So it's Tuesday, April 23rd and I just got off the phone with my mobilizer Erin and am still having a bit of a hard time believing everything. Most of you know I'm originally from Ashland, Oregon, or really, the hills or boon-docks of Ashland. After college at the University of Oregon I lived in Seattle for 2 years then moved back home after the family home burned down. I had no idea that I would be able to find a job so quickly or that it would be such a great one, working at Oregon Surgical Specialists. Alas, after 2 years of being back in my old stomping grounds, I was eager to spread my wings and moved to Nashville Tennessee. Hahahaha, the first question I got asked was if I was a singer. I'm not. Unless singing by myself in the car counts. Then I was asked if I liked country music. I don't. After that I was a bit leery of what I would find in Nashville but I can honestly tell you, 7 months in and, no, country music hasn't grown on me but I am really enjoying living in the south. So, you're probably asking, if you're enjoying the south, why are you getting ready to pick up and move again? That's a great question and one that I've been asked many of times. My plan over the last few months was to take the classes needed and apply for a "bridge" program where I could use my undergraduate degree, study for 2-3 more years and graduate a Nurse Practitioner. I even signed up and took a Statistics math class. And that might all still happen but I really feel like God is asking me to put school on hold and to trust Him.
One of the girls in my bible study this week asked about our "diving board" moments. In other words, times when, like a little kid, I'm standing on the edge of something big like a diving board, and even though everything within me says, "Don't jump" my trust and faith in my savior supersede my fears and I jump. I had to honestly say, I avoid "diving board" moments. Or, rather, I make sure I'm decked out to the 9's with water wings, life jacket, floaties, and noodles. Then I sit down on the diving board and scoot to the edge and off, making sure my arms and legs are spread wide so my head doesn't go under. I'm a planner, and I tend to plan God right out of it. Not that planning is entirely bad, in fact that's also how God made me. However, I can take the steps to be ready and still be open to wherever He leads, and at this point in my life, it's on the World Race.
Who am I? I'm a ginger, I'm left handed, and I have a dog named Mia. I love to read. In fact don't get me started on a book unless you're ok with not seeing me until I finish it. I love to eat, and though I'm practicing I'm still a pretty awful cook. I love sunshine. I'm fluent in Spanish and absolutely love the Hispanic culture. I joke with my friends that on the inside I'm actually Hispanic. A few years ago my dad mentioned that I should actually be a spy because no one would guess I speak Spanish. As bizarre as it sounds, I thirst for Spanish contact as one thirsts for water, when I get to interact with someone in Spanish it feels like I've come home. When I first looked into the World Race it was just with curiosity only to find they are starting their first ever trip to all Latin American countries in January. I felt such a peace and also eagerness; I needed to be on that trip. I applied, interviewed, and got accepted. So where do I go from here? There are lots of steps to take and yes, definitely planning involved but I hope you'll take this journey with me, I'm excited to share all the things I learn and see with you.
So check out the website, it's a work in progress and let me know what you think! 🙂
