UPDATE- It's a NEW YEAR!!!!

   

       Um, hold on, the last time I blogged was almost a year ago? February of 2016 and here it is January and 2017! A new year! So many exciting things, adventures, new people and places and SO MANY lessons learned which led to so much personal growth!


      I spent the rest of winter and all of spring in Greenwich. What an amazing first assignment I had! The people, the adventures, it was all so wonderful! (And so worth me back-blogging and documenting it all on here even if through photos!)

So, for the summer I spent my assignment in Augusta at University Hospital which was also full of amazing people!! I love that as nervous and anxious as I get about each assignment the Lord has provided such wonderful people for me to meet and spend time with! What a relief that has been!


2 0 1 6 also had lots of tough lessons. And, to be completely honest, was probably one of the darkest years I've ever had. I remember having thoughts of feeling helpless and even at times HOPELESS. My heart felt broken and my relationship with the Lord felt dry and like I was lacking passion. I learned that even though you love someone, and even though they may (or may not) love you, it just might not be the RIGHT thing for you or for them. Let me tell you, that was a hard pill to swallow and many tears were shed over that. But, I also have to admit that making such a hard decision and going through something so difficult allowed me to be reminded that I HAVE to seek the Lord and place all my cares, hurts and sorrows in His hand (1 Peter 5:7). Because honestly, I wouldn't have such a peace about my decisions without knowing His promises. I cried, a lot, and begged the Lord to show me a sign, or make the decision for me. I FINALLY realized that He had shown me exactly what I needed to do but it was up to me to surrender and follow His plan. WOAH! Talk about hard but talk about a peace that came with it that I don't think I've ever had before. So, even with a broken heart, knowing I was doing what was right, and not just for me, I followed the Lord's lead. And to know that God never wastes a hurt (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) that made it all the better.


Which leads me to where I am today...LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA! I can remember, probably all the way back in high school, that I would tell people I was going to be a nurse, a travel nurse. Little did my teen mind and heart know that I'd actually become a nurse and that God would lay the foundation that would allow me to do just that, TRAVEL!!! This doesn;t go without saying that even though I know deep down this is what and where I'm supposed to be, it is NOT easy.

I've had anxiety in the past but never like the heart racing, cold sweating, sick feeling I got as my parents drove me to the airport Friday. We were halfway to the airport and the anxiety overcame me so quickly. Right as I was texting my girl friends to please pray that my anxiety would go away ASAP one of them called! Can we say perfect timing?! I think knowing I would be further than I have ever been from home and family just really had me homesick before I even left yet. And not knowing when I'd be able to come home again! But, after a long flight and an Uber journey to pick up my car that had been shipped here, I started my LA adventure! Made it to my apartment only to find out I basically have no cell phone reception (because this place is basically in a valley of a canyon). Sure, who doesn't like to disconnect from the world every now and then? But not when I'm thousands of miles away from my family and have no idea where to start exploring! So, today, Tuesday, I finally have internet in my apartment which means I have wifi and am able to connect to cell service via my router! YASSSS!!!

Okay, enough rambling! Here are just a few of the pictures from my adventures here so far! Can't wait to explore some more this weekend...

 I know I said the cell phone reception at my apartment completely sucks but the view from the rooftop y'all? AMAZING! Completely doesn't suck! 

And these pancakes at Du-par's after going to Hillsong LA on Sunday AM? The best. (Or it could've been that I was hangry and anything I ate would've tasted great) but really though, they were great!

 This is the spectacular view from the parking lot of the Hollywood Bowl Overlook on Mulloholland Drive! (It was already dark and me being alone I figured it wasn't a great time to try and walk the trail to the actual overlook.)

 Got to briefly check out Santa Monica and the Pier! 

 And this was the amazing supper I had in Santa Monica at Blue Plate Taco. If you're in the area, I highly recommend this place, their atmosphere and food were great! 

Not too mention I got to enjoy this sunset with my dinner! 

I'm sure I will have lots more to share soon! I hope I didn't ramble too much! 

Also, if anyone has any suggestions of must see/do/visit while I'm in the LA area please SHARE!

Oh and where am I in all this? Just taking it all in! Enjoying each new experience and reflecting during my time "alone"! Excited about what each day of this new year holds!

 Here's to you, 2017!