My Promise of Exciting News

Coincidences. 
I don't believe in them. 

Sure some things seem to be accident or chance but I believe that God is divinely working in and through everything.  Leaving His fingerprint everywhere I look.

I don't believe that He controls everything we do or inflicts sickness, famine, or poverty on anyone.  I believe He is loving and just but the reality is that we live in a fallen world. 
Yet despite this fallen world, I believe He works through everything for good and ultimately for His glory. 

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Romans 8:28-30)

And although we have this beautiful promise and believe that He makes beauty from ashes and brokenness, I would never wish these past months on anyone. 
But through this time of questioning, seeking, and trusting in Him, something that may seem coincidental has happened.  But I know it wasn't. It was divinely planned and held in His hand. 
And it is exciting!

In my last post Another Step Up, I promised to share this with you soon and I cannot keep it from you any longer!  I have told pretty much everyone I have talked to (including health care professionals and a couple strangers!) since Wednesday morning when the final decision was made. 
I have so much excitement and expectant joy that I just cannot keep it in. 
And if I wouldn't of gotten sick, wouldn't of started a blog, wouldn't of had a dear friend reconnect with me because of how she could relate to things I was going through, and if she wouldn't of looked into a health coach and so kindly and generously looked for one for me too, I wouldn't of gotten connected with Amanda, my amazing health coach and cheerleader!
And if that wouldn't of happened, I probably wouldn't of ever known much about health coaching or looked into it more.  Or talked about how we wanted a Christian health coach with my dear friend. 
And I certainly wouldn't of looked up schooling for it.  Nor found a site almost accidentally called the Institute of Integrative Nutrition (IIN). 

And however accidental it may have appeared, the more I read, the more I knew it was a divine appointment for me to be looking through that site.  Everything I read made me more and more filled with joy and a purpose.  It fit with my Christian values and core beliefs about health.
The more I read, the more I knew it was for me.  I was meant to do this.  And I could do it!
The IIN provides an online course in order to become a health coach! This is their description of the program:

The Health Coach Training Program is a yearlong online course specially designed for people who are passionate about health and wellness. Whether you’re interested in learning about nutrition, launching a meaningful new career, or even changing the world, Integrative Nutrition will empower you to transform your life and achieve your personal and professional goals.Integrative Nutrition’s comprehensive curriculum covers over 100 dietary theories and combines counseling techniques with real-world business training. Its unique nutrition philosophy takes a holistic approach to wellness and encourages students to consider relationships, work, exercise, and spirituality as essential to building good health.With Integrative Nutrition’s innovative learning model, you’ll be empowered to build a thriving health coaching practice, transform your own health and happiness, and change the world.

So after prayer, journaling, thinking and talking about this, I decided I was going to do it!  It is manageable regardless of if I continue to get better or not as it is online! 
 It truly made me come more alive the more and more I talked about it. 
And the crazy thing, my mom felt that way too!!
So as of September, we are going to embark on this journey together!!
I am so very excited and for the first time in a while cannot wait for the future for it is safe, welcoming, and new!  Full of something I am expectantly joyful and wonder filled about. 

And as this week continues to be filled with strength that surprises me, peace that overflows in my heart, and encouragement from so many, I am so grateful for all that I have gone through so I know that He has never left me and walked along with me - guiding me to this point!

And it also doesn't mean the end of nursing for me.  Just something attainable I can do and love this year and then see where God leads after that!

So here's to God moving, guiding, and divinely interweaving His goodness, love, and glory into my Story.  Into your Story. 
Here's to moving forward and upward. Keeping our eyes on Him and living our lives fully wherever He places us. 
Here's to God-sized dreams.  His plans. And His glory. 

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