Changes~



Back row: Rob, Amy, Kate, Jay, Mac, Susan, Sara, Dean
Middled seated:  Pat & Hal
Front seated:  Sarah, Mason, Time

 Yes, I'm still out here!  Living an increasingly less complicated life over the last few months which has included less time in the cyber world and more time in the three dimensional world.  I've come out of hiding to wish you all a happy end of the summer and beginning to another year, the school year does feel like the start of a new year, doesn't it?  I awakened today with prayer on my heart as little kids and college kids head back to school.  In years past, I've prayed for their safety and protection and of course I prayed that this morning.  But I prayed with a new focus this year, that our kids would go out into the world and make an impact.  That they would shine Jesus into dark places.  The fields are white unto harvest and missionaries in backpacks are headed into the field this morning. 

Some changes are unfolding in our lives this week as well as I am in my final week as a nurse supervisor.  On Monday of next week, I will start a new chapter as a hospice nurse.  That is one of the "real world" things that the Lord has done in our lives over the summer.  With much prayer and thought and conversation, we are taking a major turn in our lives by reducing my income and I am going back to bedside nursing.  On Saturday I did something I haven't done in ten years...went shopping for new job supplies!  Scrubs (I wear business attire in my present job,) a stethoscope, pen light, bandage shears and even a cool clip on watch for my stethoscope!  Many years ago, the Lord revealed to me that one day my behavioral health career would be complete and I'd go to hospice nursing and here we are.  I'm excited and now that the time is drawing so near, a bit nervous!

My new job is part time so next week the Mr. and I are taking a few days in the second half of the week to go Up North alone.  We were not able to go to Alabama over the Labor Day weekend due to work schedules so we're looking forward to some time in the quiet woods of northern Michigan.

We're looking forward to what's ahead in our lives.  With a more flexible work schedule I'm feeling happy anticipation of days that are a bit less stressful and maybe even just a few more mornings of coffee in a quiet house without the demand of rushing out the door.  My time in management has been a blessing in more ways that I can adequately express but my heart has remained hungry for hands-on nursing and I'm anxious to connect to patients and their families one to one again.  Not to mention, ready to put in an eight hour day and then go home without a blackberry attached to my hip :)  Days off without a phone call from work?  Yes please!

Since today is not one of those days for moving slowly and lingering over coffee, I'll say good bye for the moment.  Wishing you all a blessed day and a wonderful first week back to school.  Oh, the picture at the top?  The Family came over yesterday for Labor Day and flat bread pizzas on the grill so we finally got ourselves organized, dug out tripods and decoded the timer on the camera and got a family photograph. It leaves one wondering...why didn't we do this before? 

Grace!