Directional Assistance

To the point of being comical, I have always been directionally challenged.  When others are noticing helpful road signs and landmarks, I'm zoned in on my music and podcasts.  When there's a 50/50 shot on choosing which way I should turn, I get it wrong about 80% of the time. lol  Thank God for navigation - I need my destination plugged in so it can direct me step by step!

Metaphorically speaking, even though I (finally) know the desired "destination" includes leadership, writing books, speaking at conferences, teaching at CCU, and supervising counselors, I do not remotely claim to know the best pathway for getting myself there.  I need God's step-by-step guidance to stay on the course He has mapped out for me without falling into a ditch or taking the longest route possible!  It's a comforting thought to me that He already knows how this ends and has charted the best course forward.

Walking with Jesus on the left; trying to change in my own strength on the right.
For my path to becoming an LPC, Colorado on the left; Oklahoma on the right.
For Mom's path to healing, Integris on the left; OU Hospital on the right.
Access matters, and good leaders design systems to simplify that process!

It's been a humbling reminder for me to consider why God usually reveals things turn by turn rather than handing us our whole life-course map.  He. wants. us. to. stay. close.

Sometimes I've complained about how "I want the detailed map, but God gives me a compass."  But I'm realizing that metaphor doesn't represent His heart well.  What He gives me is the Holy Spirit, a personal guide and supportive friend who knows all my needs, has an exact plan for the best course, and walks beside me throughout life.  It's not ethereal, and He is not aloof or indifferent about where I end up.  God's desire is for us to enjoy the journey with Him ("fullness of joy in His presence") as He "makes known to us the path of life" (Psalm 16:11).  He just wants us to tune in, consistently seek Him, and stay close - and our lives are designed accordingly.

It's the best feeling to vacation with someone who plans well and has already navigated the best course, made reservations, and prepared a schedule for the day.  We have that in the Holy Spirit - we can rest in His guidance.  Who needs a detailed map when the friend you're walking with designed the whole course?  I want to keep that in mind moving forward, staying very close and listening for His voice!

"Apart from Me, you can do nothing!" (-Jesus, John 15:5)

"Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it." (Psalm 127:1)
"May Your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing." (Psalm 143:10)

* * * * * * *

These Bible recap prayers are my sincere prayers for the remainder of the PhD program and my LPC hours - to grow and learn with the right heart and motives - so hearing and praying through them daily feels really helpful - a kind little gift from God!

I had my final Momentum interview with Mr. Faure yesterday afternoon - very grateful that we had a good connection, and thankful God opened this new door!!  Part 1 was a Zoom interview with Chloe; Part 2 was a recorded AI-counseling simulation; and Part 3 was that interview with the company founder... all a little nerve-wracking, but such good experience!  I slightly over-prepared, but it made me feel so much better and more confident than I have in prior job interviews.  (*Side note, but I am thankful for the ways Brene Brown and Adam Grant have made me less afraid to TRY - they emphasize the value of being well-prepared and working with excellence, and their intellectual brilliance combined with genuine friendship is unique and inspiring).  I am embracing that growth mindset of preparing well and putting in my sincere best effort to learn and seek out new information when I feel stuck or overwhelmed, and to be wholehearted as I move forward in the counseling profession!  I'm back in it now - let's do this!!

Seven books that have shaped me:

Yay for catching up with Kristin last week!  I don't think I ever posted this, but here it is.  Their logo was cute, so it merited this rare upward-angle pose. lol


Michael being Michael and making me laugh!

FB presenting me with rrrrandom ads that also make me laugh!  They seem to know I will always pause scrolling for cute Pom puppies. lolol

Yes, David!!  "The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me."  And provide directional assistance throughout the journey!  ;-)

Praying God blesses the CCU campus, faculty, and students... and that I get to join them as a professor someday.   Already thinking about what my first Residency talk might look like and what a JOY that would be for me! lol ❤

Miss K and her teammates in their final tournament at CCS on Monday!

The red leg-sleeve makes her easy to spot - I love that she is unafraid to shine and stand out - that will serve her so well moving forward!

Yay, Mini Miss K!  And yay that the Counselor hoodie and identity are making a comeback! ❤

Still worthy, just for the record. lol
I love so many things about this movie - what a treat to see it on the big screen again!!

Learned a new word from the Situated book that may become my "Word for 2027"...
It's pronounced purse-pick-acity, and it's a God-given leadership trait where Chettles (aka Channels) definitely shines, and something I would love to grow in!

Miss Katherine Claire protecting the butterfly that befriended her ❤

And Miss Parker Elizabeth being proud of her Fruit of the Spirit award for Love - preshface!! ❤  Kids being  joyful and proud of themselves is truly one of my favorite things!!

And for the record, I also love seeing adults celebrating their accomplishments - yay, Alicia!  Yes to celebrating good things every time we get the chance!!

September is officially coming to a close tonight.  Wild.
Lots of change on the horizon, but the Holy Spirit will be walking with me in every step, telling me when to rest, where to turn, and when to push forward.  I'm listening!

Praying for a fruitful month of October ahead!!

❤ ❤ ❤

Choose the Story

Hey, friends!!  Happy Monday, and I hope this week is off to a good start for you! ❤

I've DoorDashed P.F. Chang's for dinner, so I'm attempting to finish writing this post before it gets here.  Fun Fact:  I had grabbed that for a late lunch after K's scrimmage the day of Mom's car wreck, then threw away most of my delicious chicken pad thai at a gas station on my way to OU Hospital, so this will kinda feel like a redemptive dinner for me! lol

I got in a lovely 88-degree afternoon walk today with a fantastic 2000s-era pop playlist - yes, please!

Choose. the. story. you'll tell yourself!!!

Split portrait ChatGPT trend...
(This = Mom's Senior pic on the left and Rachael's on the right)

Rach left and Kyndal Faith right

Me left and Kyndal right! lol  Pretty fun!

Currently listening to this book and loving it!  So many fantastic books on my list right now!!

Including Annie's new one... didn't expect to cry while listening to it, but her ultrasound story (left) was so incredibly familiar that it hit me and gave me an unexpected healthy grief moment.  Also, I love that her stated goal for this book is to help readers identify what is holding them back in their callings and then "do the work to get unstuck."

She writes with wisdom about the enemy's plot to steal, kill, and destroy... and Jesus' instructions for us to ask, seek, and knock.  Finished the book yesterday and highly recommend it - my favorite of hers so far!

Love her, and her nails and book cover and shoes! lol

Also adore Eddie and their friendship and genuine conversations!!

Encouraging truth:

Mom's donor site and skin graft are looking better and better!  (The grafted skin will continue to heal and gradually become lighter and blend with the rest of her knee, but this is a vast improvement from the first time we saw it on 8-28!!)

Miss Paige Evelyn ready to run! lol

So thankful for Chet Lee, a wonderful friend and encourager whose wholehearted belief in me helps me to believe in myself!

(Current context:  In part two of a potentially three-part interview process, I had to do a mock counseling session on video with an AI simulated bot - an awkward process that shook my confidence a bit, but I did my best, and I am trusting God with the outcome!)

Mom and I ordered new phone covers - yay!

Solid reminders:

Praying for more of God's anointing and authority lately as I read these verses and lean into a leadership identity, seriously considering God's standards and His heart toward leaders:  "I will be with you as I was with Moses...  You are the one who will lead... Be strong and very courageous... Be careful to obey... Study this Book of Instruction continually."  (Then you will be successful and no one will be able to stand against you.  Challenging instructions with massive promises - integrity and obedience always matter, and the Lord is a faithful rewarder of those who sincerely seek Him!)

Okay, now I'm off to eat my chicken lo mein - right on time. =)
"May the joy of Jesus be in you, that your joy may be complete!"

Make it a great week ahead!

❤ ❤ ❤

Don't Let That Hold You Back

*This = Post #500 on this Season 2 Blog!
Four of my favorite Christian female authors released a new book on Tuesday!!

I pre-ordered 3 out of 4, and I'll grab Lysa's soon too.  (I wanted these on my bookshelf, but I'll for sure listen to the Audible version.)

Yaaaay - thanks to Kristin for this reminder today!!

I'm preparing and planning for a job interview tomorrow morning, and this encouragement was well-timed - thanks, God!

I'm especially excited to read this one by my good friend, Annie F. Downs (who I've only met twice in person and who I'm guessing is now legally Annie Jaeger, which brings me lots of joy).  I also love that she got colorful shoes and nails to match her book cover - fun!

I've read the first two chapters thanks to the pre-order bonuses, and the message of this book feels like God's good and perfect timing for me...

Fun Fact:  One year and three days ago, I was in NYC watching Hamilton live on Broadway!  (A truly fantastic solo trip - and it gave me the courage to book the solo Alaska cruise.)  Yes, please, to knocking those fantastic experiences off my Life List!! =)

Two days later, I had the Dallas IVF appointment where I learned about the fibroids that eventually led to me letting go of the embryo adoption plan.  I've got to say, the enemy knows how to target overthinkers (and it's so easy to believe lies when we are vulnerable and hurting) -- my ability to reframe things can be a great blessing or a curse, and it is VITAL that I take my thoughts captive and submit to God's leadership, truth, and grace!

I'm thankful for good friends who could help me separate the light from the dark and see things more clearly when the path ahead felt foggy and scary.

I pressed the pause button on almost everything in that season, convincing myself that I had gotten the adoption pursuit very wrong and it was better for me to step back until I knew for sure that God was with me and for me in whatever I was stepping into...

But the truth is, I did a lot of things right in that season.  It was right and good for me to pray over that dream, step out in faith, put my best foot forward, trust God's goodness, and pursue motherhood wholeheartedly.  AND it was right and good for me to recognize the doors being closed, pray for wisdom, and learn to accept and surrender to God's leading in a new way.  Hard.  But not wrong; not missing God; not stupid, inadequate, or selfish.  God wasn't mad at me or disappointed in me over any of that, and I don't want to allow the enemy to steal or kill or destroy the good things God did in me and for me through that season.

God did not fail or abandon me then, and He will not fail or abandon me now.  Even today, I have to trust Him and be willing to step out with bold faith in pursuing new dreams, while also being willing to surrender to His leading even when it is hard or costly!!

I feel like I'm getting the chance to do both of those here lately as I step back into the CCU PhD pursuit.  It feels equal parts daunting and exciting in this moment - I've spent the better part of a year convincing myself that I'm not cut out for the counseling world and don't really belong there, but God has spoken so clearly lately that I cannot (and would never want to) ignore or dismiss it.  Praying for more of God's power and grace as I step toward His calling and purpose for me - which involves sticking with some things I would rather leave, and letting go of some things I'd rather cling tightly to!!

All that to say, I don't want to let anything hold me back from following God boldly, and I think Annie's book will be really encouraging on that front!

❤

Shifting gears, it made me (and Kyndal Faith) happy that Coach Nikki (the solid leader of the Rise Club VB organization) used her pic on the Instagram invite for club tryouts!!

"Do not be afraid as you go out to fight... Do not lose heart or panic or tremble before them.  For the Lord your God is going with you!  HE will fight for you against your enemies, and He will give you victory!"  YES, Deuteronomy - love this book!!  God is with us and bringing us victory over the enemy, but we still have an active role to play by going out to fight for the full life God wants to give us - I feel that as deeply as I've ever felt it in this season!

HBD to Kate on Tuesday (when I started this post - lol).  

Thankful for her example of resilient joy and for her friendship through the years!!

Okay friends, I am off to sleep in my very own bed for the first time since August 6th - exciting times!!

Very grateful that Mom is improving, and we decided it was better for me to start the day here for the morning interview.  Praying for good momentum, that God will open the right doors as I move forward with integrity and faith.

❤ ❤ ❤

Party with Puppies!

Yesterday was the Puppies & Yoga class, part one of Kristin's 40th Birthday celebration!!  Part two will be a delightful brunch or meal of her choosing, but nothing quite this adorable or exciting. lol

So much cuteness and so much fun! 

It was a 45-minute beginner yoga class followed by 30 minutes to play with the puppies.  (After seeing the middle pic of myself during the class, I promptly stepped out to grab some lipstick before that last 30 minutes.) lol

Puppies are just the cutest and most playful and sweet!! ❤

This = a cousins pic with all three sets of puppy siblings (there were 3 cream-colored Siberian Huskies, 2 gray and white Siberian Huskies, and 3 black and white Alaskan sled dogs - eight puppies total, and about 12-15 people in the class)!! ❤

Their eyes are so pretty!

We had mild concerns about it being a scam, as the location is a little sketchy.  But once we were inside, all was well and we both had a lot of fun!  Yaaay!!

All in all, a really fun experience!  I definitely appreciated the degree to which no one was taking the yoga too seriously.  I avoided touching my eyes and I changed clothes right when I got home.  Next time, I would wash my hands immediately after the class and shower right when I got home (to avoid allergy issues with itchy/watery eyes - that's been a little rough last night and this morning), annnnd I would wear socks during the class - Kristin made a good call on that one. lol

Anyway, I'm glad it was fun, and I'm happy with all the cute pics we got!  I plan to watch their page and come again if ever they host Corgis or Pom puppies!! =)

❤ ❤ ❤

Kristin and I split a pizza at Hideaway for lunch just before the class (yum!), and I hosted LifeGroup earlier that morning!  We had a new woman join us this time, which was awesome, and we had a really good talk where everyone shared part of their stories!  The pics = Walker showing us the jungle scene he created while we were meeting + the pigs in a blanket I made for everyone whilst catching up with Chettles yesterday morning!

Sadly, I had to miss Katherine Claire's 5th Birthday party that morning -- her actual birthday is this coming Thursday, and I sent my gift via Amazon, but hopefully I'll get to see her sometime soon, too -- Chet said it was a great crowd, and these pictures made me happy... Sam's cakes for the win!!

"I got my ticket for the long way 'round..." 
This = two years ago today, two weeks post-surgery for me!

Cups with Kyndal Faith + watching Jaceman play golf (Mom and Dad's backyard backs up to a golf course).  This was the summer of the red mohawk (inspired by Hawk from Cobra Kai). #CobraKaiNeverDies #mustwatchthatagain

And this = four years ago today... my Taber home coming right along!  That bottom pic was taken from what has become my recliner spot in the living room - they very agreeably moved those two small windows on the left up before closing day, which allowed me to hang my lovely tree-bridge painting in the living room! =)

I appreciate what AI can do to spice up any pic with a white background! lol

Happy 4th from me and the CCU roomies!

I'm having a very restful Sunday, as tomorrow I have my first PSO rates case at work, an all-day remote court hearing that will require an expedited transcript -- (yay for the extra $, but it will absolutely require some extra focus, so I may not be back here until Friday).

Happy Sunday!

Finish strong for this first half of 2026, friends!!

❤ ❤ ❤