Rock concerts, injera, and procrastination

Well somehow, the first entire week of orientation flew by (although when we were sitting in the sunless little boardroom staring at papers for hours on end "Flying" wasn't exactly the term I think I would have used for time) and somehow I find myself with only four days of orientation left before I will be back in Cross Lake. A part of me is very excited about that - and a part of me is terrified!
Things are coming down the pipe so quickly and I have to admit that I don't feel ready for any of them, not the least of which is the CRNE (or the national Canadian liscensing exam for nurses). Everyone keeps telling me not to worry, but with beginning a new job, moving out of my parents house again for an indeterminate amount of time, and seeing my two lovely and incredible sisters off to university - I hadn't done much studying. I had grand plans to make up for it though - what with living in a hotel and having nothing to do for entertainment for 2 weeks.... yeah right.
Instead I have found so many wonderful things to do and wonderful people to see, and this weekend was the best of all.
I can't even describe how much of an encouragement and a blessing this weekend was to me. There were several great and long conversations with friends in Winnipeg over long suppers, shopping, picnics in the park and sitting on the grass at an outdoor rock concert and evangelistic crusade.
Saturday was Rock the River in Winnipeg and Franklin Graham came and spoke. As well, there was music by several artists including Starfield (eep!!) and TFK. It was incredible! But the very best part of all was that when the Christian community in Winnipeg throws a party - it makes for a very small world and it was so encouraging and wonderful to run into  so many of my favorite people. I can't even describe how great it was to give and recieve hugs and hear how people's summers had been. It brought so much joy to my heart to see everyone again! Winnipeg is SO blessed to have all these incredible people in it!
Plus - I have to admit that eating junkfood on the grass outside and dancing to rock music, followed by worshiping our awesome God together along with so many other of my brothers and sisters in Christ was really fantastic as well.
And all of that was just Saturday!
Sunday was equally as marvelous as I got to go to church and visit my Winnipeg family. It was just like being home and once again I was so encouraged and left just rejoicing in all that God is doing amoung the people i love so much there. Sunday was also a lovely fall day for a picnic in the park and solving the worlds problems over sandwiches with some friends. Then to top off the day there was spicy Ethiopian food (heaven in my mouth!!!) with some of my family here in Winnipeg.
Oh! and did I mention that late night phone calls from Swan River upon returning from said dinner are also a great source of laughter, and delight?

So needless to say... there wasn't much studying done this weekend either, but you know? I think that instead of being a list of all the things I used to avoid studying ...this is really a list of all the things, events and people that God used to bring blessing and joy into my life this weekend.
HE IS SO GOOD!



....but in the mean time...if anybody needs praying material...can I suggest the CRNE as a candiate? :)

Out of the door

"It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to."
— J.R.R. Tolkien (The Lord of the Rings)

 

I always did love reading the Lord of the Rings.

Even as a awkward four-eyed kid I loved that a book could sweep me away on incredible adventures to unknown lands, unknown challenges, and unknown wonders. I craved it. I think in many ways,I still do and today marks the beginning of a new adventure that has Bilbo Baggins'wise old words ringing in my ears. I have found my self swept off to a place in my life that I never dreamed of. I have officially begun orientation as a Community Health Nurse with the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch in Manitoba and whn the 2 short weeks of orientation are finished here in Winnipeg, I will be climbing on one of Perimeter Air's finest aircraft, bound for Cross Lake Manitoba.

Working in Northern Manitoba? As a nurse? How the heck did I get here?!

Honestly, I'm not even sure I have an answer to that question, but I know it had something to do, at least in part, with stepping out (and I guess leaving the house was influential as well!).

In fact, answering that question and the hundreds more that are bound to arise over the next few months has a lot to do with why I am starting this blog. I want to invite you all, loved ones, strangers, friends, and bored web-site-browsers, to come along on this adventure with me and and several people have suggested that this would be a grand way to do just that. It gives me a place to process (always keeping confidentiality in tact of course!), to hear feedback, opinions and advice, and to stay connected with the wide world stretching beyond my door. 

 

So, please, come along for the ride, bring your wisdom, your encouragement, your prayers and your stories. I treasure them all!

Welcome to the adventure.