Clarifying Details and Making it Known

Thanks to everyone for all the support and emails and questions and even excitement about my recent decision to come home early. However, I know that MSN can be a tricky thing because I can't tell what people's emotions are like, and no one can obviously really read how I'm feeling when I talk to them or answer questions about coming home.

It's been fairly difficult thus far, but I will make it clear right now that I am absolutely at peace and delighted about coming home in September. I am taking a year off, living and working in Ontario and taking an Animal Care Worker program from Georgian College (part time evening studies in Newmarket). I will be volunteering at the SPCA in Hamilton to get some professional hands on experience working with animals. I do plan on returning to AUC for the remainder of my Youth Ministry program, but not until next year, as I have to build myself up both financially and spiritually before returning to Calgary.

So in the meantime I will be pursuing (part time) another passion of mine - animal care. I've always wanted to do it but wasn't sure when, and this new course offered in Newmarket is a perfect opportunity to be able to stay working full time, volunteering at the shelter and still gain qualifications to work in several animal care related situations for the future.

By speaking to a lot of you, I have gotten a lot of mixed feelings. People are hesitant to ask me if I'm happy or if I'm going to be completely changing directions altogether. I feel as though people are either pitying me for having to leave unexpectedly, or that they are wondering if I am dropping out or quitting my youth ministry dream. I can guarantee you all that this is not necessary, as I am quite happy to be moving forward with God's plan for me. It is a decision based on both my happiness and the sake of the youth in this town - for they are in need of someone experienced and dedicated longterm to this program.

This is not an unexpected decision, and it has been made by only me and confirmed by many people that I trust. I am quite happy and really do look forward to coming home. The only thing that might be a little sad is that my Wednesday nights will be spent in Newmarket for my class, meaning that I cannot help lead Axis, but I will still be as involved as possible with the youth and young adults in Caledonia.

With all of this said, I look forward to seeing you all when I get home. Thanks so much for your support and prayers. I do not see this as a failure on my behalf, or that I am quitting. I am simply rewiring and recharging, temporarily. It is for the good of my spiritual health and my relationships with friends, family, and God.

Please do not pity or worry about me - as I am completely at peace and confident about this decision. Be happy for me, and I hope I have not let anybody down. If I have, then I'm sorry, but I'm not giving up; please remember that. I am convinced that this is what God wants for me.

This is not the conclusions of my blogging, but it is an official announcement of a new beginning and opening more doors for myself and for others.