I'm that indecisive person who starts out wanting to be a nurse, but when she is older decides that what she really wants to do is be a sports therapist. But wait, maybe she actually wants to be a hair stylist. Then a few years later she falls in love with cinematography.
The above is literally how my plans looked over the last several years. You see, I am always finding something new that I enjoy doing. Something is always peeking my interest. I also have a very vivid imagination. So, I would spend hours dreaming up and planning a new career. I would have everything in order (in my mind) from the style of clothes I would need for the job, to the time schedule I would have.
With each of these "dream careers" something always fell through. Door after door closed, and when I tried to squeeze through the window...lets just say that didn't work either.... It was getting to the point where I was dreading family reunions and getting together with friends. Hearing "so what are your plans after high school" was beginning to wear on me.
One of the programs/ministries at
Hilltop is hippotherapy. I've been involved with it for about four years now. At first I was doing the sidewalking and horse handling. Then, two years ago Anna and Amy (our riding instructor and therapist) approached me and Ellie, one of the other volunteers, with the idea of having us become
PATH certified riding instructors. PATH stands for Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship. Since one of my previous interests was sports therapy and with my current love for horses, my ears immediately perked up.
It is truly amazing how the Lord provides. Over the past year I've been working together with the therapy team at the barn to prepare myself for this journey. I've been able to assist in teaching riding/therapy lessons with the help of those who encouraged me to start PATH in the first place. I haven't even graduated from high school yet and I am almost PATH certified. Jesus is so good.
It's been an amazing experience as I step out of my comfortable bubble. It's been difficult as well. I'm known as that "quiet girl" and people are constantly asking me to "speak up". In the beginning, instructing therapy sessions would be a nerve wracking experience for me, as I absolutely despise speaking in front of more than two people at a time. At times, it is still a little intimidating, but Jesus reminds me that I can do all things through Him.
So, as I can almost see the finish line, I appreciate all the prayers and support that I have been surrounded with. I'm constantly reminded of the goodness of our Lord when I see the smiles at the end of the therapy lessons, a hug of gratefulness from a parent + the laugh of a sweet child when he gets to trot for the first time.
I could never dream of a better + more fulfilling calling.
