I've been around enough mom circles to know that many of us are still searching for that career as the kids get older-What do we want to do when we grow up? I know that this search comes from a result of wanting to make a difference and contribution to the world that only we can make. For the longest time, I was confident that I knew what I wanted to do when I grew up. I taught school, raised my kids, and went to work for the church. I felt fulfilled and knew I was doing what God wanted me to do for each of those seasons. I decided to resign as my position as Providence Christian Preschool director to work more closely with children but I wasn't sure if I was going back to teaching or another area with kids. Honestly, I really felt lost and confused for this season. During this summer, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and as a result had a huge compassion for people, especially little people with special needs. I began volunteering at the YMCA with children that had special needs. I soon discovered that these exceptional little people had so much love to give and so very much to teach me. This summer, I'm helping out at Camp Majic-a special needs camp at the YMCA. I've had an opportunity to talk with some of the children's one on one's. I'm currently investigating some of the agencies that work with these amazing kids. I'm also contemplating going back to school to get my special education certification. For those of you that are searching for something else and wondering what your next steps are I'd encourage you to volunteer, ask questions, read books, and pursue your search. It will find you!
3 comments:
You are an awesome young lady, Leanne. You have inspired and helped soo many people (adults and children).
What a special young lady that God made you into being and what you are to so many people - and especially to - Dad and I , to Jon and to Hannah and Isaac and Iso.
You are so blessed and gifted by God. May God continue to bless you and mold you into what HE wants you to be.
We love you so much. Love, Mother and Dad
When Jon asked me to guest blog on Stretched, I wrote about finding God in the spaces. In all of your transitions, life has thinned out and you have seen God in fresh and unexpected ways. As I'm sure you are figuring out, we are never finished but always moving from one thing to the next. You have faithfully followed God through these transitions, discovering the God speaks even through the things we would choose not to have in our lives. That doesn't mean that God sends suffering because it's good for us, but that God is greater than our pain and can bring very good things out of what not only seems but may really be bad. As you get more and more involved with special needs, I think you will discover what we discovered at Daybreak almost 20 years ago. That is that with spiritual sensitivity, we can see the presence of Christ in the pain of people who are suffering. Your courage to be open about your own mental health journey has already been a remarkable window into God's grace for many, many people.
Love, Dad
So glad to see your writing again!
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