welp?

Hmm... I've had this blog for over a year! And I still haven't figured out how to blog, really.

I went to AZ a week and a half ago and had the beesstt time. It was so good to hang out with Andrew. We went to the Botanical Gardens, watched Kung Fu Panda, and had Mojo frozen yogurt, among many other fun things. How fun is that? Plus, we went on a hike with Bonnie. And then Bonnie and I went on another hike, and then Bonnie planned the funnest girls night. I got to hang out with lots of cool girls, and make calzones, and then eat calzones, and then go to Applebees for more talking and giggling. It was a packed couple of days. But it was so good!

I've also really been enjoying being at home. If you didn't know, my family is the coolest. I'm so blessed to have a family that I don't just love, but also like. I've been having more "face time" with people that are near and dear to me, and that is AWESOME.

I am re-reading some favorite books. I just finished Good News for those Trying Harder by Alan Kraft. God changed my life during the time I was in the church he pastored, a church that kept talking about the gospel, but got me to really understand that I am more sinful than I realize but I have a Savior greater than I can imagine. Next I will re-read Practicing the Presence of God, the conglomeration of Brother Lawrence's letters, and then probably CS Lewis' Mere Christianity and then hopefully Seven by Jeff Cook. Then I can move on to new reading material. Any suggestions on good stuff? I also started the One Year through the Bible plan, where you read a bit of the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs every day. It is so good. Other readings are good, but Scripture is... well, it's God-breathed, I guess that explains why it's so life-giving in a way that nothing else is!

I have finally finished my re-vamped resume and cover letter and start actually applying places this week. I am a little interested to see what God has for me. I know that there might be a nursing job in store for me, and that would be exciting. But at the same time, I'm settling in well at this Chipotle, and I'm at the place where if my future career is in Chipotle, that will be good too. I have found favor with my overseers, and this looks like a possibility right now. I am praying that God's will be done. A rather thrilling thing to ask for!

The Christmas season is upon us once again. However did that happen?! I vividly remember this time last year and can sincerely say that I am so grateful to God for the places he's taken me, the ways he's provided for me, and the blessings he's poured out on me. He is a God that deals bountifully with his children.

short update

so many things I could choose to tell you right now.

I've been back at home for two weeks now. I feel a lot has happened in these two weeks. I have begun a renewed search for nursing employment. I have been blessed with an amazing acquaintance that has taken up my cause; she has been a nurse for many years and is helping me be strategic and intentional about this situation. I need to acquire many letters of reference, beef up my resume, tinker with cover letters, and take several classes for Continuing Education credits. At this point, it seems quite a foreboding task. And I am having a hard time being motivated, because I feel the odds are small that I will achieve my objective. Still, I want to try as hard as I can... so that if it doesn't work out, I will know I gave it a good effort. There is also a chance, which I am praying for, that I could get a New Grad position at the hospital where I did my internship over a year ago. Or maybe even somewhere else. That would be soo a w e s o m e.

In these two weeks, I have also begun working at Chipotle here, visited with old friends, fallen back into a rhythm of living with my wonderful family, started running at a mile high, found a great new pair of jeans that actually fits, and planned my first trip back to Arizona. It's true. A week from today I will be there for a 3-day visit. I had been planing to visit from the moment I decided to leave. But thanks to evens that unfolded between that decision and my actual departure, I really want to visit quite soon. What I am referring to is the fact that I am now dating Andrew! He's a wonderful guy I've known for a few months through church, and though the timing is not how we would have planned, we believe that God is at work in this and want to follow whatever path he may have for this. For now that means trying to get to know each other better long-distance.. and lots of prayer. All else I can say is that I find my face covered in a goofy grin quite often these days.

Here's a picture Bonnie took of me in the park my last Sunday in AZ. Kind of a reflective, artsy picture. I like it:)

home again

Welp, I made it home.

Dad flew down last Monday and helped me with everything... We took my turtles to new homes, for they did not return to Colorado. He took 8 of my bestest friends out to dinner at Chili's. He helped me pack. And then he helped me drive back! We arrived on Wednesday afternoon to a lovely snow-cover.

Since then I've been getting unpacked, making arrangements to start working at a nearby Chipotle, saying hello to friends here, and starting to think about applying for some nursing jobs here. It will take some strategy, but I'm still hoping it is possible.