Well it's been a long few months since I've sat down to write! I mostly feel that I don't have a whole lot to say, but on the other hand I feel like I could go on and on about my time here in Seattle. When I first arrived I loved it here, well now that I've been here a few months I feel the same way!! I love the NW! It's cool, it's green theres everything you could ever want :) So I'm happy and excited to announce that I have gotten a 16 week extension to stay here! Yay :) The even better thing about that is that they are giving me 2 weeks off to travel to the Philippines in Nov, and I will be home for Christmas!!! Could it get any better??
The time here has flown by. I so missed being in a big hospital with lots going on and people to share your day with. My coworkers are great! They are all so friendly and the department is just great. Everyone really looks out for one another. There is one guy I work with who is a total character and really funny.....we spend our days working together mostly with tears of laughter streaming down our faces! Sure makes the hours fly.
I think I've worked all shifts at some point, even covering graveyards/overnight for a couple weeks. That was tough I have to say....mostly because it was temporary so my schedule didn't have time to reset to being up all night. But I enjoyed it, that's when all the interesting cases happen lol.
I rang in my 31st birthday working overnight in the ER....but a couple cool things about that. One my best friend was here visitng from Phoenix over my birthday so I was glad to have her here. And second I got a pretty sweet birthday gift from my coworker. After having a talk about me always forgetting my water bottle either at home or leaving it at the office she gave me a Ninja Turtle waterbottle!! So random and so great! This has been designated as my "office" water bottle so I can leave it in my locker and if it gets lost or stolen it's no big deal. It has become quite the icon of our work area :)
So like I said my best friend came to visit! We had a good time. She was patient with me as she was visiting during my night shift coverage. But we managed to do most of the touristy things in downtown Seattle and even made it to Canada! That was fun! We drove across the northern border and spent a night in downtown Vancouver.
The next day headed West on a long ferry ride to Victoria for a visit to Butchart Gardens. I hadn't heard of it, but it was amazing! Paradise really.
We then headed south and caught another ferry back to the US through a different port. It was a quick trip for sure, but worth it. Add another country to my travel list!!
After she went back home I had a few days rest and switched back to dayshift just as I welcomed my family for a visit. What fun that was! My nephews have never been so excited to see me :)
We spent a fun and action packed 7 days together.....by the end we were exhausted and ready for more than a one bedroom apt to live in (lol) but man we had a blast!!
The boys got to see the Ocean for the first time, and meet some real life fishermen :) Pike Place is probably my favorite place in this area.
I've been trying to explore the area as I get the chance. My friend discovered a great little beach not far from my place.....got to spend some time there just soaking in life on the coast. What a different setting from what I'm used to. I love it!! I also got to visit Mt Rainier! Beautiful!!! Seeing has how it's so high (14 thousand some feet) it was still covered in snow. I stayed at a quaint little inn at the top of the mountain with no phone or internet service! Can you believe it!! It was a nice get away bringing in summer in 40 degree snowy weather :)
I found a new church and life group through one of the many campuses of Mars Hill church. The group was so kind to bring me in and offer friendship during my time here, a true representation of the body of Christ. I even got to ring in the 4th with a bbq on the beach! Who does that!! Well lots of people I know, but all new to me.
I've been challenged here professionally and personally and I feel like I've grown in just this short time away. The waiting period for this extension/renewal sure tested my patience and even though I kept praying and was trying to have faith I was humbly blown away at how God orchestrated things. This past Sunday the sermon was shared by a special guest speaker as it was titled "The difference between amazement and faith." I feel like hearing this sparked conviction in my heart that I seem to be more amazed by God than practicing faith in God. The last 2 weeks have been proof of that. But as He worked things out I thought to myself this morning about a point that was made Sunday.......God gives us uncomfortable grace because that's the kind we need. He places us in situations where He can inject himself in order to show us AGAIN and AGAIN that He is the great I Am. It's a great sermon if you're interested.....
The Difference Between Amazement and Faith
So my 3 months have been amazing and I"m excited come home for a couple weeks!! Yes I get my fill of family, friends, dogs and mexican food! And I get to return to the amazing NW :) I can't wait for the next 4 months......fun times ahead !!
