Tired, Stressed, Relieved and Currently Happy and Healthy!!!

Finally I am back!!! Having just spent several weeks summarizing previous assessments, observing behaviors, interviewing significant people (including other therapists), summarizing interviews and observations, and postulating in a clinical opinion, I have finally completed a 60 page comprehensive assessment, a new program plan, and a new 18 page implementation plan for a new client. It has all been submitted to the main office and, hopefully, is on its way to gaining approval from the State for services.

Every time I complete a project like this I breathe a little sigh of relief and then go back to stressed. Now that I have a plan, I am responsible to make it work for this child.

On top of all this I now need to be preparing for a new school year at my day job. Only, instead of being the school counselor, I will be teaching 5th grade!!!

After 16 years as a school counselor, the only position I have held in this school district, they have now seen fit to keep the newest counselors in their positions (since they have no other endorsements on their certificates) and put me and another, older counselor, into the classroom. Just think of it--I have not had my own classroom in 19 years!!! Here I am, a 5th grade teacher-to-be and expecting a classroom full of 30 or more students. The last time I taught I had 18 students in 2nd grade. What a change in professions!! What stress on me and my family!!

Oh--as I have previously mentioned--that is not all!! More changes are on the way!! Everyone in our district is taking an enormous pay cut. Mine will be over $4,000!!!

This means I cannot spend all evening at the school prepping for the next day. I used to do that, but I don't think it was of any real value to me professionally. And now I can't afford it!!! I have to keep the money coming in from my second and/or third professional job by continuing to work every evening until at least 6 pm or later at my IBI/PSR jobs. Which positions are coming under increased regulation by state bodies who do not have even a tiny idea of what we do and what our clients need.

In the meantime, the State Bureau of Occupational Licenses has decided that I need to actually physically go to expensive classes rather than just take courses online for my 20 CEU's per year for my professional counselor license renewal.

I won't be trying to digest all of this at once. I am going to live one day at a time and plan ahead for as much as I can accomplish.

For some unknown reason, I am being stretched immensely at this time in my life. I do not know why, but I know my Savior, Jesus Christ, and my Father in Heaven will be there for me all along, just as they always have been. For whenever a door is closed on one part of my life, another is opened and new beginnings are at hand.

I am both concerned and excited about my new challenges and believe I am about to embark on a journey requiring faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ, and service to others.

I would like to say something funny right now--but I am not thinking of anything--I am too fatigued from the events of the past month.

This next paragraph is about as close as I get:

How has it occurred that governments are always wanting more work and stress for less money?! What did someone say we cannot ever escape? Death and taxes? Well, we also cannot escape the alarming combination and default conspiracy of legislative ineptitude and bureaucratic tunnel-mindedness. Throw that in with some people's idea that spending money to assist the developmentally disabled is some type of diagnosable (yet untreatable) disorder and you have a humongous mess coming your way. Look out!!! You may be next!!!

The Lord bless all of you!!

My Love to you!!