My New Adventure begins!
My new adventure starts on September 19th, 2025. I will be going back to school to get my Masters in Christian Counselling! This isn’t something that I have been planning for years, but totally fits with my background and experience. Although I am very nervous about this next step, I’m very excited as well! After recovering from 2 concussions 3 years ago, “will my 53 year old brain be able to keep up?” After Homeschooling my kids for the last 9 years, “will the teacher be able to transition successfully to the role of student?” Join me as I embark on this new adventure of faith and purpose!
Why become a Christian Counsellor?
In January, I started seeing posts and hearing ads on the radio about becoming a Christian counsellor. Since I don’t believe in coincidence, I asked God if this was something He wanted me to be doing. It seemed a good fit as I love helping people, and my Christian faith is very important to me. I wouldn’t have gotten past many hard experiences, like the death of my father, without my faith in my Heavenly Father watching out for me. Since I love sharing my faith, and want to see as many people embrace Jesus as I have, it’s really a no brainer.
Moreover, it was my mentor Trish Blackwell’s faith based coaching that helped me beat depression, anxiety, and become the person I am today. Conventional depression treatments and counselling didn’t work for me, but Trish’s approach did. In fact it was her holistic approach which included my Christian faith that made all the difference. I became a health and wellness coach under her direction, in the hopes that I would be able to help others the way she helped me. Becoming a Christian counsellor simply takes my knowledge base and gives it a stronger foundation to help those around me.
Why my new adventure makes me nervous?
My new adventure makes me nervous for various reasons. Firstly, will I be able to keep up? My BA was in Political Science and History from 1990-95. That’s a looong time ago as far as my classroom skills are concerned. Make no mistake, I love learning and have taken many online courses to get my Med Missionary training, and my Neurodiversity Coach training. I’ve done well in those courses, but this is a whole new step. I took some Psychology for my BA requirements, but nothing past the 1st year level. Consequently I’m a bit concerned about being able to remember everything at the pace the course requires.
Not to mention the 2 concussions I endured 6 weeks apart 3 years ago. Although I learned a lot from them, such as not multitasking with heavy objects over your head, I’m also concerned about my recall abilities. Will I be able to remember what I need to for tests? Will my brain panic when I need it most? Thankfully I fully understand how the neuroplasticity of the brain works, so these thoughts are something I work on every day. I’m glad I’ve managed to get over caring what people will think, but I am concerned about being a good example to my children of what’s possible.
Thirdly, how will we afford it? As I’m writing this, I still don’t know how I will pay for this new adventure! My experience with Canadian Student Loans from my BA, still fills me with panic! I haven’t found any scholarships, or grants available to me. As a result of homeschooling our kids, we have been largely a one income family. Although I am a Virtual Assistant and Coach, this hasn’t brought in the money we were hoping it would. As a result, we do no have the finances necessary for this. As in all things we are putting it in God’s hands, and can’t wait to see how He provides!
Why I’m so excited to get started!
Firstly, I love doing Bible studies and listening to commentary videos by Pastor’s I trust. It will be so exciting to be learning Greek and Hebrew to understand the Bible at an even deeper level! What’s really great is that I’m interested in all the required courses to achieve my Masters. They are all fascinating to me, and I can’t wait to get started! It’s going to be so incredible to end up with my Masters in a subject I’m already very passionate about, and studying on my own for many years.
What’s really funny about this, is 18 years ago I actually applied to the Lutheran Seminary to become a pastor. In the same week, I received my acceptance, my now husband proposed, and I received a new job offer. At the time, I chose my husband and the job offer over seminary. Now I’m heading back to a Christian college, but now in the stream of a Christian Counsellor, not a pastor. Life truly has come full circle.
Furthermore, I’m going to be able to help people improve their lives both physically, and spiritually. As a counsellor, I’ll be able to use all my life experiences and education to really make a difference in this world and the world to come!
In Conclusion:
My new adventure is going to be epic! This is why I will continue to write about this adventure to show everyone what’s possible no matter your age and situation. I hope you will continue to follow me in this journey, and that it inspires you to go after your dreams too!
As a natural encourager, I live to help others!!! One-on-one coaching is a great way to start building your confidence, and improve your health! I help people with Fibromyalgia and chronic illness manage their symptoms with ease, so they never feel held back again! Click here for an application form and I would be happy to help you in your journey. Subscribe to my weekly newsletter by clicking here. You can also contact me at andrea@nopainallgain.ca or check out my website: www.nopainallgain.ca
