my first real job

I can't believe this... but I just applied for my first real job yesterday! Wow!! For some reason, I keep feeling anxious (and excited) whenever I think about working as a real nurse. It is sooo much responsibility, and I think I am realizing the weight of all I will be doing in just a few short months. 

So many people can't even think about getting married now and just want to work, but I am much more nervous about working in the real world than I ever was about getting married. God keeps bringing Philippians 4:6 to mind... "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." So for now, I am just praying and asking the Lord to give me peace and to guide my steps as I make these decisions.


In just 4 short days... I will be leaving for Ecuador!!! YEAH!!!! I haven't been out of the country in almost 3 years so I can't wait! We finished most of the packing of supplies today which made me so excited! We are taking 20 big black trunks with all our medical supplies, medications, teaching materials, etc. So now they are all ready to go! My bag on the other hand... only has a few pairs of scrubs packed so far. I need to get going on that... I can't wait to tell you all about my trip when I get back! Please be in prayer for my whole team. There are 16 nursing students going, some building science guys (who are building a daycare during the week), and a few faculty members. We leave Saturday (2/27) at 5:30 pm from Atlanta and then we get back Sunday (3/7) at about 5:30 am... we are going to be so exhausted when we get back! Oh goodness... but I know it will be soooo worth it! Here is some more info about our trip. Thank you for your prayers!


This past Sunday, I started my preceptorship! If you didn't know, I am doing it on the Mother/Baby unit at East Alabama. I got to take care of some wonderful mommas and babies!! I love my job!! It is just such an exciting time in all the families' lives, and I am so thrilled to be a small part of their experience. A huge part of being a postpartum nurse is educating the mothers (particularly first time mothers). So that is what I really want to focus on perfecting during my preceptorship. My preceptor (the nurse I always work with) is sooo wonderful!! She is a great teacher and is already giving me more responsibility with the patients. I can already tell I am going to love this semester. I will tell more stories later... hope everyone is having a great week so far!

Endings and New Beginnings

Today was my last day of college class... EVER!! I can't believe it. This weekend, we start our nursing preceptorship (fancy word for internship). I am doing mine at East Alabama Medical Center here in Opelika in the Mother/Baby unit. I am sooo excited about it! I start on Saturday, so I'll have to let you know how it goes. While one chapter of my life is about to close, another is about to open. So because this was my last day of class, it has gotten me thinking lots about the future. Tonight I have been working on my resume, looking for jobs, and looking for a place to live.

Good news... there are nursing jobs available! There are not many in Auburn, but there are options in Columbus and Montgomery. I am hoping to stay in the OB area to some degree... either labor and delivery, postpartum, or nursery. We'll see what the Lord has for me!

As for a place to live... not so much luck. I looked  online at lots of different realty companies in Auburn, and there are definitely plenty of options. It's just so hard to decide. I'll keep you posted on any new developments.

Talking about college ending and the "real world" beginning reminds me of Ecclesiastes 3... there is "a season for every activity under heaven." So we can always remember this season, here is a picture of my close friends in nursing school.

We had a presentation today so that would explain the dress clothes and nametags. I love you girls so much and can't believe we're all about to part ways and grow up to be real nurses!! Nursing school would not have been the same without y'all. Now I have to get some sleep before clinicals at 7 in the morning! Goodnight!

Snow!!!

Here is a summary of our snow day last Friday (2/12) in pictures!! Enjoy... because we sure did!! :)

Enjoying the Snow!!

Blake's baby snowman

 Just the beginning of the snow 

War Eagle!!

Marianne and Jeremy came over to enjoy the snow!

Everything covered in snow!

Backyard

The fence and field behind our house

AU President's Mansion

Jehovah Jireh: The Lord That Provides

A few days ago, I had a conversation with some friends about the Lord's provision. So often, we feel that we have to take things into our own hands to somehow "help God" accomplish his purpose. I have found that this will never work. Just to share a little personal story, last summer... Blake was working for a seed and feed company here in Auburn. He was looking for another job with better pay and benefits, and the Lord provided a landscaping crew leader job with another company here. He took the job about 2 weeks before our wedding and then got another job offer right before the wedding from another landscaping company. The Lord provided a job (actually TWO jobs) in HIS perfect timing. That is the key... the Lord's timing. He want the Lord to provide for our needs, but on OUR timing. That is not how our God works. Blake felt he had given his word to the first company, so he took the job with them. It wasn't his dream job, and right after thanksgiving... he actually changed jobs to the second company that offered him a job. It has been incredible to see the Lord work in both of our lives through trusting the Lord to provide for all our needs when it didn't really seem possible.

Whenever I think about the Lord's provision, I am reminded of the story of Abraham and Isaac. Abraham had waiting so long for God to bless him with a son, and then God told him to sacrifice his only son. Abraham was faithful and took Isaac on the mountain to sacrifice him. Just before he was about to sacrifice his son, the Lord provided a ram caught in the thicket to be sacrificed in his place. Wow!! At the last possible second before Isaac was sacrificed, the Lord came through and provided a way out. He will do the same for you. When everything seems to be going against you and you can't find a way out... the Lord will provide. I must say that it may not be in the way that you want though. That is definitely something God has taught me. I don't have all the answers. I do not perfectly trust the Lord... but I am striving. I know He is faithful. I know He loves you. I know He will provide for your every need. Don't trust my words... trust Him.

When I was talking about Isaac being Abraham's only son, I made me think about a baby I got to meet the other day. Sweet Conner...

This is Jim's (Blake's aunt's boyfriend) grandson. Isn't he soooo precious!! Blake is holding him in this picture, and this is actually the youngest baby Blake has ever held. Conner was only 2 weeks old here. I looooove babies and am sooo excited that I get to do my preceptorship (internship for nursing school) in the Mother/Baby unit at EAMC here in Opelika!!! I start next weekend and cannot wait! I'll let you know how it goes next weekend!

Well... It is snowing outside right now and Blake is about to be home from work. So I am going to go play!! Here is a sneak peek at what the snow looks like right now in Auburn. I'll post more pictures later!

Pray for Carrie and Kate

Carrie and Kate... two sweet friends who I love and am praying for fervently! Today, I am asking you to join in praying for them with me.

First, Carrie Chavers. Carrie and her husband Jason are in our Sunday school class. We have a weekly game night with our class and have really enjoyed getting to know them over the past 6 months. Last summer, Carrie was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and underwent surgery to remove all of it. It was successfully removed and she had a clean check-up in October. Just last week, she had another scan and the cancer has returned. They are not able to do surgery again, so she will start IV chemotherapy this Friday. PLEASE be in constant prayer for her and Jason.
Here is a picture so you can put a face with the name you are praying for. Pray for peace that passes all understanding that only our Lord can give... pray for spiritual, mental, and emotional strength... pray for wisdom for all the doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who will be working with Carrie... pray the Lord will heal Carrie's body... above all else- pray for God to be glorified! You can keep up to date with them through Jason's blog. Please join me in praying for Carrie. Here are just a few verses the Lord has brought to mind as I've been praying for them:

• James 5:16 - Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
• Lamentations 3:22-23 - Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
• James 1:2-4 - Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
• Isaiah 40:30-31 - Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
• Philippians 4:6-8 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Now... I will introduce you to Kate McRae. I was first introduced to Kate last summer when she was first diagnosed with a brain tumor. (And by introduced, I mean that I found her story online. I have never met her in person.) I have been following her story daily since then. She has been through surgery to remove part of the tumor, IV and oral chemotherapy, and now she about to undergo an autologous stem cell transplant tomorrow. Part of the tumor still remains after all of this, but doing surgery again increases the chance for tons of long-term complications. Kate is only 6 years old and is having to learn lots of grown-up lessons at such a young age. They are from the Phoenix area where her Dad is a pastor. She also has an older sister, Olivia, and a younger brother, Will. This families' faith has taught me so much over the last several months. I encourage you to visit PrayForKate and follow her blog. Her parents, Holly and Aaron, are very transparent on their blog and really show what it is like to be going through such a difficult journey with their little Kate. One of my favorite stories that Holly told was about little brother Will (he's about 4) who prayed one night- "God, take the tumor and break it all into pieces and throw it into the toilet and flush the toilet! Amen." - How pure is a child-like faith. It reminds me of when people were bringing the little children to Jesus and the disciples told them to stop. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." (Matthew 10:13-14) I can imagine the Lord saying these words as Will said his prayer that night. As you can tell, I feel as though I know this family quite well even though I have never met them. So, all that being said... I ask for you to pray for Kate as she begins this next stage of her treatment. Here are a few pictures of Kate and her family.

Will, Kate, and Olivia before Kate's diagnosis

Kate and her beloved goldendoodle, Patrick.
(photo credit: ohsoposhphotography)

Beautiful Kate
(photo credit: ohsoposhphotography)

The McRae Family... Will, Holly, Kate, Aaron, and Olivia
(photo credit: ohsoposhphotography)

1 Thessalonians 5:17 - Pray without ceasing.

national signing day 2010

I feel like I have tons of things to catch up on in my blogging. First of all... I cooked my first pot roast with potatoes and carrots on Monday. It was yummmmo! :) Blake approved too! I took a picture of it, but it really doesn't look appetizing in a picture, so I will spare you tonight. Next in my week, I had class all day Tuesday... blah. Only a few more weeks of college left. I can't believe that! We also had our team meeting about Ecuador. I am definitely more excited about the trip than ever before... only a little over 3 weeks until we leave. I have one thing to tell you about so you can be in prayer for our team. In Ecuador, the culture is very different in many aspects dealing with a woman's status in the home. There is a lot of physical/sexual abuse in the home and the women feeling obligated to have sex with her husband or any man who seeks her out. Basically, the woman has no say in anything that happens with her body. We are doing a women's health clinic, so please pray we will know how to relate to these women and that God will give us the words to say that won't be offensive but will tell them the truth about their bodies. Our team leader said that the best thing to do in talking with them is to not be a "dictator" and tell them how things should be in their home... but to tell them how things are with YOU so that you can set an example for them. I feel that I have a unique role on this trip in that I am the only married student going... actually, I'm the only married student in all of nursing school. haha! In all seriousness, I would be forever grateful for your prayers that the Lord will use me in a unique way because I am married. Thank you in advance for your prayers!

After the Ecuador meeting, it was time for game night!!! This is one of the highlights of my week... every week. Yes, that's right. We have a game night EVERY week! Some couples in our "newlywed" Sunday school class get together and have a potluck dinner and play games. Mike and Kelly are so very gracious to host it every week at their home. This week, we had breakfast for dinner which is always a favorite! Then we talked about Miss America for a reaaaallll long time. One thing you must know about my friend Kelly is that she is ADDICTED to pageants. For real. She knows sooooo much about them... it's just a whole new world to me. Because we see these friends bi-weekly, I have realized it is unacceptable that I have ZERO pictures with any of them. So... get ready for game night next week. It's picture time!! :)

That brings us to Wednesday. Another long day of school... blah. After class, Marianne and I did a Cardio Plus class at the student act.... INTENSE! Marianne's (freshman) cousin actually taught the class, and she was kicking our tails! I know I will be sore tomorrow, but then it's back to Zumba tomorrow night. I finally cooled down from working out and then Blake and I went to dinner with Marianne, Amanda Kaye, and Tanner. And guess what?! I took PICTURES!

Eating yummy food at Santa Fe

Woo hoo!! This is a bit of a holiday in the Thaxton household... it's called National Signing Day.

For those of you who don't know Blake well should know that he loooooves Auburn. Period. Beyond just Auburn, he loves Auburn football... especially Auburn football recruiting. National Signing Day is when high school recruits "sign" with the schools that they will play for in the fall. We now have the #4 recruiting class of 201o for the whole country!!! WOW!! If you want to know anymore about this, ask Blake. He's the expert!!

Tanner and Blake... bff recruiting buddies! They loooove talking recruiting together.