What's up next?

Over our recent break I had one person come up to me and say, "What's up next for you?" Realizing it had been a little while since I talked with this friend I figured time was the reason I had failed to fill him in on the "next" plan. A few days passed and I found myself being asked that same question multiple times. I soon realized time was not to blame for people not knowing, it was my fault in not sharing with people. Thus, I shall tackle the question of, "what's up next?"
My plan is to stay at BFA for the remainder of this year, and all of next year as well. That will give me two years in my current role as guidance counselor and put my total tally for five years in Germany. That honestly sounds bizarre as I type it, but time flies when you are having fun - and if you know one thing about these past few years you will know that I absolutely love being here in Germany. At that point I plan to leave Germany for at least a year. There are a few factors playing into this, the most influential being the fact the German government has imposed a rule stating staff members will not be given a visa to be in the country after the fifth year. Upon reaching the five year mark we must leave the country for at least 366 days.
So I may like to think I have a few factors playing into the decision, but that in itself seems like a pretty convincing reason for me to leave.

I have been aware of this rule for a little while, and I have been blessed to see the way in which everything has played out as far as my relationships with the students goes. This year I was asked to be a Junior class sponsor - giving me the opportunity to be a class sponsor again next year with this group of students as they become the Senior class. It is special to spend the final two years with them, and in a sense be able to graduate with them. A really cool side note to that, is the fact that in my guidance counseling case load I have 33 of the 67 juniors. Virtually half of the class! I have gotten to know them this year through class activities and fund-raisers, as well as by being their guidance counselor. I will also spend a lot of time with them next year with college applications and references. (Of course there is the senior class trip that is an added bonus.) The icing on the cake is this: my first year in the dorm there were four middle school students, three eighth graders and one seventh grader. Two of those three eighth graders are still at the school and are now juniors, and will graduate next year. It is extremely special for me to think that my first year here was also their first year...as eighth graders. After spending these five years together, next year I will get to see them graduate. That is simply incredible. Looking back at the growth I have seen in these two is special. They have both had their ups and downs, but I can really see the two of them maturing. Just yesterday I was walking the halls and about to cross paths with one of these guys, he slowed down, gave me a hug, and just kept walking without ever saying a word. It was the highlight of my day.

Okay Tommy, you've avoiding the question, 'what's up next?' Well, to be truthful I do not entirely know. I have a few ideas and possibilities that I am letting roll around. I have a few thoughts I am pursuing and occasionally sending out emails about. At this point I have nothing solid, though I have not put forth the greatest effort. To be honest, the past three years I have always found myself in a position saying, "I do not know where I will be 6 months from now." I can confidently say I know where I will be for the next 18 months...and a small part of me wants to enjoy that.
However, I know time will continue to fly by, and I must be prepared for when I leave Germany. I have thought about going to seminary, as that has always been of interest to me. Pursuing a masters is also intriguing, perhaps in teaching, history, or counseling. Coaching full time also has a lot of appeal (by the way, our soccer season starts in 53 days. YES I do have a countdown. YES I am VERY excited for the season to start.) I don't know what my new job title will be. I don't know which specific avenue I will pursue. However, I do know this - I desire for my job description to be focused on relationships with students. I am passionate about pouring into the lives of teenagers and showing them Christ's love. That is what makes my heart beat, and that is what gets me excited. That's what I love to do and what I want to do. The specific job title I will have to do that... I'm just not quite sure.