Summer 2013, Andrews Academy and Walker Memorial Academy partnered with Share Him on a mission trip to Nicaragua. During the three weeks there the gospel was preached and lives were changed. It was an amazing experience.
I encourage you to pop some popcorn and share in the mission adventure by clicking the link below.
Happy Watching!
Nicaragua Mission Movie 2013
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Saturday, December 14, 2013
A little update on life...
Well, it's hard to believe that it's the middle of December, almost Christmas, and I have had nothing to say since July. Okay, let's be real, I've probably had a lot to say but I've had no time to post about it. Life has been super busy, I'd even go as far as saying crazy busy. I wish I were exaggerating, I'm not.
Let's just rewind a couple of months back to July. The last place I left you, I was leaving for a mission trip to Nicaragua with Andrews Academy with two of my most dearest friends, Micheal and Melanie Goetz. The flight to Nicaragua was as smooth as ever and I am thankful to God for blessing me with safe travels then and always. It was a memorable three weeks. Andrews Academy teamed up with Share Him and preached a total of 26 sermons in the cities of Matagalpa all the way to Esteli. For those of you who aren't familiar with Nicaraguan geography, let me help you out... the two cities mentioned above are about 1.5 hours apart. Our kids were spread all over Matagalpa and all of the cities in between Matagalpa and Esteli. As part of the leadership team I was able to go around to the different sites and observe the kids preach. What an absolute blessing they were. They did an outstanding job of winning souls for the kingdom and my heart swelled with joy. Here are some shots of our time in Nicaragua.
Let's just rewind a couple of months back to July. The last place I left you, I was leaving for a mission trip to Nicaragua with Andrews Academy with two of my most dearest friends, Micheal and Melanie Goetz. The flight to Nicaragua was as smooth as ever and I am thankful to God for blessing me with safe travels then and always. It was a memorable three weeks. Andrews Academy teamed up with Share Him and preached a total of 26 sermons in the cities of Matagalpa all the way to Esteli. For those of you who aren't familiar with Nicaraguan geography, let me help you out... the two cities mentioned above are about 1.5 hours apart. Our kids were spread all over Matagalpa and all of the cities in between Matagalpa and Esteli. As part of the leadership team I was able to go around to the different sites and observe the kids preach. What an absolute blessing they were. They did an outstanding job of winning souls for the kingdom and my heart swelled with joy. Here are some shots of our time in Nicaragua.
The entire team! (Michigan, Florida, and good ole me representing Pennsylvania)
The "Berrien Springs" leadership team
Yes, I added myself in to the Berrien Springs leadership team seeing as I was the only one that was from Pennsylvanina but there because of two of my closest, most favorite people in the whole world, Micheal and Melanie (left). Mr. D (right) and I became fast friends.
And a special thank you to the group, especially Pastor O, for alerting all of the men from the zip-line course that I am single and looking... Of course I got a picture with them - all in good fun right?
After I got back from Nicaragua, actually the very next day, I started my new job as a travel nurse. I am sad to say that I left Hershey Children's Hospital as a full time nurse right before my trip to Nicaragua. I did not leave to find greener grass. I have loved every moment of my experiences in Hershey and am grateful for all that I have learned. I simply wanted to travel. I also moved my permanent location (as well as all of my personal belongings) back to my parents' house. It would have been silly to keep an apartment that I wasn't living in. Travel nursing gives me the capability to travel all over the country being stationed in a place for 13-weeks and then move to the next place. My first assignment was local. I took a position in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. Since I am still in Pennsylvania, I am able to pick up time at Hershey, which I love. I have also made some pretty great friends in my travels to Philadelphia.
With some Philadelphia girls... participating in "Mustache Monday"
Hanging out at Hershey Children's Hospital for Football Friday!
Go State! Beat Michigan!
(That was especially for you Chris)
Okay, lets rewind a bit to before Nicaragua...
It was around April, I was working in Hershey, praying about linking Children's Heart Project with my hospital. I had been working with Children's Heart Project (CHP) since the beginning of the year as a volunteer medical transporter. CHP is an organization with Samaritan's Purse that funds for children with congenital heart defects to come from foreign countries to the United States to have corrective heart surgery. One of the ways that CHP does this is through hospitals that volunteer their services for free. The heart surgeons in the US select children on a waiting list, and CHP organizes the transport while the hospital covers the cost of their medical care.
After much prayer, I spoke with Dr. Myers, director of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital about CHP. He was instantly excited about the program and wanted to know what he needed to do to get the ball rolling and have children brought over to have heart surgery at our hospital.
It wasn't long before the pieces started falling into place. By the time August rolled around, I found myself gearing up for a trip to Uganda to pick up two young boys to come to the United States to have their hearts fixed at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital! What an unbelievably rewarding experience. It was amazing to see God work right though me and all of my weaknesses for something so great.
The Patriot News says it far better than me...
Penn State Medicine also had a lovely article about the experience as well...
Edwin (left), Naushaud (right)
Fast forward to post Nicaragua/Uganda Mission...
At the end of October, I was preparing to take my 4th trip with the Children's Heart Group (out of Hershey Children's Hospital) to Guayaquil, Ecuador, to perform heart surgery in a local hospital. This would be Dr. Myers' 15th consecutive year of completing heart surgery in Guayaquil. I have certainly been blessed and privileged to be a part of an amazing team that helps so many families and children annually. By the end of our stay we were able to complete around 35-40 heart surgeries.
Here are some pictures of the most recent trip...
Well friends, I think that finally catches us up to the present. I'm currently in Chicago visiting with Joanne and her family. What a blessing it is to be a part of multiple families. I guess this is what married people feel like. I head home on Monday and I will be finishing up my final 6 shifts in Philadelphia. It will be bittersweet. I have enjoyed my time at St. Chris and the friends that I have made.
At the turn of the New Year, I will be off to Orlando, Florida for GYC. It is right around the corner! I'm so very excited. Shortly after that, I'll be loading up my new car and taking a solo road trip to Mesa, Arizona where I will spend the next 13 weeks of my life completing my next contracted travel assignment. I am looking forward to updating you all on my new adventures out west.
Until then, stay happy and awesome.
xo
Thursday, July 11, 2013
"Marketability"
I've been thinking...
I know, a scary thought, right? Some of you know me well enough to know that there has been a running joke the past few years surrounding the concept of "marketability."
One might ask, what in the world is marketability? I'm sure you're curious. I know I was when the term was first coined. Marketability is the idea of doing things or increasing your expertise in an area that will make you more appealing or "marketable" in the dating world. The term first came about in 2009 among a close knit group of friends (I will not mention names, but you know who you are) and it sort of just stuck, turning into a fun little joke. The joke was normally about me and all the things that I do and can do (in the future) to increase my own personal "marketability."
I suppose we can make a list of what would make a person "marketable" so you get an idea of how some of our conversations went. Sound fair?
Here we go...
1. Cooking/Baking
2. Skiing/Snowboarding
3. Skydiving
4. White Water Rafting
5. Camping/Backpacking/Hiking
6. Vegan Cooking/Baking
7. Disc Golf
8. Job status
9. Debt to income ratio
10. Mission minded
11. Ability to make people laugh
12. Voice Instruction
13. Playing some type of musical instrument
14. Saving lives
15. Zip lining/Ropes Course
16. Working well with kids
17. Tennis
18. Running
Okay, the list goes on people... I could go all day jotting down tasks/items that people do everyday that could be tied into an "increase" in "marketability."
There's a catch...
All this time we've (or I've) had it wrong! How can this be?! I recently read this little nugget from a friend's blog...
"You don’t have to impress anyone. You don’t have to try so hard to be be noticed. Let God choose who He wants to let see the real you—the you He found worth dying for."
Wait, what? Rewind for just a second and read that over...
"You don't have to impress anyone..."
"Let God choose who He wants to let see the real you..."
"the you He found worth dying for."
"the YOU He found worth DYING for."
It hit me like a ton of bricks too!
All this time and effort spent in making sure I was "well-rounded" or "marketable" was non-sense. All of the daunting thoughts of being "plain," "not good enough," and "boring" don't hold up. In fact, those thoughts are toxic. Just what the devil wants me to think. God will carefully choose who He will let see the "real" me (and the real you).
Why? Because to Him we are valued beyond compare. He found us worth dying for. That is the biggest "marketability" anyone of us could ask for.
As far as life goes, I've slowly been trucking.
I just got back from California. I was there for the wedding of Becky Yates and Dustin Page. How beautiful it was.
Shortly, actually the day after getting back from California, I packed up and drove to Laurel Lake Camp, where I spent the week as the camp nurse! What an amazing blessing it was to be there. Watching the lives of children and families being transformed. It doesn't get any better.
Since I've returned from camp, I've packed up my whole apartment in Elizabethtown, PA and I'm moving back home to Landenberg, PA. I've gone per diem at Hershey Medical Center. Per Diem: As needed. Picking up hours when I want them or am available to work them. This will allow for more flexibility in traveling and mission work.
I'm leaving for Nicaragua on Wednesday with Share Him and Pioneer Memorial Church (on the campus of Andrews University). I'm excited to see how God is going to work on this trip! I'm sure I'll have lots of stories when I return!
Until then friends.
Stay well!
I know, a scary thought, right? Some of you know me well enough to know that there has been a running joke the past few years surrounding the concept of "marketability."
One might ask, what in the world is marketability? I'm sure you're curious. I know I was when the term was first coined. Marketability is the idea of doing things or increasing your expertise in an area that will make you more appealing or "marketable" in the dating world. The term first came about in 2009 among a close knit group of friends (I will not mention names, but you know who you are) and it sort of just stuck, turning into a fun little joke. The joke was normally about me and all the things that I do and can do (in the future) to increase my own personal "marketability."
I suppose we can make a list of what would make a person "marketable" so you get an idea of how some of our conversations went. Sound fair?
Here we go...
1. Cooking/Baking
2. Skiing/Snowboarding
3. Skydiving
4. White Water Rafting
5. Camping/Backpacking/Hiking
6. Vegan Cooking/Baking
7. Disc Golf
8. Job status
9. Debt to income ratio
10. Mission minded
11. Ability to make people laugh
12. Voice Instruction
13. Playing some type of musical instrument
14. Saving lives
15. Zip lining/Ropes Course
16. Working well with kids
17. Tennis
18. Running
Okay, the list goes on people... I could go all day jotting down tasks/items that people do everyday that could be tied into an "increase" in "marketability."
There's a catch...
All this time we've (or I've) had it wrong! How can this be?! I recently read this little nugget from a friend's blog...
"You don’t have to impress anyone. You don’t have to try so hard to be be noticed. Let God choose who He wants to let see the real you—the you He found worth dying for."
Wait, what? Rewind for just a second and read that over...
"You don't have to impress anyone..."
"Let God choose who He wants to let see the real you..."
"the you He found worth dying for."
"the YOU He found worth DYING for."
It hit me like a ton of bricks too!
All this time and effort spent in making sure I was "well-rounded" or "marketable" was non-sense. All of the daunting thoughts of being "plain," "not good enough," and "boring" don't hold up. In fact, those thoughts are toxic. Just what the devil wants me to think. God will carefully choose who He will let see the "real" me (and the real you).
Why? Because to Him we are valued beyond compare. He found us worth dying for. That is the biggest "marketability" anyone of us could ask for.
As far as life goes, I've slowly been trucking.
I just got back from California. I was there for the wedding of Becky Yates and Dustin Page. How beautiful it was.
A little visit to Yosemite!
Since I've returned from camp, I've packed up my whole apartment in Elizabethtown, PA and I'm moving back home to Landenberg, PA. I've gone per diem at Hershey Medical Center. Per Diem: As needed. Picking up hours when I want them or am available to work them. This will allow for more flexibility in traveling and mission work.
I'm leaving for Nicaragua on Wednesday with Share Him and Pioneer Memorial Church (on the campus of Andrews University). I'm excited to see how God is going to work on this trip! I'm sure I'll have lots of stories when I return!
Until then friends.
Stay well!
Sunday, March 24, 2013
God is my pilot
Have you ever been in one of those awkward situations where you lean forward to give an embrace and the other person is not thinking the same? You give that person a bear hug by yourself. Or how about when you are giving a firm hand shake and the other person isn't as into it as you are? It's awkward. There is something not right about it. Hand shakes were meant to be mutual, hugs were meant to be mutual.
Today, I was inspired by a friend's (MLG) sermon. Here are some highlights...
There are two influences that affect us in an attempt to express love in a healthy, holistic way.
Attitude
We have the capability to change our attitude.
To do this we should...
Live in the now. Rarely are people stressed about the now. People are usually stressed about what has happened or what will happen. Live in the now.
Decide. Choose to have a good attitude. It really comes down to mind over matter. Your mind is a real thing and it has control over how you feel and how you think.
Be Thankful. Grateful people are the happiest.
Your Health
What we eat and how we eat it has an affect on three things, intelligence, moods, and feelings. What does this have to do with mutual love and relationships? It inhibits us from loving in return, we become the soggy handshake and the stiff hug.
We have the capability to change our attitude.
To do this we should...
Live in the now. Rarely are people stressed about the now. People are usually stressed about what has happened or what will happen. Live in the now.
Decide. Choose to have a good attitude. It really comes down to mind over matter. Your mind is a real thing and it has control over how you feel and how you think.
Be Thankful. Grateful people are the happiest.
Your Health
What we eat and how we eat it has an affect on three things, intelligence, moods, and feelings. What does this have to do with mutual love and relationships? It inhibits us from loving in return, we become the soggy handshake and the stiff hug.
Poor health causes us to be anxious, forgetful, fearful, depressed, and tired.
Are any of those positive for any relationship? No. It will not boost any relationship. Not our relationship with our spouses, children, parents, and God.
3 John 1:2 God wants us to prosper and be in health.
God does everything possible to romance us into a relationship with him. In that relationship sometimes we find that we are the soggy handshake or the stiff hug. We must realize our relationship with God is not a business relationship, it is a romance relationship of eternal proportions.
The great thing is that God doesn't care how soggy and stiff we are. God is passionately in love with us. While we were yet sinners He died for us.
I want you to know the truth of the original relationship...
Jesus Loves Me
This I know
For the Bible tells me so
It's as simple as that.
The beginning of April is fast approaching! I'm gearing up for my next mission to Mongolia. I am so blessed to be a medical transport volunteer with Samaritan's Purse. This will be my second trip with them this year.
Working at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital the last four years has been a blessing. I have learned and grown so much. The people that I work with are amazingly intelligent. A few weeks ago, my patient, who had just had open heart surgery, allowed me to experience one of my personal top 5 nursing moments ever.
It went something like this...
Me: Well buddy, you're all set to go home! Are you excited?
Patient: Yep! (Slowly walks towards me) Thank you so much for taking care of me. *Leans in and gives me a hug*
Me: You're welcome. It was my pleasure!
Patient: (Takes a step back) That hug hurt a bit but it was worth it.
Moments like these make me realize just how lucky I am that God has given me the ability to do what I do. I look forward to many other "Top 5 nursing moments".
This past weekend I spent at home with my family. I was telling my dad about all of the events that are lined up until June. He told me that he thinks it's impossible for me to relax because I travel so much. I had a good conversation with a friend, and came to the conclusion that God is my pilot, I'm along for the ride. Wherever He leads that's where I go.
Since January...
Two of my most favorite people visited PA with Andrews Academy
Good memories, Great people.
Baby Joshua Southard graced us with his entrance into the world.
I got to hang out with Beckett, a pretty cool dude!
Participated in a 4 hour cycling event with Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Raised over $20,000.00 for cancer research
Died my hair back to it's natural color.
Jesus Loves Me
This I know
For the Bible tells me so
It's as simple as that.
The beginning of April is fast approaching! I'm gearing up for my next mission to Mongolia. I am so blessed to be a medical transport volunteer with Samaritan's Purse. This will be my second trip with them this year.
Working at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital the last four years has been a blessing. I have learned and grown so much. The people that I work with are amazingly intelligent. A few weeks ago, my patient, who had just had open heart surgery, allowed me to experience one of my personal top 5 nursing moments ever.
It went something like this...
Me: Well buddy, you're all set to go home! Are you excited?
Patient: Yep! (Slowly walks towards me) Thank you so much for taking care of me. *Leans in and gives me a hug*
Me: You're welcome. It was my pleasure!
Patient: (Takes a step back) That hug hurt a bit but it was worth it.
Moments like these make me realize just how lucky I am that God has given me the ability to do what I do. I look forward to many other "Top 5 nursing moments".
This past weekend I spent at home with my family. I was telling my dad about all of the events that are lined up until June. He told me that he thinks it's impossible for me to relax because I travel so much. I had a good conversation with a friend, and came to the conclusion that God is my pilot, I'm along for the ride. Wherever He leads that's where I go.
Since January...
Two of my most favorite people visited PA with Andrews Academy
Good memories, Great people.
Baby Joshua Southard graced us with his entrance into the world.
I got to hang out with Beckett, a pretty cool dude!
Participated in a 4 hour cycling event with Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Raised over $20,000.00 for cancer research
Died my hair back to it's natural color.
Until next time...
Monday, January 14, 2013
What do you invest in?
Where to begin...
The last few weeks have been non-stop. I've been the busiest I've been in a long time.
Let me give you a short recap...
December 27th I left for GYC Seattle. January 3rd, after being renewed and refreshed, I ventured back to the East Coast. I put in some hours at the hospital and then left for Santa Cruz, Bolivia on January 9th. Seven flights and four days later I returned to Harrisburg. Once back in Harrisburg, I enjoyed some post church Sabbathing with some great people. The same evening I attended my good friend's baby shower. The following day (Sunday) I went skiing with Donna and Jonathan. Finally today, January 14th, I've been able to catch up on some much needed R&R! I suppose the type of R&R I've been experiencing today has been unpacking, laundry and cleaning. I did manage to complete a mini-movie of my travels to and from Bolivia.
Happy Watching!
Children's Heart Project
As we begin the new year the subject of "investments" has struck me as profound. We as humans tend to make investments in things or people that we believe are valuable. Each person's idea of what is valuable varies, and sometimes we invest in things that are not valuable.
One of the most important investments that we can make in our lifetime is our investment in Jesus Christ. He has made the ultimate investment in us by dying to repay our sin. Hallelujah! How can we choose to live our lives in anyway but for Him? I pray that as I live my life I make wise investments, that I choose to dedicate my life to Him using the gifts He has blessed me with for His purpose. I encourage you to do the same!
Bringing in the New Year with my friends from Grants Pass, Oregon
and Berrien Springs, Michigan.
The last few weeks have been non-stop. I've been the busiest I've been in a long time.
Let me give you a short recap...
December 27th I left for GYC Seattle. January 3rd, after being renewed and refreshed, I ventured back to the East Coast. I put in some hours at the hospital and then left for Santa Cruz, Bolivia on January 9th. Seven flights and four days later I returned to Harrisburg. Once back in Harrisburg, I enjoyed some post church Sabbathing with some great people. The same evening I attended my good friend's baby shower. The following day (Sunday) I went skiing with Donna and Jonathan. Finally today, January 14th, I've been able to catch up on some much needed R&R! I suppose the type of R&R I've been experiencing today has been unpacking, laundry and cleaning. I did manage to complete a mini-movie of my travels to and from Bolivia.
Happy Watching!
Children's Heart Project
As we begin the new year the subject of "investments" has struck me as profound. We as humans tend to make investments in things or people that we believe are valuable. Each person's idea of what is valuable varies, and sometimes we invest in things that are not valuable.
One of the most important investments that we can make in our lifetime is our investment in Jesus Christ. He has made the ultimate investment in us by dying to repay our sin. Hallelujah! How can we choose to live our lives in anyway but for Him? I pray that as I live my life I make wise investments, that I choose to dedicate my life to Him using the gifts He has blessed me with for His purpose. I encourage you to do the same!
Bringing in the New Year with my friends from Grants Pass, Oregon
and Berrien Springs, Michigan.
Outreach with a good buddy! (Joseph)
Tiago and Guadalupe!
The group - America bound!
Me. Being me...
GYC Intermission Appeal!
Until next time... Stay well.
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