As we move into the month of June, True Hope Counseling enters its slowest time of year! Whereas the fall and winter months are crowded with a full client load, once the spring/summer sun comes out, the days grow warmer and longer, and vacations start taking place, people just don't feel the need to come to counseling!

As the years have passed, I have learned to take this "slow" time and make good use of it by reading books and learning all I can about topics that interest me concerning the counseling world. Lately, I have also begun to write reviews on what I read and post them on this newsletter page. Whether it is a book on how nutrition affects our mood, a book on eating disorders, or even a book that is against counseling, I enjoy writing up a synopsis of what I have learned and sharing it with others. And judging from the feedback, others enjoy it too! (NOTE: unlike these newsletters, I do not send out notifications for the reviews I write. They can be found by simply coming to our website and going to our newsletter page on a regular basis. I also write movie and music CD reivews as well.)

During this time of down time, I am also working on a plan for True Hope Counseling come Fall. Two things face me as the now-solo counselor of True Hope as well as the Director at a new location:

1. Getting word out that we are here, and
2. Preparing for our new baby and learning how to balance motherhood with the counseling ministry.

As always, God is a God of perfection, and our baby will come around the holidays. A time when counseling, once again slows down. By the time I, and my clients, are ready to head back into the counseling offce, my husband's masonry work will be done for the winter, and so as I counsel, he will be able to take our little one.

To get our name "out" in the community, we are planning to host a pastor's coffee hour, either in the Fall of this year, or the beginning of next year. Although strong contacts have been made via letters and phone calls with area pastors, it is our hope that having a time like this will allow the pastors to ask further questions and see our office for themselves. At the same time that we are reaching out to the pastors, we will also begin, once again, the proces of building up a Board of Directors to walk the journey with True Hope Counseling through the 2008 year.

Even though it is our slow time of year, the busyness of the ministry will soon be upon us and I am excited about what the Fall months will bring! Both as Director of True Hope and as a future mom-to-be!

Thank you so much for your continued financial and prayer support!

Blessings to all!
Melissa