No more nights

Well, this is it: my last night shift. My posts from now on will most likely be at some normal time of day instead of 1, 2, or 3 in the morning.

Peyton goes in for surgery tommorow, and I will be working days in Minneapolis for the month of December. I'm excited for her and her family, but so sad to leave. I have to admit that they have been wonderfull, and this has been a pretty cushy job. My next case may not be as nice, but, everyone needs nurses once in a while.

On a different note, it will be nice to sleep when it's dark out again. I'll see you all in the land of the living! (and I'll probably look a lot less tired)

Perfect Healing

I did it!!!!!!!!!!! Woo Hoo!!!

Some of you knew...but now everybody does, I've played piano for a very long time. In junior high I started in the youth band at my church. It was, for lack of a better word, a disaster. As time went on I had some very hurtful and painful experiences with the different worship teams I played with. Eventually I became so shy that I only played piano at home, alone, not even for my family.

One day, my Grandma read me the riot act, and told me it was ridiculous to play and not let anyone else enjoy it. Okay, I got the point. I played for her wedding in August. An amazing thing happened...I survived :-P

Since then I really felt the Lord poking and prodding my spirit...join worship at church. Why is it that He always seems to want us to do things that we feel so uncomfortable with?? I knew I was in for some major stretching. I emailed Courtney in September, and today, finaly played on Sunday. And you know what? He did something amazing, all those hurtful things are gone. I was free to worship and enjoy being a part of a team again. You guys, there is no better feeling, complete and total healing.

So...Woo Hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
I hope you all take the time to enjoy this week. Have fun, and if you happen to be traveling, I hope your trip goes smoothly.

I thought I would list a few things I'm thankful for...some are serious...others, not so much :-P

• Starbucks on the way to work...caffine is always good
• Ugly Betty...it makes me laugh
• My job...it pays the bills and I actually like it
• Highpoint Church...a church that feels like home
• The Dog...he's always happy to see me
• My family...even though we drive each other nuts sometimes
• Jesus...for loving, and caring, and being my strength these last few months

Oh for heaven's sake...

It was , I think, 25 degrees or something this morning. Not too bad, Minnesota wise.


My car groaned when I started it, and it's only November...



THAT'S IT!!!! I am packing up and moving to Maui...any takers??

Take that Pioneer Press!

The Lion King is back, after it's triumphant opening in the twin cities 10 years ago, it's back for a 10th aniversary tour. There was an article in the Pioneer press a few days ago that talked about it becoming part of theatrical history, a show that will not be able to live on in spectacle alone. http://www.twincities.com/stage/ci_7302138?nclick_check=1

I went to see the Lion King at the Orpheum yesterday. Of course I have seen pictures of the costumes and heard about how great it was. Therefore, I thought I was prepared for what I was about to experience.

Boy was I wrong.

You guys, the curtain went up for the opening number...

I was moved to tears it was so gorgeous and incredible.

But beyond that, I felt the story and music still has something relevant to say. I, for one, would see it over and over again just to enjoy the experience. And if you haven't seen it yet...what on earth are you waiting for??

Have you gotten your flu shot??

It's that time of year again...cold and flu season!!! Hooray!

(well maybe if you happen to be a drug company you'd be excited...)

As a nurse, I can not say this often enough: Go and get a flu shot!

I got mine today, it wasn't that bad, honestly. The only problem is trying to keep your Dad from socking you in the arm afterwards. Not pleasant, I'll have to take care of him later.

But seriously, one little poke will potentially save you all kinds of money that you would otherwise spend on thera-flu and tylenol and all that other fun, nasty tasting stuff.

So, suck it up, shots aren't that bad... :-P

Grief and Hope

Recently my former youth pastors lost their baby boy. The funeral was today, and I can't really wrap my mind around it all yet. It was so incredibly sad, and yet...there was a sense of hope. It is amazing really, we know that God has a plan, and He is faithful, and He loves us, no matter what happens in our lives. I will never forget hearing that youth pastor stand up at his own son's funeral and say those very words. And I don't mean just say them, but believe them with his whole heart.

There's a song that I'm reminded of by Kathy Troccoli, and the chorus says this:

But there will be a time
When I'll see your face
And I'll hear your voice
And there we will laugh again
And there will come a day
When I'll hold you close
No More tears to cry
'Cause we'll have forever
But I'll say Goodbye for now

65 days and counting...(or something close to that)

At Walgreens today I saw the strangest juxtaposition of merchandise: Halloween "Scream" masks, and Christmas ornaments.

As much as I really don't like Halloween in general, the Christmas decorations really threw me for a loop. It's not even November!

Just kidding! :-)

So now that Walgreens has their Christmas merchandise in, does that mean I can start playing Christmas carols??

An old grudge

Did you ever carry a grudge? A past hurt, something that you just never were able to let go of? One of those things where you know that person probably forgot, or didn't even know, that what they did or said was hurtful to you?

Well, a few weeks ago I ran slap into one of those people. The funny thing is, I thought I'd let it go. But as soon as I first saw them, all of those past memories bubbled up to the surface. Not good. So I did what any self-respecting normal human being would do...I avoided them like the plague. It's not something I'm particularly proud of.

Of course, God didn't let me get away with that one, no sir-ee. Today I met up with a group of friends and there was this person.

Oh Lord, do I have to deal with this now?

You know what His answer was? "Yep, you do."

Okay, I surrender all of this to You. I forgive this person...it is time. It's been more than 15 years, and that's pretty sad when you consider I am only 24. And let me tell you, I feel lighter already. It was almost instantaneous.

Is there anyone in your life that you need to forgive or anything you need to let go of? What relationships in your life are hindered because of unforgiveness?

Moldova

I am so excited! Mom is in the middle of her very first missions trip! She and several other women from the MN AG are in Moldova for about the next week and a half. They are there to serve alongside Andy and Nancy Raatz, and help them set up a home for women recovering from prostitution trafficking.

This is a huge problem in many Soviet-block countries. We as Christians can make a difference. Many of these women feel completely hopeless, and we can offer the best hope there is, the hope that comes from Jesus Christ. If you are interested in learning more, check out these websites:

http://www.moldovamissions2007.blogspot.com
http://www.harvestmoldova.org

God is doing amazing things in Moldova, and we can partner along in prayer!

I love my job!

Most of you know that I work nights with a 9 month old girl. She is absolutely adorable, as you can see!
:-)

But, she is in for a rough time come this December. On December 5th she'll be going in for major reconstructive surgery on her trachea. This is huge because she'll no longer have a trach in her neck, and hopefully she'll grow up relatively normally from this point forward.

It's also scary though, it means a week in a medically induced coma and a month long hospital stay. Would you pray for her with me? I think she and her family will need all the prayer and support they can get.

Weddings

Funny how attending a wedding gets a girl thinking about her own. How you would do your hair, what your dress would look like, if you would cry...and usually you end up just wishing it was you.
But this particular wedding made me think about even more than that.
There was a time, not too long ago, that all I was thinking about was how lonely I was. Wishing I had a boyfriend...you know the routine. My relationships with my married friends, and even some of the single ones became strained. Was I jealous? Maybe. Not exactly a healthy or Godly frame of mind to be in.
Which brings me to Sarah and Andrew, not meaning to sound cheezy, but they just might be the world's most perfect couple. And, believe me, I was somewhat envious...at first. After their wedding on Saturday I realized something very important. Sarah and Andrew are not together because they spent their lives looking around for a spouse, they are together because they have spent their lives "looking around" for Jesus. They would both be the first to tell you that He is the center of their lives. It was by His will that they met in Ireland 4 years ago, and now they will be serving Him together.
So what does this have to do with me?? I have learned to be content as a single person. Does that mean I am never envious of other couples? No, not really. But it does mean that I give all of those feelings and longings over to Jesus. And I am sure, that the more focused I am on Him...
well, he knows the desires of our hearts.

Traffic!!!

When I used to work evenings and be tired after getting off work at 11:30pm things were okay. I'd be tired, but there would be almost no traffic, and no one would care that I drive slowly when I'm tired.

Not so much at 7am. People are downright nasty!

Some one honked and flipped me off because I took too long turning through an intersection. Oh, brother...

Be nice to other drivers. You never know why they drive the way they do. :-)

Prayer and fasting Wednesday

What an amazing blessing to have a night shift where I need to "fill time". It makes it much easier to set aside time to pray each night.

Last night I was praying for a few specific things

• For peace and strength for our family in this difficult time.
• For the Lord to show himself strong in the life of my sister, and that she would be safe in this time of wandering.
• For my dear friend, Erin, as she prepares to leave for Ukraine this Friday.
• For my Mom, as she also prepares for a missions trip to Moldova in October.
• For Highpoint church, that God would equip and ready us as we move forward into October.
• For our pastors and their families, that a special anointing would be on their leadership.
• For the community of Inver Grove Hgts, that those who are searching, hurting, and lonely would find forgiveness, healing and salvation in Jesus Christ.

You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.

Nehemiah 9:6

Psalm 61

Things have been difficult in our family life recently. I won't go into details, but I thought I would post these verses. They have been running in my mind throughout everything that has been happening.

Psalm 61:1-4

Hear my cry, O God;
Give heed to my prayer.
From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For You have been a refuge for me,
A tower of strength against the enemy.
Let me dwell in Your tent forever;
Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings.

Overnights...

I thought that working nights would be a breeze; get yourself in the groove and off you go. And so far, so good. Now after 5 nights in a row I have "hit the wall". I'm so tired my eyes cross when I try to read. Which is really not good since that's how I pass at least half the time. I even grabbed Starbucks before I came (something I have tried really hard not to do)! Thankfully I have Sunday night off and I can catch some extra Z's.
In the meantime, I'll dive into my, rather large, bag of tricks and try to get through till 7:00am.

The essentials for overnights:

1. The longest book I own: Lord of the Rings
2. At least 1 silly gossip magazine: right now it's People and US weekly
3. The B-I-B-L-E: I have time so I am out of excuses
4. Portable DVD player with in-ear-headphones: One ear on Peyton, one on the movie
5. 2-3 DVD's for the hardest part of the shift: 3am to 4am, the longest hour of my life
6. Diet Coke and some guilt free snack: carrots! (because eating keeps you awake)

Wednesday Night

Well, last night at about 1:00am was the start of my new venture with God. I read the Bible for a while, sang a few quiet worship songs and then started to pray.

• for the family that I work for-Peyton's continued recovery, peace and rest for everyone in the house, for their salvation
• for my family-God's will and favor in their workplaces, His protection against spiritual attack, the salvation of my Grandma and her husband, my Aunt Lisa and her partner Edi and deliverance for both of them
• for High Point Church-God's favor in the community, the equipping of our pastors, for His presence and guidence in the comming weeks, for His love to be shown in the way we all live and interact with others, healing-emotional, spiritual, physical for all who need it, His will be done
• for the city of Inver Grove Heights-that God would move and make Himself known in this community

Eventually I was at a loss for words and just prayed in the spirit. I still feel a sense of urgency to continue to pray. We will see what God does...

Called to Pray

Hey everyone!
I had been blogging on Myspace, but more of you are on Facebook. So, this will be my main blog site for a while.
Today in church, Pastor Tory was talking about how important it is for us to be in prayer. I have to be honest and admit that my prayer life has been less than wonderful. So often my excuse has been that I just don't have time, or I'm too busy. Pretty lame in retrospect. If I have time to mess around on Facebook, then I have time to pray. More and more lately I have felt called to start praying. I'm not quite sure why...but that's up to God, not me. Since I work nights, I have lots of time already set up in my work "day" to pray. I am going to be obedient and see what happens next. I feel like it is time for a change. My working environment has changed, my family dynamics are changing, it's time for my personal walk with God to change.