The saga continues . . .

Oh, boy!!! The passport/visa has yet to arrive. I got a hold of our friend at the Nigerian embassy who reports mailing the packages on Wednesday for an overnight delivery (which would be this morning), so obtained the tracking numbers at that time. Well through many phone calls and investigating from Karen and I it appears that they were scheduled to arrive on Monday AM!! Not good when we leave Sunday PM!! Finally got Fedex to put a tag on the computer system to rush deliver on Saturday, but they couldn't give a definite answer that it would arrive Saturday. So, here we sit, still waiting. I will have to say that it is going to be an amazing story to tell of this miracle that is going to happen when we get on that plane on Sunday!! Please continue to believe with me in prayer that we both get our packages in the mail by tomorrow. I was reading this afternoon as I was sitting and waiting (not so patiently:) and ran accross the story of Lazarus. I figured if Jesus can show up after Lazarus is dead and raise him from the dead when everyone thought it was too late, the he sure can intervene and get our passports here by tomorrow!!

Yahoooo!!! Happy THANKSGIVING!

I have lots to be thankful for today!! Thanks for all the prayer support!!! I heard from my friend Muhammad at the Nigerian Embassy today that my visa/passport is on its way and should arrive in Bellevue on Friday morning! Some sort of "computer glitch" . . . Well anyway, I will be even more excited and relieved when it is actually in my hands! The issue now is that it has to be signed for when they deliver, and Katie and I will be working and the rest of the family will be out of town. But praise God it's worked out so far, so I am sure that it will all work out in the end. I keep you all posted, and again thanks for the prayer!!

The pictures are of my new little very first real Christmas tree that I picked out with the rest of the family at the farm on Sunday! Katie affectionately calls him Michael:)

Have a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving!

Nigeria Update

I'm off today because I am working this weekend. I think I could get used to having a day off during the week all the time:) Just sitting here trying to get caught up on the little things (ie. organizing, reviewing car insurance quotes--you know the fun stuff:) But the real fun begins when my new washer and dryer arrive anytime now. I will be doing laundry, and for the first time in my life actually be excited about that:) Although, if you have followed my blog for a while or have heard my stories, then you know I will probably miss my laundromat experiences!
Anyway, the point of my blog is to send out a prayer request. You know I leave for Nigeria is a little over a week. Well, I have yet to receive my visa--not to mention the passport and immunization record that I had to send to the embassy in order to receive the visa. Karen that I am traveling with is in the same boat also. I am confident that God is in control of this situation and all will work out. I would however, like to pray that it would come sooner than later, and am asking for prayer in that direction. I know there are big things ahead, and I can't wait to share all of the stories with everyone when I return!
I'll keep you updated, but appreciate the prayer support in the meantime!!

The big Move:)

Saturday my pod arrived around 10:00 and by 11:00 the contents had been emptied into my new apartment! Thanks to Mom, Dad, Katie, Andy, Michelle and friends. I can't imagine how many trips it would have taken without all the hands helping! It took me less than 10 minutes to get to work this morning--just about as long as it takes me to walk from my parking lot into the building that I work in--what's wrong with that picture:) I posted a few pics of the new chick pad. Mom, Dad and Katie helped me unpack many of my boxes on Saturday. I almost hate to post pics until it's all decorated, but was excited to share. I have yet to use the workout room, but it will need to become my new hang out after the last several weeks. The rooftop deck will have to wait for a BBQ until the temperatures reach a normal level again--just think we've only just begun for the season! Oh, almost forgot the funny on myself . . . so I received my keys to the place on Friday, so naturally I ran up the stairs to scope out my new place. Walked into the kitchen/living room and thought "someone must have put a pole in there in the last week, because I don't remember seeing it when I toured the place the first time" I guess we choose to block out the things that we don't want to remember:)

FYI: I talked with Karen tonight, and it sounds like every minute of our 2+ weeks in Nigeria is going to be packed full! I am so excited that words in this measly blog could not even come close to describing, so you'll have to trust me on this one.

Chow for now!

Settling in . . .

Well, this is a very overdue blog! Life has been a little crazy with moving, starting a new job, apartment searching and planning for a trip to Nigeria. Really though, I don't have a good excuse for not taking a minute to write a little ditty and post a few pics:) Work is going well so far (the orientation leaves a little to be desired) but I think I am going to love working back at the med center. Everyone has been friendly and welcoming, so it's a matter of praying that I don't get too lost over the next several days until I can figure things out. I have been doing my research on downtown apartments, and hope to see a few this week to try and narrow things down. With all that is going on, my trip to Nigeria is sneaking up on me! I've been in touch with my partner in crime and it sounds like we will be doing a myriad of things while in Nigeria ranging from disability awareness to retreats for widows in 8 different villages. It is going to be a jam packed trip! Just a few pics from the move and our adventure back to the midwest.

FYI: I am going to tell the story before one of my family members decides to make a comment about it. Going through Canada proved to be a fun experience at the border patrol. After being drilled with several questions prior (one being "is that your daughter"--in reference to Katie) The patrol woman went on to ask me what my business was in Canada that day. I proceeded to say that I was "driving to Nebraska"--cause you always have to go to Canada in order to get to Nebraska! I think I made her chuckle a little, and we definitely have gotten a few laughs out of it ourselves. I don't think I'll ever live it down:)

Dylan helping me pack my pod:)

Katie helping me pack the car


Niagara Falls--Canadian sideThe Rhode Island crew on Departure day

Smores and Hobo Dinners with Great Friends!

The crew had a farewell dinner for me this evening. No one out here had ever heard of a hobo dinner. I first introduced the hobo dinner when Aaron, Lisa, Jeff, Molly and myself went to a friends wedding up in Maine. The twist is that we decided to camp the night before the wedding, so we had "hobo" dinners and then snuggled into tents that night. Woke up the next morning and you can see by the picture that we didn't do half bad cleaning up for the wedding in the campsite bathroom.

It's been a great summer of BBQ and hanging with friends, so tonight was a great finale! You can see Aaron and Allison working on the Hobo dinners in the fire. Then a great shot of Dylan and the Girls enjoying the evening.

Now, enough procrastination with the blog. I must get to some packing before the end of the month sneaks up on me!

Common demoninator is ME, but the contents of the blog would otherwise be categorized as RANDOMNESS!

WOW! It's been a while since my last post. Not really sure what happened to August, or the first part of September for that matter, but time seems to be ticking away like one of the marathon runners at the Olympics--you don't notice how fast they are going at first glance, but then you really calculate the pace and realize they are running fast and furious. Then before you know it, they are at the finish line!

Moving plans are coming along well. My POD arrives in a few short weeks, only to be filled with the junk that I have accumulated over the past 6.5 years. It truly will be my life in a box--well ok, that is a little dramatic:)

Job situation is underway! I accepted an inpatient OT position at the Nebraska Medical Center. I am really excited about being at the Med center again! Sounds like a good team to work with. You hear of folks having a hard time finding jobs in their industries, but I will have to say I am truly blessed to have so many opportunities to choose from on my return home. That alleviates the stress of "what am I going to do about a job." I had to laugh at myself the other day, because for a moment I was stressing about choosing the right job, but when I stood back and reevaluated the situation and realized that having options to choose from was no where near not being able to find anything period! In the end, I feel very at peace about the decision. The bonus is that they agreed to let me have the time in December to go to Nigeria! On that note, I received a tentative travel itinerary in my email box today. I flew out of my seat and tried my best Ellen dance impersonation (no worries--I was alone)! Have I mentioned how excited I am about having this opportunity to work alongside the Nigerian people to show love to those in need. I keep hearing from people that this trip will change me forever, but I'll have to tell you that the work that God is doing in my heart throughout this preparation time is enough to consider my heart already stirred and broken for people I haven't even met yet. Oh, apparently Karen and I have been invited to a wedding while we are there! What do I wear to a Nigerian wedding? :)

This weeks goal is working on putting together a driving itinerary. Katie arrives September 25th, and it's looking like our departure date will be the 28th--what a way to ring in my 29th birthday-- . . . . . sorry for the pause, I just had to add "get grays covered before heading home" to my to do list! Our plan is to escape through the Canadian route. Neither one of us has seen Niagara falls, so for an extra hour on our travel time we decided to go through a small portion of Canada--good idea, eh?! The foliage should be pretty up in those neck of the woods!

Well that's what is coming up, but the most important thing is to be able to party it up with my Rhode Island family and friends over the next few weeks!

Taking suggestions for a new blog title!

RI sunset

Molly and I hiking

Lisa and I overlooking Ell Pond

So, it's official . . .

I am going to become a Nebraska resident once again. I have lived in RI for about 6 1/2 years now--time flies!! So it's after a lot of prayer and working through many emotions that I feel like it's time to move back to the Cornhusker state. Obviously it seems like the logical thing to do, but I have really been praying that I would only do the move if it's what I am supposed to do. As I have stepped out in the decision many doors have opened, and I am at peace and know it's the right decision. This move will allow me to use my time off for medical missions trips, that I would otherwise use to travel back to see family. I am also looking at grad school opportunities down the road, and apparently the very program I have been eyeing was right under my nose in Omaha! Looks like the road was paved for a travel back west:) One of the best benefits to moving back is that I will be near all my family again! I have missed just being able to hang out and enjoy family without feeling like I have to rush away in a few days. For you Nebraska folks, I am so excited to be near you again that I can hardly contain myself! I am, however, torn and sad to say goodbye to my RI family and friends. It's hard to express to those I have come to love so much out here how much I appreciate and cherish the friendships and support they have given to me over the years. I don't think I could even put into words the importance of those friendships. Anyway, I am sure I will be writing more over the next few weeks as I become even more sentimental.

Now to the details of this adventure! My lease is up this fall and it appears that there is a very important wedding in October that I wouldn't miss for the world, so my estimated departure date from RI will be September 28th (yes, my 29th birthday--I will be a mess I am sure)! The good news is that Katie is going to fly out and drive back with me, and I am looking forward to hanging out with my little sister again. I am sure we will make enough memories to last us for life on the trip back half way across the US!

FYI the pics are from a hiking trip earlier this summer with my good friends. It's crazy Saturday adventures like this that I will miss!

Lovin' the Northeast!

Memorial Day Picnic at the lighthouse in Jamestown (FYI: where James proposed to Kelly:)

Waiting for WaterFire in Providence while eating yummy cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory!

Andy and Michelle waiting for the Red Sox game to start!

Andy and Michelle got in last Tuesday and it's been a crazy good time since. We hit a Red Sox game on Tuesday night and bummed around Boston doing the Freedom Trail on Wednesday. The rest of the time has been spent around Newport and Providence. I'll share more about our adventures later, but wanted to post a few pics of the trip so far. Happy Memorial day to all our military folks--Thanks for all you've done and continue to do!!

Biscotti, Laundry and Typhoid

Just a few thoughts mulling around in my little noggin.

I am enjoying a very lovely biscotti that I snagged from work, actually biscotto since I am only eating one. While grabbing the biscotto from the kitchen I opened the refrigerator to see what else I could snack on when I noticed my typhoid immunization pills that I started today. I have to take one every other day at the same time on an empty stomach for a week--Wow, a mouthful! I guess I will leave sticky notes around the apartment to help me remember--if you think of it Wed, Friday and Sunday send me a reminder message:) Now, I am looking around my room and seeing the piles of clean laundry from Saturday, and am thinking there are a million things I should be doing right now rather than blogging in preparation for my guests next week. Andy and Michelle are coming out to visit in a week! I am so excited to have them out here for 10 days to hang out and experience New England. I have so many thoughts on what we need to accomplish. I have some time off of work and am looking forward to playing tourist as well. Stay tuned for pictures. We start off the trip with a Boston extravaganza. They fly into Boston, so we decided if we were going to be in Boston, then we needed to go to a Red Sox game!

Wow, I guess instead of Deep thoughts by Jack Handey this blog was brought to you by Random thoughts by Rebecca K.

Mom and Dad told me about a book called "Men are like Waffles--Women are like Spaghetti." I guess this blog post is just a good example of just one woman's spaghetti thoughts for the hour:)

Well, I need to get to practicing a presentation that I am doing tomorrow for a work seminar--procrastinated long enough:)

Wrap a gele around my head, I am off to Nigeria!

The adventure continues! I have been praying about the next medical missions step, and have been looking at one, possibly two trips coming up. Well, I received seven shots in my arms on Monday --you can say I am now immunized to the world:) I felt like that was a good step in the right direction, and sure enough today I received some direction. The Ukraine trip has been postponed for the time being, so that makes my decision easy regarding that trip. So, it looks like I will be going to Nigeria in December, and I am totally pumped! I will be going with one other woman (a nurse, with a masters in Community Health). Karen has traveled to Nigeria several times and has done education on disability awareness as well as working with a large population of widows. Both groups are basically seen as outcasts, and her stories of how God has used her to reach out to them have humbled and stirred my heart! I think she is excited to have OT brains go with her this time:) I am so excited I could squeal, but that's no fun if there isn't anyone to hear it! Anyway, I am off to bed for now.

Spring Fever!!

Hi all!! Not much new going on here since the last blog, but thought I would post a pic from today's adventure to the Norman Bird Sanctuary. It was a gorgeous day, so we took advantage of a nice long walk. I have Spring fever so bad, and am ready for some more consistent days of sun to enjoy the outdoors with.

It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so! ~Mark Twain

It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade. ~Charles Dickens

Now, as the weekend comes to a close, I am sitting here doing a little catch up/research on the computer while sipping a nice cup of chamomile tea:) Hope you'll take a minute to enjoy a cup with me tonight!

Happy Easter!!!

Hope this Easter Sunday finds all well and truly blessed in knowing God's grace in each of our lives!



Easter Sunday '08 Easton's Beach--Newport, RI

Lachelle, Baylee and I--Baylee will be joining this outside world in just a few short weeks!

My Valentine (Dylan) and my friend Molly --He looks pretty dapper in his Easter hat!

I thought I would dedicate this blog to Uncle Harv for the nice comment on my last post!
I love traveling and partying in Nebraska . . . now if I could hire someone to do the blogging for me that would even be better:) I had such an awesome time seeing everyone a few weeks ago. I don't know what happened, but I squeaked through the weekend without taking pictures:( Don't worry though, the crazy family memories are etched in my brain . . . never to be forgotten:)

The first few pictures above are of our Easter sunrise service at the beach this morning! It was a beautiful CRISP Sunday morning and an early start to the day, as sunrise was around 6:30! We all went out for breakfast after sunrise service, and then after regular service, I went over to my RI family's for Easter dinner. It was such a gorgeous day that we lit the chiminea and sat out on the sunny porch sipping coffee.

Today was my 6th anniversary in RI. It was Easter Sunday six years ago that I spent my first day in this beautiful state. My introduction was a drive with James, eastbound over 2 bridges, as the sun was rising to attend Easter sunrise service with the crazy group of people I now call friends! It is wild how time flies!!

Anyway, loving and missing you all! Hope it was a day full of joy and peace in knowing what Jesus has done and continues to do in our lives!

Winter Wonderland!

So, I think I learned this year the difference between enjoying Winter vs just enduring it:)

Last weekend I went up to New Hampshire for girls getaway weekend. The group was mostly women who work at the rehab center where I work, or have worked there in the past. We spent Saturday cross country skiing and Sunday ice skating at the most quaint little place, and then stopped by a few outlet stores on the ride home--had some great steals from Pac Sun! Now I am in love with cross country skiing, and it's definitely something I would do again! I was able to stay much more upright than my down hill experience a few years ago.

It's funny when you go to a different state and notice new things. My car mates and I enjoyed a few laughs--not sure if they were actually funny or if we were just tired and delirious from the 5 hour drive up to NH after working a full day on Friday. One sign we kept noticing over and over again was "Frost Heaves"--what the heck is a frost heave?? We came up with many crazy solutions, but in case you're curious, here is the definition from Wikipedia:

Frost heaving (or frost heave) occurs when soil expands and contracts due to freezing and thawing. This process can damage plant roots through breaking or desiccation, cause cracks in pavement, and damage the foundations of buildings, even below the frost line. Moist, fine-grained soil at certain temperatures is most susceptible to frost heaving.

We also saw many Moose crossing signs, however, no Moose sightings occurred in the few days we were there.

This week has been a bear coming back, because of the busy weekend. So I am glad tomorrow is Friday! Right now I am attempting to start my taxes online . . . Wish me luck! I am posting a few skiing pics for now and then blog the skating another date--you know I have to spread out my excitement!

Me in front of Mount Washington

Part of the Rehab Crew

Just a quick blog . . .

Not much going on here since I returned. Just trying to stay warm and getting back into the swing of things. I'll be heading up to New Hampshire to go skiing and ice skating this weekend, so I am sure I will have more to blog next week--wish me luck! I posted a fun video--hopefully this isn't me this weekend and I'll be able to stay upright for the most part.

Just a few of the many Hawaii shots!

Aunt Reb with the cutest nieces and nephew!! Mason was distracted by his new toy that made farting noises:)

Kenzie chatting with Aunt Katie while lounging at the beach--what a life!

Mason's shirt says he does all of his own stunts---very true, what a stud!

Hawaii sunset and waves on the North Shore--so beautiful and a fun night hanging out with everyone!

The crew watching for the sunset while we enjoy getting caught up.

What a disappointing shock coming back to a cold and quiet apartment last Sunday night! I missed the fresh cup of coffee waiting for me and the good morning Autie Rebbie I had come accustomed to, when I woke up for work the next morning! I had such a great time in Hawaii with everyone. Thanks Amy and Bob for letting me hang out with you guys for 2 weeks and Mackenzie for letting Aunt Reb use your cool bedroom! It was so awesome to be able to hang out like old times and enjoy some new memories. I'll try and post more again soon, but for now I am thinking I better go shower:) Happy New Year to all!!

Christmas Countdown . . .

It's hard to believe that Christmas is only 5 days away. We are having so much fun and can't wait for James, Kelly, and Maggie to join us this weekend. It was great the first part of the week hanging out and seeing where Amy and the kids spend most of their days!! It has been a while since I've enjoyed a 3rd grade Christmas party:) The last few days have been great also. We spent yesterday at Koolina beach. Today we hiked up to see Makapuu Lighthouse. The first two pics are from the beach and the last two are from the hike. The Santa in the middle parks himself at the airport as we are coming onto the base. I guess he isn't a procrastinator like me if he has time to surf this close to Christmas:) I am sure we will have more pics to share in the next couple of days!

Merry Christmas!

Just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!! I tried to send an e-card to everyone, but it did not go through for all of the email addresses--evidently I need to update:) Don't worry you can still check out the Christmas wish at this link . . . http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1244635015

I'll be posting more Christmas fun!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Just a quick blog to say happy thanksgiving to my loved ones. As always, I am reminded of how abundantly blessed I am to have you all for family and friends. You're the best!!!

I opted out of the 5 mile pie run this morning, but enjoyed my own "Starbucks trot" with some friends--all that means is that we started at Starbucks where I indulged in an eggnog latte and embarked on a 10 mile walk/hike involving the Cliff Walk, Goat Island, and other fun Newport sites. For the last leg of the trek I made another pit stop back at Starbucks for a soy Gingerbread latte :) You have to taste the delicious holiday flavors this time of year! The rest of my day was spent with my adoptive Rhode Island family, and included lots of yummy foods!

Lovin' Fall:)

Not much new here, so I thought I would post a quick blog that wouldn't make the family resort to comments about granny panties--(we all have them by the way:)!!!

The pics are from a walk at the Norman Bird Sanctuary. It was a beautiful crisp fall day! While I was in the area I thought about stopping by Nicolas Cage's new home to drop off a house warming present, but I was enjoying my walk too much. I didn't find any birds at the bird sanctuary, but did come across a very cute little bear in the woods:)