One Last Mile.

    On a fog-shrouded morning of July 4, 1952 a woman named Florence Chadwick set out on a long-distance swim from the Catalina Island to California coast. The water was numbing cold that day, the fog so thick she could barely see the boat crew with her. It has been stated, several times sharks had to be driven away with rifle fire. That day, Florence swam more than 15 hours before she asked to be taken out of the water. Her trainer (Florence's Mother), encouraged her to not give up. Florence, persisted she couldn't go any further, the fog was just to thick. So with great disappointment, she was pulled from the water.

  Within a few minutes the fog lifted and Florence discovered she was less than a mile from the California coast. Florence was quoted, "I'm not excusing myself, but if I could have seen the land I might have made it."

Many of us are swimming towards goals, dreams, and hopes. You might feel that you have been swimming for days, weeks, months, and for some years. We are all tempted to stop, to give up, and choose a difference goal. Yet, do we choose to stop swimming because of fear or the fog? have we lost sight of our goal.

To my nursing classmates: ONE SEMESTER TO GO! Don't loose sight of your goal to be a nurse. A nurse who truly is going to impact hundreds of lives. We can do this!

To my friends, church family, and to the life I may not know: May you be encouraged by Paul's words from Philippians 3:14, "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." May you realize the greatest goal and calling to pressing into a God who never changes.

What are you doing when the fog is thick? Don't give up.

Intimacy.

Intimacy: "Into me see"
According to Merriam-Webster.

: belonging to or characterizing one's deepest nature: marked by very close association, contact, or familiarity
: of a very personal or private nature

 What levels of intimacy do you see in your life?

 I can think of varying relationships, which offer intimacy on different levels. 

Family. 
They know some of the deepest parts of who I am. I have witnessed when trust and honesty is built they are some of my strongest relationships to call me out, pour into, and support me. These types of relationships are not comfortable and take true investment. They take discernment, wisdom, and understanding.

 Friends. 
There are friends who stick closer than a brother (Prov. 18:24). I have witnessed moments of truth breaking into my life, in honest raw words, which pierced into my walls. Many times I find myself fighting these types of moments. But when I find my soul at rest, these are the moments I am transformed.

 Yet the reality I see, is how can I be built up, yet broken by intimacy. We have all been in life where we find ourselves hurt by words spoken, in the middle of a conflict, ending a relationship, or feeling left out. In these moments we can hold on to the hurt, believe lies, and build walls. It gives us a distorted view of intimacy. The walls, which are then built not only affect your heart but so many around you. 

So then, where does healing come? How do you let go of the past? How do you deal with present? And how to embrace the life to which you were called? 

I have found myself asking, “Is this it?” “Is there more?” I have found myself wrestling with my own demons of lies, self-righteousness, and walls. There is a beauty in the fight. For when I have fought I have seen progress in the battle. I see ground made, to which gives me hope, peace, and healing. You see I have learned the beauty of nearness to a Savior who heals, lifts, and fills. When I am breathing in His truth, I am set free! 

How do you see intimacy? How does it affect you?

My Internship moments thus far!

Internship Moments.

 The summer of 2013 would be full of new challenges, new faces, and new adventures.  My nursing knowledge, critical thinking, and my textbook pictures would become part of my summer reality. This summer I would experience, being a nurse.  

Being a nurse.

 To adequately describe our day, our time, and our skills would be impossible given each nurse’s relationships, patients, and experiences. Therefore, I simply want to tell you my story. And how my nursing internship has fueled, changed, and impacted my life.

Lessons. Encouragement. Challenges. I have learned through simple one-sentence phrases given by veterans I have served.

“Smile a little at least!”

– Lesson. Your face tells so many stories. Even when the sun is shining in your eyes and your face is frowning. What story does my appearance and body language tell! 

“You remind me of Zeva, your hair, and they way you carry yourself”

 – Well, this was simply a confidence buster! Zeva is a kick butt, taking numbers, and getting stuff done right type of girl! I might not do those things in that order, but confidence in who God has made me to be and growing in that confidence is always a good reminder!

“You have truly inspired me and gave me a new since of hope. I will never forget that. I wish whatever your dreams to be, that every one of them come true. Because I know others will be changed.”

- These are the types of moments you will never forget. And the moments you strive for in each day. However, these are moments that can be few. Truly humbled by the opportunity to be an impact and to be affirmed in this moment.  Was challenged to live each day with this kind of passion and influence!

“You sure have a pretty face.”

- This was such a funny random day! And spoke to my heart of true beauty. There are many who naturally by world’s standards are beautiful. Yet, there are many who have beautiful hearts that transform everything about them. This was a moment to remember just that.

“You need to find yourself a good boy. Go to church and make sure he loves Jesus a lot.”

- I swear this veteran looked into my soul and pulled my desires right out for all to see! I love when I am doing what I am passionate about and in those moments, God confirms…wait, keep standards, and let your heart be fully captivated in who I am. What a simply statement made by this veteran, yet one that spoke to my heart and soul in such a precious way!

“I hope you never let your height stop you or define you. You are an example of dynamite in a small package, well that’s what I call it anyway.”

- Height is not something I was given, obviously. Its something for a long time I struggled with given the amount of teasing I received. I have grew into my height in a way that has caused me to embrace it. Do I still receive jokes and have individuals give me a hard time? Of course! But I was so honored to have such words spoken over me and encouraged to not let me height be a barrier to my nursing and my life!

So crazy how simply statements impact your life! What statements have changed your life? Do you take time to reflect on your day in a way to transform tomorrow?

May you count your blessings, gifts, and moments you have been given! I am beyond grateful for these types of moments.

More to come.