Natural Disaster Week at Journey to Hope in Fredericksburg!

What a week in the life of our area, earthquakes and power outages and hurricanes and all kinds of natural challenges!  The earthquake on August 23rd caused quite a bit of shaking in the Journey to Hope building, but we are fine and the building is fine.  I had some thoughts running inside my head about why in the world we wanted to rent space in a building built in 1877?!?  God is good, however, and the building once again stood the test of time.  Although it has been a challenging week for many of you, remember always that God is greater than any natural challenge.

Praying for you today. You can count on it.

In Christ, Susie

Happy 4th of July!  The Journey to Hope Counseling office will be closed today, July 4, 2011, for the 4th  of July holiday, but we will reopen tomorrow and will have normal operating hours for the rest of the week.

I really like what Lyndon B. Johnson had to say about freedom, and I claim it for this 4th of July:

 "This, then, is the state of the union: free and restless, growing and full of hope. So it was in the beginning. So it shall always be, while God is willing, and we are strong enough to keep the faith."

Praying for you today, that you will cherish your freedom, you wil keep your hope, and you will keep your faith in God.

Much love in Christ, Susie

COUNSELING UPDATE - JUNE 4, 2010

Saturday night, June 4^th, 2011 

Hi.  I wanted to reach out to you with some counseling news and updates as I prepare to travel to Liberty for class this week.  I will be in class Monday-Friday (June 6-10) from 8-4:30, but will be able to check email and voice mail, and can return calls after class in the evenings.  Please reach out if you need to, and I will get back to you as soon as I can.  My regular counseling schedule resumes on Monday, June 13^th.  

 YOU ARE MAKING PROGRESS…

Let me also say what a privilege it is to be able to work with you at Journey to Hope.  There is such progress being made; and I know that sometimes you would really like the progress to be at a faster pace; and yet, from my vantage point; there is reason to rejoice in some of the changes that are being attempted; made or at least being considered.  I am praying that we will continue to work for change and improvement in our journey together.  I believe that the changes that still need to be made are absolutely possible.

 GROUP THERAPIES:  

We have just finished up two group therapy offerings; one for women and one for teens, and they were both amazing. Amazing in that there was so much honesty and transparency and faithfulness to the 4 week groups.  Please stay tuned, as there will be more group offerings coming up, with a slightly different focus, duration, and day/time.  There are not words to describe some of the beautiful images and words used during the group sessions. I believe that the groups worked hard on their own issues, and worked to be an encouragement to others in their group.  So very thankful for both group experiences! Some of the most touching expressions of both groups are displayed on our bulletin board as you walk in to the office, and some of the themes of HOPE, OPTIMISM, INSPIRATION and WHAT I THINK I CAN DO were breathtakingly beautiful.  Here are a few:  What I believe I can do….wings because one day I will be free of all of this pain…heart with wings because one day I will be free to be myself with others instead of hiding….I can help others…..I can let others see the real me….just to name a few.  What a blessing to my heart!

Announcing HOPE Groups

Journey to Hope Counseling is proud to announce two new Therapeutic counseling groups for Teens and Women...

Helping Others by Providing Encouragement.

Please check the following pages for more information.

HOPE for Teens

HOPE for Women

Easter 2011

He Is Risen...He is Risen Indeed.  Easter is full of things that are very hard to understand and accept. Charley Honey writes "It is a powerful mystery how people of faith can rise up from whatever beating life has given them – the devastation of divorce, the hell of addiction, the grief of a lost child – and proclaim their faith in the risen Christ and a good God." New life with its endless possibilities is within our grasp. Let us celebrate the resurrection. And that leads always to....hope.

Hope. The word speaks to  the very heart of the Christian faith.  It is no accident that our counseling practice is named "Journey to Hope."  It is only because of today, Easter, that you and I can 'journey to hope' together.  No matter what is happening in your life, there is hope.  You can get through this storm in your life, no matter how painful  with a faith made possible by this day.  He is Risen, He is Risen indeed. Amen. 

 In Christ, Susie