ALL CAPS for this Brit

Lots of things happened when I studied abroad in England at the University of Hertfordshire and some didn’t come to light until after I had returned to the States.  I will blog about all that later, to be sure. 

One amazing thing that that experience provided, even all these years later, was a brilliant friend!  We met at the Christian University (CU) campus organization.  With our different accents and vocab and with the great distance, we make it work and enjoy each others friendship.  We keep tabs on each other’s lives, encourage each other, cry together, vent to each other, etc but we definitely rejoice together and this is what I want to highlight today. 

My friend has battled terrible illnesses that have caused her to take time off from University.  She’s changed her major, in a sense, and taken more time to be certified as a teacher.  A lot of things have come full circle for her with several ups, downs, questions, feelings of hopelessness, and more.  With her permission (and some changes for identity’s sake), I’m sharing what she recently told me:

“I apologise in advance for the length of this email but thought you'd like to know that ...........

HALLELUJAH!!! GOD GAVE ME A BIRTHDAY PRESENT. FOR REAL! NO JOKES! because .............

I GOT A JOB!!!!!! sorry for all of that in caps, heck the whole email would be in caps if it wasn't considered rude but I'm hoping this is expressing how EXCITED, OVERJOYED, GRATEFUL and HAPPY I am!!!

So on Monday I applied for a job, winged off the job application as you do and didn't think any more of it coz the school I'm working in ATM is super stressful! Then the following day, not even 24 hours later, I got a phone call asking me to interview 4 days later on the 12th june, the day after my birthday. Mum, dad, my brother and my boyfriend have been asking me for over a month what I wanted for my birthday and I always jokingly but slightly seriously responded with A JOB!

So, anyways, last week was super stressful putting together my interview lesson on food poisoning. My birthday on Thursday came and I wasn’t feeling great. I felt quite ill with a cold. I battled on at work and it was fine. I got home and became quite violently sick with what I think was a migraine. I was so ill. I can't even describe! When dad got home, he and mum prayed over me that I would get better and be able to attend interview the following day. No less than 2 hours later I was up and about, a completely different person. Yes, still ill, but no where near as bad.

Got up the next morning and couldn't face eating. Mum prayed over me again for peace and if it was God’s will then let it be. Drove off to the school about 45 min drive away. I was the ONLY PERSON THERE FOR INTERVIEW THAT DAY!!!! I met the head of the school and she is LOVELY!! The design and technology department are beyond fantastically equipped. They have resources and machines that my current school couldn’t even begun to dream of!!

She gave me a tour of the school and explained that I was the only person being interviewed on that day and 4 more people were due to be interviewed this week. So, anyways, the pressure was off that I had no direct competition on the day.

I taught my planned lesson on food poisoning and it was great. Then was taken to the headmaster (principal) for my main interview with him, the head of the school, and the assistant head of the school. The interview went fantastic and then they invited me to stay for lunch, so I was taken to the cafeteria where lunch was on the house. I was escorted back to the interview room and I hadn't even opened my sandwich when I was called back to the headmaster’s office. Where I was offered the job!!!!

The most amazing news is that the assistant head of the school IS A CHRISTIAN AND BECAME A CHRISTIAN AT THE UNIVERSIRY OF HERTFODRSHIRE!!!!!!!! He was there in 1995. I found this out after he asked me if I'd like him to show me around the school again for a second time to soak it in. He'd read my application and saw I was from Hertfordshire and was a Christian from CU stuff [as is] on my application and wanted to sit in on my interview!!!

I’M SO HAPPY I CAN’T EVEN BEGIN TO EXPLAIN!!! GOD GAVE ME A BIRTHDAY PRESENT AND HE’S BEEN PLANNING IT FOR YEARS!!!!! HOW CRAZY IS THIS?!?!?!?! 

LOVE YOU LOTS!!!!”

I can hear her say every word with her smart British accent and the excitement that the caps lock can only try to convey.  Love that girl and am so very excited for her!!

The New Job

Germany.  Australia.  Maryland.  Alaska.  North Carolina.  California.  Texas.  Hawaii.

What do all these places have in common?  Well, it ain’t a travel list.  They’re all checked off ;)

These are places where I saw a Dietitian job opening.  For all but Australia, I put in my application.  Though, I found a loophole for Australia, so that will be added back to the list if I look for another job…

Germany was my dream job – being abroad, inpatient setting, Army atmosphere, and much more!  Alaska would have just been for the beautiful surroundings.  Hawaii and California, too, but they would have brought the opportunity to surf.  Maryland would get me on the East Coast and bring back fun summer memories.  Same for North Carolina but would have brought more friends and some family as well.

After the searching, the saying of no thanks, the hoping, the waiting, and the ultimate saying of “put me where you want me, God”, I have a job that I pretty much love right in the best city of Texas.  I didn’t have to move.

I’ve changed from a clinical out-patient setting to an in-patient setting.  So, I work in a hospital and, yes, I can wear scrubs. 

There are so many things I like about the job!! 

I definitely like the challenge.  A patient may be on my floor for a certain diagnosis but have a lot going on what with co-morbidities, terrible-looking lab work, and medications, for instance.  Plus, you have to take into account their past medical history and past surgeries.  Then keeping up with what’s going on for follow ups and what not. 

I like using my brain, being busy, and feeling productive.  You’ve got all the above happening from “the challenge” but I still have to assess patient’s nutritional needs so I calculate how many calories and how much protein someone needs.  If they’re on tube feedings, I have to calculate fluids and pick the best formula to meet their needs.  It’s not too hard and having to see around 15 patients a day (right now) keeps me busy, which makes the day go by fast.

I like bringing it all together.  It’s kind of like a puzzle.  I’m putting pieces together backstage so that I can then come to the patient with a pretty complete picture.  Based on what they say and what I’ve found out from charts, I recommend the best thing for the patient to the doctor or ask the nurse to implement exactly what I want done.  For the most part, what I recommend is done or ordered by the doctor, which is another win and way to feel like I’m making a difference.

I like the patient interaction.  You get all kinds!  The majority of people are pleasant.  So far, only one has been a bit rude, one has not cared what he’s flashing, and one has just said an off-handed comment.  One got my cheeks to go pretty rosy.  Among the compliments and good advice, he said that he’d date me if he were younger.  Yeah, he’s 80.  Haha!  He’s my favorite so far, though, just sweet and harmless like a grandpa would be. 

I like the educating.  Actually, I love to do diet educations so I’m really happy that I have floors where the doctor’s request them regularly.  It’s more patient interaction, which I want, and it’s a good way to see what the patient knows and what the patient is really doing with their diet.  Trying to find the disconnect in about 10 minutes time doesn’t always happen but it’s still an enjoyable conversation.

I like my boss and co-workers.  The office space is kind of small for so many RDs but it’s nice to be in my own world, in a sense, but still be able to collaborate over patient needs.   Everyone is really nice, and I’m getting to know the nurses of my floor, too.  The nurses tell me about different patients and are getting comfortable with me, since I’m technically replacing an RD who went to another part of the hospital.  I have big shoes to fill, I’m afraid, but they seem to like me so far!

I like the job perks, such as paid lunches because I will never forget my lunch again!  I also love being able to bike to work! 

Oh, I’m sure I’m missing stuff but you get the picture.  God has me right where He wants me and I’m happy! :)

I Don't Want to Date [You]

What is it with single people these days?!  I mean, they only want to get to know you because they’re looking for someone to date, right?

I know I’ve bought into this lie and I’m not the only one.  I want it to stop.

It almost feels like I can’t do something nice for a guy for fear that he’ll think I’m flirting or, reverse it, in that, if a guy did something nice for me, I might start over-thinking motive… does he like me?  does he do that with every girl or just me?  did he invite a lot of people or just me?  Ugh, it’s exhausting! :P

Like I said, I’m guilty of the above thinking and I don’t like it.  I’m trying my best to break the craziness.

A month or so ago, I gave a guy a card to encourage him since he’d just lost a loved one.  

Just last week, I was invited by a guy to go on a walk to discuss the sermon we’d heard.  

Last month, I had the best time catching up with a good guy friend before he moved.  

And guess what??  In all these situations, there was nothing romantic involved!!

I like to do a lot of different things, I like to ask a lot of questions, and I like to get to know other people.  I like to find people to do activities with, whether it’s for fro yo outings, playing soccer, dancing the night away, or going for a run.  Then there's asking questions, which enables the other person to answer in their own words and explain as much as they want, while allowing me time to listen in order to absorb it all and make me think more about where I stand on something they say.  It’s a way to understand a subject that boggles my mind, such as engineering, being a musician, or the latest hot topics in society.  Questions also lend a way to get to know someone because they will hopefully just be a launching point for good conversation or even highlight something to be praying for them about or encourage them to do.  In the end, I can’t possible know stuff about everything, so having an array of friends with different passions, interests, gifts, etc. is awesome! :)

Now then, even though I’m in the young, professional stage of life and it seems to be the time to date and/or get married, I’m realizing that

1) it doesn’t have to be

2) everyone is not out to just date you

3) I want and need friends who are guys

4) single guys and girls can truly just be friends

5) I need a new perspective

That new perspective is that everyone needs Jesus.  It’s brilliant.  Because it’s very true.

Not long ago, I asked myself, “what if when I met/saw/got to know a guy, I saw them not as a potential date but as someone who needed Christ?” or  As my friend pointed out, “what if we let being friends with the opposite sex help us become the person we want to be when we do date/marry?” We’re not going to miraculously be this amazing boyfriend, girlfriend, or spouse by not doing some hard work as a single.  Hmm.  Cue a small dagger to the heart with a little twist.

Next was “So, what if I actually acted on the truth that everyone, believer or non-believer, needed Christ?”  Well, even though this mentality can be applied to all people, this post is more about dating and the opposite sex, so in that vein, I wouldn’t be overthinking things but enjoying the person, the event with them, etc. nor would I be second-guessing my motive(s) because it would ultimately be to share Christ and the gospel, not to manipulate the situation or person, for instance.  So much better.  

I can’t control how others perceive what I say or do but I can control my own thinking and motive.  Something that makes that easier is when the guy makes his intentions known.  There’s no guess work!  Yay!  However, with my luck, the guy either hasn’t even thought of me in the “more than friends” sense or shows just flat-out disinterest.  That makes things easier, too, haha! ;) 

Seriously though, by God’s grace, I want to be truly friends with guys and not look for a potential date or what I can gain from them but instead learn from them and reflect Christ and bring them closer to Him.  Hopefully others will join me in the endeavor!

And yes, I believe being friends and seeing what happens next is a great way to go

Reliance

Reality:  I rely on myself

Wanted Reality:  Reliance on God

What if every morning I woke up thinking and saying “God, I need you.”?     or

What if I read the quote on my whiteboard, “God will never put you in a place where you are independent of Him.”?     or

What if I read the Word of God and saw that I’m but dust (Gen. 3:19), that I have a deceitful heart, which no one can know except God (Jer. 17:9-10), that I shouldn’t worry about the things of life because God’s got me (Mt. 6:25-34)…?     or

What if I let the words of my favorite hymn resonate?  In Christ Alone…  (emphasis mine)

In Christ alone my hope is found,


He is my light, my strength, my song;


This Cornerstone, this solid Ground,


Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.


What heights of love, what depths of peace,


When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!


My Comforter, my All in All,


Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! - who took on flesh,


Fullness of God in helpless babe.


This gift of love and righteousness,


Scorned by the ones He came to save:


Till on that cross as Jesus died,


The wrath of God was satisfied -


For every sin on Him was laid;


Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,


Light of the world by darkness slain:


Then bursting forth in glorious day


Up from the grave He rose again!


And as He stands in victory


Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,


For I am His and He is mine -


Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,


This is the power of Christ in me;


From life's first cry to final breath,


Jesus commands my destiny.


No power of hell, no scheme of man,


Can ever pluck me from His hand:


Till He returns or calls me home,


Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.

The “what if’s” shouldn’t be if’s.  Through crying out to God, through reading quotes that make me think, through reading God’s life-giving and life-directing Word, and through beautiful songs of praise, I can more easily rely on Him. 

Numerous things tell me this is right, whether other people, personal experiences, events, or the promise in His Word, such as “the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.”

So I pray simply less of me, more of You and to actually rely on God because it is truly through Christ alone that I am anything or have done anything worthwhile.