Blog slacker

I'd be surprised if anyone reads this anymore.... quite frankly, most of the time I forget that it exists, until I have free second to view other peoples blogs and think "wow, I have a lot to tell."
Last month was CRAZY!!!!! I went to the mountains, then spent a week in Colorado, then flew to PA the next day for a quick visit, got off the plane, led bible study and went back to work. This week I finished my first two classes (school is proving to be harder than I thought- no fear though, it doesn't get in the way of my social life- which could explain why I'm sooooooooo tired!). I interviewed and was hired for the position of "Wound Care Nurse" which sounds grotesque but is an amazing opportunity (including wound care, teaching at the local nursing school, policy writing, clinic running.....) not to mention a day shift schedule, no weekends, no holidays (technically the job is mine, I just have to pass the background check)!!! I'm still very single (good or bad I'm not sure.... it just is:-) but am taking applications for a significant other.


Here are some picts from my month of crazy life!

Update with a side of ketchup??

I'm not sure how to put ketchup on a blog Danielle, but I'd sure like to find out!

This will be brief, as I'm supposed to be working on an essay test right now...(booo school!) but any way of procrastinating will do:-)

My life was crazy before, but the addition of school has thrown me into over-drive. There aren't enough hours in the day for me accomplish everything that needs done. Fortunately I have an uncanny ability to function on very little sleep.... but even that is getting old. And these days sleep isn't coming easy.

The last few weeks have been busily fun. In addition to school (booo school!) there have been beach trips, bbq's, youth group lunches/all day hang outs (believe it or not, that was all just last weekend), we started a new young adult womens book study... and more. The next two weeks are even busier! Next week I'm going to the mountains with some of the youth on a retreat, the following week I'll be in Colorado with different youth, doing the same. The Colorado trip comes at an amazingly perfect time- now is about the time in my stay somewhere where I start to get restless and feel like it's time to hit the road, take a trip, change the scenery... I'm getting antsy and some free time in mountains of colorado might just do the trick!

That's all I have time for now... pictures and a real update to come... hopefully sometime in 2008!

Crazy becomes Crazier

Of course I'll begin this post like every other with an apology for long lapse between posts.... but honestly, I'm even having trouble fitting in sleep (which we all know isn't good for me or anyone with in a 20mile radius:-).

Cali life has continued to be a steady buzz of activity, comings and goings, work, monkeying around (my specialty), with the added bonus of a weekend in the snow for winter camp, and as of today, the start of school. There have been several more experiences like the the one described in my previous post, where things just seem to miraculously fall into place. I continue to be amazed! Dreams are being dreamt, hopes are being lifted and plans are being made. Excitement is all around us here! I love it!

Of course there is always something to temper us (or at least it seems that way in my life, but then I also have a tendency to dive head first into things and forget about the world around me). As of today, school has become that reminder for me. I "started" my online classes today. Call me naive, but I thought that online meant "squeeze in where ever you can as to not interfere with everything else that you want to do." My assumption was quickly proven incorrect when I logged in and looked at my syllabi's. What should have been my first clue, was that I'm taking 2 condensed NURSING classes simultaneously. Anyone who knows anything about nursing school knows what H-E- double hockey sticks it can be- How quickly I forgot!!!! This obviously holds true for online school too. After thoroughly reading each syllabus, organizing the mountain of books piled on my bed, I closed my lap-top, took some Tylenol and applied for a job at Target..... just kidding (only about the target thing!). My life will really be a test of my juggling skills.

This month will be undoubtedly the busiest I've had in awhile. Adjusting to school, church fun, friend fun, good clean fun, road trip planning, book study starting........ I think I'm going to need some more tylenol.

30 for 2

weeks- that is...... You asked how I feel about 30? If the first two weeks are any indication of what my 30's will be like; I must say that this is by far my favorite decade.

The past two weeks have resembled some sort of organized chaos much akin to a chinese fire drill in the middle of a 4 lane highway (I mean that in the most positive sense possible). Nights spent at work are followed by sleepless days (sleep... I'm really beginning to think it's a bit over-rated). There have been outings to broomball (definition- lacrosse meets a soccer riot on an ice rink without skates), counselor meetings for winter camp, making breakfast for the jr. High girls sunday school class that my friend Amanda and I are now teaching, Sr High girls bible study, coffee with friends, valentine writing/sending, camping trip planning, bar-b-que organizing, beach bike rides, impromptu gatherings, youth commission meetings...oh and working full-time....

But I must say that yesterday was most definetly my favorite day of my 30's. While my short synopsis may seem ordinary to some of you reading, those involved know how extrordinary it was.

For whatever reason schools were off. What usually happens in my house is that Sheli plays on her computer, listens to music and sleeps until I wake up and while I remember hearing some movement outside my bedroom door, I thought nothing of it. I had worked the night before, and had a terrible night. I woke up at noon, much earlier then I wanted to, but drifted in and out until just after 1 when I decided to get up and address my growing to-do list. To my surprise when I walked out of my room, a stream of youth group kids and the youth pastor were walking in the front door. Now I will be the first to admit, morning (or early afternoon in this case) is not my best time, so I didn't jump at the chance to go on the bike ride they were about to embark on. When they returned, I was awake, showered and caffienated. An afternoon/evening of good clean crazy fun ensued. There were skateboard races, scooter races, running races, skateboard/scooter crashes, piggyback rides, cartwheels, stolen flip flops....etc. This continued for hours. My mom, being the amazing mom that she is, started grilling hamburgers for everyone (I should mention that our house is across the drive way from the church). We broke from the fun to sit and eat. My parents, sisters, Weston the youth pastor, miscelaneous kids and I sat laughing around the table. (I must say that this was an especially sweet time for me. When we were growing up and in college, I would always invite random people over for sunday dinner. Our table was always full and there was always laughter. Last night was no different). Dinner gave way to more outdoor craziness and eventually led to a campfire. There is no need to discuss the various attempts to make smores with mini marshmellows and chocolate chips, I'll just say that I'm pretty sure it's impossible even when you use a cookie sheet and spatula. Of course by the time the fire was started the guitar was already out, not to mention a drum. The few that were left, sat, sang, and played pool. Slowly, kids started leaving, until it was only Weston, Henry (both pictured above) Sheli and I left. Weston played the guitar, henry the drum (I know there is some specific name for the type of drum. But really, did you expect me to know it?) while sheli and I laughed (so hard I cried), listened and occasionally sang. Our fun ended close to 9pm when my dad, walking home from a meeting, told us we were probably a little too loud.

I could "blame" the weather for this rare occurance when things just seem to fall into place. To me, a warm sunny day is the equivelant of drinking ten shots of expresso. But I know there is more. I was more true to myself, more engaged, then I had been for a long time. God has been teaching me so much about his desire for our hearts, to take the broken places and heal them, making us wholy the person he created us to be. As I lay down my issues, confront situations that make me want to grapple for control to avoid hurt, confess my severe lack of trust, and invite him to show me his kindness, I am in awe at his willingness and faithfulness to do so. I am busy, but life is good. I am pouring into others but my heart is overflowing. I am sleep deprived, but my soul is at rest.

Today

I TURN 30!!!!!!! Not sure whether I want to rejoice or vomit!!!!!!!

Two hot chicks at the mall......

23 days and all is (better than) well

I realize that it's been 23 days since my last post. I do apologize to you few faithful readers (btw- I love you too Julie-[and your little family]). If your hoping for a fun photo filled post- well I apologize again:-) While, I did consider posting the picture Sheli took of her picking my nose tonight I decided to save it for a more opportune time, like her 16th birthday party, or her wedding perhaps......

By all appearances life has been pretty status quo, which is why I struggled to write anything. Thankfully appearances aren't often what they seem. I know I have shared this, if even briefly, with almost everyone I talk to, but the past two years of traveling have been hard both emotionally and spiritually. My physical "wandering" translated into my heart wandering, and turned into an exhausting search. I so believe there is benefit in the struggle and the search, and I thank God that this was no exception.

This past month- or three months have been incredible for me. Very much like spring after a two year winter filled with much soul searching. I know that it's not wise to go into specifics for all to read here, so please forgive my vagueness as I search for the right words.

The Lord has been doing sooooo many things in my heart and around me, sometimes I feel like I am going to burst. The best way to describe it is a "re-awakening." Unlike anytime in the past two years, I am at peace calling any one place home, calling this place home. In the past, I have cringed at thought of a decision. I have a new growing desire to serve, follow, honor and seek hard after Him. God is doing something here, God is doing something in me here and there isn't any other place I should be right now.

In Gods humor, I was on the phone with sweet Lisa T early last week. She asked pointedly if I felt like I was where God wanted me, if I would stay in Cali. After a bit of silence I said for the first time out loud "if the country were suddenly splitting in two and I had to choose where I would I would live, I would pick here. It is where I'm supposed to be right now." The next morning I got a call from the recruiter saying that there was an issue with extending my contract, I needed to go talk to my manager. Knowing I would see her the next day, I didn't think anything of it. However, that evening I got a call from the director- my managers boss, asking me to call her. I went into work early and had a meeting with the director, and two of the managers. In short they offered me a full time position, (above what I'm doing now, but below a manager). I was/am honored to be considered, esp since I'm not really even a hospital employee. The meeting concluded with a tentative agreement to extend my contract through may, and then go full time as a "real" employee.

I smile as I write this, not because the thought of a permanent move and the saying of goodbyes doesn't make my heart ache, but for the first time in 2 years my heart has found home and I can breath.

I will still be going to school to be a Nurse Practitioner as planned. My desire being to serve the impoverished (urban or overseas) providing health care, living, serving and ministering among them.... that is something I have long felt called to (when I was young- elementary school even, I used to say I wanted to live in Africa in a hut, later I said I wanted to open an inner-city clinic. When I first got to Cali two years and some odd months ago, my mom sat down with me and told me to pray about my calling saying God doesn't give children life visions unless he intends to bring it to fruition).

They do say that 30 is when it all comes together. I'm not sure who "they" is, or what "it all" entails, but it looks like I'm a week ahead of schedule:-)

I know that the majority of you are reading in PA. I also know that some (or most) of you expected the news of west coast permanence to come at some point but that you may still be in a bit of shock esp with the way I fought leaving PA in the fall. I selfishly am requesting your prayers for wisdom about my house. My intent is to sell, the issue is figuring out when (although renting isn't out of the question).

Lori and Mya are here now and it is the best birthday present I could ask for! Even in delirious sleepless state we lay in bed last night laughing hysterically about Lord only knows what. I will post pictures of our outings soon...(as soon as I take some:-)