welcome to adulthood

I left Saturday to go down to Illinois for an interview in Springfield. I figured if I was traveling through, I would seize the opportunity to stop at Aaron & Alysha's for a night. It was fun spending time with them, and seeing Manny. We endulged in http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2yv8aT0UFc that video several times, laughing HYSTERICALLY. And now Aaron finds it necessary to speak like Batman at all times now. It's hilarious to me, but I know Alysha will get sick of it fast. We also watched us some Shark Week (why do sharks have an entire week dedicated to themselves? Why isn't there turtle week or giraffe week?).

Sunday I drove to Bloomington and met up with Hanna, which was sooo good. We went to Chipotle for dinner, and went to Cold Stone for dessert :-) Delight. We drove to Ande's house late Sunday night, so I could be closer to Springfield, and wouldn't have to leave so early in the morning.

I wasn't able to sleep really well Sunday night. I slept in Ande's bed while the rest of them slept in the living room. They were trying to give me a good night's sleep. But really I just kept thinking about the interview; questions they would ask, intelligent answers to respond with... ya know, typical jitters. I finally crashed sometime after 3 and was wide awake at 5 freaking 30! So I got up and got around. I wasn't nervous as I was getting around. In fact, I wasn't nervous until I pulled into the human resources parking lot that morning. I think it had to do with the prayers; all of my girls texted me that morning/afternoon saying they were praying for me, and Ande's mom prayed with me before I left (which meant a lot to me).

The interview(s) went well- with human resources & with the unit director. I felt completely comfortable being myself around the director; she was soooooo friendly and energetic, wanted to get to know ME (not my nursing capabilities or qualifications, she asked a lot of questions about ME; she can read about my qualifications on my resume). She showed me around the unit, and I felt a peace. Everyone was soooo friendly. Oh my word, one of the most laid back atmospheres I've seen in a hospital.

I met up with Hanna for lunch afterwards, and my mom suggested I stay another night and spend some time with Ande, since I only saw her for a few minutes before I went to bed. She was excited to have me stay again. We spent time with her brothers watching movies and watching their baseball games before we went to bed. I left shortly after I got up the next morning. Gosh, it was incredible to spend time with her and get to know her family. They are incredible people. It's always encouraging when you see a healthily functioning family. THEY DO EXIST! haha. Praise the Lord.

On the way home I debated if this is the job I wanted. It's so far from everyone, except for Ande, but that's still an hour plus drive. I want to work with peds, and this is strictly an adult unit. But the more and more I thought about it, the more I think this is my best option. I am no where NEAR ready to deal with confused, scared, upset parents. I think it will be best for me to get experience with different treatments, and skills before I enter pediatric oncology.

So with a lot of prayer and support from family and friends, I accepted a full-time position at Memorial Medical Center today. I start September 8th, but I have to be moved in and sign papers August 26th. That is just over three weeks away!!!! Oh my word...... I've had so much on my mind lately; I have so much stuff to take care of before I go. I have to get a bunch of papers and documents around for the hospital, I have to find and make a payment on an apartment, I need to keep my eyes peeled for a car, I have to take my CPR recertification course.... I'm reminded of a song right now... good ole' MXPX "Responsibility, what's that? Responsibility not quite yet. Responsibility, what's that? I don't want to think about it; we'd be better off without it." You punk-ers might remember that song.

I'm an adult... with a REAL job. And before I know it (ready or not), I will have to start making payments; apartment, student loans, car, insurance, phone....... it stresses me out to think about, quite frankly. But I need to be prepared.

Please pray for me. As exciting as this is, I have a lot of emotions. I'll be moving away from close friends, out of the house I've lived in for 22 years, and lonely as can be for the first few weeks probably, until I start making friends and getting involved in a church. I need to be covered in prayer right now as I embark on this journey, and I thank you ahead of time for being faithful to pray.

new things

This is going to be a really random post. I don't think anyone reads this anyway, so I don't think you'll mind.

I realized yesterday why I've never tried the balance board at YFC.... I introduce to you the death trap (LEFT). I never got on it because Beth and I watched SO many kids fly off of it last summer. If you don't have your balance right away, the board rolls quickly right out from underneath you and you catch some serious air until you fall, helplessly, onto the floor. That is EXACTLY what happened to me. I didn't even think about what I was doing. Most of the kids were playing dodgeball, but no other adults were playing so whosever team I was on would have an advantage over the other, so it wasn't fair for me to play. The boards were sitting there, looking inviting (apparently). I stepped on, and the next thing you know, I was sailing through the air, and landing on my wrist. I have never experienced so much pain in my entire life (I have been very blessed to remain mostly injury-free). I tried to play it off like I was ok, but it was THROBBING and my hand kept going numb. So I decided last night that I should drive home and go to the ER. We waited forever: they took 8 xrays of different angles to conclude that I did not break my wrist. Instead I tore a lot of cartilage that keeps your little wrist bones in place. So I got it wrapped and got some sweet pain killers. Hopefully it starts feeling better. I think the funniest thing was explaining to Beth (who is up North camping) what happened, because we laughed so much last year at the kids' attempts. She immediately started laughing, envisioning it, as did I.

I have my first job interview probably Friday. I've really been praying that if I am not supposed to get this job, that this interview wouldn't be an option; Springfield is 6 hours away, and I cannot afford gas if it's just going to be a shot in the dark. So I'm praying that God recalls my request.... I want this job so badly. It would be a tremendous stepping stone towards my ultimate goal of working with children with cancer. I would get some great experience working at this oncology unit (with adults). Please be praying that I get this job; that there's something noticably different about me, and it attracts the hiring manager's attention.

Nate, Heidi & Landunn will be here in 15 days!!!! You have no idea the excitement that brings me. I miss them so incredibly much. I cried every day for the first month I was home, because it's not the same without them here. They're my BEST friends. So it's hard to not share the experience of entering the world as an adult with them by my side. I cannot wait to hug them. What a sweet, sweet embrace that will be. P.S. Heidi is carrying my niece inside of her right now ;-) She found out Monday that it is a girl.

I've been reading Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster. Yes, we were supposed to read it for a class at school, but I never did. I wish now that I would have. It is really stretching me, and making me more disciplined and intentional in my walk with Christ. It's challenging me, and I appreciate that. I want to read all the way through it, but I'm trying just to read and absorb one chapter at a time before I pass to the next. I'm starting to appreciate community more and more. I miss mine from school. What a blessing they have been to me...... I love you guys dearly.

my heart is happy

FINALLY, after a month of waiting, I got to see this face again last night:

I missed you so much, Christina. I'm so thankful for your friendship. More than you will ever, ever know.

I am free!!!

Friday morning we left to head to Jr. High camp. We had a lot of kids from the SW Michigan chapter going. The Coldwater kids met here in town.... I got a smile on my face when the bus pulled up to pick us up, and kids were yelling my name out the window. :-) They were excited that I was coming this year, which was so rewarding.

The first night of camp, Wes, our speaker, gave his testimony about his parents' relationship. I think the brokenness he experienced, as well as his family, really hit home with these kids. I know it really sparked our small group's discussion that night, speaking about broken families and where is God in all of that? It is not an accident that any of those girls were at camp to hear Wes' message, nor was it an accident that Beth and I were the leaders of these girls, having pretty significant family stories. God really moved that night. The girls were so attentive and raw. They asked some deep questions. Beth and I were really excited that if they were that open with us, we were going to grow so much by the end of the week!

We did some fun activities; went to The Beach (a water park), King's Island (amusement park), had a move & groove night, a country western themed night....

But it was so incredible to see these kids amped up for worship with Ryan & his wife, Ferren. They did such a wonderful job choosing songs that were easy to learn, had dance moves, and the kids could really let loose.

Wes perfectly illustrated the last night the fall of man (sin), which is what kept us from God. Then he illustrated Jesus stepping in and hiding our sin. When he wrapped up the gospel presentation, he asked the small group leaders to come sit on the stage. He asked the kids to put their heads down, and invited them to invite Jesus into their heart, and forgive them of their sins. After he prayed, he asked them to respond by opening their eyes and making eye contact with their leader on stage if they invited Christ into their hearts for the first time. FOUR of Beth & my seven girls looked up at us. It was so exciting because you know it came from their hearts; they weren't looking around to see if their friends were looking up, they individually chose to respond. One of our girls recommitted her life as well. I cannot tell you the rush of emotion that fell upon me as these girls made eye contact. They have LIFE now! They have been given the gift of eternal life with Christ. Beth and I were absolutely beeming, and the girls noticed our joy. We got to go back to the cabin and talk with them about their decisions and pray with them. I cannot tell you how wonderful it was to be one of God's instruments in their lives this week. Thank You, Jesus! Beth and I are going to encourage the girls to read one chapter of John a week, and get them together to discuss our growth/struggles once a week. These are some hurting girls, and I praise God that He loves us through our pain. I thank Him for their friendship; that they may grow closer together through their similar struggles.

What an incredible week....... please continue to pray for each and every single one of these kids as their RUSH and excitement may dull as they return home. May they remember what they learned and camp and really apply it to their lives every day.....

I am free to run!
I am free to dance.
I am free to live for You!
I am free!!!!!