Changes

Contemplative.

That's what prompted a big change this week.

On Saturday, I left the city with Mom to go stay with my parents in the suburbs for the day. I had a lot of questions on my my mind as we drove along the highway.

What do I really need or want out of my four years at Moody? What kind of experience do I want to get here? What do I find joy in? Would I actually enjoy teaching English? Do I want my PCM to be tutoring English? I love my current PCM with the kids in my after-school program - should I not do that again next year, because it doesn't line up with my TESOL major? Do I want to always be the teacher to a student? 

Am I even in the right major? 

All of these questions and more finally came flooding out into the open and Mom and I talked. This was a culmination of unvoiced thoughts that had been in the back of my mind for a long time.

I could tell the Spirit was prompting a change. I wanted to obey, not only because I know the Lord loves obedience (and because I love Him), but because I know that ultimately, His plan is so much greater than mine anyways. What do I have to lose? The better question was: What might I get to gain?

After seeking counsel from other believers, reading the Word, and praying lots, I finally decided. I handed in a special form on Tuesday.

I changed my major.

I know, that's a normal thing for freshmen to do. But it was a bigger deal for me. It will change the neatly organized plans that I had for these next years. God had to pry my fingers open, so that I would follow Him with complete abandon and full trust. I had to let go of the security of knowing I would have a "career degree" and teach English after college. It was time to put my faith in Him who really provides.

So, my announcement is:

I am now a Children's Ministry Major.

And I'm SO excited. It feels right. I feel at peace. It makes me happy to think about the new possibilities out there that God might have. I could still easily get my TESOL certification online after Moody, so if the Lord leads that way, that is a good option. Until then, I will be happily taking classes like Faith in Learning, Human Development and Foundations for Children's Ministry in the coming years.

It's scary to make this switch, but thrilling too. I have a feeling God has something bigger than I realize in this. Maybe it was just a step of obedience and growth, but maybe it was a course-correction. Either way, I know it's where I'm supposed to be, and it's quite an adventure!