My Christmas Holiday in Phone Photos

Vegan cinnamon rolls for the Toastmaster's Christmas party. I mentioned them in one of my speeches (not the vegan part) and had strict orders to bring a sampling to the party. Neighbors got the leftovers. :) 

A beautiful frosty walk.

A rainbow from the window. That hill must be covered in pots of gold. I live in Rainbow Land. 

Just my favorite country road. Aren't those hedges nice?

 

Cork is a pretty city at Christmas time. 

The kids at church were wanting me to buy them iPhones and Kindles and other gadgets for Christmas. Kids these days. They are getting them all right! I'm the queen of cardboard cameras.

Village kids singing carols at the Christmas tree lighting. They had their guitars, tin whistles, and bells. They were fun to sing with. 

Went to a Handel's Messiah concert with some Irish friends at St. Peter and St. Paul's Cathedral. It was magnificent.

 

Opened up our crackers (sometimes called poppers) and wore our crowns during Christmas lunch. (L to R: Angela, Jared, and Emily)

My Merry Christmas Eve Jammies! So far, I have worn them for every season that I've been here for. ;)

Babysitting

Well, they aren't babies. Jared and Emily are 13 and 11. This week Jeff and Annemarie celebrated their 19th wedding anniversary, so us interns are watching the kids while they are on a little get-a-away.

One of the favorite evening activities is playing hide-and-seek in the dark, in the house. For me, I'd probably rather play Scattergories or Balderdash... but last night's game was a ton of fun.

I tried to hide in obvious places. I stood in the middle of the dining room table, I held the basket of blankets in my lap in the living room, and I sat on the dark rug in front of the front door.

While sitting in the dark on the floor in front of the door, someone ran into me- I thought it was Angela, who was "it". I let out my signature "eeeeeee!" and we both started laughing, only to realise that it was Emily... who had already been found! Angela was only a few feet away, but somehow totally missed the interaction. I kept hidden. Then after everyone had been found (except for me), Angela came and stood right in front me trying to think of where to look next. She was so close to me that Jared thought that I had been caught, so he flipped on the lights! Everyone saw me... except for Angela. Jared realised what he had done and flipped off the lights. Oh, I'm glad everyone was laughing loudly, because I was sitting right behind Angela, unseen and laughing as silently as I could until my gut hurt.

I guess we can alternate Scattergories with hide and seek in the dark... as long as I am free to scream.

MacTíre

I saw these three brothers perform at a Christmas concert last night. This video doesn't really do justice, but thought that it was really funny. They are from Kinsale, which is near where I live.

SuperValu

This evening, Wendy and I packed grocery bags at our (semi) local SuperValu. We were helping out a friend of a friend, who is now our friend too. Her granddaughter has cancer. She is just one year old. If people wanted, they could drop some coins in the bucket. Most people were gracious and generous. It was fun arranging groceries and loading them into their "trolleys". 

Here is a typical Irish grocery store list. In order of appearance and popularity:

Alcoholic beverages (of all kinds)

Milk (and cheese and yogurt)

Chocolate (and other candy)

Eggs

Cereal

Meat 

Bread 

Carrots (one lady admitted they were for the horses) 

Fruit (apples, oranges, grapes)

Brusselsprouts 

Ok, maybe brusselsprouts shouldn't have made it into the top 10, but I saw more than I expected! Maybe they were on sale. 

The Castle

Last week I stepped foot into an Irish castle for the first time. This Irish castle.

It had an enchantingly long driveway, a tower house, a church, and a giant green lawn. Inside there were lots of rooms, big heavy doors and old wooden floors.

As I went in, there were people wandering in and out of the castle. Some were wearing slippers, head-wraps, and speaking with various African accents. This was their home. Refugees finding refuge in the Drishane Castle. I find it to be a beautiful picture.

I was told that a wealthy man is letting the government house immigrants there. One of the ladies that I met said that she thought there was about 300 people living in the castle. I hear there are lots of babies there. I got to hold one of them, and she sucked on my watch and liked to steal my glasses. Often it is just part of a family living in Ireland- hoping to get the rest of their family there eventually, and to give birth to a baby in Ireland. 

They have a small stipend, a little less than €20/month. Meals and shelter is provided. 

We go and meet with two faithful sisters and have church with them every week. They always bring sweet treats for us, which is sacrificial love. 

I can't wait to go back to the castle. It's calling my name. 

Drishane Castle in the news:
http://corkindependent.com/20130627/news/asylum-deal-drishane-asylum-residents-demands-met-S67931.html

Robin

The Song of the Robin

Recently, my eye has caught the attention of this pretty little bird, the European Robin. They have such a cheery song to brighten any morning. They are petite, and look so soft and fluffy! This morning as I went on my walk, I saw a few of them. I took out my headphones and just listened to them sing. I also see quite a few magpies, which are also a nice bird. For now though, this lil purdy birdy is my favorite. 

ESL

There is a girl from Germany staying at our house right now, she is here to learn English. 

I'm proud to have helped her add a few more words to her vocabulary this week:

Lard. The Irish like to put lard in their cabbage. I have no idea why. They say that's the only way to eat cabbage. Eat cabbage... Don't eat lard. 

Asparagus. I tried demonstrating how an aspar-a-gus grows. When she looked at me like I was crazy, I drew on the napkin. I always know that she understands when her eyes light up and she tells me the word in German. 

Sassy. This kiwi is sassy. Sometimes the pineapple is too. Well, actually that's not usually how we use that word. Aren't you glad that you are learning English from us?!

I've also shown her how to use the drying machine for the first time in her life, which I have mixed feelings about.

When we went thrifting yesterday, she saw a black teeny-bopper-ish shirt that said "Sassy". She proudly showed me. Thankfully, she didn't buy it. 

Grace

Before mass, Father Finnbarr said my organ playing was beautiful. 

After mass, I told him that I appreciated that he sang a responsive chant in Irish. 

He is not a singer and I'm not an organ player, that's what we each say of ourselves. 

Yet, I find that our mutual appreciation of gifts and effort is genuine... and so is the grace given to each other (because honestly, I don't really know how to play the organ and he really was dismissed from a choir). 

The Farmer

The bachelor farmer, to be more specific. 

Is it normal that in his series of asking me questions in rapid succession, that he ends with, "Do you like to wake up early?" 

Um... (Please don't tell me that my saying "yes" is a qualification to fix a bachelor farmer's marital status.)

Let's just talk cows. That would be good, thank you. 

The Nuns

I like visiting the sisters at be convent. 

Upon arrival: "You've grown two inches since we last saw you!" 

Upon departure: a pinch on the cheek and "Oh! You're so beautiful!"

It's been a while since I've grown two inches and been told that I was beautiful, and was pinched on the cheek. 

I love nuns. 

Thankful

Gray skies are more common than the sunshine these days. I don’t want that to be the case with my attitude.

Here are 5 things that I’m thankful for right now:

1.     A reason to be here, and ways that I can be of help. Whether it is scrubbing the toilets at church, doing dishes after a supper club, or making friends at the local choir, I am trying to remember that being here is more important than doing things here.

2.     Music. Last month I bought a ukulele at a music store in Cork. Some mornings, I sit in bed (It’s the warmest spot in the house) and sing and play “Lord, In the Morning”. It’s a great way to start the day. Also, the Freeman family and Curtis and Wendy are great fun to make music with. French horn, trumpet, violin, flute, tin whistles, clarinet, lap harp, guitar, backpacker’s guitar, and of course the piano, are a few of the instruments at the Freeman house. It’s always a highlight of my week.

3.     The Irish countryside. The views are incredible. At least for me, I love looking a hills, green grass, and cows, so I’m continually in awe of the beauty around me.

4.     Friends. I’ve made a few new friendships here in Ireland that I pray will last an eternity. Ladies from choir, from supper clubs, and from church. Also, I’m thankful for my thoughtful friends who send me encouraging messages from across the ocean. My friends brighten my day. I hope to do the same for them too!

5.     Supper Clubs. Whoever’s brilliant idea it was, thank you! I love attending super clubs, and it’s something that I will definitely take away from my time here. It's a great way to encourage each other stay healthy, great (healthy) food, and fun with new friends. It’s a good thing that I enjoy them, because I go to 4 different supper clubs.  :) 

Strong Tower

The name of the Lord is a strong tower;

the righteous man runs into it and is safe.

Proverbs 18:10

Hard to Believe

I keep having these “I can’t believe that I’m actually here” moments. One of the first times that I had to blink a few times and just soak my Irish reality in, was when I was overlooking the cliffs of Courtmacsherry. It is a lovely little seaside town. There is a trail that goes up a hillside, through a forest (I hear it blooms of wild garlic and bluebells in the spring) and onto open green field that overlooks the clearest water that I’ve ever seen in my life. It was a perfectly sunny day, it was breezy, although there wasn’t the autumn nip in the air that I often feel now. It was one of summer’s last warm embraces.

I stood on the cliff and looked at the yellow sailboats, the aquamarine water, and the neon-green colored moss on the rocks below. It was so much beauty to take in at once.  I had to remind myself. I am here. I cannot believe it!

Another time, when our team drove up to Northern Ireland for some meetings, we came to the crest of a hill in a small village. The view opened up into a panorama of Ireland. Hills. Fields. Sheep. Milk cows. White houses with chimneys. Hedges along the narrow roads. Rock-pile fences between fields. It was perfect. My breath caught and I got butterflies in my stomach. I’m heeereee? For a year? Too good to be true.

This time last year, I had no clue what was in store. I knew it was a possibility, but more of an unlikely reality. And now, here I am… typing this up.

Just the other day, Wendy (one of the other interns) and I were driving into one of the local villages to meet up with one of  our friends to go running. It was normal. Routine. But somehow, the routine-y-normalness of it broadsided me. What? I’m going running with an Irish lady? Down Irish lanes? Whatttt? How did I even get here?

And then I remembered why I am here.

And I still can hardly believe it.

Written in response to the inspiration of Friend Heather, in effort to help me document my precious moments here. Thank you! 

Pumpkin Pie?

I've been commissioned to bring pumpkin pie to a supper club next week. They've only heard of this weird American pie... and they really want to try it. The problem at hand: I haven't seen Libbey's brand of pumpkin puree... Or pumpkins. I thought I was stuck. But no! I baked a few sweet potatoes, mashed em up and was quite pleased with the outcome, and so were my taste testers. 

Vegan, gluten-free, oil-free, refined-sugar-free. 

Here is what it DOES have:

2 cups mashed sweet potatoes/1 can pumpkin 

1 box silken tofu 

1/2-3/4 cup unrefined brown sugar

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp pumpkin pie spice 

1 crust for a 9-inch pie ( I made my fave GF one that is also oil free and super easy!)

Bake at 425 F for 15 min then at 350 for 40 min. 

Ok. This isn't a food blog, but since I spent my afternoon testing recipes I couldn't resist! 

Forward

Thanks to this week's health topic at supper club, I now have an exercise accountability friend. She's to hold me to my (at least) 7+ miles per week goal. That's a reasonable goal, right? I've realized that it is easy to be so busy helping others to be healthy that I don't take the time to practice what I preach.

Here is to more walks, runs, hikes, and trots in Ireland! Rain or shine.

Also, my hiking boots arrived from the US of A today. I guess the postal service is still working in America. That is good to know.

Camping

I went camping with the Pathfinders this weekend. Growing up, I had the mindset that no one was ever too young or old for Pathfinders. The first documented Pathfinder campout that I went on was when I was 2 weeks old. There is a picture of me sleepily drooped in one of my dad’s arms while he stood at attention and saluted the camera during a morning tent inspection. I intend to go camping even when I'm an old lady (and by old, I mean anything above 80 years). 

This will probably be the only time that we camp with our Pathfinder club this year. Ireland has tricky weather. Actually, the weather doesn’t pull any tricks on us. It’s actually quite predicable: cold and wet.

It was not too cold or too wet this weekend and the Pathfinders were troopers (as all Pathfinders should be). We made them use homemade latrines, didn’t let them use electronics, and even though we were in the backyard of a friend’s house, the house was off limits. We are cruel leaders. And they had more fun because of it. 

We went on a fantastic all-afternoon hike using our compasses (we only nearly got lost once). The food was fantastic, and the fireside company was great.

The only downside to the weekend is that we never had a chance to blow our glow in the dark bubbles. 

Supper Clubs

I'm a fan of supper clubs.

Every other week we do three supper clubs. On the off week, we do one supper club. Needless to say, we eat well. 

The first round, we did smoothies. I've never eaten so many smoothies in such concentration in my life! 

The second time, we did haystacks. 

This week and next is the baked potato bar, where we will demonstrate how to eat a healthy and delicious potato. 

Broken Leg

A few weeks ago we were driving to Dublin and our wheel almost fell off. Turns out, we only had one lug nut. 

The next week we all headed to Northern Ireland for some meetings... And we played some soccer too. About 20 seconds in, Curtis feels and hears two pops in his ankle. A few hospitals, a few casts, starvation, and surgery... He is on the mend. 

We think that someone is trying to slow the team down, but God is more powerful! 

Puppy Sophie likes to lick his toes!

Coutmacsherry

This town had some serious seaside Irish charm and beauty! 

This was taken on my first weekend in Ireland.

Cave Day

Once a month, the staff at Lighthouse Counseling take one day off. There are two requirements:

1. It has to be a workday

2. You can't do any work

The idea is that we have a day to recoup, be rejuvenated, and have quality time with God. 

I spent most of my day in a neighboring town: Bandon, Ireland. 

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures...

Yeah, so the hills are pretty green out here, but I didn't have to tell you that.

This afternoon I asked Curtis and Wendy, "Do you ever get the urge to go and hike up that hillside and stand on that big hill? It's just so lovely. I think about it EVERY time I look out this window".  Their response was more intrigued than enthusiastic, "Umm. No, I guess I haven't ever thought of that..."

This evening I was looking out of a different window, but at the same quilt-patched lush, green hillside with dark green hedges as fences. The text literally popped into my head, kind of like the popcorn we had for supper tonight. "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures..."

I feel a little bit like a baby over here. I'm still trying to figure out where I fit into the team that I'm working with. I'm trying to find ways that I can contribute and how to be a blessing. This chapter in Psalms is overflowing with promises and peace. I don't really need to worry or dwell on things that I have no control over. He is the good Shepherd, He has gently led me here... to these green pastures. Here He makes me lie down. Because He is the good Shepherd.

Psalm 23
A Psalm of David.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Beginning of the Story

The view from my window for the next week. Then I move into my house a few miles down the road.

I'm not sure what I was expected when I flew across the world by myself. I think I mostly expected the unexpected. Really, it wasn't as complicated as I thought it could be. Thankfully, I didn't have to lug all three of my suitcases around for very long, the customs officials weren't as mean or difficult as they sometimes are, I didn't miss any connecting flights (came close though!), I didn't get sick at all, and I had smiling faces eagerly awaiting my arrival. 

Boy, it sure is as pretty or even prettier than the pictures here. When flying into Ireland, the coastal cliffs were gorgeous, and the fields a brilliant green. The roads are narrow, the accents lovely, and lots of small villages and farms. I'm exceedlingly happy that I'll be living in the country. "Culchies" are country people. I happily oblige.

Real life here starts for me on Monday. Interning will be in full swing and I will move into my house with the other two interns at the end of next week after adapting to the time change and getting to know everyone a little better. 

Meanwhile, I have a pile of books to read, which will probably make this jet-lagged girl fall asleep atop a pile of books. 

The Countdown Has Begun

This time next week? I will be in Ireland. If you find that hard to believe, then you are in the same boat as me! I will do my best to keep you up to date with my happenings over there on the Emerald Isle.

Send me an email if you would like to occasionally receive updates from me... I certainly would love to hear from you!

The Path

Thou wilt show me the path of life: In Thy presence is fullness of joy; in Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. 

Psalm 16:11

St. Lucia

Before I forget, let me tell you that I went on a hospital mission trip to St. Lucia! 

 Cindy and I joined a team from my hospital and from Orlando to do clinic work and it was my job to be a nurse at the clinic and head up the Creation Health seminars every night. 

The days were extremely busy, so Cindy and I would walk for one hour on the beach every morning.

 There was a great turnout for the Creation Health classes, half of the participants were students from the local medical school. These amazing students were from all over the world and were excited about what we were learning. They would help us in the clinic every morning too. I was impressed.

This is the only picture I got from our clinic days. This is Denise- she is from my hospital (But I didn't meet her until the trip!)

It was a bit of a whirlwind trip- it was incredible to serve and meet a few of the needs of the people there. Loved it.

Sight

Postlude to yesterday morning's post on seeing life through other people's eyes. 

Eyes. 

Yesterday my eyes were fine. Well, kind of. They were a little irritated so I took out my contacts, assuming that it would solve the issue. I also happened to make an eye appointment for that afternoon. Not for my slightly irritated eyes, but because I wanted to get my prescription updated before I move out of the country. 

Flat out miracle. 

By the time my eye appointment comes, I can hardly drive. I can hardly see. The pain was intense. It felt like there was glass in my eye. 

I thought I was crazy for making an appointment for that day. I didn't have the time. 

God is one step ahead (or three or four!) and I'm thankful that the doc got me fixed up (epithelial tear) before I flew out today. 

Postlude to the postlude; my eye is much better. Grateful for the gift of vision!

See Through Their Eyes

Too Many Happy Moments

May 15 kicked off the beginning of the end of my time here in Florida. One of my best friends, Alesis, graduated from nursing school up in New Hampshire. A trip up there to do her pinning was a must.

We made time for other things besides the craziness of a graduation weekend. Hiking! I love New Hampshire in the spring.

It was an honor to pin the future Alesis, RN. So proud of her!

 Hey! Here we are after the graduation. Take note of her silver tassel. She is smart.

Guess who else I was able to see while basking in the northeast? Elissa! She sacrificed her precious time to be with us. She is a joy to visit with and be around.

 We took a lovely hike in a lovely field. It begged for a few pictures to be taken. I happily obliged.

On Sabbath morning, I went for a walk down to the "pond" just down the road from the Bragg's house. I still can't get over the beauty. It was foggy, crisp, clean mountain air sort of morning. The lake was like glass... It took my breath away.

 On Sunday and Monday I was able to see three cousins, their families (and their adorable children that I hadn't met yet!) They are all so gracious. One of my cousins had surgery the day that I had to fly to Oklahoma, so I was able to be with his wife and sweet baby. I even got to walk around a few streets of Boston. I saw just enough to make me want to come back! :)

Here Emmie and Ellie help water the garden.

After a few VERY short days in Oklahoma, I drove with Elisa, Andrew, Grandma, and Aunt Leora (Grandma's sister) to Ohio for Cousin Karin's wedding!

Before church we went for a hike. Andrew sported a turban from the Masai tribe... yes...

Grandma is hard to keep up with!

 Of course, the wedding was an absolute delight. I was super sad to be missing the wedding of my dear friends that got hitched at the EXACT SAME TIME.  I wouldn't have missed Karin's wedding for the world and am glad that I was able to go. She was gorgeous. I cried.

Post wedding sibling picture (half of us!)

I'm back in Florida now. Next week I will be on a short mission trip, then back to Oklahoma for another wedding. Then back to Florida to pack up for Ireland!

psychoanalysis

Months ago, during my Ireland application process, I was asked to draw a picture of my family. I wonder what the psychoanalyst thought of my picture. I came across it today... and it made me wonder.

Ireland

You may have heard it through the grapevine. Perhaps I've filled you in on the news... It's true!
I'm going to Ireland for a year!

It has been an adventure how God has led (Hindsight is always more clear!). Since I was very young I've wanted to serve God and my fellow mankind in another country. I never would have guessed that I would first move to Florida... and then go to Ireland.

While in the sunshine state, I have been working with a church doing health programs and outreach and also working at a hospital, trying to pay off my nursing school loans and also to gain some good, solid nursing experience.

I will be interning with a counseling organization in southern Ireland and will be assisting with cooking classes, supper clubs, depression recovery classes, health expos, and more! I think I will stay plenty busy.... and I'm pretty thrilled that I get to work in an area that most interests me.

Ireland is much different than any place that I've ever lived before (that's what I said about Florida too!) The weather has been described to be like Seattle- rainy and cool. My weather app tells me that Thursday's high will be 37 and the low will be 36 degrees. You can see that the weather is not very dramatic. Rarely freezes, yet rarely gets too warm. (My mom finally found my box of warm winter clothes in Oklahoma.... haven't seen them for about a year and a half!)

The organization that I'm going through is AFM and will be working with two wonderful families.

This journey will be incredible and am humbled that God can use someone like me. Please pray for me and this project. There are moments when life becomes overwhelming and I don't know how I can do it all. Then I remember that it is not all up to me. With God, all things are possible. I need to raise 12,500 to launch in August. This is impossible with me, but thankfully, not for my heavenly Father.

"I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?" Jeremiah 32:27

Your prayers are appreciated. So are your pennies and dollars and love and kindness.

You can see my piggy-bank site here if you'd like to donate to the cause.

You can email me here for more specific information and to schedule a speaking appointment.

Here's to a new adventure in life with Him!

The Invitation

Change of shift. A new day at the hospital. A new level of crazy. A phone call is transferred to me.

"Good morning, Emily. How are you doing? This is David Ottati..." (The CEO!)

For a split second I'm searching the crannies of my brain. (Did I do something wrong?!) Then I happily remembered that a month or so ago, he mentioned that him and his wife wanted to have some employees over to his house for lunch.

I was pretty excited that morning. I work at a hospital where the CEO knows my name, got to work before I did, cared about how I was doing, and personally invited me over to his family's house for Sabbath lunch.

One of my favorite coworkers, Angie, said "Emily, just imagine how exciting it will be when Jesus personally invites us to eat with Him in heaven. Can you imagine?!"

It was hard to imagine. But we tried, and it made us smile.

Lunch with the head hauncho at work is NOTHING compared to the ultimate honor to eat with our Savior. And the great thing about it? Jesus has already invited me... And you too.

Words from Work

Yesterday I put a status on Facebook with the words of a physician who thought he had figured out the answers to the broken healthcare system: "Adventists are the root of all evil!"

If only it was that simple.

It was a rather thought provoking statement for me. A statement that I fundamentally disagree with... but I do acknowledge his boldness and perhaps he does have a point to make.

I had said that it was my favorite quote of the day... until I remembered the words of another physician.

Charting in the hospital hallway, I overheard him speaking to one of my patients in his typical enthusiastic style and Spanish accent. Almost as if he was preaching to the patient, "Jesus said, You know not the day nor the hour when I will come... He said that you will know by the signs of the times that the end is near... I don't know the day or hour when you will get to go home (rehab...?) but we will know by the signs when you will be ready to go home. God bless you!" Then he walked out of the room.

What words will you choose today?

Alesis

One of my most favoritist peoples in the world. :)

January in Florida...

My favorite museum in my town.

The fort! 

Hyppo popsicles are a must.  

Wisdom

I need some.

Giddy

I'm giddy right now and I'm not sure why.
I was shaking when I left my house for work this morning.

I hate it when I go to work shaking. Maybe it's the unknown. The first day back after my vacation. The anticipation of so many things. (The sigh of despair/relief when I trade shifts with the night nurse. What if I have to talk to that doctor that yelled at me on Christmas day? Please, no codes!)

When I wake up with an extra sense of urgency to pray for wisdom and God's hand on my day, I often have mixed feelings. It usually goes something like this: Me. Laying in bed. Me checking my cell phone clock... yes, it indeed IS still time to get up. But it's SUNDAY!! alas. I sense God nudging me out of bed. "You will need some extra time with me today" is what I think He was trying to say. As I pray for guidance, an extra dose of wisdom, and patience to deal with all of my patients, and to love like Jesus does, I usually also have this rising fear in my chest: I will most likely have the most unlovable, sick, and impatient patients to take care of today. I cannot do this. Jesus, help me!

And so when I go to work shaking in my boots nursing clogs, I have come to terms that it is a good thing. I hate it, but it's a good thing, because the words, "Jesus, help me!" are on my lips. And having the name of Jesus on the lips is a really good thing.

This really doesn't explain why I came home from work giddy. (Technically, "Giddy" is probably too strong of a term , as some of you know, my spectrum of emotions is not as extensive as some).

Here is my day in a nutshell:
1. I worked in an area of the hospital that I've never worked before. (It was fun!)
2. I saw the doctor that feels obligated to use his vocal chords in a non-musical sort of way. (And he didn't even say a word to me!)
3. I discharged ALL of my patients. (And stayed caught up on my charting somehow!)
4. I inherited a whole new crew of patients. (Stayed caught up on that charting too!)
5. And miracle of miracles- it was o.k.!

The more that I realize how incapable I am of doing something, the more room I give Jesus to work in me. The problem lies somewhere between me enjoying feeling capable and me wanting to do all of the work myself. I wonder what the angels think of us silly humans. (sigh)

Not always when I pray for a sugar coated day, do I have a perfect day at work. Life doesn't work like that, especially life in the hospital. On days like today: when everything looks like a recipe for disaster, but then it turns out to be the best day ever... I am thankful.