Following God's Lead

My journey to Anew Day started a long time ago. I’ve been drawn to the field of psychology for as long as I can remember. Between having two parents who have master’s in counseling and my fascination in trying to understand people, it’s no wonder that I decided to become a therapist.

I first came to Nevada County shortly after completing my bachelor’s in psychology. As I was finishing up my last year at California Baptist University, I had no idea what I was supposed to do next. I was praying constantly, feeling conflicted because I didn’t feel like God was telling me to go to graduate school yet.

“Why aren’t you giving me a direction, God?” I prayed. “I really need to figure this out.” God answered that prayer in the form of an internship at Christian Encounter Ranch in Grass Valley. As soon as I heard about it, I knew it was what God had for me next. I have never felt so sure of God’s direction before. I came to Christian Encounter Ranch trusting that God had a plan for me, that helped me overcome my anxiety about moving four hundred miles away. While completing my internship, I discovered what it really meant to love like Christ, putting aside personal difficulties to serve others and show them what it really meant to love unconditionally. I grew so much during that time and had a new perspective on dealing with mental health when I started my graduate program.

After completing my clinical psychology master’s program in May, I found myself in a similar place: wondering where I was going next. Yet, all of it made sense when I realized He was calling me back to Nevada County, to a community I had grown to love during my time at Christian Encounter. I am so excited to be at Anew Day utilizing all that I learned in school and at Christian Encounter Ranch to serve and connect further with the Nevada County community that is already feeling like home.

Rachel Burdick

MFT Registered Associate