Jesus Calling, Sarah Young

October 9, 2012

I was reading out of Sarah Young's book Jesus Calling and on October 5th she writes about Joy and I wanted to share what she says.

"Remember that Joy is not dependent on your circumstances.  Some of the world's most miserable people are those whose circumstances seem the most enviable.  People who reach the top of the ladder career-wise are often surprised to find emptiness awaiting them.  True Joy is a by-product of living in My Presence.  Therefore you can experience it in palaces, in prisons...anywhere.

Do not judge a day a devoid of Joy just because it contains difficulties.  Instead, concentrate on staying in communication with Me.  Many of the problems that clamor for your attention will resolve themselves.  Other matters you must deal with, but I will help you with them.  If you make problem-solving secondary to the goal of living close to Me, you can find Joy even in your most difficult days.

HABAKKUK 3:17-19; 1 CHRONICLES 16:27

Remember!!!

Blessings,

Kristi Starkey

Do You Have A Blended Family?

October 4, 2012

Being part of a Blended Family has it's challenges and I have experience both from being a step-daughter and being a step-mother.  When I was 20 years old my mom died of cancer and my dad remarried 1 year later to fill the void.  It did not take long for my step-mother to become jealous of my relationship with my father.  Navigating that situation was extremely confusing to me because I knew that my father's love for me was different than his love for his wife?

Fast forward 23 years later I married my husband who had a only son who is autistic.  When you first read this you may think, oh no that must be a challenge?  Well, actually you are wrong he truly is a blessing.  Now, that does not mean there are not times when it is frustrating.  Every so often I get the phrase "well my mom lets me?"  My response varies depending on the situation.  Other than those moments, he is a very loving young man who soaks in attention like a sponge.

It gets really sticky when couples divorce, remarry, and divorce again.  There was an interesting article in the New York Times that you might want to read that talks about how messy it can be.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/04/fashion/-step-family-trees-with-tangled-branches.html?_r=2&adxnnl=1&pagewanted=all&adxnnlx=1349361946-zOOxs6Z8WvgCqshINaNp5Q

If you, or someone you know is in a blended family and needs help navigating and understanding how to work together as a family unit, please have them call me, Kristi Starkey, to schedule an appointment.  Here is the link to my website www.counselingbykristi.com.

Blessings,

Kristi Starkey, MS, LMFT #52051

Career Change Journey Day #2

October 3, 2012

So yesterday I wrote a post about finding office space for rent in Mission Viejo, but could not quite wrap my  head around having a tree stump coffee table.  Well, after having breakfast with my Interior Designer AKA Best Friend, I found out that tree stump coffee tables are the new trend.  So I did a Google search and here is what I found!

List price for this puppy is $1,700!  So, maybe I need to reconsider, or at least call and see the office in person?  I think I need to ponder on it for a day or two.  I guess I wouldn't have to worry about ruining the finish?

In the meantime, refer your friends to Kristi Starkey and my website is www.counselingbykristi.com

Blessings,
Kristi

My Last Career Train Stop

October 2, 2012

On August 1, 2012 I passed my second exam and was awarded my Marriage and Family Therapy License. Although the anxiety and emotions were high, I was able to contain them long enough to focus on the goal to pass my test.  Now that I am licensed, I can plan my career as a Therapist.

So, what will my career look like?  Well, I know what i would like it to look like but what God plans may be different!  Currently I see clients in Costa Mesa but would also like to see clients in Mission Viejo, closer to my home.  So the journey begins...and where do I start?

First, I have been praying for God's direction as to what my next steps need to be.  My client load is light this week and what I realize is that not seeing as many clients has given me space to think and dream about my next steps.


Second, Finding a location in Mission Viejo that I can sublease from another therapist would be the best option.  Maybe start with one day and go from there.  So I thought, why not check Craigslist?  If I could find a my kitty Toby, who has a great personality, on Craigslist?  Why not office space for a therapist?

So I checked Craigslist Orange County and for $300/month Voila, I can sublease an office 2 days a week.  Perfect location. However, I'm not really into tree stump coffee tables!  

Well, at least I know there is a possibility that I might find something I like so i will keep trying!

Until then, please refer any friends or family to me either Costa Mesa/Newport/Huntington Beach area or the South County area because I am starting the journey.  http://www.counselingbykristi.com/

Blessings,

Kristi