So the basic introduction should be name/age/occupation, right?
Age: 23
Well, at least for the next six months. The rest requires a little more explanation. And that’s just the basics. Sorry.
Name: anything you can get from Alyssa or Allison. Some of my favorites are “Isa” (3 yr old trying to say Lyssa) and “owie” (another 3 yr old trying to say Aly). Then of course there are the random titles and nicknames I have and still answer to: lifeguard, coach, too tall, fountain, graceful, “hey nurse.”
The “hey nurse” works for my current job, working as an ER nurse in Montgomery, Alabama. According to my plans, something and somewhere I would have NEVER ended up. But then that’s the amazing thing about serving a God who doesn’t follow our plans and just turns everything totally upside down.
I grew up in the gorgeous deserts of Southern California. Two amazing and godly parents, one younger brother and a house full of firends who grew up as the “other brothers.” Church kid, homeschooled, traveled alot, tomboy. Ninth grade was the dividing line of my childhood (sounds so dramatic, doesn’t it? haha). My family picked up life in Cali and moved to Troy, Alabama. Culture shock, totally different way of life, new church. We are just beginning to see the start of what God had planned through that change.
I think it was around the time we moved I started saying, “I’m never gonna do that.”
I was never going to make it through high school in Alabama.
I was never going to attend college in Troy.
I was never going to stay in Troy for all four years of college
There was no way I was ever going to finish nursing school.
And, of course, I was never going to get a job close to home after graduation.
Don’t ever tell God you’re not doing something…He’s got a sense of humor. I’m still working on learning that lesson. I don’t do things the easy way.
After spending a few not-so-fun years doing my own thing instead of trusting God, I’m so amazed at how His grace is pulling me back to Him. Looking back and seeing how He continued to bless and protect me in times I was running away…it’s crazy (in an awesomely good/God way).
And just some randomness to end this off…
Some things I like: water, water +chlorine, swimming, running in the rain, sprint triathlons (although it’s been far too long since I did one), sunsets over water, dogs (especially my puppy, Missie), silly string and my amazing friends who have attacked me with silly string every birthday for the last four years, camping, hiking, traveling, reading, journaling, making chocolate chip cookies (it’s therapeutic after working an ER shift), random road trips, worship around bonfires….
And t
