My best friend has been encouraging me to encourage you. She says that all that I have been going through is so that I can help and encourage others. I know this to be true based on comments that I have gotten from my readers around the web that have been encouraged by what I write about my experiences with God and how He guides me through troubled waters.

After the situation that occurred last year, and much struggle with waiting, I have finally achieved some of my goals! First of all, I learned a new habit. I went to a seminar about an opportunity that I will eventually share with you and heard someone speak that taught me a lot. The new habit is to read 10 pages of a good book - something that will teach or educate you in some way; every day. By doing this, it will cause a paradigm shift on a daily basis that is so subtle, that you won't even notice it until it moves you step by step into your change.  Your life will dramatically improve!

I started to apply this idea to my life in the last 2 weeks. I discovered that it is not good to do this at night, because your brain is too tired then. I kept falling asleep the first two days that I tried this. So I determined to do it first thing in the morning. Now, mind you, I'm not talking about bible reading time. In my mind, that is separate, and should be done first. However, I started this practice, and to my amazement, I finally completed one of the books that I started about 1.5 years ago.

No, I'm not a slow reader. I have simply started several really good books, and have been unable to balance or budget my time to read them all. In fact, I hadn't the time to finish even one of them. Between studying and helping others, I have hardly had the time to glance at more than the first chapter or the intro to a new book that I had purchased.

For instance, I found several interesting massage theory based books, on some related modality. Of course, I get all fascinated, and I purchase the book to soak in the knowledge, but as soon as I get about 1-2 chapters in; life and all of its issues steps in and distracts me into focusing on other things that I must focus on. So finishing this book is a big deal, because I've struggled, when I have a little time to do some reading, as to which of the books I'm in the middle of, shall I read today?

So therefore, to finally get through 1 of the dozen or so books that I've been trying to complete, is indeed a feat, especially because I was focused last year, mostly on studying. That brings me to another accomplished goal. This goal started in 2010, after once again, becoming unemployed. Actually, the last employment was with the Census Bureau, which is a pretty screwed up operation, so it wasn't like a real job. Nevertheless, I had been unemployed for about 2-2.5  years prior, so I wasn't ungrateful. Upon my departure, I was once again unemployed, but I determined that I would not be idle.

So in the interim of becoming employed, I've been busy building this website, which I'm still not finished with; and going to school for massage therapy. Having to learn anatomy and physiology, as well as all the different modalities, took up quite a bit of my time, because first of all, I love massage therapy. Secondly, I was determined to complete this, especially in light of the school loans I took, for the second time, to do this.

So after completing in February of 2011, and graduating in March, I struggled for the remaining months of that year, in getting the monies together to simply take my exam. It seemed that 2011 was a year of delays, with major car issues including brakes and major parts for engine functions, as well as other bill issues, and even having the money stolen from me at one point. In addition, there were people who interfered with my study time, who felt that they knew what was best for me, which basically, was about their own selfish motivations; wanting to use me to achieve their own ambitions.

Yet and still, God is above it all, and in control of all. It was in His plans that I accomplish MY goals. He wanted me to fulfill my dreams, because He gave me those desires. Thus, after even getting the money, and a last minute scheduling issue that prevented me from taking my exam at the end of last year. But again, God knew best, and that delay gave me extra time to prepare.

Because I was so well prepared, the test, which was the most difficult of the exams we can take, seemed very easy to me. I passed it with no problems on 1/4/2012, and applied for my license. After some confusion about my application's completeness, the matter was resolved this week, and I now am officially a nationally certified licensed massage therapist! I am so happy to finally get that letter last night, because now, I can work! Praise God! I could have given up, but in order to be a victor and not a victim, you have to do your best, and trust God to do the rest!