!"  My life wasn't over.  My worst fears weren't realized.  I'd been spared extended torture and having to re-take the hardest test I've ever taken in my life.

I couldn't stop smiling the rest of the day.  Spreading the news to my friends and family was like handing them happiness.  I'd made them proud and not disappointed them.  It felt so fantastic that I was finally at that point where I could say: "I'll be starting my career in two weeks."








I am pleased to say that 11 of my classmates also experienced the same joy I felt.  But I am broken hearted to say that 1 felt the worst pain and anguish imaginable.  Please keep this one student in your prayers as she prepares to re-study and re-take the exam in October.  She is an amazing person and deserves to be a PTA -- if you knew her, she'd be just as much as an inspiration to you as she is to me and my classmates.






So now I'm just waiting to be making "big girl money," to have a normal and regular schedule/routine, and to have health insurance (Woooooohooooo!).  I know there will be lots of bumps and learning curves, but I'm just so excited that I'm choosing not to focus on that right now.


God brought me through one hell of a week, and I couldn't be more grateful for the work he's done in my life.  Because it was truly God who opened this PTA door for me.  Without God in all this, I would have never heard of or gotten into the program, moved New Bern, established a deeper relationship with Him, or gotten into a relationship with Daniel (THE mister), or found the housing I've found.  His fingerprints are all over my life...

I am beyond irritated.  You think I was in a mood, well buddy, let me show you a mood.  Let me show you the cold worlds of my moods.  You want to make a snarky comment just as I'm getting to the time where I'm biochemically predisposed to moods, on top of not knowing whether or not I passed/failed a career deciding exam and am going crazy over it?  Well "honey," let me show you a mood...

Positive Influences

This last move has been such a positive path for me... My landlady/housemate/friend and I have really used this opportunity of co-habitation to push each other.  To encourage each other.  To create an environment of positive lifestyle choices.  Challenging each other to take the steps we need to take individually and to help hold each other accountable.

One of the lifestyle choices we're targeting is our weight/fitness.  This encompasses exercise as well as eating a better diet and balancing those indulgences.

Another aspect we're trying to challenge each other with is our dedication to studying the Bible and seeking out mentors and wisdom/guidance from them.  This challenge has been great!  We've both found mentors and are seeking the path for deeper faith.  I am very excited about this!!

I've just really enjoyed having these positive influences in my life, which are helping me grow into a better person -- one which is more mature and who has better lifestyle choices.  This move to New Bern has been one of the most difficult and challenging times of my life, but has really been such a blessing.  And I pray that this journey continues and leads me into more and more positive places! :)