Spring!

Wow, i seem to have taken the entire winter off from updating this thing! I guess part of that could be the business of the Holidays and other aspects of life. I am still working as at Providence hospital as a Labor & Delivery nurse --- night shift. I have adjusted to working those hours (for the most part); but am finding it that it definitely takes a physical and emotional/mental toll. It's hard to be alive when the rest of the world sleeps. I have to remind myself this probably won't be forever!

The Holidays were wonderful this year. I was able to make it down to California to visit some of the Winters' family right before Christmas. However, I ended up getting stuck down there for an extra day or two. My flight was cancelled due to all the crazy snow we had up here in Seattle~ It was great to see everyone.

Brandon & Lindsey (brother and sister-in-law) are expecting their first baby any day now. They were due on the 7th....baby really likes it in there! They are waiting to find out if it's a boy or girl. I can't wait to be an aunti!

And, saving the best for last; I am dating someone! Lee and I met 10 years ago while we were each working at Camp Sambica for the summer. I was a lifeguard and he was doing maintenance. After the summer ended, we parted ways and I went back to school at WWU and he went back to WSU. We kept in touch off and on over that next year - as friends. And then 10 years went by. He randomly opened a Bible he never uses anymore and out fell a note from me that I had given him at camp. He wondered what I was up to these days and looked me up on Facebook. And from there we reconnected and started to hang out. That was last August. Things are going great and we enjoy eachother's company very much! He lives in Bellingham and is working as an architect. So, we live a little over an hour from eachother and are able to hang out a few days each week thanks to our current work schedules. All I can say is that God has really blessed my life with him. I had gotten to the point where I wasn't sure how or where I was going to meet anyone that loved the Lord and also shared similar interests, etc. He is an incredible guy. I'm excited to see what the future holds - so stay tuned!

Last few days....

Well, since I start work on Monday, I am trying to enjoy this last bit of "not working". I might be 65 the next time I'm able to say that.

It has been very relaxing and rejuvenating to have this time post-Belize to think, get the house in order, take care of paperwork, make Dr. appointments, see friends, read books, go to the fair, do little trips around Seattle that I've never done... Today I think I might take the bus downtown and go to the Seattle Art Museum. I think I may have been there once, but I'm actually not sure. It's possible that I am confusing it with the MET in my head. Regardless, it's been a blessing to have this time to slow down and really relax. I've even refrained from starting any major projects around the condo. Generally, on most school breaks, I launch into something such as painting or laying slate floors (see pic below for project over Christmas break).





Nope, no projects this time (I think my roommate is glad about that too). I just actually relaxed and for someone who likes to stay busy, it was a good change.

I am both excited and nervous to be a worker bee again. It's part of the whole identity shift that I've been going through since I graduated. Am I really done with school? YES. YES I AM. It has finally been sinking in since I've been home from Belize. And let me just say how much I love it. Now I'm just hoping I can say that about my new job!!

Meekness

It's been on my heart and mind. Not really sure why. This word seems to be flying at me from various places and people within the last 3 months. Since it keeps coming around (or my senses are heightened to the concept), I feel it is worth looking into. What does God want to do in me?

Today in church, someone described it as "power under control" or "strength under God's control".

A few weeks ago in church, the topic also came up and if I remember correctly, it was in regards to a sermon about pastors and God's calling placed on them.

What are a few definitions of meekness? According to some on-line sources
1) showing patience and humility; gentle. (The American Heritage Dictionary)
2) enduring injury with patience and without resentment (Merriam-Webster online)
3) deficient in spirit and courage (Merriam-Webster online)

In general society, it can often be associated with weakness. However, the Bible has a different take on it...

The greek root word for it is apparently praus or prautes
1) used to describe a soothing medicine
2) used by sailors to describe a gentle breeze
3) used by farmers to describe a broken colt
---these examples are all things of great power under control---

Matthew 5:5 - blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.
Both Moses and Jesus were described as Meek.

As I have cruised around a few different websites and read various articles and Bible references about it, it is clear that it involves gentleness, dependency on God, the harnessing of our natural desire for power and prestige, not always striving to be "right", diffusing anger, showing mercy, seeking wisdom, humbly seeking forgiveness and reconciliation, and many other things. How contrary is this to our prideful, arrogant, and self-sufficient human nature?

A few weeks ago I began re-reading a favorite book which I first read through in college by A.W. Tozer titled The Pursuit of God. He writes, "The meek man is not a human mouse afflicted with a sense of his own inferiority. Rather he may be in his moral life as bold as a lion and as strong as Samson; but he has stopped being fooled about himself. He has accepted God's estimate of his own life. He knows he is as weak and helpless as God declared him to be, but paradoxically, he knows at the same time that he is in the sight of God of more importance than angels. In himself, nothing; in God, everything."

He also shares that meekness can serve to deliver one from the burden of pretense. Tozer states, "By this I mean not hypocrisy, but the common human desire to put the best food forward and hide from the world our real inward poverty."

At the end of his chapter on Meekness and Rest within the book, he has a prayer, from which I'll share one line....
"Help me to forget myself and find my true peace in beholding Thee."

I sense great purpose in this investigation of meekness and have a feeling it's one I will be continuing for some time...

A new job for me - and a fun day trip

Okay, so a quick update on the job situation. I have accepted an offer from Providence hospital in Everett - with their RN residency program in Labor and Delivery! I loved my clinical rotations in Labor and Delivery -- and also loved being a part of my friend's deliveries last year. Of course, it's new so I'm a little nervous about it. However, with time, I'm sure it will become more comfortable. I start September 8, and will be working 3 - 12 hour night shifts a week. That will definitely take some adjustment. Holy Smokes.

Yesterday, my friend Kelly and her daughter Makenzie (my goddaughter) and I took a little road trip to Port Angeles. Our Friend Megan is living over there, and we wanted to make a visit to her. We had a great time...and I'm thankful for good friends and being an "auntie"!!!

Banks Lake

It was another good year at Banks lake. I'm always amazed at the vast difference in landscape once you cross over the Cascades....it's a whole different desert land over on the east side of the mountains. On one of my morning runs (which provided good alone thinking time)...I stopped by the state park and read the "tourist" signs that talk about Grand Coulee dam and how the canyons were formed over there. It was mind boggling to think about the floods that must have caused the erosion. It's strange when you think about the creation of things that to you have always "been" in existence. I felt small in comparison to nature's huge and vast expanse...and was thankful that I belong to such a powerful and mighty God.

Highlights: Playing guys vs. girls football keepaway on the sandbar out in the water (seriously good exercise for the quads). Using TONS of deet - the bugs were bad this year. Eating Cocoa Krispies and Captain Crunch. Cliff jumping. Jet Skis. Water Skiing. Sitting in the sun, reading, playing games and doing nothing. Catching up with Family and Friends.

Home Sweet Home

It does feel really great to be home. I loved Belize, but it's wonderful to not be sweating 24/7. My bed feels delightful - and I have successfully eaten my fill of pizza and milkshakes...and cookies. Now I'm back to a more balanced and healthy diet such as cereal, vegetables and fruit. I do miss the tropical fruits in Belize, but am excited about Washington fruits that are in season, such as blueberries, grapes and cherries. Who knew one could become so excited about food?? It really is quite fun to think of all the things God created for us to eat. I've begun the application process for jobs in the Seattle area. I continue to trust that the right doors will be opened as I continue to pursue various options.

Excuse the underlining in that last paragraph, don't know what happened, couldn't get it off, didn't want to try too hard.

Now it's off to the annual BANKS LAKE FAMILY CAMPING TRIP! I think there has been maybe one year that I have not made it out of about 14. Here are some pics from past years...we always try and stay in the same spot...right on the beach with a boat-in camp site.

Below:
1)This is a little cove we sometimes go to in order to cliff jump, or just swim around in.
2)My brother and sister in law's dog Tawny at Banks (I call her Niffy for short) and "Little Red" the boat that passed from my uncle to brother. We (kids) all learned to ski behind that boat! We get to ski in and out from our little beachfront at the campsite. It's a very fun and relaxing trip.

Fishing

Here's a picture of the washed out road in Dangriga on our way down to PG. I was convinced we were gonna try and pass it, but Mr. Hunter was just getting a closer look. Whew, because it did NOT look wide enough for a car.

This is a picture of us caravanning into the villages and crossing swollen rivers. It was exciting, especially with retired U.S. Army driving.

Tammy and I on our way back from fishing. We didn't get in until almost dark. Remember, the sun sets here by 6:30. It was a long, full, exciting day. We left around 9am. All day the clouds were around us, but never over us...same with the thunder and lightening.

We went fishing on Sunday!! Mr. Cruz took us out to Mojo caye and Snake Caye. We swam around and stood in the sea for literally around 3 straight hours. After catching our own bait in nets, we went out to do some fishing. I caught the most of everyone on the boat!! Here's a picture of some of the others on board, debating whose fish was bigger. After fishing in a few different spots, we went back and the fire chief (far left) fried them up at the fire house for us. Yum!

So tomorrow I fly out at 3:55pm. It's been a wonderful experience down here, I've met incredible people and have seen and done very interesting things. Now, back to Seattle to find a job!