In March of this year, I left my job as a NICU nurse at a large county hospital.  Over the course of 8 mos. it became increasingly clear that the NICU was not a good fit for me.  Though the administration attempted to keep me on in a lower acuity part of the NICU, it was not a feasible solution and in the end I decided to leave.  As I walked out of that hospital I think I was the happiest that I had been in months.

Within a couple of weeks I started two new jobs.  The first, an administrative assistant at a real estate company; the second, a volunteer nurse at an inner-city clinic.  My weeks were divided between the two places and also a volunteer position with the county Infant Mortality Initiative.  Having the freedom to have a jobs that were less intense and more enjoyable was completely refreshing for me.  The next couple of months I became more like my old self, more at ease, and more excited about life in general.

I applied for a fall intership in D.C. with International Justice Mission in June.  When I found out I didn't get it, I was sincerely disappointed.  However, I knew that God must have something better for me in store. 

This summer I was able to spend three weeks in Canada, one week at KY Lake, and attend a medical conference because of my flexible job schedule.  While at this medical conference I heard about a NGO working in the areas of health care, education, and community development in rural western Central Asia.  I was fascinated by their Community DOTS Tuberculosis project in the villages and their project caring for premature newborns in the NICU of a city hospital.  After much prayer and consideration, I decided to embark on an adventure to Central Asia and observe the NGO more closely at work.  I would have never imagined that God would have provided me an opportunity to enhance my interest in Global Public Health and also use my NICU experience!  I am so humbled by His goodness in my life!  I will leave Sept. 11 and return Oct. 10.

Here at home, my family has had gotten to connect with a refugee family from Burundi.  Their English is next to nothing but their smiles and gratitude to be here are abundant.  As I spend time with them and realize what a gift they are to us, again I am reminded of how God has blessed me.  He has given me wonderful, loving, supportive parents, rich ministry, and so many physical resources. 

Today I just found out that I will be able to start a full-time position at the clinic I volunteer at when I return from my trip!  I cannot believe how perfectly everything has worked out over the last couple of months.  I have learned that "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps."  (Prov. 16:9)

So many of you are struggling with what to do 'next.'  All I can say to you is dream big, because God's reality is even better.

Last night I heard Amos Lee in concert for the first time.  I can't even begin to describe how smooth and etheral his voice is.  I loved seeing him live and would do so again in a heartbeat.  Normally being in the smoky, raw New Daisy on Beale St. is not a delightful experience.  But last night as Amos' melodies washed over us, it was almost transcendental.

And I found myself thinking in the midst of it: I want to write again.  So here I am, reviving xanga.  Because me writing on xanga is such a transcendental experience.  Ha.  No, but sometimes it is a little cathartic and it makes me put words into somewhat coherent sentences.  That's always good practice, right?  I expect to sublty re-enter the xanga world without fanfare.  Unless someone wants to sing to me, "welcome back, welcome back, welcome back..."

I am getting ready to go to Central Asia for a month.  That's kind of crazy to write out but it's true.  And I can't help but think, how did I get here?  Maybe that's what I'll write about tomorrow.