Go Army ...!

Why military?

People join the military for a lot of different reasons.  Some do it so they can pay for school, some do it so they can pay off school.  Some join to follow in the footsteps of their family members, some join because their family members make them.  Some join to serve their country or to feel a part of something bigger, while others join because they have no direction or need guidance.

Learning the reason why people join the military has opened my eyes.  I really thought that people joined because they thought it was courageous and they wanted to serve our country.  These things are true and evident in people’s lives but are not the deciding factor in a lot of cases. 

Learning the reason why people chose a particular branch intrigued me.  I didn't understand how someone chose one branch over the other.  It's all the Armed Forces to me!  This, too, provided interesting responses ranging from parents being in a particular branch and kids following in their footsteps to not being allowed into one’s desired branch due to a medical restraint (not having perfect vision to be a pilot for Air Forces, for instance) to the comradery displayed by a certain branch on the day of signing up then and there.

I've always respected people of the military no matter the reason why they joined and no matter their branch.  In my opinion, it doesn't matter what you do in the military or which branch your in because you've committed time, skills, loyalty, and much more.  Joining may cause discomfort, displacement, deployment, and possibly your life.  

So, now that I have gone through my own process of deciding to commit to the military by praying, thinking, and talking to others for quite some time and weighing the pros and cons, I’ve decided to do it.

Why Army?

My journey to the military started back in October of last year when my dietetic preceptor asked me what I wanted to do in the dietetic field.  I spouted off a slew of interests.  I also mentioned that I love to travel and wanted to be able to do that in some capacity.  She then asked if I had thought about becoming an Army Dietitian.  She went on to say that she heard such an RD speak at a conference and that the woman loved what she was doing AND gets to travel.  I said that I was not aware of military RDs existing, so I decided to look into it.

I figured it would not hurt to call and ask the different branches about a dietitian position. Right off the bat Air Force stated they weren't hiring dietitians for that fiscal year, while paperwork and phone calls ensued with Navy and Army.  I started to pray about the job.

I was prepared to keep going until there was a red light or, rather, a closed door. While I was finishing my internship, I didn't really hear anything from either apparently interested branch, so I just assumed it was a closed door and that was that.

Then, just as I was about to finish my internship in February, both Navy and Army started talking to me again.  For Navy, I did two phone interviews.  For army, I did a physical and more papers for my application packet.  I never heard from Navy again, which did not hurt my feelings because based on the interviews I wasn't really feeling it anyway.  Army stuck with me the whole way through, even helping me get my RD license faster, and I got the call that I had been accepted into the Reserves.  I was ecstatic! 
Honestly, at first, I didn't think I wanted the Reserves but rather wanted to be full-time active-duty. In the end, since I wasn't sure what was happening with the military when I was looking for a full-time job, I took a clinical job in Fort Worth.  With the Reserves, I can keep my full-time civilian job and do military work part-time.  It’s perfect.

Okay, why do it?

For those who don’t know, my prayer has always been that God would allow me to blend my love for travel and my love for health AND use both for Him.  I would say, "I don't know how You're going to do it, but I know You can."

I would've never imagined going into the military!  (Let’s be real, though, there are a lot of things in my life that I would've never thought I would be doing or would have done.)  I think the military can blend my loves whether through humanitarian missions or otherwise and can help me grow both personally and professionally.  I think I'll love the comradery, serving my country, and being a part of a team.  I know I’ll be challenged to stay physically fit and be able to encourage others to stay fit as well.  I hope to gain sports dietetic experience and just work with a different population, who is motivated and has different needs than the population I currently work with.  I’m ready to take advantage of opportunities as they arise and to experience why every Army RD I’ve spoken to and have heard of loves what they’re doing!  There are other reasons, too, but these are the big ones.

Plus, I think I can offer people help, both nutritionally (physically) and spiritually.  I was talking to an active duty RD who was also a Christian.  Before know her beliefs, I said that I was a Christian and that everybody needed Jesus!  She agreed and offered me some good advice about being a Christian in the military.  I’m excited to see how God uses me in this setting!

Well, what if...?

A lot goes into a decision like this, obviously, and many people offered their own “what if” questions and scenarios for me to mull over.

I’ve decided that I don't want to live in fear, in insecurities, or in the “what ifs” of life.  The “What if you get deployed?” or “What if you have to move?” or “What if you want to have a family?” and more questions like these have crossed my mind and been answered.  For now, I’ll leave it at that.

No, no.  Why?!

Ultimately, I prayed, fasted, asked questions, researched, listened, talked, and sought the Lord.  Lots of things have led up to and steered me toward saying yes to this opportunity, like verses, sheer timing, hearing others experience who are currently Army RDs, and God’s peace. 

I also think life is meant for living well, fulfilling dreams, pursuing passions, meeting people along the way, and, ultimately and most importantly, loving and glorifying God while showing and telling others that they have the choice to love and worship God, too. 

So, here’s to a new adventure with God, who is most definitely “a good one to adventure with!”

I proudly commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the US Army Reserve on Wednesday, September 17^th, 2014 at 18:30 :)

Lord Jesus, Take Me Now

I’ve said, “Lord Jesus, take me now!” jokingly, yes, but also in all seriousness.  It’s because I look around, look at my circumstances, or look at myself and think of how much better heaven would be. 

Unraveling marriages.  Cancer.  Broken families.  Homelessness.  Physical abuse.  Complete poverty.  Addictions.  Mental disorders.  Insecurities.  Theft.  Murder.  Pride.  Discouragement.  Personal masks. 

The list of disgustingness goes on.

This isn’t how life is supposed to be!  I’ve been made especially aware of this in the past few days.  It makes me angry and frustrated.  I want to be in heaven with Jesus and be done with it.  I want it to stop but can only do so much to soften the blows or avoid the traumas.  Yet, I know that I’m [still] on earth to accomplish things for God and that I am nothing a part from God.

I can stand next to my hurting family and friends to shoulder some of the pain.  I can lend an ear, provide a much-needed hug, or give encouragement until I’m parched and out of words.  Yet, it doesn’t really matter unless I believe that God has something better in stored, that He will redeem.

Without believing that God didn’t intend for life to be the way it is on earth, that His plan to save us was through His Son, and that Jesus will come again to bring us home and to be with Him, what do we have?

Life isn’t easy, and it’s a daily choice to believe God.  I was in the habit of asking myself, “What are you going to believe today?” before I started every day.  I would say things like, “I believe God is good” or “I believe God has a plan.”  Now I will add, “I believe God will redeem.”

My hope is in God.  He fulfills His promises.  It may look differently than what we think it will be like and it may happen on a different timeline than we want, but God’s promises come to fruition.  He might redeem marriages, for instance, within months yet might not redeem someone from an addiction in this lifetime.  

Until I truly am called home, I want to be strong in the Lord for when things don’t make sense to me, for when pain comes that seems almost unbearable, and even for when I struggle with my faith. 

I also have to remind myself that we live in a sinful, fallen world and are depraved people.  

We need a Savior.

The following is a David Crowder song that I’ve heard several times and think is fitting:

Come out of sadness 


From wherever you’ve been


Come broken hearted


Let rescue begin


Come find your mercy


Oh sinner come kneel


Earth has no sorrow


That heaven can’t heal


Earth has no sorrow


That heaven can’t heal



So lay down your burdens


Lay down your shame


All who are broken


Lift up your face


Oh wanderer come home


You’re not too far


So lay down your hurt


Lay down your heart


Come as you are



There’s hope for the hopeless


And all those who’ve strayed


Come sit at the table


Come taste the grace


There’s rest for the weary


Rest that endures


Earth has no sorrow


That heaven can’t cure



So lay down your burdens


Lay down your shame


All who are broken


Lift up your face


Oh wanderer come home


You’re not too far


So lay down your hurt


Lay down your heart


Come as you are


Come as you are


Fall in his arms 


Come as you are


There’s joy for the morning


Oh sinner be still


Earth has no sorrow 


That heaven can’t heal


Earth has no sorrow 


That heaven can’t heal



So lay down your burdens


Lay down your shame


All who are broken


Lift up your face


Oh wanderer come home


You’re not too far


So lay down your hurt


Lay down your heart


Come as you are


Come as you are


Come as you are

Grocery Store Tour

During my dietetic internship, I was with a Registered Dietitian (RD) who conducted grocery store tours.  I really liked them because of the plethora of information given, having a captivated audience, and having to be up on your knowledge to answer any question thrown at you.

When a doctor at my clinic suggested I do them, I jumped on it!  Not many dietitians are able to do these tours, especially as a clinical RD which is my official title.  Yet, educating people about nutrition is a passion of mine, and I like being hands-on.  So, what better place to teach than right where people buy their food?!

It's been an adventure I take with my patients and one co-worker each month.  By the end of the tour, their heads aren't swimming with too much information, thankfully, and their faces are beaming.  They can't get over how helpful learning about food and nutrition is, and they can't say thank you enough!  Knowledge is power, I think, and doing the tours is really fun and rewarding!

Not too long ago, a friend of mine wrote an article about the grocery store tour after attending one.  I think she did a great job on the article!  Check it out:

http://www.1dental.com/blog/2014/08/19/grocery-store-tour-how-to-shop-and-eat-healthier/#more-5899

Guy Explosion

My dating life reflects “guy explosions.”  You know, there’s a ton of guys interested in me for however long then there’s a lull then there’s another explosion of guys interested in me and so on and so forth. 

6 guys in 4 months.  Guy explosion.

Guy #1:  Blind date. Enough said.  See ya!

Guy #2:  Random meeting of friends saved the date.  Bye!

Guy #3:  Only wanted 1 thing.  You know what I’m talking about.  Deuces.

Guy #4:  Random text.  Then nothing, signaling a lack of interest.  Ain’t nobody got time for that.

I could have easily fallen for Guy #5 and Guy #6 was persistent, which I admire, but neither of them made a good fit for different reasons. 

Thankfully, I always learn something about myself (whether good, bad, or ugly) and about what I want in a boyfriend/husband no matter the guy.  I mean, isn’t a part of dating to discover what you like and dislike or what you’re willing to live with or not live without?  So, dating is good and fun yet challenging and sometimes exhausting. 

I’ve always prayed for the right guy at the right time, so I’m looking forward to the next guy explosion!


Note:  This post is not intended to criticize anyone, and the guys are left anonymous for that reason and more.  I truly appreciate guys expressing interest in me, wanting to get to know me, just being friends, and/or asking me out.  The post is just supposed to be funny but real.  I am not a dating pro by any means and am constantly learning to be open-minded yet adhere to my standards.  It's a process and one I think most, if not all, can relate to whether it was in the past or is taking place in the present.

Rest

I just got back a few days ago from an amazing trip of celebrating a marriage, seeing lots of friends, and enjoying some great sights of New England, which deserves and shall receive it’s very own blog post.  This post, however, is about the great conversations I was able to have in the past two days with friends whom I haven’t talked to in literally months.

It was great!  We talked on the phone, so I was like, “whoa, this is awesome!” and “ maybe, just maybe, they read my blog about ‘bringing back the phone call.’”  Hmm…  Anywho, made me think of something I read as being true: “A conversation with a friend does more to spark your creativity and enthusiasm than five Red-bulls”! 

Amongst the many topics of conversation in order to catch up on each other’s lives, rest was one of them.  I’m sure you’re thinking, “Who the heck talks about rest in a I’m-so-glad-we’re-talking-because-I-really-want-to-know-how-you’re-doing conversation?!”  Well, this girl. 

Maybe it was unsolicited advice.  I’m still trying to decipher this phrase I heard… Like when I should just shut up and listen versus when I should put in my two cents-worth.  Anyway, I gave my two-cents worth about resting in both conversations since I found it slightly ironic that it came into my head.

It was ironic because resting, truly resting, is something I’m learning right now in several facets.  It popped out of my mouth in the first conversation because my friend stated so well my feelings of needing to be productive.  It’s as if having a moment to relax or not have anything pressing or not have anything to cross off a to-do list is a bad thing. 

My life example, which still swings in and out of view, is from my job.  When I first started, I had no patients to see and nothing dietetic-y to do.  I was hired to give nutrition education and counseling to patients for crying out loud!  I definitely didn’t feel productive and on more than one occasion thought, “I can’t believe I’m being paid to do this.  It’s like I’m here twiddling my thumbs all day!  I feel kinda worthless.”  What was I going to do?!

In the second conversation, resting came up because of being too busy.  Granted, needing to feel productive can cause me to fill my schedule to bursting, making me too busy for my own good, but go with me on this one.  My friend stated having something to do every day and night except basically one night.  It’s as if not having a moment to relax or always having something pressing or always having something to cross off a to-do list is a good thing. 

Another life example is from my social life.  I moved to a new city and state and knew a few people, who had their own lives and friends circles.  I went from being busy -- with work, hanging out with friends, talking to friends regularly, knowing my way around town, scheduling fun things to do like football games and swimming -- to a dead stop in Nothingville.  I didn’t know anyone.  I didn’t know the city.  I didn’t have anything fun to do.  What was I going to do?!

I’ll tell ya what I did.  And what I continue to have to do.  I came to grips with the fact that it’s okay to rest. 

Once the sentence about productivity traveled over the phone line, a sermon I had heard that had convicted me about the lack of rest in my life came flooding back to my memory.  I won’t go into the whole sermon but a few things that struck me are 1) God created the whole world, and it was good.  He then rested the seventh day (fun side note: this brings back memories of being in Israel when everything shuts down for Sabbath, making it a mandatory rest day that did wonders) and 2) Our productivity does not define who we are or our worth.  We have a clear definition of who we are in Christ as believers and Christ’s work on the cross shows us our worth.

I may not always feel the most productive but, thankfully, I took that down-time to organize my office, find education material for my future patients, study Spanish, make a Spanish cheat sheet (which saves me from some stress and a lot of frustration, lemme tell ya!), and so on.  It took time, like people said it would, to start filling my appointment slots with patients, but they got filled and are being filled.  As for busyness, sometimes life is busy and sometimes life is not busy.  Since being ushered into a less busy time, I’ve tried to decide on what I really want to spend my time doing and on whom I want to spend my time with.  It’s like a clean slate.  I’ve used the time to read and think, make personal and professional goals, write my thoughts down and then post most of them on this blog, and more.  In then end, I have to relish my time, whatever it may look like, but also to rest.