It’s Official: LLPC!

I just went to check if my paperwork had all been looked at by the state of Michigan and YES I am officially a limited license professional counselor!  God is good.  He put me in the right place at the right time to do His bidding.  Now, I will work to guide children toward a closer walk with Him through considering what they can do for Him in their lives.

My Graduation Open House Invitation!

April 24, 2008

Dear Family and Friends,

The Lord has really blessed me. He has put me in the right place, at the right time, to expand my abilities to serve Him. Now you may have thought that I fell off the planet. Maybe you haven't heard from me in two years since no Christmas cards with news have been forthcoming. The reason you may ask? I have been busy with graduate school the last three years and the last two years have been particularly intense.

 I will graduate from Spring Arbor University, Spring Arbor, MI with a Master of Arts in Counseling with a School Guidance focus. The school guidance internship while working full time was particularly harrowing. Last June I began my practicum and then in August 2007, my internship began. God had wonderful people to support me during this time as I spent every minute of my day from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (and sometimes later at night) working with young people and their parents. God provided a way to keep my hours of counseling activities at the level required even with a week removed from school to tend to my Dad's health care decisions and subsequent funeral in October 2007.

 Now the end of a school year of teaching is fast coming to a close. I am surrounded by so many activities that I am in charge of or a part of. I want to give you an opportunity to celebrate God's blessings and mercies with me as I graduate. I would like to invite you to my home for a special time of fellowship with food, people, and worship in word and music.

 Who: YOU!

What: Carla Nelsen's Graduation Open House

Where: 57 Sanderson Street, Battle Creek, MI 49017

When: Sabbath (Saturday) May 17, 2008 from 7:00-9:00 with vespers and music at 8:30 p.m.

Why: Because I want to share my joy of learning with everyone I come in contact with and I have pictures from the Battle Creek Academy Senior Class mission trip to Honduras that I would like to show you!

How to Help Teens Stop Swearing

This article was taken from ParentingTeensOnline.com.  It was something that I found interesting and wanted to share it with my reading audience.

http://www.parentingteensonline.com/issue/article/name/April_2008/title/How_to_Help_Teens_Stop_Swearing/page/1

If the conversation in your house was part of a movie script, would it rate a G, PG, PG-13, or even an R?

Many parents are alarmed at their trash-talking teens, but James O'Connor, author of "Cuss Control: The Complete Book on How to Curb Your Cursing", offers hope. "Most swearing is complaining or criticizing, but when parent and teen are battling over profanity, it's time for a new tactic," he advises. "Stop the yelling and threats and calmly explain how the language really bothers you. Encouraging them to develop a more positive attitude can not only reduce swearing, but they'll be happier too." O'Connor also encourages making deals: "Ask your teen what you do that really annoys him or her, and say you will try to change if he or she will try to change."

Here are some ideas that can encourage your teens to speak with more dignity and self-control.

SOLUTIONS:

1. Redefine Cool

Teens may think swearing is cool, but the truly cool are confident and articulate. Swearing reveals the opposite: insecurity and aggression. Swearing just sounds dumb, and dumb is never cool.

2. Promise to Improve Your Own Language

If you swear, you can make a powerful impact by saying, "I realize that I've set a bad example with my language and I'm working to improve it. I hope you'll forgive me, and I'm asking you to make the same effort." Don't be dismayed by the inevitable eye-rolling. Your humility will make an impression, and it could be the first step in an important discussion about why words matter.

3. Explain the Link between Language and Moods

The hostility of foul language increases feelings of anger, which raises stress hormones and creates a vicious cycle of anger-swearing-anger. So if you want to be happier, talk cleaner.

4. Deflate the "But Everybody Does It!" Argument

The prevalence of obscene language in the media has made teen swearing an even bigger issue. Still, it's a pretty lame argument to say that "Everybody does it," since it's no defense against indefensible behavior. In fact, O'Connor explains that the hostile and bitter tone of most swearing makes it a form of verbal violence. And what about the "freedom of speech" argument? Remind your kids that other people have rights, too, including the right not to be verbally assaulted by profanity.

5. Build Your Teen's Sense of Dignity and Belonging

Teens may also curse to get attention or to express rebellion or anger. Try to understand what's motivating your teens' need to swear, and look for ways to build their sense of self. You might suggest they actually say, "I am so angry right now because…." to help them get at the source of the problem. Teens still need heaps of reassurance and love from their parents. If your relationship with your teens is damaged or fragile, take their swearing problem as a wake-up call that they may need professional help to deal with underlying issues of anger, rebellion, or depression.

Build Incentives

Offer to treat your teens to an evening at their favorite restaurant or something else they'll enjoy if they go for an agreed-upon stretch of time with no swearing. This is a win-win: You have just scheduled time with your kids that you might not otherwise have spent together.

Set Standards for Your Home

Tell your kids, "This is a swearing-free environment," and establish consequences for violating the house rules, such as charging a dollar per swear word. Put your money where your mouth is, and pay the same price if you slip. Don't overreact to occasional infractions, but in-your-face violations will require more memorable consequences, such as withholding allowance or permission to use the car. Whatever consequences you choose, be firm. It's your home. You are the parent. Act like one.

Be Patient

Breaking habits is hard. Your teens will not suddenly stop swearing, but investing the time and effort to help them understand how deeply words matter will help your teens grow into adults who won't only sound more mature, they'll be more mature, educated, and respected.

 

Judy Gruen is a humor writer whose latest book is The Women's Daily Irony Supplement, and the proud mother of four teens. Read more of her work on www.judygruen.com .

The Decision

Three things made me think about my career decisions today.  First, I received a note in the mail from my Superintendent of Schools.  It began, "I want to say a Big THANK YOU to those who faithfully maintain both State of Michigan and Denominational Certification. We appreciate so very much your efforts to fulfill your responsibility for proper certification."  Then, I thought back to a survey request earlier today from someone at my alma mater, Andrews University, that asked about "when and why do people become teachers?" Finally, I read a bulletin posting from a former student that talked about how the computer class I taught during that student’s freshman year was one of the most memorable.

These things all made me think...why did I make the decision to become a teacher and then to continue my education to become a professional school counselor.  Why?  The answer may seem simple to some but God told me to.  Back in 2001 when I was looking for a job, I avoided talking with anyone from the school where I now teach.  I didn’t want to go to BCA.  The principals kept changing.  A bunch of the faculty had left.  I prayed for a place with stability where I could serve God and use my talents to lead young people to know Christ more and give them solid math and science teaching.

God’s timing is perfect.  After interviewing at BCA and considering the other offers I had received, I saw no other choice but to accept the position of math, physics, chemistry, and computer teacher at BCA.  I remember being interviewed in front of one of the local Adventist church congregations and relating this same idea.  I didn’t know why then but I knew that God had brought me to Battle Creek.

Now I am beginning to see clearly why.  God knew that I would be given the opportunity to grow into a professional with support from the administration, coworkers, parents, students, and community members.  God knew that my commitment to providing strong academics from an Adventist worldview would be put to good use.  God knew I would have the connections necessary to finish my Masters of Arts in Counseling with a School Guidance focus because one of my coworkers had been a Bible study leader to the director of my graduate program.  Nothing happens by chance!  God knows.

I am glad that I followed God’s call in 1997 to take a year off from college and serve Him then as a Task Force assistant teacher because it changed my life. As I think about the professional school counselor and teacher I have become, God’s paths and plans become clear. As I think about the guidance I have provided to young people over the years, there is a motto in the gym of my school - Becoming Christian Adults - that comes to mind.  I am glad I made the decision to follow God’s call to guide students spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally. Back in 1997, a church friend of mine shared a song with me that had a line that went  something like this, "When I enter that beautiful city, and the saints all around me appear, I want to hear somebody whisper, ’It was you who invited me here.’"  That line is part of why I do what I do for young people.  It is why my decision stands strong.  The relationships I develop on earth I want to see continue in heaven.  I believe that there will be people in heaven that may not have been there if it hadn’t been for my professional career decisions.  God knew and He set the work before me to do.  I am glad I have another day to do His bidding.

perseverence

Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance.

- Samuel Johnson

work

"Work expands to fill the time available for its completion."
-C. Northcote Parkinson

No snow day:(

smarter?

It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer.

- Albert Einstein

Now this statement is so true and a similar quote I would share with others when they would find out I was a chemistry major in college.  "Oh, you must be really smart!" some new acquaintance would say.  I would reply, "No, but I am willing to pound my head against a wall to figure out a question longer than you are."