9.1.12-9.30.12-Wake me up when September ends

(Open up the YouTube Video Link in another browser, and read the blog while playing this song, 

----> Between the Raindrops <---- 

by Lifehouse featuring Natasha Bedingfield.  It sets the mood for this blog of all things September.)

Walking between the raindrops
Riding the aftershock beside you
Off into the sunset
Living like there's nothing left to lose
Chasing after gold mines
Crossing the fine lines we knew
Hold on and take a breath
I'll be here every step
Walking between the raindrops with you

I started this photo blog based off of Hebrews 12:1-3,
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

 I was beginning an important and difficult journey in life and didn't want to travel it alone.  I wanted company along the way so that I could learn and grow from that company.  Hence the photo blog; sharing a piece of my heart with each of you (even if it did involve some crazy facebook and blogspot stalking).

What I didn't include in my assessment of the journey, was an important verse that led to this scripture reference of being surrounded by a cloud of witness during the race I ran and am continuing to run.  The preceding scripture, Hebrews 11:39-40 says, "These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised.  God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect."   I find it perfectly timed that I only discovered a new perspective on this verse afterwards, in hindsight.  Would I have read these scriptures together, surely I would not have seen the journey I was starting as God planning something better.  But in hindsight, as it is always clearer, I WAS running a race towards something so much better.

Continuing on, September 2012 was a month that escaped me in every aspect of the concept.  September brought things that were overwhelming, stressful, and frustrating.  To the opposite of that, it also brought beauty, love, and understanding.  It was a kind of foggy haze that I just "passed through" on my way to somewhere else.  Ironically enough, I started a new Bible Study today based on the The Psalm of The Ascents (Psalm 120-134); Psalms that were sung in route from point A to point B, sung on a pilgrimage.  I think that before, things were super comfy and I got used to the way things were.  Then things were "shaken" and it really threw me for a loop.  I realized today, only after coming out of the foggy haze, that I was only passing through that stage of comfortable-ness, not staying in those moments, but actually traveling on my way to the next thing. 

So the journey through September and the photos taken in September, reflect a pensive state of mind.  They reflect a period of time where I, now realizing in it's fullness, faithfully thought about and acted out Joshua 5:14 ...then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked Him, 'what message does my Lord have for his servant?'...  I prayed a constant prayer, what is next, Lord?  What is your will?  For sure I don't have that answer; one of the frustrating aspects of September.  But I cheerfully accept that I am no longer captive.  Not captive to anything, anyone, or any one idea.  I AM FREE.  I am free to make decisions and choices that I haven't felt capable of making in so long.

So enjoy a mini journey, within a larger pilgrimage...

 A blessing and a challenge.  Having a youth group of greater than 20 youth.  Making the newsletter took me over two hours this month.  With any group of tightly knit people, there are challenges of relationship issues.  And so begins a year of focused intent on building and nurturing relationships in a more mature manner. 

Chocolate Party where we enjoyed a girls night of eating mousse, chocolate stuffed raspberries, and hot chocolate with kaluha and then watched the movie Chocolat

Traveled to Funchester to see my Niece and Nephew March to Billy Joel songs!  Captured my brother capturing photos.

....then went out for dinner and froyo.  My first Sweet Frogs experience and now I'm addicted.  Klines what?

Outside of It's a Bug's Life in October 2011

 Dad went into the hospital to start Sotalol Treatment on September 10th (the third admission this year)....

On Snow White's Scary Adventure in October 2011, which no longer exists.

...He was discharged on September 12th.  My brother had surgery on September 12th.  Mom went into the hospital on September 14th (the third admission this year).  She was discharged on September 17th.  Dad was readmitted to the hospital on October 1st for Tikosyn Treatment.  He was discharged today, October 3rd. 

James Bible Study that keeps me strong in times of weakness.  The reward of facing challenges headstrong?  Life and more of it...I'm reminded that I cannot be given a challenge that cannot be handled without the presence of God.

Color Run Richmond 2012

We ran the Color Run in Richmond, VA.  It was a great, fun way to exercise and to share laughter with friends.  We had a great time and area ready for double the color in Richmond, VA 2013.  It was more about colorful fun and less about speed and agility.

After the Color Run, we had a cookout with my brother, at his house.  We met up with Miss. Anna and had a great time catching up with her.  We had Pumpkin Beer of course, and ate outside in the crisp fall air.  It was a reminder that during the most challenging times, God is ever present through lasting friendships and relationships that are purposeful and real. 

It was my brother's birthday, also, so I created a photo tribute to "then" and "now".  Weren't we adorable?  Haven't changed one bit, I'd say.

I attended the Association of Critical Care Nursing Blue Ridge Chapter Symposium with colleagues and realized that I was exactly where I was meant to be.  I was content with my job, with the direction my career was heading, and realized the importance of working in hospital setting.

 First outing with the Jr. High Youth Group for the 2012-2013 school year.  Best quote of the night?  "Boyz II Men?  That sounds like a movie you would watch in Family Life class."  The generational gaps of the Jr. High Youth Generation is fantastically funny, but really sad in reality.

 First outing with the Sr. High for the 2012-2013 school year.  Really exciting to be a part of their busy lives, even though they are growing up so fast.  I enjoyed a football game with Eli, shared 3rd quarter Band Break with Alton, and saw many of my Jr. High Youth at the game too.  Then Riley took time from his "cool kid club" to say hi.  They grow up so fast...

 I spent a lot of time focusing on school work and getting caught up.  I spent a lot of time at Panera.  Their Green Tea is a perfect mixture of autumn air and summer sunshine.  I have been working on a teaching/learning project to teach patients about the importance of their medication regimen for anticoagulation in order to prevent ischemic stroke and how staff can effectively evaluate learning styles and educate appropriately.

The original small group bible study girls at Nichole's Wedding.

Caption This!?

Isaiah 61:3, The Message: To care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion, give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes,
Messages of joy instead of news of doom; a praising heart instead of a languid spirit.

Another testimony to the work being done, another one of my youth was Baptized in the North River on Sunday after my Spaghetti Fundraiser.  It was a chilly, Fall day, but a great one to be Baptized.

Happy 100th Birthday, RMH!

My Burma Spaghetti Fundraiser was held on September 30th.  I didn't have a final count on how many people came, but I raised about $1,500.00 towards my flight costs.  It was the remaining amount of money I needed for my trip.  After running out of food, or so I thought, we found several baskets full of leftover rolls.  Reminding me of the Parable of feeding the five thousand, I am reminded that whatever my needs, they will be fulfilled.  Thankfully, no one left hungry.  An excerpt from my stewardship story and testimony earlier that morning...

1 Peter says, “Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time”.  God has placed a spirit of stewardship and service on my heart, and He has allowed the experiences in my life so that I can fulfill these callings.  He has placed these experiences on my heart, He has taught my heart to love for what he loves and to break for what breaks His.  These experiences have affected me and will stay with me forever.  I will never forget these experiences, because they have shaped my life and they have shaped how I see the world.  And I will never forget.  I will never forget…..

...the children in Burma being sex-trafficked.
...the homeless men and women staying at the Roanoke Mission.

…the drug addicts and homeless in Park Slope, New York.
...the families eating at the South Dakota Little Wound summer feeding program.

…the families digging through and living in landfills in Tijuana, Mexico.
...the young men recruited and forced to fight in war in Africa.

…the orphans living in Reynosa, Mexico.
...the people giving up their lives to take care of the ugliness in our world.
...the people in our families hurting or suffering.
...and the rest of God's children around the world.
I will never forget ALL of Gods children, no exceptions.

As I prepare for the next adventure God has planned, I graciously accept your support.  The next adventure is through New Community Project’s Learning Tours to Burma in Southeast Asia.   As always, I know that God will provide whatever it is that I need for this adventure, but I ask for special prayers over our small group.  Prayers that we will continue to seek God in a way that humbles our hearts and minds, and keeps our souls yearning for more of Him.