Light and Dark

What a wonderful week it has been and will be! Sunday I got to meet new people at church as well as catch up with Kerry. Amanda will be back next week. I think it's funny how the Lord has let us all meet and strike up a friendship. I'm a nurse, Kerry works with Americore and Amanda is a social worker...apparently we are all like minded when it comes to helping others.

Today I had lunch with my good friend Kara...you remember her from the DR. She is in PA for the time being and will be here while I am. Since she is only about 40 minutes away, we are planning on not being strangers and being buddies here as well! Oh, how I have missed that lady! It was so incredibly nice to catch up with her, hear about how things are in the DR and the excitement that is her life. She has such a wonderful attitude and it's just a blessing being around her. I am amazed that we just pick up where we left off almost three months ago. Once again, so thankful for the bond of Christ! Here we are after our lunch in Chesnut Hill.

For those of you back at Dayton CMC...I have hung out with Casey and we plan on hanging out again soon. She is doing great and is still her sweet and funny self. I filled her in on as much as I could and we both agree that we miss you all terribly.

I work the next three nights, but my parents arrive this weekend! I am so excited to see them in person instead of on Skype, although we have passed many hours on it. We plan to tackle downtown and the history of our country. I'm excited since I am so into history anyway. I can't wait for Dad to see everything!

On a more dissapointing note...it's not all bliss all the time. There is a saying that Philadelphia's anthem are the sirens you hear constantly. I didn't notice them until I was told this and now I notice every one. Within one week of just working 4 days, we had a severe abuse case taken to the trauma room of which the child later died, a gunshot wound and another kid with a knife stabbed into his head. A domestic abuse case playing out in the hallway and numerous child vs. auto cases. I don't say all this to make you think...wow...things must be rough there. I can't imagine. I say this all as a reminder to myself that people need Jesus here just as much as any other place. A reminder that it is my job to love and care for people who feel so alone and helpless in this city. God is the same God that is in Dayton, the DR, and here. Who am I that I get to be God daughter and live out the gospel in the flesh.

I am currently reading Francis Chan's book called Crazy Love. You need to read it. Period. This is comimg from a girl who never takes the time to really read books. It will wake you up and spur you on.

That's all for now...will post next week sometime after downtown and ocean city!

Yes, I'm in Philadelphia...

I have heard the cries of the people (all two of them) and decided to blog every now and then to keep everyone posted that I am still alive and well. Although, it was very hard to leave this...

Ok, so here's the story. As most of you know, I decided to take a travel nurse position at St.Christophers Hospital for Children in their ER. I will be here until November, at which I return to Ohio to join the team and head down to the DR for another week. CAN'T WAIT! Mom and I headed out to drive through the night and arrive on the first. I figured, since I work nights, I would be fine to drive in my can't-move-an-inch-it's-packed-so-full RAV 4. However, since we weren't planning on leaving until the next morning and I didn't get a nap, I got tired at 5am, not too mention that I could no longer feel my rear. We decided to stop at a hotel and be out by 10am at check-out. The first room they gave us hadn't been cleaned and smelled like something had died in there. I really thought I walked into a crime scene. The mattress was flipped over and there were sheets and towels thrown about. A while later we were in a different room. We left and got to the apartment at the time we originally thought 3p, which was good considering they moved my funiture in at 1p. Getting all my stuff up to the fifth floor was a trip. We had no dolly and it's a tiny european style elevator with no air. A couple hours later we ventured out to find a wal-mart to get the necessities. On the way back we ended up on a not so great side of town, mom's panicking and refusing to leave me in this town by myself. Thankfully the next day we found the good parts on town and mom's heart was set much more at ease. She and dad had no problem with me going to the island of the DR by myself but put me in the #1 murder spot and city of "most dangerous" driving, they are a little bit more on edge. I assure you that I am very cautious! Here's some pics of my apartment
My bedroom, there's two closets and two huge windows

looking from my front door through the living room, dining room into the kitchen

looking to the bay window

standing at the bay window toward the fireplace

My apartment is so cute and much bigger than one person needs. If I were going to live here the rest of my life it would have the potentional to be the most adorable place ever. Not having to pay a dime of the rent or utilities makes me love it all the more. It has a beautiful lobby, a gym, sauna and pool. It was built in the 1920's and restored in the 1998. There's a ton of character! Google it! Alden Park Apartments

I have started going to a church called Liberti and met a couple of girls who just recently moved here as well. We all did lunch yesterday and it's nice to have people to call if I want to go get coffee or just someone to hang out with. The people at work have been so incredibly helpful and nice. Believe it or not, I have yet to get sworn at...don't worry, I know my day is coming.

Mom and I took the train into downtown...super nice! I love the train! We did some sight seeing, but we are saving most of it for when she and Dad come to visit in a couple weeks. I'll post more pictures then.

I'll also post more about travel nursing, why I am doing it, the people and observations when I have time to seriously think it through...which could be soon! haha