God is Love

I've been thinking... 

I suppose for all of you that know me this is not an uncommon occurrence.  

Just the other day I was reading a friend's post on Facebook.  She had posted what I believe is one of the greatest love texts in the bible... 

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance."

Of course, as with all Facebook posts, there are generally a string of comments that collect and I proceeded to read those.  My friend in particular had responded to someone and made mention of replacing the word 'love' in the text with the word 'God'.  After all 1 John 4:16 states, "God is love."  If we did that 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 would look like this... 

"God is patient. God is kind. God is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. God does not demand His own way. God is not irritable, and God keeps no record of being wronged. God does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. God never gives up. God never loses faith. God is always hopeful. God endures through every circumstance."

Wow!  If you're thinking what I'm thinking... then you must be blown away! What a spin this was for me.  Okay, it was more than a spin, it was a blatant slap in the face.  Lately, I've found myself to be low on patience, low on kindness, rude, demanding, irritated, and the list could go on... but you get the picture.  Reading this with God replacing the word 'love' put things into perspective for me as a human; it made me realize just how far I am from living out the characteristics of Christ in my life.  God is patient. God is kind.  God does not demand His own way, God is not irritable, God never gives up. God never loses faith.  God is always hopeful.  What I noticed, that struck me as particularly profound, was the use of the words "never" and "always".  I don't know about you, but I was taught growing up to be cautious when using words of finality that were so concrete.  You can never say 'never' or nothing is 'forever' come to mind, but what does that really mean?  Why are we as a culture afraid to be concrete? Final? Committed?  God wasn't and I'm so thankful for that.  His heart is something I long after; His character is something that I pray for everyday.  I know that alone I have a zero percent chance to reflect the character of Christ.  Anything good someone sees in me is a direct reflection of Him.  Today, I bank on the promise of Philippians 1:6 and I am confident that He who has begun a good work in me will carry it on to completion.  Hallelujah.  

As far as life goes...

I made the drive across the country to California! I made a few pit stops along the way; which always make traveling well worth it.  

Bathroom break somewhere in Maryland!

Made it to North Dakota 3 days after departure to hang out with these fine young men. 

Nighttime North Dakota sky. 

Photo Credit: JLK 

This young lad was snooping in his Christmas gift bag a little early! 

Got to love him though. 

Photo Credit: JLK 

Did a little afternoon ice skating! 

Fun! 

Got festive hanging tree lights! 

Okay, I didn't really hang much, I took pictures and held light strings. 

I did help fix some lights! That counts, right? 

Got a few lessons in E-85.

Thank you for that! 

Next stop Colorado! 

My car post drive from North Dakota to Colorado... 

She has seen better days.

 Rocky Mountain National Park! 

Photo Credit: MCTG 

  

 Long horn sheep! 

Colorado

Hanging with Melanie - checkin' out those Stetsons! 

Estes Park 

Melanie 

Sent out around 170 Christmas Cards! 

December 14th, 2014

12 days later...

 I made it to Fresno, California

 Some pictures of my place! 

Where I'll be working for the next 13 weeks! 

Stopped to get myself a tree! 

They were shipped in right from British Columbia! 

Noble fir 

She's quite the looker! 

All decorated! 

 

California Christmas

Tomorrow is my first day of real work in the PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit) at Valley Children's.  I'm excited and nervous at the same time.  The feelings are always the same with the first day on a new unit no matter where I go.  I never really know what the functionality of the unit will be and what kind of team I'll be working with.  I'm hopeful for a happy 13 weeks.  

After this holiday week of 6 out of 7 days on the unit (YIKES) - I will be off until January 7th.  Excited to be heading back to Phoenix, Arizona for GYC! 

I can't wait to share with you some of the blessings of that trip.  Until then friends, I wish you the merriest Christmas and happiest New Year.  I pray that it is a slow-burning season, a season of good news, the best news.  

It's an Oxymoron

Re-reading a good friends blog and being blessed.  Micheal, you always have deep profound thoughts and a unique way of putting them.  I'm blessed by you and your friendship.

Check it out folks. . .

ReBlog: It's an Oxymoron

Encourage to Encourage

Steven Covey wrote an article titled, "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People:  Powerful Lessons in Personal Change.  In this article he said, "Treat a man as he is and he will remain as he is. Treat a man as he can and should be and he will become as he can and should be."

I don't know about you but I'm thinking he is on to something.  The way we treat people matters.  

How many of you have ever been through a "bad" break-up?  

You know the kind, where your whole heart was invested and then BAM! Just like that it's over.  It felt as if someone came and knocked you down by kicking in your knees from behind.  

I've been there.  

Imagine this... 

I'm smack in the middle of nursing school.

At this time, I was living with my former roommate (Sarah); she became my roommate at the beginning of nursing school.  We hadn't known each other prior to being in the same nursing class.  We got along at first, but as time crept on we realized we were not fond of each other at all.  We were so immersed in our dislike for each other that we lived in silence for six months! Six whole months! We only spoke to each other when absolutely necessary.  We couldn't wait for our lease to be up so we could move on out.  

March came upon us quickly.  During this time I had a horrible break up with a guy I was dating for four years.  The kind of break up you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy.  I cashed out.  Checked out of life altogether.  I wouldn't eat, I wouldn't go to class, and I wouldn't go to church.  

Can you imagine a little baby in fetal position?  That's exactly what I looked like in my bed just the adult version.  

However, my story is not about my break up.  My story is about Sarah.  

Recap:  Sarah and I are not friends.  We tolerated each other at best.  

I sluggishly walked through our apartment door, feeling really down in the dumps and headed straight for my room.  That was where I was spending most of my time in those days.  Luckily, Sarah is very observant.  It didn't take her long to realize something was seriously wrong with me.  A few days had passed and one afternoon she came knocking on my door and asked me what was going on.   Much to my dismay, I told her what had happened.  Immediately, sympathy had flooded her face.  I remember standing there thinking, "Huh? That was nice of her to think of me."  

Over the next few weeks Sarah did little things to help boost my mood.  She left me notes around the apartment with inspiring words and scripture, she would make lunch and share it with me, she invited me to walk with her to class, she invited me to sit with her, and she invited me to her small group sessions. 

(I'm sure I'm missing some things) 

We would pray together and we really started to connect with each other.  It wasn't long after this Sarah and I become good friends.  We enjoyed hanging out with each other.  After we graduated in 2009,  I was in her wedding.  We remain close to this day.  

Her little acts of kindness, compassion and encouragement touched me in ways I didn't even know I needed.  I firmly believe I would not be where I am today if she did not choose to be the bigger person and show me kindness.  Soon enough, I found myself back in church and met a nice small group of people in Bucks County, PA.  We are scattered around the country now, but at the time they were a huge blessing to me.  

The moral of the story is that our actions matter to people that we like and to people that we don't like.  Our actions matter to people we are friends with and the people we are not friends with.  

Actions are and always have been the most powerful forces on the planet.  

I don't know where I would be if Sarah hadn't chosen the actions of Christ that year.  She was a strong supporter and encourager to me during one of my lowest points of life.  I believe that God places people in our lives that we need.  I wholeheartedly know He used Sarah to specifically reach me and I am so thankful that He did.  I think that we all should aspire to have Sarah's attitude. 

I challenge you to choose people in your life (Family, Friends, Church Members) to be intentional about; be intentional about your encouragement to those people.  Make it a point to be a blessing to them by showing them kindness and going out of your way to inconvenience yourself for them.  After all, we don't know the struggles that other people are going through. Shoot! You don't even have to choose people you like, or people you are friends with.  Sarah chose me.  I praise God every day for that.

"Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor.  For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion.  But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up."  

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Sarah and I in Philadelphia a few weeks ago!

As for a life update... 

It's been busy per baseline, although I did find some time to relax! 

I finished up my contract in Philadelphia.  I sure do miss the people there.  

Currently thru December, I'm on a contract at Hershey Med (The Sweetest Place on Earth).  Once December rolls around, I'll be trekking it across country to good ole Madera, California.  

In between my Philadelphia and Hershey contracts I had 3 weeks off and took a nice long trip to North Dakota!  It was great to relax, have some time off, and hang out with some amazing people.  

Made it to see the world's largest buffalo.

Thank you North Dakota!

Buchanan, North Dakota!

Got to hang out with the Ericksons! 

John and Amanda 

Hoofed it to the top of the grain leg! 

The view was great! 

Headed Northwest to hang with this guy!

Jordan

Harvested some canola with him too! 

I did a lot of observing - but pitched in where I could.  Thankfully he was blessed with an abundance of patience! 

:-) 

In the Kimball flax field!

Made it to Montana for church! 

And then back to North Dakota!

Spike - killin' it with his good looks and charm.  

I miss that boy.  

Canada! 

My maiden voyage!

First time for everything!

Sunday fun day in Canada at Peace Gardens! 

"In the tree!"

North Dakota was a great trip, I was sad to see it end.  I'm gearing up for my next trip which will be to Michigan, and then I'll leave for Ecuador on November 8th.  If you have any spare prayers, I could always use them.  Thank you!


I believe that's all she wrote!

Until next time friends...

What is a stay-cation?

On Friday, August 29th, I started a six day stay-cation.  A stay-cation according to dictionary.com is a vacation spent at home or near home, doing enjoyable activities or visiting local attractions.  Now for those of you that know me, know that this is a rare adventure.  However, it has been a blessing in more ways than one.

Over the weekend, there was a marriage seminar taking place at my home church.  It was Friday evening and my dad was milling around the house and said, "Hey, you should come to the church for this marriage seminar you might learn something you didn't know."   I thought to myself, "Sure, why not give it a go."  It turned out I was the only single person there; but that's okay, I still enjoyed hearing refreshers of things I've heard before and the introduction of new things I haven't.

One of the concepts I took away from Pastor Rojas this weekend was that when you are thinking of partnering up with someone for life, you want to make sure they are displaying characteristics of "committed people" and not "convenient people".

Let me break that down for you...

Characteristics of Committed People

1. Character based

(Make decisions based on what is right)

2. Controlled by priorities

3. Servant mindset

4. Life and lips agree 

5. Inwardly influenced 

6. Always winning

7. Persevere during tough times 

8. Patient and tolerant 

Characteristics of Convenient People

1. Emotion based

(Make decisions based on what is easiest)

2. Controlled by feelings

3. Selfish mindset

4. Life and lips disagree

5. Outwardly influenced 

6. Always whining 

7. Quit during tough times

8. Tends to take the easy way out 

I know that I have heard this before, but the way he presented it was concise and to the point.  It was as if he gave a list of "red flags" to be on the look out for.  One of the red flags he did mention that I will paraphrase is...

If someone has an "All about Me" mentality - it's time to exit stage right.

I think I resonated the church with a couple of "Preach" and "Amen" outbursts after that left the pulpit!  

As far as the rest of my stay-cation, it has been quite relaxing.  I have gotten some decent running mileage in the books, spent some time with my little sister, spent Sabbath with the Blairs, and did a lot of piano practicing.  All in all, I am living blessed with no room for complaints. 

About a week and a half ago I celebrated my 29th year.  It was a tough week, as I was hit with several blows of bad news.  I won't dive into all of the details but wanted to share this verse...

"And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." 

Romans 5:3-5

In other news, I am nearing the end of my contract in Philadelphia.  My official end date is Sept 16th.  I have three weeks left.  It seems surreal!  I feel as if I just started there.  Time sure does have its way of passing quickly.  I signed my next contract that starts December 15th at Central California Children's Hospital.  I am moving on out to Fresno, making another cross country trip! 

In the meantime, September 18th, I'm headed to North Dakota for Lorinda and Reimy's wedding! I am excited and blessed to be able to share in their special forever day.  I am also thrilled to catch up with friends while experiencing North Dakota for the first time.  

On the mission horizon, I'll be leaving for my 5th trip with Children's Heart Group (Penn State Hershey) to Guayaquil, Ecuador - November 8th.  I am excited to work with the team and for our mission in Ecuador.  Please keep us in prayer. 

Until next time - I challenge you to read this article on 10 things you can do to improve your life. 

Ten Things You Can Do To Improve Your Life

I'm working on 1-10 myself! :-) 

Always remember... 

It's all about people. 

Burning Ships

In 1519, Cortez and the Spanish fleet landed on the eastern shore of Mexico with a mission to not fail. However, the hardships of a new world made them restless and weak, quietly they whispered, "Let's sail back to the life we knew."   Cortez said, "We are here to stay, there's no way we could go back. We've come this far by faith.  Burn the ships, we've passed the point of return, our life is here so let the ships burn.  Nobody said it would be easy, but the one who brought us here is never going to leave us alone." 

July 17th, 2014, I boarded a flight for Villahermosa, Mexico.  Fifteen Andrews University/Academy students answered the call of Christ to preach to all nations.  "Go therefore..." Matthew 28:19-20.  God brought us there to spend and be spent for the people of Pichucalco.  It wasn't always easy, there were hardships, we were pulled outside of our comfort zone, our patience was tested, and at times we wanted to sail back to the life we knew.  But Jesus called us to something different!  You've got to burn your ships! Do not go back the same as you came.  Do not go back until you have given every fiber of your being to share Jesus.  Do not go back to the life you once lived.  Go back with no regrets.  Go back with a changed heart. 

In 1980, Dr. Bob Moorehead reported on a Rwandan man that was forced by his tribe to either renounce Christ or fair a certain death.  He refused to renounce Christ, and he was killed on the spot.  The night before he had written a letter that they found in his room; 

"I’m part of the fellowship of the unashamed, the die has been cast, I have stepped over the line, the decision has been made - I’m a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed vision, worldly talking, cheap giving and dwarfed goals.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I won’t give up, shut up, let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up for the cause of Jesus Christ.

I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till everyone knows, work till He stops me and when He comes for His own, He will have no trouble recognizing me because my banner will have been clear.” 

Our last day in Mexico and this is how we chose to live.  We are not going back the same - we have burned our ships. 

We are forever changed. 

How about you?  

Mexico Mission 2014 - Click here

Camila praying with Amy

Kay post meeting 

Katalina preaching the word! 

Kaydra pouring her heart out! 

Elyse leading!

Sarah greeting! 

Thank you Jesus for giving us this opportunity to serve for You.

It's all about people.  

*Thank you Micheal for your vision, passion and dedication for people.  Thank you for introducing me to the idea of "It's All About People".  Thank you for sharing these stories with me/us.  Thank you for being you and being the blessing that you are.  You are appreciated. 

*Thank you Dwight for making me feel comfortable.  Thank you for opening me up.  I used to feel that what I learned and shared wasn't as profound as the next person's thoughts.  It kept me quiet for a long time.  After spending three weeks with you, reading the chapter of Mark, journaling, and sharing - I was changed.  You always had an "amen" or words of encouragement, I appreciate that about you.  Soon, I found myself at the point where I couldn't wait to share what I learned.  

*Thank you Mr. D for your constant support.  You truly are the brother I wish I had.  I appreciate your words of wisdom and your listening ear.  Thank you for accepting me as I am.  I am not afraid to be myself around you and I truly appreciate you for that.  

Beautiful Feet

Beautiful Feet.   

What?  

Yes, beautiful feet. 

I'm sure you're thinking, "How can you refer to feet as beautiful?"

Feet are generally not beautiful; in fact some people find them kind of gross.  Often times they are smelly, peeling, calloused, and down right unattractive.  

Despite that, I want you to think for just a minute on how much wear and tear our feet endure.  

For myself, I think about all of the places my feet have taken me, some places I wanted to visit badly and other places I couldn't wait to leave.  I think about all of the stubbed toes I've had.  I think about how many toenails I've broken.  I think about how many scrapes and cuts I've gotten.  I think about how many miles I've run.  I think about how many hikes I've finished, but the most important thing I think about is where God has lead my feet.  

Today, I am in Chiapas Pichucalco, Mexico with 15 Andrews University/Andrews Academy students.    When I speak with them, they each tell me the story of how they were called to be here and that God has led them to this place for a specific purpose.  

The students have preached three times and are every bit evangelists for Christ.  As we look around the town of Pichucalco from the top of our hotel we pray.  We pray for the seekers beneath the roofs and wonder how many are ready for Jesus?  I've watched them prepare, practice, pray, and preach. It is beautiful to see lives being changed and family trees being altered because of the work they are doing here.  

And how shall they preach unless they are sent?  As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace.”  Who bring glad tidings of good things!"

 Romans 10:15 

So today...

I praise God for beautiful feet.

I am thankful for the call He has placed in each heart here. 

I'm reminded that no matter how much wear and tear our feet have suffered or how unattractive they may appear, they are beautiful.  

Lasting Impressions

*For privacy reasons the names of those mentioned have been changed*

You never really know what type of impact or what type of impression you are leaving on a person.  Ultimately, God is the only one who knows.

With that being said, I want you to think about it for a moment...

And another...

I want you to really ponder how many people you encountered just today.  How many of those people did you interact with?  How many of those people did you notice? How many of those people didn't you notice?

As I reflect, I am positive I will not remember every encounter I had today, but I will share with you some of what I do remember...

I do remember how my patient's mother deeply processed every single word that came out of my mouth as I explained what I was about to do to/for her baby girl.  I do remember the way she smiled in gratitude every time I offered to get her something to drink.

I do remember lending a helping hand to the nurse whose day was just a bit busier than mine.

I do remember the way a mother collapsed into a chair after walking back to the room of her lifeless child.  I do remember praying as hands were laid on her.

I do remember Dr. Smith walking out of the room and kneeling in front of this mother saying, "We did everything we could do..."

I do remember the small huddle of nurses standing in the hallway with tear stained eyes as I walked over to give a hug.

I do remember hearing teamwork in action, "Two minutes! Switch."

I do remember talking with unfamiliar faces in the elevator on my way to lunch.

Today was one of those "bad PICU" days.  I started off the day on a positive note.  I was happy to be back at my home hospital.  Happy to be working with a team I know and love.  However, after updates from night shift, reality hit me...  I'm in a place that no one wants to come to.  I'm in a place where kids often leave in body bags.

What?  Did she just say body bags?   Yes, that's what I said.

This is my reality folks, and that was the short filtered version.

I'm sure you're asking yourself the same questions I have asked myself, "How in the world did I get here?"  "How can this be my calling, Lord?" "How can I ever find the strength?"

And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.  ThereforeI am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.  

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

God is exactly how I got here.  I don't know about you, but I've walked down my own path several times.  I've tried to figure things out alone.  I've tried to plan things by myself.  Let me tell you a truth... I didn't get very far.  It was as if every situation turned into a disaster.  However, in 2009, God was making moves.  I was fresh on the market! Pennsylvania's newest nurse at your service!  I wanted to take a job close to home, live with my parents and save money.  Notice the use of "I" in the previous statement.  I think God had a bit of a chuckle when He heard my plan because He straight up shut me down.  He closed every door even remotely close to anything that "I" had planned.

"Hershey?" I thought, "It sounds nice, but that's so far away!"

For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. 

Jeremiah 29:11 

He opened one door.

That door was not the one I wanted.  "It's not going to work God, I just know," I said sarcastically in my head.  I even had every intention to stay a year "get my experience" and move on.

My parents were even skeptical on how I was going to make it work, especially since I had to start paying back student loans.

Well friends, my parents were wrong and so was I.

Five years later, I am still a part of Hershey and Hershey is very much a big part of me.

I'm so thankful to this day that I stuck with God's plan.  It has changed my life.  A simple move two hours north to the small town of Hershey changed my life.  I have encountered countless blessing after blessing.  Not to mention, I LOVE the hospital and all of the people that I work with.

Now that I am a travel nurse, I am able to look back and realize just how blessed I was to be able to learn in an institution that holds one of the highest standards of care I have ever come across.  This is where I learned how to be a nurse, which in itself is the greatest blessing of all.

I had a special thanks out today on Facebook for my preceptors.  I'm not sure if you know this or not, but once you graduate from nursing school, you're not completely done.  Part of my job was to complete a 6 month ICU internship before I could "fly solo" as a nurse.  I wanted to thank them specifically for investing in me, believing in me, fostering growth in me, and being patient with me. I'm eternally grateful for the skill set that God has developed in me, and I especially want to recognize them for teaching me how to do it well.

This week has been exceptionally tough from all areas.  If you are friends with me you may know that because I'm sure I mentioned it once or twice.  :-)

This evening I found this comment on my Facebook post...

• "You may have been a "baby nurse" for **** and I many years ago, but we were the ones given the unique opportunity to help start you on your road in PICU. Without the gentle spirit, big heart, skilled mind, and great enthusiasm, we would have had an "average nurse." Instead we got to help an extraordinary person find her extraordinary calling. You bless those you care for and contact with more than your nursing skills - you touch them with your heart. So proud of who you are. And everyday I wish I could work there beside you again."

My heart was exceptionally happy reading this and I even cried a little.  Those words were pure, kind and I don't even know if I fully deserve all of them.  Here I was so wrapped up in the fact that my preceptors were a blessing to me, never did I ever think that I could have been a blessing to them.  Wrong, yet again.  God is making moves!  We don't always see the impact that we are making on other people's lives, we just have to have faith and trust that He will use us in all of our weaknesses to bless others.  

And that's what it's all about. 

It's all about people. 

So next time you're walking down the hallway say hello to the stranger that's passing you by, call that friend you haven't talked to in a while just to say hi, hold a hand, give a hug, share words of encouragement, send your mom flowers just because, send someone a birthday card, let someone know you were thinking of them today.  

You don't know what God is doing.  He can and will use your actions to capture the attention of others.  

Beautifully Broken

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you'd give anything to make it right or functional, but you just cannot figure out how to do that?  You think up many different ideas on what you might say versus what you should say.  The words are there but you can't organize them into coherent thoughts and points.  The words are there but you don't want to organize them into coherent thoughts and points.  You want to just hit the rewind button back to when things were normal and smooth sailing.  Sounds good right?  Rewind to a time when you had lots to say and it was easy and fun. Now, you're plagued with the thoughts of how your actions might be perceived, or how your communication will be misinterpreted and it slowly chips away at the fun-happy-care free person you used to be.   The harsh reality surrounding this is, you know that the only reason you feel this way is because you care.  "Oh," you'd think to yourself, "If only I could just let it go and adapt to the new normal this situation would be non-existent."

It's frustrating.  You want to stop caring, but you know that's not the right thing to do because being a christian means that part of the call is to be "all about people."  Your mind circles around the topic as if there is a broken record playing in your head.  It's almost as if you wish you could just pluck the situation out of your head, drop it off in the trash can, and never think about it again.  Wouldn't that be grand?

That's me.  Non-confrontational.

I like to be liked.  I like to be needed.  I like to feel appreciated. I like to feel cared about.  I like to feel as if I matter.  I like to feel as if I'm making a difference.  I mean, who doesn't? I don't like when things go awry and there are obstacles that make things complicated.  I would love everything to be honky dory in a place where everyone is happy.

Reality check.

That place doesn't exist on earth.  Not everything will turn out the way we want it to.  Here on earth we have disappointments, obstacles, heartbreaks, pain, and suffering, but along with all of that we can have pure happiness, pure peace and pure joy in Christ.

"'For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,' says the LORD, who has compassion on you." Isaiah 54:10

"Christ the fountain of living water, and happiness drawn from Him can never fail." MB 28

This past week I've been trying to focus on that point.  It's a simple point yes, but sometimes it's those simple points that make the biggest impact.  While we live in such a horrible place where not everything is perfect and happy we still can find comfort in the promises of Jesus.

I've been reminding myself of this too...

Sometimes things are not meant to be as they were, sometimes things are meant to stay beautifully broken.

"If received in faith, the trial that seems so bitter and hard to bear will prove a blessing. The cruel blow that blights the joys of earth will be the means of turning our eyes to heaven." MB 20, 21

Be a Hill Seeker

I don't know about you, but I'm always trying to avoid those hills on a run.  You know, the ones that make you feel like you're going to halt mid pace?  Better yet, if you're a drama queen like myself, they are the ones that put you close to death... 

This week I am staying with my old roommate from college - I just got in from a run around her neighborhood and I found myself turning down all of the roads that didn't have the huge inclines.

But why?

What is so good about flat anyway?  I don't like having flat tires, flat hair, flat returns, and as an ICU nurse I definitely don't like the flat lines... Beeep!

It got me thinking, life happens on the hills.  The hills are an opportunity to prove that you are stronger than you ever thought possible.  If you never attempt the climb, you'll never know the thrill of surging down the other side.  I have found a lot of comfort in applying this concept to all areas of life, and not just the running life.  

As for me, real life has kept me busy, with lots of hills and lots of flat.  I've officially made it back from Arizona! What a long trip that was!  

At the beginning of May, I spent some time with some awesome kiddos in Haiti!

University of Pennsylvania 

Mission Trip

After the Haiti mission, I scheduled an appointment with my hair dresser and lightened things up! 

For the duration of the month of May, I signed my self a contract in good ole Hershey, PA.  I love working at the hospital there.  It's one of my favorite places to be.  It also landed me a whole month at the Laugers.  Needless to say, I was kept busy and entertained.

Took several bike rides with this young man...

Took some dune buggy rides too... 

Dune buggy in the creek... 

It's how these Laugers roll...

And took some jeep rides ...

Enjoyed some yummy fruit bars... 

AirSoft battles...

Injury prevention... 

Afternoon cruising... 

Became an ACLS Provider

Participated in the Hershey Color Run 

5k

Pre Race with Nurse Misti

Spent some major time with my baby sister... 

I love her. 

Attended our sister's wedding... (Christina and Jeremy 5/24/2014)

 Wedding Guests...

My daddy!  

:-) 

 Before I knew it, June arrived! I started my new contract in Philadelphia, and June 12 packed up and headed out to Michigan Camp Meeting! What a blessing it was to spend time with my dearest friends. 

Participted in the Fit for Him 5k 

Michigan Camp Meeting 

Yours truly ... 

Thank you for this photo Scott Bennett!

(There may be a hint of sarcasm going on here...) 

I love you anyway! :-) 

 Cana - 1st female finisher in her age group

Father's Day - 10k 

Micheal and Cana 

Being silly, taking selfies with this cutie!  

I love her. 

I was so sad to leave Michigan to head home for work, but I was super happy to head to Pennsylvania Camp Meeting that next weekend! 

My dad says I don't leave anytime for grass to grow under my feet.  He's right.  However, the people on the other side are well worth all the miles traveled.  

 The Southards - family worship.  

Love this family.

Landed myself another cruise on a beautiful afternoon with this dude.

Yes, he just jumped off a rock 50ft above water... Didn't even flinch. 

That's my brobie! 

July has lots of adventures planned - I'm looking forward to what God has up His sleeve! He is in the business of blowing my mind.  I'm ready.

Until next time!