I Keep Reminding Myself

There are so many things I have to keep reminding myself about life. You think you'll be able to learn a lesson, file it away in the "Already Got It" file and be done with it...but life really isn't like that. Sometimes, you keep revisiting that file folder, and right now...it is open on my desk.

I feel like it's review week for "things I thought I already learned" test; the exam is next week and I am cramming! I was never a big fan of the Final Exam.

The good thing is, that I am surrounded by people who give me grace, and might I add, I am taking double helpings of that at the moment.

So here is are 5 things I Thought I Already Learned but Get to Learn All Over Again:

1. Be sweet - This one sounds simple, but it's not. There have been a few days this week where I felt like I was trapped in an episode of Ally McBeal, where she imagines that she sucker punches her coworkers in the face, but in reality she says "Sure, I'll take care of that for you," in an icky-sweet voice. So I don't want to be Sweet-n-Low sweet, I want to be 100% real sugar sweet. Louisiana Iced Tea sweet. 
2. Over communicating is a good thing - it is better to say the same thing 1,000 times and have everyone on the same page, than it is to say it something twice and have it blow up in your face later.  
3. Everyone is NOT out to get you (self explanatory).
4. Sarcasm is the exact opposite of Duct Tape - it doesn't fix anything!
5. Planning is important, but the ability to "whing it without loosing it" is just as important. 

As funny as these things are, they are an important part of living together and working together. I love my job and the people I get to do it with. I am so grateful that they give me grace when I need it, and that they aren't afraid to give me a swift kick to the backside when I need that too.

See, I didn't forget my promise!

We are getting ready to receive our first purely medical team of the season. That means...brigades, brigades, brigades! It will be interesting for Mark to see what Medical Teams look like, and this will be our nurse's first rodeo as well. Bay Community Church arrives in a few hours...and we still have to clean up around here -you know that little junk-y stuff that accumulates and no one seems to know where to put it - that is my job. I am the de-junker on group days, lol. We also have to trek down the mountain for supplies and then come back and cook dinner.

OK, what am I doing blogging?!?!?!

I wanted to uphold my end of the deal here, and keep you posted! Pray for us! This is going to be a wild ride.
4 brigades in 4 villages in 4 days

OH, yeah...I am been feeling the urge to learn how to write grants. Let's see what God does with this, and how He can use me in that way on the mission field. More uncharted territory!

Love you guys!

Oh Where, Oh Where did the last 3 months go?!

When I logged on today I saw this staring me in the face, "Last post on Dec 27th."

OUCH!

A few months ago, I would have rushed head long into feelings of guilt and condemnation for not keeping you guys in the loop, but that was 3 months ago. I have been lost in the world of Twitter and Instagram, thanks to Heather Leblanc and her iPhone donation! (Please look me up on FaceBook, where I post pictures via Instagram on a regular basis.)

One thing I have noticed since the iPhone appeared in my hand is that things these days are all about the "now." Sending a picture about what is happening now. Tweeting something someone just said. After a few minutes pass that event, or quote, or picture loses it's appeal. So if you don't send it right then...it just fades into the background of your life; it becomes a part of the tapestry.

Don't get me wrong...I love, love,  love being able to send a photo to all my lovely Stateside counterparts. It is thrilling, and I hope you guys love receiving them via whichever social network I appear on. BUT...I miss the blog. I miss taking the time to chew on something for a few minutes. I miss dwelling...savoring.

So many things have happened in the way of married life on the mission field. I can't believe Mark and I are working on our 8th month of marital bliss. I can't believe it is already March and the season of activity and groups is well underway. I can't believe how different this year is from all of the rest. I keep thinking that I will get a handle on it at some point...but just as I think I've got it, POOF there's a curve ball.

Here's to living on the edge. Here's to the fast paced lifestyle of juggling groups, practitioners, interns and marriage. BUT...I promise not to forget about the blog-sphere. I don't want my life to be a camera roll of unsent pictures. Nope. We must take time to work things out on paper...or a computer screen, lol.

Love you guys!