Life

Our house stands out on a street full of apartments. While it looks like a southern style house, it really is just a main entry for 4 apartments. Mike, a guy from the church that bought the house, helped us put in new tile. We love having him around.
Andrea shows her artistic side while mudding the wallsAs the weather turned cold I told Andrea we had to make a good old fashioned pumpkin pie from scratch. Pretty impressive since we realized we had no rolling pin.
The final product. We put on our old TMI shirts just for fun. Later that night...Jill & Andrea dancing in the living room

The Ministry of Presence

I really hope to upload photos, but have been distracted recently. Until then I think I'll just leave a few thoughts.

When I was in missions school in New Mexico our director would often talk about the "ministry of presence". She believed that often people just need to know we are there...whether or not we speak or really "do" something amazing. Not that these are bad, but often we overlook the need for our presence.

Living on a street with one of the worst crime rates affords us the opportunity to be a part of a unique community. During a recent worship nights one of our acquaintances showed up drunk in the tail end of a 4 day binge. We helped him detox, prayed fervently over him for 3 days, and then helped him get to rehab. I'm so proud of the people God has put in my life. The guys took turns staying with him 24/day and everyone else held him up in tough love and prayer.

Thanksgiving morning our neighbor came in with tears on the characteristic methamphetamine scars on her face. Her guy had punched her and kicked her out of the house. After praying over her we helped her get to family who could take care of her.

This weekend another neighbor came to the door crying. She was just shy of a month clean, but the cravings for drugs were driving her crazy and she was scared she would slip and abuse again. We prayed over her and welcomed her and her kids for dinner and hang out time to provide a distraction.

Though we sometimes go for walks or have random time of passing a football outside, God seems to be bringing people right to our door. As an introvert I'm not always sure of why I'm here...I'm not the one out there talking or really good with lots of people. Just my own feelings of inadequacy. But then the other night I had a blast just doing one of the girls hair and trying on shoes. We all have our place in the puzzle and I'm having a blast in the kitchen trying to help people feel welcome and like they can enjoy a piece of home.

This Thanksgiving break has been great! If you'd like our newsletter, please let me know and I"ll send you a copy.

Keeping Up with the Midwife Skilz...

Trying to suture Ben's hand sans lidocane (frozen bag of tomato sauce instead).

Catching Up

Here's my attempt at catching y'all up on all that is going on. We are working on a newsletter and prayer card. So keep looking for that. Yessssssssss the toilet has been fixed and installed!!!

A gathering of friends for fellowship and prayer. David was telling us about the people that have been working and praying in this neighborhood for years. We have been enjoying putting out our open invitation for people to join us for dinner.

Ben leading worship night.....

Our focus these first few weeks has been to fix the house and grow together as a team that lives here. On Halloween night we started to turn a corner and go OUT. It looked differently than we imagined as there was hardly anyone out on our street. But we got out there and then us girls came back to pray while some of the guys went out to meet more people. This is us warming up in the foyer of the house before we go back out.

We have the girls apartment done, so we've moved on to finishing the community apartment where we hope to reach out the the neighborhood and work with kids and feed people. Some guys from the church that bought the house helping us tile and paint.

W

Beauty & Ashes & Sleep Deprivation

Night before last I got about 3 1/2 hours of sleep thanks to spending hours in the bathroom. I had to be on the floor of the hospital at 0615. When I came home I showered and crashed for a good hour. Having finished most of my paperwork at the hospital I decided to take the rest of the night off from school. My housemate and I watched the sunset outside on our huge porch and then created and amazing salad mixture for dinner.

Night came along with "family night" and friends over for a movie. As the day closed I sat on my floor letting a friend sob and weep in my arms as I prayed over her. Life is so full and busy that I told Andrea I feel like I'm living multiple lives. School and the hospital are one and life at the house is another. And I know we haven't even tapped into all we can do in the community as we've been focusing on building relationships at the house first and getting remodeling done.

But when I sit back I find myself amazed at this time of life and I really do feel at rest and at peace, though my body reminds me it wants a nap. Yesterday amid my other patients I got a post-op GYN case and missed midwifery all the more. Walking out of the hospital into warm sunshine I watched a new mom climbing into her car while a proud father gazed at his baby and gently kissed him before passing him on. someday....I really hope I can get back to births.

Undeserving

After living in a tiny efficiency by myself its been so nice to be in a big house with some great friends. I really don't deserve it all. As I sit in a pile of books and paperwork for clinicals (frustrated beyond belief.) they just know what I need....A BIG HUG. Ok, I can do this...I can get through this week.

Ode to the Toilet

So...still waiting on a toilet. I was up studying last night and couldn't help but put a little poem together. (note: the "Manor" is referencing part of our "official" house name by the church that bought it. )

Ode to the Toilet

by M. L. Richards

O little peach toilet,

so short and so stout

We must live without you

and yet we don’t pout

A cursed porcelain bowl

of this there’s no doubt

You’ve defied many a man

tools down, they walk out

But we shall overcome!

And then all shall see

The great bond between

the Manor girls, three

As they no longer hike

to go take a pee

Looking More Like Home

Our living room....It feels huge and we have 2 more to remodel! (still sans toilet)
The sweet bedroom I share with Andrea. We think the loft beds from Ikea give it a really roomy feel. I babysat the hammock chair last year and now we're sharing!

Pictures to Come

This weekend has been busy. I've been getting up before dawn to study and do what I need before school or the activity at the house picks up. The house is really coming together. I can't believe how big it is! I've enjoyed the camaraderie and cooking. Saturday we had brunch together then went for a walk around the neighborhood. Slowly but surely...

Pictures to come

The First Supper

We moved in! (the girls). The community apartment is being remodeled and the boy's apartment is still occupied. So for now the three girls are in and the guys are in an RV. I had to laugh this morning as I tried to go about a normal routine. All of the doors are off the hinges and we need to go get new ones. Sooooo...the bathroom has no door but that is ok because we don't have a toilet yet. =0)) Since the shower curtain is opque the rule is just if you hear water don't come in. =0)) We are in the process of moving in random bits of furniture, so the first supper was just on the floor.
Andrea and I laughed this reminded us of TMI trips as we put on our shoes before bed to hike to the apartment across the hall (the one under construction) to use the toilet there. (All rooms sans doors) Its an adventure for sure but I have to say I'm EXCITED. This morning before school I baked some pumpkin bread and it really does feel like home.

Welcome to Surgery

This semester we have been on some critical care floors and I spent the last couple of weeks at a day surgery center. Say what you will about birth, but I believe that cataract surgery or bone drills in orthoscopic surgery are so much grosser. Each day we had to be ready to go at 5:45am and in my first surgeries of the day I'd often feel a little woozie. I pulled it together and enjoyed seeing a new side of nursing. (and how crazy people act when coming out of anesthesia)

Poor Little Blog

Wow, my blog has been neglected! Life has been going full speed. We have quite a few responsibilities in the student nurse association right now. In addition I've been "homeless" since the first of the month. Remodeling on teh house into which I was to move has been delayed and thus most of us have been living in limbo I spent some time on a classmates couch...some tiem in an extended stay, and then back onto a classmates couch.

The other week we went over to the house to pray over it. They had pulled up the carpet so we wrote Scriptures on the walls as we went and prayed that God would make this a place of peace and ministry.

One a Wednesday night, the church who is buying the house for us brought church to us and commissioned us as missionaries in the neighborhood. Exciting times for sure. Here are some pics of the prayer night we had buy ourselves and some of our cleaning efforts. We girls hope to move in tonight (and slowly over the weekend) The guys apartment is on hold until after the end of the month.

Before...
Looking cleaner....(with a new floor)

Rx: waterfight & picnic

Its been a difficult 2 weeks to say the least. Expectations and pressures and huge tests leave me with that painful acid reflux feeling just under my sternum. Slowly things are panning out and getting into routine where I feel like I can breathe. Still I sit finishing paperwork for tomorrows clinical and get that sweaty nervousness just thinking about it.

But tonight I called a spur of the moment picnic in the park near my house. Its been...I can't remember how long...since I sat on a blanket in a park with friends. After the sun set we ran barefoot in the grass with Frisbees then water guns (painfully cheap ones that barely spit...but still) Just what I needed...fresh air and friends.

Now back to the oddly lit hospital hallways....

Can You Fix This?

As a student nurse when I'm caught up on my responsibilities I am supposed to help answer call lights and help other staff on the floor. I have returned to my "home floor" from last year (not exactly my favorite, but the rotation is only 2 weeks this year) This floor sees a lot of post-urology patients and patients recovering from prostate surgery. After a TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate) they provide continuous irrigation.

In lay terms this means that have big whopping bags of fluids running through and draining out through their catheter. These bags are seriously huge. The other day I was just walking through the hall when a little old man yelled out "Hey can you fix this" as he held a disconnected fluid line in his hand as fluid spilled all over the floor.

GREAT! I hadn't really dealt with this set up before but told a nurse nearby and went to go figure it out. Thankfully he hadn't pulled anything out, but just disconnected everything. In the mean time he had called his daughter who then wanted me to reassure her he was alright.

Yes, glamorous life...

Student Nurse Association responsibilities are piling up as we make our plans for the final fall projects. We're targeting childhood obesity here in the community while also doing an educational campaign on Darfur. (odd combo)

I'm looking forward to "homelessness" at the end of this month...work and school are a tough balance and I plow through.

Wild Weird Wonderings

I'm sitting at the coffee shop as the sky grays in preparation to rain. Frank Sinatra is singing over the speakers radio. I normally work Fridays, but I switched a shift earlier this week to have dinner with friends. Dinner got canceled, so I did an afternoon meeting with the happy little newly engaged & newly married couples. (so much to say after that comment, but alas you singles can just read into all that entailed as one of the token singles). I find myself studying acid/bace balance and for my pharm test on Monday.

We did get the apartments, but alas the tenants are not moved out so I will be homeless briefly when I have to move out of my apartment the end of this month. My clinicals have been on the cardiac critical care unit and the weeks are flying by as I try to balance everything. Andrea continues to be my favorite bad influence in my life keeping me out late nights before clinicals. =0))
This semester has been harder not only in content, but just in contentment and walking out daily life with the faith that this is what I'm supposed to be doing. I will try to keep up with my blog more regularly and share funny stories. Look for me to upload some crazy video I shot when I watched Kathy's chihuahua while she was gone.

Merging Two Worlds

Working a large concentration of hours in a short span can mess with your brain. I find myself repeating food orders in my sleep. Last night I started merging my nursing work with my waitressing role. I woke up dreaming I was training my trainee at work to look for tracheal deviation (apparently AT the restaurant on the guests).

Random Adventures

Apparently we just got all the funding for the church to buy the quadraplex to which we are moving. B moved out of his apartment, ending the era of our "hippie Bible study" at that location. I caught a quick photo post-communion photo the other week. I still have another month on my lease. Kathy's Birthday came the week before school started and I just found my cord to upload those pics. Kathy, Amanda and I are all sitting together for the school year. Watch out right side of the room!

Amanda and her amazing form.

Plan A or B?

I arrived at school feeling a little overwhelmed by the expectations on me as I lead the student nurse association, work, and begin what the other students tell me is the "hardest semester". Right now I sit at the coffee shop still in my high heels and coordinated outfit leftover from school. We welcomed the freshman, spoke to their class, and hosted the welcoming event.

I know that I'm in an amazing place and opportunity. My teachers encourage me to make plans for more school and getting a masters eventually. Thanks to my involvement I get to know the faculty and have to get into the community. But you know what...I'm not sure I want the suit, the position, and the graduate program. When I think of my rotations in the heart center and day surgery I don't find myself jumping with excitement. I want to go back and hang out in some slums, I want to do some home births, I want to have a family.

But for now I'm on this journey and know that its where I'm supposed to be. I'm sure in the future I'll have the hindsight that makes it worth it, but boy has it been hard to go back to school and balance work. Truth is often the grass is just greener cuz its on the other side of the fence.

Last night Mindy asked me a great question. She asked me if I was seeing this as "plan B". In reality, I think I had. In my minds eye I pictured me at this age either with an amazing ministry in the 3rd world or married...not in W. Texas back in school. But that doesn't mean that it's "plan B". This time is a great gift and yeah, most people get this out of the way earlier, but that doesn't mean its any less than an amazing journey.

Trying to study pharm...and o so bored with it.

Melissa & The Trainee

In my second weekend working on the floor of the restaurant they decided to give me a trainee. She apologized saying she'd never been a waitress to which I replied "join the club this is my second weekend". Putting someone on the floor for the first time on a busy Friday night is intense. I'm not one to stand around and we were moving a mile minute and often getting triple sat.

The manager mentioned my job was to "keep her calm". Wait, why does this seem familiar? By 9pm she was in the manager's office asking to go home. =0)) Ok, she was scheduled till then, but she was asking "PLEASE let me go home"

School starts bright and early on Monday morning. I was up in the office of our activities director yesterday. We were looking at the calendar for our student nurse assoc. and my only thought was "WHAT was I thinking". This is going to be one intense semester. Please send Trader Joe soy and flax chips to.......

Disappointed....

Personally I don't think it looks like me (but I added the pearls in an attempt)

www.simpsonizeme.com

Oh My Aching Feet

So far week 1 as a waitress has been crazy, especially since this is the opening weekend of the restaurant. By the time this weekend is finished (Th-Sun) I may be over 40 hours. All of my "guests" have been great, but I knew eventually the chips would fall and I'd get one of those tables everyone tells me about when they mention the short duration of their waitressing career.

It was a large party and wouldn't you know that I forgot the salads. Ok, so every OTHER salad is prepared automatically in the back, but if someone orders THIS ONE SALAD I have to fill out a special ticket. Being its only my first week into my waitressing career I messed up and they are late. But seriously...the ONE SALAD...can't we fix that in the computer?

Then the grill messed up the order and someone took it out lacking an entire meal. This means I have to fill out a special ticket so a manager will take it to the table and try to overcome the mistake. And then we need so many little things...not one but two different salad dressings for the itty bity salad...it goes on

They were sweet and boy did I try to put on my best face but I wanted to cry and run. We had a new trainer helping me and she said, "don't worry the table will turn over soon". You'd think she told me I had gotten a full scholarship...yes it was true...in less than 30 minutes I could bank on the fact that I would get a brand new set and could start fresh.

I think I'll go put up my feet. Tomorrow there will be a "new table" in the journey of life.

Backtracking: Mom's Visit

Its been a few weeks since mom left, but I finally have the photos in my computer. There are quite a few pics we SHOULD have taken
....both mom and I sleeping on the floor of my efficiency
...friday night dinner with everyone crowded in my place for taco salad
...the parking lots of the museums we visited which should have tipped us off that they might not be so exciting. =0))

We went to a lot of museums and "attractions". I took mom to some local bbq places and an excellent Mexican place with amazing enchiladas. She also got to see how well I can find free meals and spread them out throughout the week to stretch the groceries. =0)) On Sunday not only did we have the monthly church potluck, but then Marc & Amy hosted the "we built a porch" party.

Mom got to visit my church and I'm glad she enjoyed it. I took her over to school to meet my instructors and various faculty. They put in a good word for me. (and now dad knows that I really do go to school)

Looking at the various windmills used in West Texas. You can see downtown in the background.

A motor-less glider from WWII...imagine landing while on those benches...ouch. The park near my house. Yes, that's Texas!
Looking for prairie dogs at the local prairie dog park...yep the picture captures the swell of excitement of standing in that field squinting to see them.
So she got to meet my crazy friends and see a little bit of my life. My first visitor!!!

My One Reader

This is a post in honor of my one faithful reader...thanks for sticking with me through the slow times. =0))

Corporate Dancing

I have recently been hired by a nation-wide restaurant chain as a server. Our 10 day training sessions all begin with beat-pumping music and the requirement we stand, clap, and smile. Those of us who dare are encouraged to move with the appropriate hand motions to such favorites as "YMCA", "Grease Lightning", and other dance favorites. As these are the national trainers I have to believe this is part of the corporate emphasis on building unity and fun. (all while required to wear a starched shirt?)

I had to laugh when I think about our crazy dance parties in the birth center in Asia. After (or during) a busy shift we'd run to the living room and make the most of lip synching and really bad dance moves for stress relief. Liza & Sarah could be living large had they known to market this strategy to national corporations. We obviously missed our calling...(that and making instructional videos)

Good Article

I've just been introduced to some of Mark Driscoll's thoughts and found the Resurgence Movement site where he blogs. Apparently he claims to use some Emergent practices, but is a self-claiming Bible-thumping Fundamentalist. (sounds kind of cool to me...btw Mars Hill Church founded by Driscoll and Mars Hill Bible Church with Rob Bell are two different things).

While on that site I found this blog entry by Anthony Bradley entitled Orphans vs. American Dream. I've always thought about adoption if I were married and this article makes is so plain that we as Christians could easily get orphans out of foster care. In his opening paragraph the author states that there are approximately 115,000 orphaned kids in foster care waiting for adoption. A recent survey found there are 224 million so-called Christians in America. The Bible is clear that pure religion includes caring for orphans and widows. (James 1:27) So isn't it reasonable that even if everyone can't adopt many could and fix this problem and save kids?!?

Its easy for me as a single to point fingers, but the article still challenged me where I am now. As I look at the title again I'm reminded that the "dream" and great nursing sign on bonuses and a nice house aren't where its at. Life is so much more. Where am I investing now? Having a limited budget while going to school might be a pain at times, but it is freeing me up in the future and I won't face huge credit card bills or student loans.

I guess this is a good time to announce that I'm hoping to move into a mission house with my friends in one of the worst, crime-ridden streets here. We have a small complex with 4 apartments and hope to build relationships and be the hands and feet of Jesus in that area. Local churches have been working there and "plowing the ground" so to speak. Andrea used to live in this area and I look forward to being her roommate (hopefully). Please keep everyone in your prayers. I'm not sure how much I'll actually be there between school, clinicals, and work but I'm willing. I'm sure we'll meet plenty of fatherless kids and find something better than the ever illusive "American Dream"

Backtracking Part 1: The Wedding

Fun With FASFA

After banging my head on my computer to finish up FASFA stuff I am reminded I have a lot for which to be grateful. In the past week I've gotten a new job and received a scholarship which will help pay for this semester. Mom came and we had a nice visit. My computer cord should come in the mail tomorrow and I'll post pics!

Everything Is Bigger In Texas

I apologize to all my Northern friends, but TX really showed you up in the fireworks dept. As we sat outside the city limits you could see huge displays across the plains. Ben & his friends were coordinating lighting rows of these huge fire crackers. I have not seen something that big in someone's backyard.

Hot Holidays

Normally I am out of the country on the 4th of July so it always seems odd when I am here and see flags everywhere. I would like to mention that today is Filippino-American Friendship day and if you are missing my crazy stories please see my friend Georgia's website The highlight of my holiday was going to the filippino store down the road and getting a phone card so I could call her.

I'm trying to enjoy the extra time I have now and not get too anxious about the job situation. This is the dream right...single girl...free time...summer?!?! Jesus and I have had some good talks in my hammock and I really am grateful for the peace and tranquility. (School starts in a month) Went to see Transformers today and it was a bit cornier than expected, but brought back some dusty 80's memories.

I took pictures at the wedding this weekend but unfortunately believe I may have left my USB cable in Mexico, so I will have to wait to post them. Stay tuned.

Back "Home"

I arrived back to my apartment on Tuesday night. Friday night we were up all night with a young first time mom who had some difficulty. Here is an email and update I sent out to some people in my last days...

Well the storybook missionary update might have been different, but I trust God will still be glorified in this birth. We transported her late this morning to the nearest hospital with capabilities to perform a cesarean. This hospital is about 2 1/2 hours away through windy
roads. The "ambulance" is a pickup the metal shell over the top. Shelly (my midwife friend) was vomiting almost the whole way there due to motion sickeness. I thought it was horrible and I was not the one in end stages of labor.

As I lay on the other stretcher next to the mom exhausted and nauseas I was just reminded of the realities of midwifery in the 3rd world. In this culture this girl (not even 18) would have been out in the forest by herself for days with this hard constant labor. All through the night her mom and sister got to minister to her. This Christian family was breaking through huge cultural taboos of touch and speaking kind
words.

She was loved and valued throughout the night and I pray that continues to minister to her. Sure we'd have liked a nice calm midwife birth...but this is reality and women need midwives who can get them to more skilled medical care when necessary.

You can still pray for her now. We were not allowed back in the labor area and we have no cell reception here so we'll just wait and see. I'm going on 36 hours awake and glad for a long ride to the border tomorrow.

My trip was definitely different than I expected. The first birth occurred about 24 hours after I left. I had three great weeks of God working on my heart and letting it break again for the women around the world in these little villages who have no skilled care in labor. I was reminded again how hard it is to pioneer a new work and this is going to be a long process with this people group to gain trust.

It was very hard to leave (even thought my view of missions has changed and is not so glorious as I once imagined). I wanted to stay and help, but know the last thing God lead me to do was go to nursing school. So, I'm there and leave the rest in his hands.

Ways to Get Kicked Out of the Mission...

We have officially welcomed rainy season. Today the hail had to be about 1cm in diameter and the rains poured down hard. The flash flood created a raging river and we entertained ourselves by watching cars try to cross. While its nice and cool this does make the ground harder to navigate (especially in flip flops and ankle length skirts)

Tonight I was helping Shelly care for the directors 90-something year old mother. Part of this included pushing her wheelchair from their house to the hospital. Thanks to the mud and rocks this became an unusually violent ride. At one point we hit this hole and I feared grandma was going to fly out.

Great...way to go Melissa! I'm sure the best way to keep your welcome is to propel the directors elderly mother into the mud! Thankfully all was well and I assured grandma we'd make it in one piece. (which we did)

Visit to the Hanger

The ministry here has a hanger a few miles away. We went out there to pick up some cement and get a little tour.
The amazing scenic view from the outhouse.

Trip to the "Big City"

The birthroom floor is under renovation so I went with Edwin and Betsy to the "big city" about 90 minutes away. (the swaybacks were enough to push me to the verge of loosing my stomach contents). Once there our mission was to buy food for a construction team coming next week. While waiting for Edwin we pulled out my camera. At the end we had fabulous bbq chicken. ymmmmmm

Mayonnaise...what missions trip is complete without it?
The collection of "snow cap lard" available

Adventures in Oatmeal

This morning as I was getting ready Evelyn (6) asked me if I could make oatmeal for breakfast...mentioning her mom said for her to ask me. I like to think of myself as a good cook, but tend to avoid oatmeal like the plague. The reality is I don't know how to make it on the stove.

Evelyn assured me she could tell me how. She told me to put milk in the pan, put in the oatmeal and cook it. (Sure...how hard can it be?) I found a bag of Mexican oatmeal in the cabinet that didn't have clear instructions, but did have the ratio of milk to oatmeal. Unfortunately it gave 2 different ratios one for "cereal" and one for some word in Spanish I don't know. Hopefully we didn't want whatever that was.

So, I put in the ingredients and lit the stove. At one point I turned away and the lid to the pot was just about to blow off and oatmeal slime was running all over the stove. One girl yelled, "ITS EXPLODING!!!" The verdict from Evelyn was it was yummy. I think it tasted like hot elmers glue with sugar.Yeah, its a slow day...gotta keep up with the little adventures.

Teaching in the Next Villiage

Yesterday afternoon we headed to another village. Dr. B got us there in record time though we were a bit green around the gills if you know what I mean. Apparently this was a "mild" ride, but my tail bone got hit a few times in the back of the jeep.

The terrain was beautiful. Apparently we're at about 7500 feet and this village was in the 5000'sShelly's midwife class was held in a school house...thus the various objects left on the small desks.