The first packet is 30t pages of a not-for-profit application. It was actually ready last November, but we didn't have the funds to apply (good ole IRS---want $500 just for application fees!) Just as I had given up hope that I would be able to pursue not-for-profit status someone asked what was needed finiancially to send it in. When I told them, a week later there was a check for the full amount! Wow and praise God!!! God's timing I guess. Getting not-for-profit status would give many advantages....1.) tax exemption, 2.) the ability to give people tax-exempt receipts for any gifts, and 3.) the ability to apply for grants--something we are in great need of to grow our ministry and give employees salaries (who up to this point have worked on a faith basis only, being paid only as clients come and pay. Some months this has brought income done to as little as $25/month!)

The second packet is an appeal letter to Albany for my licensure as a counselor along with an information packet about True Hope Counseling. NY state has finally granted licensure to counselors, which is huge! It means that along with social workers, we will now get the same recoginition in places like court and with medical insurance companies! Up until now many times our testimony in court (for sexual abuse cases, custody battles, etc), had the potential, and in some cases has been, ruled "inadmissable" for the case. (True Hope Counseling has found favor with one particular area judge in Broome County who has always admitted our title of Professional Christian counselor, and therefore our testimony, as credible im court. This however, has not been our norm.) Along with the difficulty in court cases, we also have had to turn down people who would only be able to afford counseling if their insurance covered it.

In addition to the above issues, if at least one of us can become licensed that will qualify anyone in our Counseling ministry to uitilize third party billing (compare to a Physcian's Assistant being able to write prescriptions under the authority of an MD) All of this is why it is so vital for my licensure to go through so that I can add LPC to my name/title as Director!

The hitch is this---in order to get grandfathered into licensure a counselor needs 6 years in the field from obtaining a bachelor degree. I am lacking only 1/2 year for this!The second way towards licensure is to complete 3000 hours of counseling related work. I've done that. However, it isn't "valid" if it's been in your own private practice! During numerous phone calls to Albany they have repeatedly told me that I need to "sell my private practice and then re-obtain my 3000 hours to be licensed". No one has even wanted to hear an appeal to my situation---until now. One man on the licensing Board has agreed to hear my case. My written and edited--and re-edited and re-edited again letter--should have hit his desk Monday or Tuesday.

Both of these issues, not-for-profit status and licensure, not only impact those of us that work at True Hope Counseling but they also carry a great impact for our clients. Although I fimly believe it is God who gives us our credibility in the community, it will also be of great benefit to have the credentials that the rest of the system finds so necessary as we advocate for the wounded people who walk through our doors.

All of this is completely in God's hands. If He wants True Hope to be not-for-profit and if He wants me to be an LPC then He will move the hearts of the "kings" to make it so (Proverbs 21:1) I know what I want, but it's not about what I want, is it?Therefore, I am attempting to rest in the contentment that God will do what He desires to do and whatever He desires to do is for the best of True Hope Counseling.

I appreciate your prayers!

Serving Him,

Melissa