Another Good End

It's in my work agreement that I was not supposed to be schedualed this morning, but alas I ended up working 9 hours. Looks like its been fixed on following weeks. The day seemed to drag so slow, even with a few distractions of hunting for items in the back. The computer flashes a big ugly sign at you if it thinks you aren't being efficient enough in helping people (lovely, huh?). As I was preparing to leave I could hear the rolls of thunder and the rain beating on the building. People were lined up at the door waiting for their friends to drive up so they would not get wet.

But me...I just let myself get drenched. The clothes needed to be washed anyway and you can always dry hair. I bent my head back a bit to get the full effect and just took in the cool air. I was sorely tempted to splash in some puddles. Do you remember being a kid and wanting to play in the rain? I highly recommend standing in the rain everynow and then. Sure, let the wrinkle-free pants get wet and the mascara runs like mad, but its quite freeing! And unlike many other places your house doesn't flood....there is no raw sewage floating in the flooding street..and in just a few minutes you can change into something warm.

Good End to the Day

After work I got a text inviting me to a large game of team charades hosted by a friend and some of the kids from Wednesday night Bible study. There is nothing better than to end a day in roars...literally roars of laughter. I came home and typed rough drafts of my psych papers. There may not be a lot in this dusty side of the state, yet each day it seems there are little blessings along the way.

World Series

On my break I watched Oakland take an early lead...however, when I got home I had congratulatory emails letting me know....

DETROIT TIGERS are in the WORLD SERIES

I Missed The Office: Take 2

Well...once again I missed The Office. This evening was the appointed night for gathering to pray over and commission Andrea and Danae as they head off to Africa. You really can't say "sorry, gotta watch the office - can't go pray over you as you embark on this AMAZING experience - anoint your ownself with oil"

Once again I was disappointed in the lousy thrift stores in this town when I found they charge more than $20 for a used VCR (a new one is $40 at the store). Besides, I don't even know if a VCR works with my 5". In what...11 months it will come out on DVD! (And Della and Amber can help me laugh through all the ones I missed)

A Dream and An Email

I had a dream last night that I just decided to fly a southern island where I first lived in Asia because I was missing it so much. Susan (my supervisor in my first clinic) met me and asked why I hadn't brought taco seasoning from the US. =0)) It appeared I had just boarded the plane - no luggage or anything.

Then this morning Northwest emailed me to let me know I could use my airmiles to buy a roundtrip ticket for $670 if I go before the end of November...sorely tempting.

Broken and Healing...

Sometimes I drag my feet on Wednesday night to attend the campus Bible study even though it has had a huge impact on my life in the last 2 months. Tonight was one of those nights. However, I pushed myself to go and as we all sang the new version of "On Jordan's Stormy Banks" and together proclaimed "I am bound! I bound! I am bound for the Promised land!" I realized this was the best place to be!

The teaching tonight was on the Godly woman and I realize as I continue to grow that I am so broken and in need of God's tranformation. After my last blog musings I remembered Bro. Lawrence who was stuck in the kitchen of the monestary and learned to "practice being in the presence of the Lord" even in the mundane task.

Afterward I sipped coffee with some freshman girls. I wondered what advice I had to offer as they shared their boy issues. (they are all amazingly beautiful and constantly approached by guys) Maybe the one thing I can assure them of is that I've found God faithful through all the ups and downs and He cares for us more than we could ever imagine. He wants the very best for us.

Of Life and Vintage Stores...

This weekend I drove about 2 1/2 hours north to crash my friends family reunion (well...not exactly I was invited) On Saturday we slipped out with her brother to browse some vintage shops. Unfortuately the downtown area was mostly closed for the day, so we could only look through a few antique shops. We found some marvelous ladies hats from about the 40's. I had just been reading Emily Posts 1940 ed section on clothing and mused that it might be fun to wear gloves and hats (though in cowboy country I'm sure I'd stick out)

Tomorrow is Big-Comprehensive-Terror-Of-All-Terrors Chemistry Exam II. My spare time is consumed in my books hoping something will sink in. (And on the phone Andrea reminds me I promised to take something less than a 4.0 on one class this semester...um...we have that covered for SURE.) Slowly I've identified the smart kids in class and boldly approach them multiple times per week for help. (besides my email tutors) They just weren't the ones I was expected....like the kid behind and slightly to the side of me that always comes in his hunting camo, yet knows so much more about chem than me. Or the guy with the spiked hair and earings?

My hours of stocking shelves have continued to motivate me to finish school. My trainer at work is a 17 year old kid who talks so incredibly fast and legally has to be out by 10pm. He was rattling off codes like mad and I made a mental not to bring a notepad next time cuz I can't keep up with everything. I'm slowly getting to hear peoples stories. A lot of these folks have families and work 2-3 jobs. I know Jesus is here, but sometimes as I'm in asiles by myself for hours I wonder where he's working. And me...I'm just the new chick who doesn't know anything. "Can I help you find something?"

What You Miss on Thursday Night

Well, orientation was short and I will go back in the morning. Many girls were musing missing Greys Anatomy. (why? I mean I can predict someone slept with someone, someone wanted to sleep with someone, and someone overreacted to a medical situation) As we watched a "team building" video on enthusism using the example of a fish market (complete with cheezy animated titles) I watched the clock move to 7:30...THE OFFICE TIME. But then I realized, this could all be a scene of the Office. This is the exactly the type video Micheal would use in orientation.

Hi Ho Hi Ho its off to work i go

I'm getting ready for my first night of work. I can't believe I'm nervous. I'd like Patricia to know (and my other former coworkers) that in their honor I am wearing floating pearls under my uniform. Just a few hours ago the FD called to see if I had found out whether I was accepted to the nursing program. If not, they wanted me to come in. God sure does work in mysterious ways.

Midnight Confessions About the Book I’m Reading

There are some books that I tend to hide under my journal when I’m out reading. After some thought, I've decided to come out and talk about a book I’m currently reading on reevaluating what we have been taught/believed in the Church about the “gift of singleness”

Getting Serious About Getting Married by Debbie Maken is a book that reviews the progression in Christianity in the last 30 years to prolong singleness and hold it as a better/higher calling for which singles should aspire. I can’t say that I’m ready to agree with everything she says, but it is really hitting me between the eyes and I have to set it down regularly to ponder what she’s said. As she goes over the classic passages where Jesus talks about eunuchs or Paul talks about singleness, I can’t help but think we should reevaluate the interpretation many have taken in this generation.

I have been especially struck by what she says about how we dump so much on singles in ministry or missionary work. (since you know its how we will be fulfilled and “bear spiritual children”)

I recommend you check it out (if only to have a nice debate with me)!

Amazing Benefits of Technology and Globalization

...talking to your friend in Mozambique on a crystal clear connection. So clear you can hear the joy in her voice when she says shes exicted she'll be there for her birthday.

September Drawing to a Close

I can hardly believe this month is almost over (but the bills gently remind me). As I sat in the interview room for my job I could smile thinking Miss NC had to explain to Blockbuster why she was a midwife in dental assisting school who wanted to work there. I was having to explain why I, a crazy traveling midwife, was wanting to work a job in retail in this out-of-the-way town. In just days Miss BC leaves fro the tribes...

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The Drug Test

This morning I went for another interview and this time I made it far enough to be sent for a drug screening. Upon finishing the interviews they handed me a paper with all the necessary info for the lab. One one page there was a list of rights.
I had the right to
a private place to go
a door on the stall
and water allowing me up to 3 hours to obtain the specimen

The last time I took a drug test I actually took 2 of them over in Asia. Words just cannot express what its like to go to a shaddy "lab" in a tin-shack building across from the DMV. Of course there are no other women, because women don't usually drive in that country. So, I'm with the taxi drivers and jeep drivers while guys keep coming over for bribes to make it quick and easy to get my license.

The last time I went I couldn't go...I just couldn't. I was in a wet bath with a bucket and my exam cup with a curtain that barely covered the opening. The large man outside kept yelling at me to go. Finally, if I remember right they accepted the little offering I could provide. Wow...rights don't really mean much to you until they aren't there and then you realize a door on a bathroom stall is a beautiful thing. ;0)) Its the little things that start to make your day.

My First Dinner Party

Yesterday seemed to end a little pathetically. I got on my bike to go to the tailgating party and before I made it out of the parking lot it fell apart. Yep...I watched in horror as nuts, bolts, gears and a chain each fell off. It's so far gone I can't fix it myself. After an hour of futal attmpts to fix it I went upstairs and worked on another essay.

As Sunday drew near I asked the Lord to direct me on who to invite over for a dinner. Yes, today I hosted my first dinner party after church. I had make-your-own-nothing-raw sushi makings and some yummy ginger chicken and brocolli. I prayed God would make it a good day and hoped no one would mind sitting on a mat on the floor if I had too many people.

I must say the Lord arranges great dinner parties. I ended up with three people I didn't know - only one of whom I'd met before. We had an amazing lunch and awesome fellowship. The other two girls have also done missions work overseas and never imagined moving to West Texas. The sermon today hit me between the eyes, so along with this meal it was overall an amazing day so far.

Psych

It's a lovely Saturday and I had expected to help someone move. However, they moved the date and I'm stuck with my psych papers. AHHHHHHH I'm banging my head on the desk and so glad I CLEPed out of intro to psych. Two psych classes in one year would have put me over the edge. The combo of life span psych and chem has worn out one side of my brain so I've been sawing, hammering, painting, and creating a little bit each day... I put my exercise ball at my desk (it lets me bounce to music when I get bored typing). However, I just saw the Office episode where dwight gets an exercise ball at his desk...that COMPLETELY ruined my fun. O well. The beautiful part of blogging is that you, dear reader, get a glimpse into my pain.