Over the last couple months that I've been home, there have been so many times that I have found myself so overwhelmed by God's goodness to me and His blessings in my life. Last week, as I celebrated Thanksgiving with my family, I was reminded once again of how much God has given me. It has been such a gift to have this time at home with my family, to spend time with my precious nieces and nephews, catch up with old friends, make new friends, and have my old job back at Phoenix Children's Hospital.
It has been fun taking care of patients in the "western" setting again, despite the fact that there are many days that I have to really pray that God will give me patience with the high maintenance patients and parents that I take care of on occasion (You know, like the ones who are demanding for one thing after another and then complain that they didn't get enough ice in their water...there's always that temptation to tell them there are plenty of people in the world who don't even have clean water, but then I realize that I need to show grace to people who might not have that perspective just as God has shown grace to me). It has been amazing sharing with my coworkers about my experiences in Africa and encouraging them to get involved too! I've been surprised that even some of the doctors and nurses I didn't know very well before I left have shown interest in what I did in Africa, asked to see pictures, or requested more information about Mercy Ships. It always excites me when other people catch the vision....even if they aren't necessarily ready to pack up and move to Africa, it is so refreshing when I see other people open their eyes to what is going on in other parts of the world and want to do something about it!
I have also really enjoyed the opportunity to do some traveling since I've been home. In October, I got to go down to Mexico with the ministry I used to work with (Love Walks). It was so fun to see lots of old friends down there and I was surprised and touched that a lot of the kids (even the younger ones!) remembered me! In November, I was able to attend a medical missions conference in Kentucky and had a fun reunion there with several of the nurses I knew from the ship who also came out for the conference. After the conference, I was able to spend a few days with Jen (one of my best friends from the ship) and then went to Nashville to spend a few days with my cousins. Last weekend, I got to travel down to California with my dad to see our extended family in the San Diego area and had a great time with everyone there. I was even able to see two friends from the ship who are currently working in San Diego and another friend who used to work with me in Flagstaff, who now lives down there.
So, while things have been busy with travel, work, and catching up with friends and family, this has been such a fruitful and refreshing time for me. Lots of times, people will ask me if I miss Africa and the ship...and the answer is always yes and no...while I do miss it, I am so thankful to be home and I want to be fully present during the time that I'm at home. So, even though I am excited to be back in Africa next year and looking forward to seeing all my friends back at the ship, I am soaking in every moment that I am here, enjoying the beautiful blessings that God has poured out on me in Phoenix.
