There's no place like home!! The Tampa International Airport

Sul, my waiting companion in Sao Paulo

3000 people in a very tiny airport...

A mad hatters tour of Sao Paulo

How we all felt...note the red bag in the middle...

The ceiling of the Sao Paulo airport...the last thing I saw befor going to sleep on Saturday night...

Florianopolis

The Vera girls!!!

Sunset outside of our hotel...

Amy, Laura, Joy, me, Chad, and Jonathan at the yummiest pizza parlor I've ever had!!

Yummy...chicken heart!!!

Innocence

Brejaru

A house in the neighborhood...

Edison. He's why we went

Some of the local wildlife

Simply stunning

Joy, the old pro...

Me sand surfing...note the look of terror!

The young people at the beach in Florianopolis

Sunrise over Brazil, the way down...

The Ultimate April Fool's

So, last Saturday, we started the trek back home. What we didn't know was how much of a journey it would, indeed be!!

Our plane was scheduled to leave from Florianopolis at 1630 (4:30) on Saturday afternoon. So, we got up early, did some last minute shopping and went sight seeing in the afternoon. We got to the airport right around 1430 (2:30). The first hurdle was when the lady at the ticket counter told me my tickets were cancelled. Not good. Steve was standing behind me and took over with Ron Greenwich, the missionary we were staying with. Apparently, our little unscheduled stop in Campos messed everything up...for everyone! So, that go settled and figured out. Then began the wait for the plane. About 3:30, we got word that the plane wasn't coming at 1630, but at 1830...two hours late!! So, we pulled out the iPods, books, laptops and traveling pillows to settle in for a long wait. At 1730, it got changed again to 1930. Another hour of waiting!! Yeah!!! So, we pulled out the second books and the iPod chargers and changed positions. Well, at 1900, the time got changed again to 2000 (8:00 pm). We finally took off about 2045. We were delayed yet again because they were having difficulty closing a cargo door. I felt every rivet turn and them turning every wrench...I was in the back row!! All of this should have been a good indicator to us of what exactly was going to happen.

We finally made it Sao Paulo, after we circled for another half hour. We landed in the industrial section of the airport and were bussed past the Fed-Ex airports to the international wing. Good grief. The Youngs and I rushed past the customs and left the rest of our group to run to the American Airlines terminal, hoping we could make our ridiculously delayed flight. We got there just as it was taking off...but it wasn't our plane anyways. It had left two hours earlier on time...

So, we started camping out again, completely oblivious to the fate of the rest our group. I called my parents here in the states, after a week and a half of not hearing from them. I got a little emotional at this point. I wanted to do nothing but cry. That isn't an option, though. We finally found someone that works for the airport at the international connection counter. They told us to stay put and someone would be with us and the growing crowd shortly. About two hours and a nap later, they came back. They called our names and told us to wait about 50 feet from where I was lying down. My hopes were raised that this is it...we're going home now! No such luck...we were taken down to baggage claim and instructed to get our bags.

Down there, we all found our bags. And discovered we weren't the only Americans. We met up with a group of very...vocal women from New York on vacation in I think Argentina. There were also 3 Army Reserve guards who had been on assignemnt in Salvador--they didn't even have Brazilian visas!! We were then taken upstairs to the TAM counter (the Brazilian international airline) and were told that we would be given vouchers to go to hotels and get dinner as well as vouchers for taxis. At this point its about 3:00 in the morning. It was at this point we realized...it's Aprils Fools!! Then, we were told that TAM wouldn't be furnishing our vouchers because technically, we wer on an American Airlines flight, so they would be responsible. Sheesh!! So, we stood in the American Airlines line and realized that everyone was being told a different story, and was getting different information. The joys of international traveling... The army guys were given guaranteed flights out (together) two days later and put up in the equivalent of the Swan hotel at Disney. We were told there were no available confirmed flights for over a week and the only way out was to take standby flights... we took what we could and went to find a taxi to take us to the hotel. We promised to meet Victoria, our new traveling buddy there.

We pulled up to the Novotel at about 4:30 in the morning. It was all lit up and there were bellhops waiting on us at the door. We felt like we had died and gone to heaven! There were fresh beds waiting on us and breakfast would be ready in an hour. Glorious!!! We were taken upstairs and shown into our rooms. Feather pillows and the best shower I've taken in a long time were waiting on us. While Joy showered, I went scavaging for food...in my pajamas. We ate breakfast and crashed. For a few hours. It was so difficult to sleep...kids runnig up and down the hallways, the anxiety of not know what was going on next. Around 1:00 we gave up and got up. We both another shower and went exploring. I was attempting to call my parents again, when we got a phone stating that we had 10 minutes to get out, or we'd have to pay for a half day's use of the room. We ran to get Steve and Janna (Joy's parents) who were leisurly relaxing in the pool, unaware of the time limit we had. We hurriedly checked out and waited on Victoria as she checked out. Then wen to the dining room to eat dinner. But, wait sorry! You've checked out. You can't use your voucher... Thanks Tam!!!

So, we did the only thing we could do. Went back to the airport-home away from home. We got there and learned that most international airlines are mobile!! Where American had been the night before, is South African airlines. American doesn't come until 5:30 in the afternoon! Yeah. So, Joy and I went exploring...again. We found Pizza Hut and ordered pizza and paid too much for drinks. And, we found the rest of our group! They were even worse off than we were. Flying Delta, they hadn't even been given vouchers and were paying for everything themselves. Because, Delta isn't operated by TAM, therefore there is no obligation to help them out. They were attempting to get out via United, but nothing was guaranteed. By 6:00 they had left to go back to the hotel. So, we stood in a line with about 500 people waiting to see what our fate would be. We got our names put on a list and told to wait to the left of the counter. On the ground. No chairs. Right where the baggage carts are taken back out, so watch any appnendages you want to keep!

Nothing was available on the 8:30 flight, so we sat some more. At 9:00, my name was called!! I got the last availble seat on the second flight out to Miami... Hallelujah! There were angels singing with me!! It was 9:06, and had to get on American Airlines flight 906 in twenty minutes. There was still 2 security stops and customs and airlines to get through. Plus a long run down the terminal. The gate was in the very back of the terminal. This was going to be fun! I took off running. I was a little bit rude to the people in line with me, whispering "vamanos, vamnanos" under my breath. "I didn't get to say goodbye to anyone, why should you? Just walk!!" Then, here comes the American Airlines guy...my savior out of this line!! He rushed me through security, and customs and gave me one piece of advice...run!!!!!!!!! And run, I did. Like I haven't done in long time. With two carry ons flailing behind me and my passport, tickets, boarding pass and customs declarations in my hand. Praying that no elderly people would bust out in front of me in those little motorized scooter thingies. Success!! I got to the gate with no hesitations or difficulties. The little guy even told me that I hadn't needed to run so fast...they weren't going anywhere without me!!

I got on the plane and was informed by another passenger that my seat was changed so the he could sit by his wife. Uug. So, I walked back up the aisle and across in front of the big screen and back down again. I sat down next to the ever primping wife and took a deep breath. I was going home!!! I watched Miss Potter and ate dinner, only the 3rd meal I'd had in nearly two days, and listened to Josh Groban and slept as best as I could on a plane.

We landed in Miami at 5:30 in the morning on Monday. I got a phone call from Joy saying they were an hour behind, me and should be on the connection with me. So, I drank a real diet Coke and pulled out the book...again. Then, I got another phone call...the Youngs had gotten stuck in customs and weren't going to be able to make the connecting flight. :-( I was on my own again...

I got on the plane to Tampa. I was seated next to a mom and her little boy flying from Miami to Tampa, headed to vacation with her family. It was fun to see flying through the eyes of a little kid, again. I read more Jodi Piccoult and noticed the 3 empty seats a row ahead of me. We landed in Tampa a mere 45 minutes later. We disembarked and I waited the hour it was taking my mom to finish the drive from Ocala to Tampa. And was oh so happy to be in the States again.

Joy and her family made it a few hours later and Joy was back in her condo by 4:30. The rest of the group didn't make it back to Alabama until late Tuesday afternoon. As Laura Ingalls-Wilder would say... Alls well, that ends well...

Not a Manic Monday...

Today was the first day that we spent at the clinic. We loaded up early (about 7:30) to head to the neighborhood were working in. As we pulled through the barrio there were houses surrounded by garbage, sewer, old cars, and much more debris. In a different situation, I would call them oasis of hope, but the homes didnt provide that. They are old, dilapidated and in many circumstances not much more than one slighly wider room.

We pulled up to the complex where the pastor of the local church, Pastor Humberto, has been working for the last few years, we were greeted by people anxiously awaiting our arrival. The sick were waiting inside filling out fischias--sort of like triage forms in the ED--and children were awaiting the rest of the group for Bible school. We worked throughout the morning and then sto0pped for lunch. Pastor Humbertos church (where I went to church last night) had fixed us lunch. It was a traditional Brazilian spread-- black beans and rice, shredded chicken casserole, boiled potatoes and cuattas (sort of like hush puppies). We had Guanrana and Coka liche to drink and the best fresh bananas Ive ever had.

The afternoon was more of the morning. We saw a total of 93 people today, and dispensed drugs to 135 (dont ask about the math).This is nearly 3 times what the group saw on the first day last year. Keep praying for us and for those that were going to encounter. Part of the medical counseling is that we educate them about their physical health, but also their spritual health. There were several who werethis close to making a decision today...please pray for them.

Tonight, we went to a local mall and got dinner. I had a pasticia (please dont ask me to pronounce it..it wont work!!). Then guess what? More shopping!! Im off to bed. Lots more work awaits us tomorrow.

Ciao

Days One and Two

First...its wierd to see my blog site in Portuguese...good thing I know it well!!! Days one and two were spent in various airports-Tampa to Miami. Miami to Cámpos (unscheduled--yee haw), Campos to Sao Paulo. Sao Paulo to Florianopolis. The fog was so bad on Saturday morning that the Sao Paulo airport was closed...so we almost missed the flight from Sao Paulo to Florianopolis. We said lots of prayers to get here and to get all or our luggage here together. As did the Alabama groups luggage and the thousands of dollars of medicine that they brought!

Last night we ate at an open air restaurant. We had rice adn chicken and stead and fried shrimp. Everything comes with salad and rice. Yummy!! Guaranara and Coca Liche were spread all around. It reminded me of the dinners in the Bible or in the glory days of the South when everyone would sit around and just pass the food and enjoy the fellowship.

We shopped until we dropped today! We also squeezed in the beach--always great fun!! We ate at a seafood restuarant on the beach and went to dune surfing. Its like snowboarding, but with sand instead of snow. Tonight is church at Ron and Alanas churches. Steve and one of the boys are preaching. Im excited to experience this, definetly somehthing new! Afterwards, were getting dinner at a pizza place. Who new that that pizza was so popular in Brazil, but its everywhere!!!

Im excited for tomorrow when we start work at the clinic. This is what Ive been looking forward to. Lots of hard work, but very fulfilling.

Ciao!

AAAGGGGHHH

In a little over 24 hours, we will be leaving. I have no idea how I'm going to get everyting done and still remain a sane, competent,productive person and be ready for this trip! I still have to pack ( I hate packing for stuff like this), do laundry, finish cleaning my apartment, and run various errands (going to the bank, finish picking up little things I need, etc.). But not neccessarily in that order. What I did think to do-- make an appointment for a pedicure this afternoon!! Hopefully I'll feel a little bit better after soaking my feet for an hour or so.

The frustrations...I bought a portable power pack for my iPod. Only it's the plug-into-the-wall type and not the operate-on-battery type. Have to return that. I have to haul my big, heavy, packed suitcase into a grocery store tonight to weigh it. The weght limit is only 70 lbs. I have that much stuff in the medical supplies we're taking. I'm tired already ! ;-)

Enough complaining! I gotta get busy. More to come tomorrow!

So Much to Say...So Little Time to Say It

This month has flown by! I honestly don't know how I've gone a month and not updated...Yeah, actually I do. I've been working and life has been happening. Three birthdays and many overtime shifts and not nearly enough sleep, here we are. Life has been good. I bought an iPod (about stinking time!), and I'm thinking about packing for my trip ( I leave on Friday!!!!). I started working at an Emergency Room near my parent's house...that is interesting. Never a slow moment there! There are so many stories that I wish I had a few more minutes a day to write so I could share them with everybody.

I'm Tminus 3 days before I leave, and I'm determined to keep everyone updated. Pictures will come once I get home. Then anxiety and excitement are building. I'm happy...

The Perfect Valentines Day

As a perpetually single gal, Valentine's Day is not traditionally, my favorite holiday, for I think some pretty obvious reasons. This year, however, I got revenge for myself.

I met Jennifer, and her friend, Laur, at Taco Bell for lunch. We sneaked it into the theatre and watched Music and Lyrics with Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore. The film is hilarious!! We laughed like crazy. "Pop! Goes my heart". You gotta see the movie to get it. Then off to Wal-Mart to buy my own Valentine's Day present-- a shiny new camera. It's 7.2 mp and PINK! How cool is that?!?! Dinner was at Ronnie's house with Ann, Raegan, and Kara. We had a glass of wine and played cards and "either... or..." and dished about boys and what we hope for one day. It was officially dubbed Singles Awareness Night. Girls will be girls! Kara has the pics, but hopefully I can get some up here soon!!

Love

Last Wednesday, I got up at an unbelievably early hour-- 5:30. But, it was for a good cause. I spent the day in Lady Lake helping with storm relief. We spent about 8 hours hauling trees from one very disorganized pile where they fell to a only slightly less disorganized pile where they waited for the county to come and haul it off to be destroyed. It was hard, backbreaking work. I was the dirtiest that I had been in a very long time. I had dirt in places that hadn't seen dirt since I was a kid-- like in my ears and between my toes. We helped a lady named Cathy clear out the pasture where she keeps her ponies and to clear the area where her chickens roam, and we did a primitive fix on the fence line. She couldn't seem to thank us enough.

Neither could the second house we went to. They raise birds--parakeets and parrots, I think. We picked up trash inthe yard and they guys put tarps on the roof. We the other crew got there we started cutting up trees again, so they could be burned off. This couple was just completely overwhelmed. They tried to pay us in some way. He ended up giving some of us leather gloves to continue on in our relief efforts.

The truth is they paid us. The community paid us by fixing us lunch at a local church. They paid us by allowing us to come and help them. They paid us by allowing us to be the Body of the Church and doing what God commanded us to do. The price of the sore backs and arms and blisters on toes were completely worth it, though. Especially when we heard that an elderly couple we had been working with gave up their vacation to come help with the clean up. Or, when we heard that the Chainsaw guy-- a blacksmith who had driven down from Minnesota to sharpen the relief efforts chainsaws-- led one of the homeowners to Christ!

It sounds cheesy, but I've been thinking about it all week. This is what we, as Christ-followers, are commanded to do. It felt good to do something for someone else, and to push myself out of my comfort zone for a day. In a song on his new C.D., John Mayer has a line where he says that one day the love he's given will be returned to him. I hope that we helped do that for someone on that day.

24

I turned 24 a little over a week ago. This one is playing with my head. While it isn't normally a "milestone" like 25 or 30, it's big for me. You see, I'm the same age my parents were when they had me. I am officially in my mid-20's. I can no longer pretend to be a "young" adult. I am the real deal--lacking only a mortgage and a marriage! But, at the same time, it's a great place to be. I am independent; I have a great job, and make good money; I have a group of friends around me that care about me and a whole new batch of friends that I'm getting to know better. I am getting to live the life my parents never got to live. It's a strange feeling.

So, I decided for the glorious event, something big must be done. So, Joy and I bought tickets to see John Mayer in November and I began planning. Then, life happened. Some of my friends experienced tragedy in their lives and were unable to be with me. Others are in the middle of huge life changes. So, it was a small group that ventured down to Ybor City to eat at The Dish--one of my all time favorite restaurants. We got there...but there was no Dish!!! Atrocity of all atrocities!! We had to settle for the Spaghetti Warehouse. While it was good--just not the same experience.

The next week, Dale was in the hospital. Needless to say, we were not in a very festive mood. But, mom took me and Jen and Michael, and Kent out to dinner Outback. It was good to be able to laugh and eat with some of the people that mean the most to me. I got the Vera Bradley travel organizer that I've been dying for. Perfect for the upcoming Brazil trip!!! A Vera wallet and some Brighton earrings. What else could a girl ask for?

Saturday, after spending the morning with Jen at District competitions for Drama, Joy and I went to Orlando. We ate dinner at the Cheesecake Factory--Yummy!!! Then we sang out hearts out for 2 hours with John Mayer. It was the show I had hoped for. Simple, unassuming, yet entertaining. It is a memory that we will always have.

Tomorrow, my little brother turns 13. We're going to Moe's this afternoon to celebrate. And I have to go buy his present. Shhh...our little secret! :-)

Christmas

This has taken a while to get posted...December has been such a busy month. Hopefully I will be able to get pics up soon...

The month started out with a trip to Orlando to the Gaylord Palms' ICE! exhibit for Ronnie and Ann's birthdays. It's a frigid 9 degrees inside with over 2 tons of ice to make the exhibit the beauty that it is. It was great to be able to spend a night with old friends and new, and make memories together.

Then, I got sick. A nasty head cold had me down for about a week and a half. I spent the 3 nights at work nursing not only my concerned patients, but also mug-fulls of Thera-flu! A dear man that I was taking care of that week kept urging me to go home, becuase as he put it, "I'm just worried about ya, babe".

The following week we had our annual Christmas party with the whole gang together. It was a blast having the regift gift exchange. I came home with some of Raegan's old bath salts!!

The next week I, along with the rest of the world was busy preparing for Christmas. I worked, shopped and tried to find ways to be with those that I love the most. Work was intersting...Kent transfered to the ICU. It's weird working with your little brother. Then, I got shocked by a patient's pacemaker. Oh, the things they don't tell you in school... That's a completely different blog! :-)

Christmas Eve Eve was at home. I made lasagna dinner for all my friends and everyone came over to exchange gifts. It was so lovely to have the core of my friends together in one room during the holdiays. Later that evening, Brie Poole and Scott Inmon became engaged...congratulations!!!

Christmas Eve we went to my Aunt's house, as we do every year, for dinner. Kent and I were up with Santa while we worked... Christmas was awesome, just like always. I got the Vera Bradley bag I've been eyeing for a while and a gorgeaus Brighton necklace. Debbie got me a gift certificate to get my feet done...yum!!

The New Year is right around the corner, and I'm once again amazed at what God has done this year...

Warmest Holiday Wishes to everyone...

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I was going to do this yesterday, but, alas, I ran out of time...

I am thankful for so many things, that it is difficult to know where to start I am thankful for my salvation and for my God. Without Him, I truly do not know where I would be. I would be lost and cold and alone in the world. Hallelujah that His mercies are never ending!!

My family, who is my everything. My parents who protect me and love me (even though I haven't lived with them for nearly a year!!) through the hard times and the good times. Thanks Mom and Dale!! My brothers and sisters for keeping life interesting. Never a dull moment at our house when we're all together. We've had so many new memories this year, that I will treasure forever. My boys, Josiah and Jordan, for reminding me that it's the simple things that matter in life-- reading a book on the bed. Feeding a baby a bottle and having them look in your eyes. I melt everytime I hold them!!

My friends...for everything! Teaching me to grow outside of myself and inspite of myself. For stretching me to limits that I didn't know existed. For showing me what life really is supposed to be like.

It is so easy to take these things for granted this time year. I was talking to a doctor here at work tonight and he was telling us how he is single, and does't have any family and is new to the area, so he spent Thanksgiving here at work. I realized how fortunate I am to have the life that I do. This is something that I want to avoid--taking all of these things for granted.

I went to my grandparent's house for dinner--it was scrumptous!!! Nothing was processed and EVERYTING was homemade. No TV dinners or prepackaged food to be found. Quite the treat for the single gal living off of TV dinners, Taco Bell and the occassional left over at mom's house! The weather has been gorgeaus--it's definetly autumn in Florida for once.

The radio station's are playing Christmas Carols on the late night shows. The stores have the Christmas displays up and perfected and they're gleaming in the lights. My other favorite time of the year is being heralded in... Christmas is in the air.

WaHoo!!

It's official...I'm going to Brazil in March!!! Yesterday, I paid for the ticket (over $1000--yikes!!). Today, I applied for my passport. It should be in by the first week of January... I'm so excited! I can't wait. I can't wait to impact the lives of people in a country who aren't as fortunate as we are to live here in the United States. I can't wait to use my education for the greater need and to get outside of my comfort zone. It should be very interesting!

More to come tomorrow!!

Itchy

So, about a month ago I had this rash on my belly. I thought no big deal... I'll just stay out of the pool for a while (too much chlorine). Then, it wasn't going away!! So, I switched laundry detergent, body wash, perfumes, bought new pajamas.

Still the itching welps continued to pop up. But, why would anyone want to go to the doctor. That just makes too much sense. I'll deal with it on my own!

About a week and a half ago I'd had enough! I couldn't get in with my regular doctor, so I went to a clinic down the road from my house. The PA who is about 2 weeks out of school walks in with the med student and after discussing what kind of possibl pseudomonis type infections it could be, decided that I, the goofy nurse who can't sleep, have a fungus. Gross, but something that can be dealt with. So, I walked out of there with my prescription for Diflucan and went on my merry way.

Said antifungal didn't work!! 2 days later I'm itcing again! I walk down the hallways using any hard surface I can to scratch my back. I'm constantly itching my legs. So, out of shear desperation, I go to my regular doctor. I explain the whole situation to him and he takes a look at these itchy little devils of welps on my legs...I have an arthropod. Think scabies, bed bugs, etc. DISGUSTING!!!!!! I am thoroughly creeped out right now.

The worst part is, I don't even know where this came from! Some patient at work probably passed along their lovely little buggers to me inflicting 2 months worth of pain and agony on me. So, I'm going out to buy new sheets and wash all of my clothes in hot water to get rid of these little parasites and lather my whole body in a cream. Quote of the week... "I don't do anything weird, but the people I take care of do!"

Golly, I love my job! :-{

Whew

I can't believe it's been a month sine I posted on here!!! So much is going on, and yet nothing at all. Last weekend I spent the weekend with mom. She bought a craddle for the new baby and we stained it blue--which didn't really take. Instead, it looks like a really, really deep mahogany. I think I like it better that anyways.... ;-) In the middle of staining I was helping Jen get ready for homecoming. It's so weird that this is her senior year. I remember when she started kindergarten in Dublin, Georgia. She wore black jean shorts and the vests that were all the rage. We matched. Now, we never match, but borrow each other's clothes and she is about to graduate from high school. As soon as she gives me my camera back, I'll post pictures...

Andrea's surprise baby shower is this weekend...mom and I made her a mattress to go with the craddle that we re-finished and we bought a bedding set and made curtains for the boys' room to decorate it as a gift. I bought her a new diaper bag filled with goodies for the winter.

Work has been chaotic. Yet another reminder of the quickly approaching winter. I've been working 4 days (48) hours a week in an attempt to get the money together to go to Brazil next March!!! It's nearly official--just waiting for the time off to be approved.

Michael's football team is doing great!! They think they will be going to the "Super Bowl". Only a few more weeks left in the football season. A few months off, then we start driving in the opposite direction toward Dunnellon for baseball season.

More to come later!!

The Waxing Fall

So, fall is nearly officially here. Gone are the dog days of summer consisting of lazing by the pool at least once a week, dark tan lines on my toes, wearing bathing suits to all 3 meals, and basking in the hot, muggy Florida sun.

Instead, cool, brisk breezes are beginning to blow through providing relief to all those days that I complained about it being too hot. I get to dust off the Gap finds that sitting in my closet since about July just waiting to be worn. The tiki torches and grill-outs on the back porches are coming back. This year, a fire pit will be added to the ambience. I love this time of year! It reminds me of the fall festivals at church; the Possum Hollow and Million Pines arts and crafts festivals that my parents used to drag us to every year growing up in Georgia.

There is an axious expectation in the air this year. Chris and Drea's baby is due in about 8 weeks. Josiah is practicing what to say to the new baby brother (Ssshhh...it's okay baby). We're also rehearsing the moon songs, especially for nights like tonight-when the harvest moon is bright and iridescent and gorgeous.

I have a feeling great things are in store for this fall...I feel it in the wind.

yeah!!!

So... about 2 months ago or so, I read a blog that I had written to my mom. She said that, in here opinion it was really, really good. And that she thought I should write for the e-devotion team at church. So, after about a week or so, I got the courage up actually get the ball rolling and figure out what I needed to do... Well, I got an e-mail today from Joe LaCognata, one of the associate pastors at church today, and I am now officially a member of the e-devotion team!!! Yeah!!!

So much other stuff has happened, this month, and this is kinda out of order, but I promise that I will post in all as soon as I can... Much love to everyone...

Changes

Some of the latest posts have been my journals. I hope that ya'll have enjoyed reading them. This is the last of the 3 that I wanted to post. Hopefully, I'll be able to give you more details later this week... Beth

Psalm 9:10
Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Ecclesiastes 7:14
When times are good, be happy. But, when times are bad, consider God has made one as well as the other. Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future.

I recently read an article on www.radiantmag.com about Joy Williams, a popular and relevant recording artist in the pop Christian music arena. Joy has been successful in many ways; professionally, personally, and in her walk with God. And yet, she describes how she feels that God is calling her to leave the comforts of a solo career, something she's been pursuing for several years now, and pursue something else. Her question is what next?

My sister's friends are leaving for colleges around the state. She is faced with one of the first real coming-of-age dilemmas, what next?

Two ministries that I have been involved with are moving the nights that they meet, making it nearly impossible for me to participate in them. My question is... what next?

My mother has always told my sister and me, and now our brother, that life is all about changes: changes in friends, class-mates, and teachers. For us, where we lived; what church we attended; what state we lived in changed frequently, but I am a home-body. I love routine and enjoy knowing that the routine from last week will basically be the same next week. Change is hard for me, but I'm learning more and more as I get older that change is constant. I can't control very many things. I can't control the fact that Ruby Tuesday's took the mashed cauliflower off the menu. I can't control the fact that my friends and I are having a difficult time hanging out because they are getting married, or seriously dating. My sister can't control that her friends are leaving. She can't necessarily control that she too will be leaving in a few years to go to college. Joy Williams can't control those desires and stirrings that God has instilled in her for the future.

What we can change is how we respond to the changes God brings to us. This, for me, is the hard part. Instead of lamenting over how hard it's all going to be, how the world is out to get us, and nobody understands us, we can change our outlooks, God gives us the bad days and the good days; He created them both. As difficult as it may seem, they are both gifts from Him. One of my favorite verses is John 3:17-- God didn’t come to the world, to condemn it, but to save it!! He wouldn't do anything to hurt us or to make us unnecessarily miserable.

We, as Christ followers can take comfort in knowing that if we continue to seek Him, even in the hard times, that we will continue to find Him. Whether that is in a new ministry, a new town, or even in a new venture, these are our rewards! Riches beyond anything we can ever imagine—a closer, more personal walk with our Savior.

Rock-em-Sock-em Robots

So, I'm a nurse. I enjoy what I do. I work long hours- at night- give everything I have to my patients while I'm at work, but attempt to forget them as soon as I walk out the door (for my psychiatric health), and then do the same thing all over again the next week. Well, I had a patient this week that I won't forget for a while. Neither will the workerman's comp people.

This gentleman had surgery about a week ago. He hadn't slept since then. The problem was that he hasn't REALLY slept for any amount of time for about a year and a half, according to his daughter. Being the wholistic healthcare provider that I am, decided my goal for Sunday night was to get this guy to sleep the night through if it killed me. I gave him a medicine that should have helped him sleep alot, since I couldn't give him the pain medicine (it was making him confused).

Instead, a half an hour later, he swearing at me, cursing me, trying to get out of bed with all the paraphanalia still attached to him, and just being beligerent. That one bit me in the booty. So, I call the doctor. She gives me yet another medicine to get him to calm down enough to let the first on take some kind of effect. It didn't work either.

So, I get the doctor on the phone again, get the guy up the chair in the meantime. Well, he's tall- about 6'3"- towering over me!! While we're (me and about 3 other nurses plus the male nurse intern)moving him, he tries to shove me down. He was trying hard, too!! So, we set him down in the chair, are tying the restraints back on when the doctor calls back. I'm attempting to talk to her, make sure he doesn't try to get up, and not dislodge his catheter all at the same time-- something I normally do.

I'm describing this man's mood and agitation level to her "he is becoming increasingly agitated, combative (note: he's aiming at something), and beligerent..." pow!!! He punched me right in the jaw where the phone was up against my face! I couldn't think of anything except for a loud, probably exaggerated gasp!! The doctor heard the commotion, and gave me something that finally worked... thank goodness!!

All I could think of was that game that my brothers and sister got for Christmas when they were younger-- Rock-em-Sock-em Robots. That was the motion he took as he swung at me. I spent about a half an hour in our emergency room getting checked out. Then another hour or so the next morning filling out workman's comp paperwork (again), and taking the obligatory drug testing.

I wonder if I was the red robot or the blue?

Captivating

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all you heart”—Jeremiah 29:13
Hosea chapters 1 and 2

I am currently reading a book called Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge. It is a book that affirms to us women, that we are, indeed, the spitting image of God. We hold in our hearts traits that are in His heart. We long to be romanced, to play an irreplaceable role in an adventure, and to have our beauty unveiled by a great man. We are relational to our very cores. We, as women, desire to be discovered; the way a new haunt is discovered, the way a book is discovered—carefully and over time. This is probably why men say we are a mystery. I am learning so much about myself, my friends and my God!

What I already knew (and have known for a while), is that I long with my entire heart to be pursued by a godly man someone who fears God with his entire heart; a man that I will be able to go into ministry with, a man who loves me with all of his might—but whose love for me will never eclipse his love for our Maker. I have been hoping and dreaming of this boy/guy/man since I was a girl. (My first crushes as an adolescent held many of the superficial qualities that I would seek.) As I am getting older, my friends are getting married and settling down. I have used their relationships as guide posts for what my future mate would look like, persistent, strong, unwavering, patient, etcetera. I want him to pursue me the way Hosea pursued Gomer, relentlessly and with God’s blessings.

What I learned the other day in Captivating, is that the Trinity is a mystery, in much the same way that we women are a mystery. God desires to be known and appreciated with a deeper level of wonderment. He longs and desires for me to pursue after Him in the same way that I long and desire to be pursued by a man. I have to take the time, and energy, and the risk of getting to know Him better. It has to be purposeful. Something that is intentional; much in the same way that you take the time to get to know a date, a family member, or even a friend. Hosea took the time and risk to pursue Gomer. My dad took the time and risk to purse my mom. Some of my friends are in the midst of this adventure now. Why, then, is it such a foreign concept for me to pursue God? To search for His heart? To allow Him to unveil the qualities that lie beneath the surface of my heart?

Take the risk with me—and let’s see what this wonderful journey will reveal to us.

Late Summer in Florida

Last weekend was the quintessential weekend for the waning days of summer in Florida. It started on Thursday when Joy and I met for our weekly date-- lunch at Moe's and a matinee. Friday was busy--oil change, running errands with Chelle for lunch, then the eye doctor. All those times I told my mom I was going blind, I wasn't that far off-- I have an astigmatism and apparently had ambliopia as a child,but we never caught it. Then, ONE! that night and splitting time between Brie and the boys at Zaxby's and Joy and Jason along with the girls at Ruby Tuesdays.

Saturday, I got up at an unbelievably early hour to go tubing down the Ichutuknee River. We tubed it twice-- the good news- nobody got burned. The bad- I still can't move my upper body the way I should be able to. :-) Apparently there should be different sized tubes for different sized torsos. I require an extra small. So, once again I alone made the trip memorable for the near misses between me and the logs, and the tubes. We picniced in the parking lot and took mini-naps in the tubes--FUN!! That night we all grilled steaks at Joy's and ate till we were completely stuffed.

Sunday I slept in --a little bit (yeah!). Then, we went swimming with Siah in the pool. It was hot and muggy and wonderful! It reminded me of why I love Florida so much, and why I live here!! I was and am contented and happy. Today, school started back. Jen is a senior, Michael is in the 7th grade. I feel old, but at the same time I'm as happy as a kid!

Wednesday the girls are coming over for Girl's Night, and I'm cooking dinner-- Spaghetti and salads and bread. Hope this weekend is just as much fun!