Go For It

Well I've done it again! Our ten year plan has changed once more. This time we took a big leap of faith by letting go completely of the "nursing school dream." This is still such a crazy idea to me. Nursing school has always been the plan. It was like a safety net that I HAD to get under my belt. Even though my heart was pulling away from it more and more.

I fell in love with anatomy and physiology during my long process of prerequisites. The way our body works is absolutely fascinating. God has glorified Himself through His design of the human body. One of my instructors would pause at least once in the middle of all her lectures and state, "That's why the bible says that we are fearfully and wonderfully made!" I so appreciate her for saying that, but she didn't even need to. Our body is so amazing in the way that it works, you don't need to say "amen." It just speaks for itself.

I had an epiphany during that particular semester. My biology instructors were opening the eyes of students to God's creation. Think about how many people take a course in anatomy and physiology. My biology instructors have an oportunity to touch thousands of lives. It's mind blowing to me

Along with the courses, I became obsessed with "study techniques." I know, it sounds so silly. I was time managing and "budgeting" all of my school work. One of my instructors took notice of my silly obsession and e mailed me after the semester offering me a work study position with Supplimental Instruction. I took up the offer and my eyes were opened to a whole new world. The world of teaching.

I had so much fun planning and holding my sessions for other biology students. I loved seeing the light bulbs go off in their heads. I came to realize that the biggest problem with 90% of students is that they don't know how to study. When they would come to realize this, it was a life changing moment. I have had students cry and tell me, "God put you here and He put me in your path. I was ready to give up."

I have figured out ways to explain things to students in such a way to where is makes sense to them. I have found and created the activities that are the best way to practice and review each portion of the material. This is something that I got really really good at. However, nursing is what was in sight and I refused to take my mind off of it.

After Harrison and I got engaged I had a long talk with my dad over the phone. (Our best way of communication as he resides in Seattle, WA) "Taylor, maybe you should hold off on nursing school. The first year of marraige is the most important and the Devil is going to be on the back of your heals. Satan doesn't like marraige, he is going to do whatever it takes to destroy it. Why don't you just take off a year to just be married."

This made perfect sense. It probably would have been a great idea to put my marraige first and get to know my husband instead of jumping right into the chaotic way of life in the nursing program. It would have been the perfect opportunity for the Devil to try to get his foot hold on usWe would be putting on so much added stress financially, emotionally, and in every other way. However, we didn't adhere to my fathers advice. Nursing school was the plan.

The day before school started I had a mental breakdown. I knew something was wrong with me health wise. I was so tired. I mean I was exhausted. I was experiencing symptoms of depression, and I just couldn't do much physically. My back was hurting so bad to the point where I couldn't stand for longer than 15 minutes at a time. "How on earth am I going to stay on my feet all day long?" I broke down into sobs. I didn't think I could do it. I was scared.

After we found out I had cancer and pulled me out of the program, OC Tech offered me another job position. SI was expanding online and I was going to be over it. I was so excited about this. It has kept me busy and has allowed me to work from home. What a blessing.

With school out of the picture and my focus only on SI, my eyes were opened to my support system that I had around me at OC Tech. I very much enjoy the people I work with/for at tech. I also realized how much I loved the "world of teaching."

Thoughts and ideas started to race through my head and I was off once again to talk to my mentour/former bio instructor at tech. She and I have had this conversation several times. "My ten year plan has changed, now when I finish nursing school I want to....." This time I eliminated a very large portion of that statement. I didn't want to go back to nursing school. I wanted to be a biology instructor and I wanted to do it at OC Tech. When I walked in her office I mentally prepared her for what she was about to hear by first telling her that I had seriously lowered my standards. Yes, I blurted that out before realizing that she was a biology instructor at OC Tech!

Harrison and I have talked and prayed over this and I am so excited to say that my major has officially changed. Nursing school is now in the rear view and the masters degree is in sight!

I recently listened to a sermon by one of my favorite speakers, Louie Giglio. The name of the sermon was "unthinkable you." His sermon was very similar to my previous blog post, "Goals." By no means do think that was a coincience. He told stories about how he and his wife made drastic decisions in carreer change, location, etc. Everyone thought they were crazy, but they were just being obedient to the Lord. Going in whatever direction they thought He was calling them to. He said people would ask him:

"How much are you going to make?"

"I don't know."

"Well how are you going to pay your bills?"

"I don't know."

When he said this, it dawned on me. "I don't even know the average salary of a college instructor." Guess what? It doesn't matter. If it's what the Lord is calling you to do something, He will provide you with the financial means to make it happen.

Right now, we're listeining to God and he is saying, "Biology. Go for it, Taylor!" My response is not, "Well how much does a biology instructor make, God? How am I going to pay for my bills?" Nope. We're going for it.