A little piece of gold

I feel like such a nerd, sometimes, getting so excited about each step along this process.  But, you know, it IS exciting.  And, I AM allowed to feel what I feel.  Plus, I am a cute nerd, so I think it helps my cause. ;)

This evening, my fellow volunteers and I had our first conference call, along with Friends Volunteer Coordinator and a past Honduras volunteer.  It was cool to just chat about different aspects of NPH and get more of our questions answered.  Having the past volunteer on the phone to speak from personal experience is like a tiny window into what our lives will be like when we begin our year.  Each volunteers' experience and journey is uniquely theirs, but from the outside looking in and not knowing anything than what I already know, ANY new piece of info is like gold.

I am finally in MN visting my mom, where I will be for longer than just a week.  Don't get me wrong, it has been so amazing, and I have cherished every moment that I have had so far with my family and friends.  But, since the beginning of September, I really haven't had one place that I can really settle and relax.  I can't wait to be in Honduras because I will be in ONE place for a whole year.  Oh, how nice that will be!

Of course, with all of this comes the realization that at the end of this month here with my Momma... things will move quick and my life will really change.  But, for now, I am trying to focus on the present and enjoy this amazing time that I do get (or have gotten) with my amazing family and friends.

And, because blogs are more interesting with pictures, I thought I would show you what I look like really excited:

:) Peace and Love.

Emails, blogs, questions...

I feel like all I have done the past few months in regards to NPH is send emails, respond to emails, read other volunteer blogs and ask a TON of questions.

So far the people that I have been interacting with have been some of the most patient people in the world.  Seriously.  They are all trying to live their lives and do their jobs, and here I am continuing to pop up in their inboxes.  I am just at this point where I want to get things started, but I cannot, so I read everything and ask all of the crazy questions (well, not ALL are crazy... there are some important ones, too) to immerse myself in a world that I haven't even entered yet.  :)  It's funny what you do when you are in arms reach of something you have been waiting for!  So, if any of you read this... THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.

When I first started researching NPH (way back in March/April), I was given a few current/past volunteer blogs and emails to get some inside perspective of NPH life.  One blog that was just so entertaining, fun and honest was that of volunteer Carrie Daut (she was the Home Correspondent for the Guatemala home).  I was so enthralled with her stories, Guatemala is now on the list of places that I have to visit.  Because of her blog, and answering some of my questions, she really helped me during my decision making process before I applied.  I just found out that she has accepted a job with NPH and will be working in... you guessed it! Honduras! :)  It's the little things, really.  Even though we don't know each other, in some way it just feels like I will kind of know someone when I arrive on the Ranch in January.

See, everything is just getting so exciting!  I pray that I will be able to stay focused on the excitement, especially as I continue to say goodbye to family and friends.  AND, focus on the warm weather that will await me. :)

Oh, were you curious about The List?  Don't worry... it's actually pretty much all checked off.  Phew! :)

Meeting New People

This week I have met, through email, the 4 other volunteers that I will be starting with in January.  SO EXCITING!! :)

Again, it just makes it so much more real.  And, it's fun to get to know the people that I will be spending 13 months of my life with.  All different people, different backgrounds, different stories... all coming together to serve the kiddos.  It's really awesome.  No matter what, we already have something big in common... maybe we can just revert to that when we have those awkward moments when no one knows what to say next.  Well, maybe not.  Do you realize who you are dealing with?  I can hold a conversation with a tree! :)

Interestingly, though, in the mini intros we all did, not one person mentioned if they were Catholic (or even Christian/have a faith with God/etc.  And, yes, there is a way to bring this up without being just outright about it and awkward, however that does get the job done. But, I digress...)  Now, this may not be that big of a deal to anyone, really... BUT, it should be to me.  I didn't even mention it.  I.  Me.  Hello!  Let's be real, my faith and my relationship with God is what has gotten me into this craziness in the first place.  It should be at the TOP of my list of things to say about me as to why I am doing it.  There could be a few things as to why I didn't... 1) being self-conscious and worried about being judged, 2) not wanting to come across as 'holier than thou' or something, 3) maybe it just didn't come to my mind.

Huh, well any of those are just kind of crappy.  How many times have I said in my posts already that I believe this is God's call for me and I truly believe I am following His will?!  A TON (I know!).  And I am proud of it, I really am.  It's almost as if by not mentioning it (specifically, choosing to NOT mention it) then I have denied Him or did not stand up for Him.  And, that breaks my heart.  I am not perfect by any means, but I would never want to deny or not stand up for Him, who is everything in my life.

Well, these are some intense things to ponder and bring to prayer.  If you are saying some prayers, maybe just add in an extra (or more) one for me so that I can work through this and, in general, as I continue with this process.  Thank you... and I will pray for you!

Love and Hugs.

PS. I went a little parenthesis happy... I will work on it! ;)

I BOOKED MY FLIGHT TODAY!!!!

I leave December 10.  Let the nerves begin...

The end.

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. :)

Yup, still here.

Yes, I am still around... I am just in an NPH lull at this moment.  I am in the middle of packing and getting ready to move next week, which has been taking up most of my energy.  Ugh.  I really don't like packing OR moving. It's just stressful.  Especially when you are putting the majority of your things in storage, but need to keep things accessible to get ready for Honduras.  Woo!

Anyway... I am just still so excited to be part of NPH Honduras.  I read this article the other day, and it really makes me proud and honored to be part of it.  NPH never gives up on their kids.  I can't wait to meet these amazing pequenos so I can encourage and inspire them the best way I know how.  All of them have a purpose and are loved by so many (and God, of course) and it's the job of the volunteers, staff and Godparents of NPH to show them that.  It's an amazing and powerful responsibility!

On another note... I have a little over 1 month (14 shifts) left of my current job.  CRAZY! I will begin my awesome trek around the country visiting family and friends in October... and leave for my Honduran Adventure in mid-December!  Everything is coming together.  I.am.so.excited.

Peace and Love.

Lord, you call our children to make a journey of faith. Keep them faithful to Your Word; hold them safely in the palm of Your hand. Teach them to choose life and to choose what is right, and just and true. Help them to share with others the life You promise, in service of the poor. Open their minds and hearts to the truth of the Scriptures. Nourish them with the bread and cup of the Eucharist. Lead our young pilgrims along the way, Lord, and make safe their journey to You and the life You promise us. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen