Should have seen the snow fall today. Swirling, twirling beautiful falling flakes!
Even in a world of snowy Alaskan white, it is hard to believe that its already December & that the Christmas season is upon us!
Christmas...Christmas.....Still baffles my mind that our Savior became a baby!
Christmas...Christmas.....Still baffles my mind that our Savior became a baby!
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John1:14).
Our Lord is Emmanuel, who came to "give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace (Luke 1:79)."
Pray that I (that we) may be intentional in this Advent season to truly rejoice in the greatest of news.
On a more superficial note, the halls of Cross Road are decked out!
Last weekend while I was on duty I hung stockings and other festive decor.
In the process of stapling tacky garland down one hallway, I jarred the fire alarm (just above where the garland lined the wall)...there I stood, stapler in hand, shaking my head as the obnoxious alarm wailed...quite the moment!
Last weekend while I was on duty I hung stockings and other festive decor.
In the process of stapling tacky garland down one hallway, I jarred the fire alarm (just above where the garland lined the wall)...there I stood, stapler in hand, shaking my head as the obnoxious alarm wailed...quite the moment!
Oh, and I have a Charlie Brown Christmas tree at home (the black spruce in these parts are sparse!) that stands awkward and crooked with ornaments only to the top branches out of the jumping reach of my devilish feline...
I'm leaving Alaska...for a week! Please pray for safety as I travel to my parents' home in Washington this Tuesday (actually today!) to celebrate an early Christmas. Pray for a meaningful, memorable and refreshing family reunion during this short trip! I will be returning to Alaska on Monday the 19th and will be back to work on the 21st. It will be strange to celebrate Christmas day without my parents or any kin this year...
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And a side note about work....feast or famine remains the story.
You never know how a day may pan out.
I had a run of a few busy days a couple weeks ago...then had a string of slow shifts filled largely with wanna-pull-my-hair-out secretarial tasks (like scanning documents and sending out letters for patients to schedule follow up appointments)...
***
Funny story, I wrote that last sentence before I worked my last couple shifts (this blog has been a work in progress for a few days)...and I share now that God graciously met me in my growing discontent and brought through the doors perhaps the most encouraging patient (and patient's friends) I may ever have in my nursing career!
The patient is one that is fighting a hard battle against a ravenous cancer. Even through excruciating pain he was gracious, patient, and his eyes brimmed with peace. Him and his wife used to be missionaries in Colombia and they shared some wonderful tales. And it was such a delight to hear the wife speaking to her daughter in Spanish! The friends of this delightful couple bought me lunch on Sunday and spoke so many words of life, of encouragement. I feel so blessed to have been able to take care of this patient, that we were able to mutually encourage and pray for one another. I learned a lot and was able to put into practical use a lot of different aspects of nursing care too! I had to access a port-a-cath, had to run labs and had to mix and administer several different medications; all in a day's work! So refreshing, and as I mentioned above...a timely response to a heart that seems to worry itself and doubt God's orchestration all too often. I am here for a reason.
He meets us where we are (even in a tired, grumbling, discontented, bemoaning estate)....and he does something new, He turns things around....now that smells of Christmas...
***
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
And a side note about work....feast or famine remains the story.
You never know how a day may pan out.
I had a run of a few busy days a couple weeks ago...then had a string of slow shifts filled largely with wanna-pull-my-hair-out secretarial tasks (like scanning documents and sending out letters for patients to schedule follow up appointments)...
And I just finished off perhaps the best two days I've had so far!
I remain confident that I am supposed to be here for this time, but some days, some hours more than others, I do struggle to see God's purpose in this placement...***
Funny story, I wrote that last sentence before I worked my last couple shifts (this blog has been a work in progress for a few days)...and I share now that God graciously met me in my growing discontent and brought through the doors perhaps the most encouraging patient (and patient's friends) I may ever have in my nursing career!
The patient is one that is fighting a hard battle against a ravenous cancer. Even through excruciating pain he was gracious, patient, and his eyes brimmed with peace. Him and his wife used to be missionaries in Colombia and they shared some wonderful tales. And it was such a delight to hear the wife speaking to her daughter in Spanish! The friends of this delightful couple bought me lunch on Sunday and spoke so many words of life, of encouragement. I feel so blessed to have been able to take care of this patient, that we were able to mutually encourage and pray for one another. I learned a lot and was able to put into practical use a lot of different aspects of nursing care too! I had to access a port-a-cath, had to run labs and had to mix and administer several different medications; all in a day's work! So refreshing, and as I mentioned above...a timely response to a heart that seems to worry itself and doubt God's orchestration all too often. I am here for a reason.
He meets us where we are (even in a tired, grumbling, discontented, bemoaning estate)....and he does something new, He turns things around....now that smells of Christmas...
***
I like! We need to keep regular phone dates. I dont think i can live without them. :-)
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