Georgia On My Mind

Ok, so arrived safely in Atlanta with an uneventful trip down. I haven't done much of anything out on the town yet, except for grocery shopping, but even that was enjoyable. This is just a very convienient city. Everything is just around the corner or right up the road. And so far, as long as I avoid the highways, the traffic hasn't been unbearable. I started orientation today and already feel like I am going to love it here. I am preparing to be a little overwhemled next week when I start on the unit. It's twice the size of what I am used to, but they have amazing resources here. There are two other travelers in orientation right now and we've had a good time talking about past assignments and homes. Below are pictures of my apartment. Keep in mind, I took these tonight, so in your head add a TON of sunlight and a balcony on the 7th floor! I can't wait for a warm day so I can open my balcony doors from both my living room and bedroom, drink a cup of coffee and relax. Also looking forward to going to Buckhead Church this weekend! I am so excited to find a Bible preaching/teaching church so quickly. They're much harder to find than I thought they would be. I'll let you know how it goes! Here's my bedroom looking into the bathroom

The bathroom with two huge closets

Looking at the living room into the kitchen

The kitchen...with a WASHER AND DRYER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Standing at my front door

How Can I Not Love Them!?!

Sorry I have not posted about the trip to the DR sooner. It's one of those things you process over time. I guess I will approach it in two ways...group and individual. As a group, I was very proud of the enthusiasm that was put forth by the group during the clinics and village visits we did. We saw every pre-schooler and his/her family. Once you add in that the families can be large, it was a lot of people! We also saw every kid at the after school program that was there that day, among many in the villages. It was amazing to see how much can be accomplished by a group and not just one person (AKA...me...in May) I had to laugh because everything I did was usually repeated because people would just be so eager to help. Rest assured, almost every kid in my group was listened to approx three times. It was so great to see the kids again! Here is a picture of our group as we left. The picture coming back wouldn't be pretty...half the group was sick.

On a personal note, it was much harder than I was expecting. This was the hardest trip for me to the DR to date. While I love being around and enjoy people's company, I like to do my own thing. The ironic thing is...I am a big team player at work and feel it absolutely essential for an emergency room to run smoothly, but at the same time I was the student who despised group work. When it comes to accomplishing tasks together...I have a hard time. Being a travel nurse, you get used to doing a lot on your own and have to become very self sufficient. It's not an option to rely on others, at least not for a couple weeks until you are comfortable with the staff and start creating friends. In May, I was on my own. I had staff there and couldn't have got by without them, but if I needed some time, I could just hop on a moto, grab a bite to eat and then sit while watching the ocean. I felt like I was in a constant battle of wanting to make sure everyone in the group was getting the most out of their experience and wanting to (let's call a spade a spade) take control. I have to say I was a little disappointed with my attitude. Things that shocked me the first time are familiar to me the third. I felt so selfish and like I was giving Satan a foothold to let little things annoy me. By the end of the week, the Lord prevailed. All kinks with the clinic were worked out within an hour...with no input from me. Everyone being so eager to do medical things left me with nothing to do...until I got to step outside and just hug and love on the kids I so desperately wanted to see. Just like so many other times in my life, I look at things I want to do and think that I know the most efficient way of doing something and God says "No Laura, you need to step back. You are just a person that I created and I want you to do this my way...the right way" Looking back, there's nothing I would have changed about how the clinics ran. Why? Because God knew better. While planning and organizing trips are some of my favorite things to do, I'm learning when to step back. In God's Kingdom, we truly are a body and must work together. You have to love others and learn to work with everyone. Here a just a few of the 2,000+ pictures that were taken.



The new staff down there is amazing. I was a little nervous, not knowing how we'd all click since I had lived with the last staff and loved them dearly. My heart overflows with the new people God has placed down there with Anne, Garrett, Robin, Cara and Sharla. They are a fun group of people and I look forward to getting to know them even better. I found myself often just wanting to stay up and chat with them...and laugh. Things seem funnier in the Dominican. Here's a picture with Robin and Cara in Cabarete...discussing my return.

Tomorrow I move to Atlanta Georgia to embark on my new assignment. I am so excited! A different excited from Philly since I know a little more what to expect. I just feel like God is going to do some big things there. I am so looking forward to already knowing a church to go to and having some extended family and friends close by. This time I go by myself. I would give anything to have my Mom or Dad with me when I walk into the apartment and stay for a week and get to know my way around a little bit. But this is not the case...so I face this adventure with Jesus. He and I are going to have road trip.

Sorry this was not and upbeat Laura post...I have lots to learn.

So Long Philly!

As hard as it is to believe, three months have already gone by and my assignment in Philadelphia is done. My last night at work started out terrible, including cleaning up vomit from a four year old while The Philly's won the World Series...the exact moment actually. But then my co-workers threw me a HUGE carry in with a ton of very good food. We were all stuffed! I will certainly miss them. I met some very funny and wonderful people. I hope to keep in touch with them and will miss the way they say things...beacause it's usually entertaining.

I learned a ton in Philly. A lot about myself, what I am able to handle and how good God is to lead you through and give you the strength that you need to stand up, or keep your mouth shut. I know I am a better nurse for working at St. Chris, and I hope to take those skills with me to Scottish Rite.

I am ready to move on and Atlanta is the next stop, but not before returning to the DR! We leave Tuesday! Please pray for safety as 1)we leave on election day...yay...my vote is already in 2) There are 14 of us going, double the size last year 3)Housing and school schedule have changed a little bit. I know that it is all in the Lord's hands and I cannot wait to see ALL that He is going to do. It's going to be so great to see the staff, the kids, and all that God has done in the six months since I have been gone.