gotta love the beltway

Today was a day off for me. After 2 hours of sleep, I headed to Northern Virginia where I was greated by the cutest blue eyed, bubbly little 2 year old girl. Yes, my niece Ryleigh.......We were able to spend the afternoon together, filled with playing on the playground, having lunch together, and even taking a nap together. It was such a sweet time. Its one of the things that I treasure during this time. But the road home proved to be filled with the unexpected. Nearing the maryland boarder, I began to hear a loud thumping sound in my car. OH no, not a tire. Could it be? You see, in the last 11 years of driving, Ive never had a flat. Thank God I was on the left side of the 5 lanes and had room to pull off onto the shoulder. My tire was completely flat. Now my dad is a great, knowledgeable man, but we never took time to go over the skill of changing a tire. Then again, I really didn't want to get out of my car. Thankfully, I renewed my AAA membership this past summer. Needless to say, my AAA man came to the rescue and put a spare on. The tire was unrepairable thanks to a nail. But the spare got me home, going fifty miles an hour with my flashers on. Cars were flying by me with glaring eyes. Oh well, everybody needs to slow down every once in a while!

Tonight, the candles are burning, the lights low, music is on, and the wash is in the dryer. Its a nice night, with time to be still, read, reflect and make some goals for myself. I'm looking at doing some things Ive never done before, like salsa or swing dance lessons! How fun would that be! I'll keep you posted on what I decide.

Blessings!

No, not a lunar eclipse!

Yet another night under my belt! It was an extremely busy night! I had a precipitous birth (almost caught one myself), first time parents with tons of questions, and a natural labor. The unit was slammed with the lunar eclipse. Yes, its true! That really does effect labor! But it was awesome to see the team work and support within the nurses. Makes me think so much of my friends back at home in Lancaster. There something so beautiful about about people working together with a common goal, when the eyes are taken off of the individual and the concern is placed on others. Its the way that God intended it! Thank you Lord for yet another experience showing your goodness.

Tomorrow is aunt Melissa day as Im looking forward to spending the day with Ryleigh so daddy can get out and run some errands. Then one more night before heading home to the farm for an family gathering. It will be so sweet to be home together as family. Just like Christmas!

Weekend at home

Well, its been a good weekend here in Lancaster. After hitting up a church in Maryland Saturday evening, I made it home in the pouring rain to good old Ross St. I had mixed emotions coming home. I was excited to be in a familiar place, with familiar faces, and the feeling of home. But as I walked in to the house, things were different. Things look different, even smelled different. It was as if I was gone for months, and it had only been two weeks. It was good to connect with Dori as those times are few and far between, especially with the upcoming wedding in a few weeks. And as I slept last night, even my sleep was different. I was so disoriented and confused. Maybe it was the storm. But I either thought I was in my top story apartment, or at work in the hospital and needing to call the doc - all of which were not reality. I was able to get back to basics and enjoy a little Sunday morning basketball with Melanie and Dan, which always proves to bring life, and a little soreness:-) Then a little taste of church...which proved to be the biggest blessing of them all. I truly felt at home today. Seeing familiar faces, having warm hugs, and encouragement and prayers meant everything. Worship was amazing and even a time of fellowship and eating afterwards providing nourishment and rest. Thank you God for that! A few special friend appointments in the afternoon and evening and a visit from my dear friend the Gibbel's and its off to bed. As I reflect on this new found home status, I wonder will this ever be home again? What makes something home? Getting ready to have 4 new girls in my home brings about many questions, excitement and fears. Letting someone else enjoy my home brings joy, but also sadness, for this place will never be like it once was. Its as if the chapter of my life is closing and I'm scared to take my foot out of the door. But why? What makes it scary? Simply the fact that I have no idea what is next. I feel this thing in my spirit saying 'get ready Melissa.' Its time to contend for your future and your destiny.' But Lord, what is it????? I know the desires on my heart are for marriage and family, to be rooted in community and relationship, but where? When? I just want to make an eternal difference. I want to love on others, and allow them to find rest and joy and peace. I don't want to be a vagabond forever! As I think about what I'm doing, this travel nursing bit, is no doubt one of the hardest things Ive yet to encounter and meet head on. But wow God, you are giving me the strength to do so! I'm learning so much about myself, about the strength that the Lord raises up when it needs to be. I'm learning more and more how I'm wired, how I'm created, the passions that are stirring within me. Lord I don't want to keep asking whats next. But at the same time, I want to make sure that I am where you desire me to be. Living a life of surrender is by far the hardest yet most amazing things possible. Surrendering those things that I hold so dear to my heart....the passion and desire for marriage, for children, for community, for the fullness of Christ to be made known in my life and the lives of those I love and care about.....Lord, they are yours! Have your way! I know what you have for me is beyond my wildest dreams and imaginations. May I find contentment and peace knowing that you hold those things very close to your heart. I trust you with them. OK, so this surrender thing is easier said than done. So friends, hold me accountable. I want my life to be a beautiful masterpiece and a testimony to the love, the patience, and the faithfulness of Christ. He deserves all the honor and glory for everything Ive come through, and all the blessings he has given. Lord, bring to completion the work that you have started!

Let the journey begin!

Its been a week since I've been out of Lancaster, trying to find my way around Maryland and attempt to 'settle in' and make this my home for a little while. Its been a good week, but a very long week! It feels like I've been away for a month. I've been blessed to have a great apartment to live in, with lots of fun perks like a gym and a pool and indoor parking. And its nice to not have to worry about taking care of such a big house. (Thank you God for great roommates and renters at home!). I'm finding my way around the Gaithersburg area, mostly thanks to "Jill", my GPS godsend! But I actually know quite a bit on my own. But its nice knowing she's there if I need her. I had 3 very busy days of work orientation last week. Thursday, Friday and Saturday were extremely busy nights on the floor so I was thrown into a hectic work flow from the beginning. Things are very different down here. I realized just how good we have it in Lancaster. Don't get me wrong, Shady Grove is a great place to work. Its just a lot of work! Multiple complicated patients at once, the need to become an OR and PACU nurse when your patient needs a C-Section, and practicing nursing with autonomy are all things I've not experienced in my five years of nursing. I was so thankful that the Lord gave me a good night on Saturday, my last night or orientation, as to give me a little confidence going into it on my own. Saturday, was a little time to relax and spend time celebrating my niece's 2nd bday party. Its one of the joys of being down here....I'm only 30 minutes away from my brother and his family! I was also able to worship with them on Sunday and the Lord was speaking to me so personally as I felt His overwhelming love for me. But after 2 nice days off, last night, I was back to work....on my own. And lets just say it was baptism by fire. Any and every situation I could have hoped to avoid, happened to me. I never have worked so hard in my life! The night was long.....with two very busy patients, one pretty intense.....they had me working past my shift as I was finishing charting and patient care. But I survived and so did my patients. Praise the Lord! What did I learn from last night? The Lord is my strength and my song. In Him I put my trust! Without Him, I am nothing. My strength comes from Him alone! I'm learning more than ever that His presence is with me, carrying me, upholding me, loving me and guiding me every step. As I reflect on this first week, I question a little bit the purpose of these 15 weeks. But already, I recognize my love for Lancaster....my love for my relationships there.....my need for community and fellowship......my appreciation for Women's and Babies......my need to be stretched and challenged.......and my continued desire to enter in to the fullness that Christ has for me. And so, I keep walking. I'm thankful for the opportunity to go home every so often, this weekend being one of them. So let the journey continue!