Would you like to ride this emotional coaster?

Today was my LAST day at work.  The amazing job that I have had for 4 years and 3 weeks.  I am done (of course not DONE, done... we don't know what the future holds, right?!).

This week has been an emotional roller coaster.  I was WAY more sad than I thought I was going to be... leaving all of my friends.  Actually, I will say family.  My work family.  Every single member of my work family has affected me in some way... helped me grow... helped me learn... challenged me... loved me... cried with me... laughed with me... I could go on for a while.  I will NEVER forget these people.

I will also NEVER forget the patients.  The kids that I have worked with are some of the most amazing people I will ever meet in my life.  Period.  They have taught me so much.  I don't have the words to describe what they all mean to me.  No matter if I worked with those kids for an hour or for 3 years... all have touched my heart and taken a piece of it.

My work family 'surprised' me with a going away party on Tuesday (it really would have been a surprise IF I didn't read an email that was sent to me and people weren't acting so funny when I showed up for my meeting! ha.), complete with crazy amounts of food, people I love, laughs, tears AND an awesome Honduran flag cake baked/decorated by Shelby.  It was one of the most thoughtful things anyone has ever done and it was really, really good.  And still is, as I have more than half of it left!

(it was even ORANGE inside b/c it's my fave color!)

Carol even drove all the way in, still on maternity leave, to say hi/goodbye... and of course to show off her beautiful baby boy! :)

I was so overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness and kind words!  It was a wonderful party.  I even got a TON of toys, games, crayons, and other things for the kids at NPH.  So amazing.  I seriously work with some awesome people.  The most surprising thing of all.  I did NOT cry.  Ok, ok, close your mouths... I know you are shocked.  It's true.  I held it together.

I held it together until yesterday and today.  I was kind of like a faucet.  Crying on.  Crying off.  Doing totally fine.  Completely falling apart.  I suppose it is expected... and I survived!

I even brought my camera to take pictures of things:

Yes, that would be NSU's fish tank... we are proud of it!

And my work family:

Dev and me. Love you, girl.

Me and Kenya! You are going to be AMAZING!

BIG smiles with Deb

I have a TON of other pictures... but this blog, here, will be a little overloaded.  (Be sure to check FB, cause they will sure to be there!)

I am just so thankful for all that I have been through at that place.  Even if I didn't realize it at the time of my frustrations, disappointments, excitements, etc. were preparing me for whatever my future held.  My future is almost a reality.  This marks the end of one more chapter, and the beginning of the next.  I am reallllly looking forward to seeing my friends and family over the next couple of months.  And much quicker than I realize... I will be hopping on the plane heading to Honduras.

This is it.

Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work.

~Mother Teresa~

I love Mother Teresa quotes.  They are always so inspiring.  Well, most Saints' quotes are inspiring... that's kind of what they do. :)

There is just something about Mother Teresa.  I would have loved to meet her in real life.  I wish I was 'more Catholic' or more aware of the world and knew about her when I was growing up, when she was still alive.  Her life is so inspiring... her heart, amazing... and her absolute love for the Lord, stunning.  Giving her life to the Lord through serving the 'poorest of the poor' is something only a handful of people do in our world today.  I am by no means doing anything like that of Mother Teresa, but I am inspired by her to serve.  I am giving up a TON to give of myself to God's will AND to the kids that I will be serving in Honduras.  The only way that I can successfully serve them and, thus, the Lord is to give them all of me.  They deserve that at the least.

And because of that, I am proud of myself.  I don't want to come across as prideful, "I am such a good Catholic/Christian, look at what I am doing!"  I am more proud because I truly believe I am following the Lord's will.  I am serving my brothers and sisters of the world.  Isn't that what He calls ALL of us to do?  We should all be serving each other with love and respect, hope and faith, hugs and smiles... and even with food, clothes, money, etc.  No matter who we are, what we do, where we live, who we know, if we have $5 or $5 million dollars, we are called to serve those of this world.  We are all deserving of that love.  And, I challenge you to try.  This does not mean that you have to give up your job, leave your family and friends, travel to some far away land to serve.  It could be as simple as smiling at the cashier who doesn't look thrilled to be working, or volunteering, or picking up trash, or spending time with those who don't have anyone.

I think it's pretty obvious on what you can do.  The thing is... you have to DO IT!  Serving each other only works when we actually serve each other.  I am not saying it's easy.  It's way easier to think of what WE want and what WE need and what WE feel WE have the right to.  But, it's way more fulfilling to think of someone else, and watch the transformation of something so little become something so magnificent for someone else.  Again, I am not perfect.  This is hard for me, too. Which is funny, because I am a nurse... one of the most service-oriented professions ever.  But, I am human.  I fail.  And, yes, I get up and try again... even when I don't feel like it.

This was on my heart.  

Peace, love and hugs.

A reflection

This is my reflection on September 11...

As I say in that post, it's crazy how much has happened in the last 10 years.  I can't imagine what my life will bring and what God has planned for the next 10.

I am about to begin the next 10 years with an amazing journey to another country, doing something completely out of my comfort zone... something that I truly believe is God's will.  Because of that, I know everything will be ok.

As more and more things begin to be set in stone... the more the doubt creeps in.  Can I really do this?  Am I crazy for quitting an amazing job during this unstable economy? Am I crazy for committing to an organization for 13 months in a country that I have never been to? .........

I am not really sure.  But, like I just said, I truly believe this is what God's plan is.  I am taking a HUGE leap of faith and trusting in Him.  Really, that's all I can do at this point.

Please pray for me as I continue my last few weeks at work and continue to make strides and plans for Honduras.  I will be praying for you.

Thanks, and love to you all! :)

Excited.

So, I am really excited.  Would you expect anything different? :)

Now that I have my move behind me... I am in KS enjoying time with my brother, sis-in-law and beautiful niece, and have talked about Honduras a TON!  And, I love it. :)

I love answering questions and chatting about what I think my life will be like.  I, of course, have no idea.  I just can't believe that this is all happening.  There are no words that can really express what I am feeling about all of this.  I just want to get there, and begin this journey of a lifetime. 

I read a blog post from one of the current nurse volunteers, she was talking about the Olympiadas (Olympics in Spanish) which is a HUGE event at the home.  Every single person is involved... and it seems so awesome!  Reading things from the volunteers' blogs and articles from the NPH site, like this, just make me want to squeal with excitement!! ha.  Reminds of what an amazing organization that I am going to be a part of.

Ok, I think I am done for now. :)