Comfort Zones

Monday morning and the alarm goes off - 5:30am, time for the hubby to answer the call of the Army. It's called PT or as my husband sometimes says physical torture.  The last time I actually got out of bed at this hour was in February, before our move to Texas, when I worked 12 hour day shifts that started at 6:45am.  For some unknown reason I decide today is the day I'm going to get back on track and join the rest of the waking world.  Time for PT! 

6:30am. I drop my blue class ticket into an upside-down baseball cap and climb onto a bike. The instructor is already pedaling at the front of the classroom and the people around me look focused and ready for their ride - to nowhere.  I have arrived at spin class.  The music is pounding and my pedals start keeping time with the beat, before I realize it - the hour class is over!  I've ridden 20 miles and burned more calories than I ever have at this hour of the morning - I can't keep back the smile!

The pain sets in the next day, but I get back on the bike - pushing past my fears of inadequacy, of being judged, and the fear that I might fail.  I pass by my comfort zone as I push up a hill and wipe the sweat off my brow.  I completed four spin classes this week.  It wasn't easy leaving the feather pillow and extra sleep behind, but the rewards of health, fitness, and conquering are worth it!  

I love eating food that's good for me and hitting the gym for a light workout, but Spinning was definitely out of my comfort zone!  Today I couldn't be happier that I took on the challenge!  What are you afraid of today?  Is your comfort zone holding you captive?  Don't be afraid to break free - you'll find the reward of conquering the unknown to be well worth leaving the feather pillow behind!

Life changes...

A lot has taken place since my return from Africa in 2010. I met my future husband shortly after my return home, was married to Isaac in September of 2011, survived him being deployed for a year, completed my BSN in 2012, applied to CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist) school in 2013, moved across country to Texas in February of 2014, and now I'm soaking up some Texas sunshine! There were many other life adventures along the way, but four years is a lot to fill you in on! 

Next month I again make a cross country move, back to NC.  My move to Winston Salem is the start of a very exciting, and to be honest, pretty intimidating new adventure. I start a 24 month CRNA program at Wake Forest University in August! My dream is to use this new degree to continue my passion for medical missions.  Isaac and I will again be apart, but we pray God will sustain and provide for us during this time.  We covet your prayers as well! 

The goal of this blog is to keep you updated to this new adventure and perhaps maintain my sanity by writing down my thoughts, struggles, and experience as a SRNA (Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist). 

"Ever more people today have the means to live, but no meaning to live for." -Viktor E. Frankl

Back Home...

What an adjustment to go from living on a ship with 400 plus people and constant activity to arriving home and having a whole house to myself. The quiet was drastic, and painfully uncomfortable. I’ve always thought of myself as a bit of an introvert – but time on the Africa Mercy rid me of that –at least for now.

I guess God gives us the grace to adapt to the environment which He places us in… Although since arriving home to my “quiet” I’ve been a bit of a non-conformist. Recently I’ve taken to calling and threatening people to spend time with me! Okay maybe not… I think really God knew just what I needed and has surrounded me with amazing family and friends this week.

I’ve felt so loved with the warm welcomes from those at church, work, my family, and even neighbors – what amazing people God has placed in my life!

During my time in Africa I learned – or began learning many things. One of those lessons was how precious people are. Life is about relationships – first and foremost with Jesus Christ and secondly with those He places in our lives. There is always a chance to enrich someone’s life. Whether it’s on the giving or receiving end and we need to keep our eyes open to opportunities placed in our path.

So this is just a shout out to all those who have showered my life with blessings over the past few days! I’m so honored to have each of you in my life – THANK YOU!

Much Love,
Katie

p.s. If I can EVER return the favor... call me! :) (I really mean that)

Beauty...

Recently a friend shared at devotions about beauty... She gave the example of gold being refined. The process takes an incredible amount of heat, but when it's complete one can see their reflection clearly in the purified gold. So too, our heavenly Father sometimes "turns the heat up" in our lives. While the process may be uncomfortable, painful, or even down right agonizing - we can be assured that He is working in our life. When He's finished - we will reflect His glory and beauty in our life.

I've struggled with the concept of beauty a lot. Honestly, my self image isn't that great. I know the verse from 1 Samuel 16:7..."The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." But, in our western society when the external is the focus - I have a hard time really living that verse.


Tani helped me with that. Mind you this is still a struggle for me, but by God's grace I'm seeing things a bit clearer each day. Take a look at these pictures:






This little girl went through the fire - literally. We reconstructed a nose for her, but still her badly burned face and body can't be overlooked. But take a second look - her smile can you see it? It's what communicates the inner beauty. Tani will give you a hug in a heart beat, say "I looove you!", and you can see a little creases forming under her one good eye as she breaks into a smile. Yes, this little girl is truly beautiful - you can't help but see it.

Lord, I thank you for refining fires. I haven't been through anything like little Tani, but I praise you for the work you are doing in my life. Let me reflect your beauty - from the inside out!

First - thank you all for your thoughts and prayers! I can’t believe I’ve been in Africa for 6 weeks already! It seems like just the other day I was eagerly anticipating my flight here.

Second – I apologize for taking such a long time in posting another update. Reason number one for this is I’ve been procrastinating (you all know I’ve very good at that). Reason number two is I keep very busy here even when I’m not working. And reason number three which seems to sound the best in my defence – the internet hasn’t been working very consistently. So, now for the really update.

This week I took my day off to go with the dental team off ship. I didn’t even know there was a dental team when I first learned about Mercy Ships, so I was excited to be educated on their “operations” first hand. We took two land rovers, which was about 16 people and headed into the nicer part of town. Part of the agreement Mercy Ships has with the government is guaranteed buildings for their dental, eye, and hospitality program. The building provided for the dental team was across the street from some government offices. It’s two stories, clean, and air conditioned! (yes, I do love the AC during 90 degree humid days!)

Their setup is pretty sweet. For three of the dentists they have two chairs. The fourth dentist, who’s here long term, has only one chair for larger more complicated cases. They also have one chair for a hygienist who works independently. (That’s a total of eight chairs if my math skills still work.)

They day I went the team worked from 9am – 2pm with 3 dentists and one hygienist. During that time they saw about 50 patients. They did cleanings, filled cavities, and pulled a lot of teeth – even the wisdom teeth of one of the translators because they finished work early!

During the time patients are waiting to receive treatment they are taught about how to care for their teeth and how to educated friends and family. After treatment a translator gives teaching about their pain medication (just ibuprofen) and reinforces the information taught earlier.

So far the dental team has seen over 3000 patients here in Togo. There goal is to try and see about 5000 patients by the beginning of August.

I continue to be blessed as I work with the patients here in the hospital. Just yesterday I took care of two young women 19 and 30, who had successful VVF repairs. (Check out my post about VVF if you haven’t already.) Both women were trying to teach me Ewe (pronounced “A way”). I’m a horrible student, but they had a tremendous amount of patience with me; and laughter, for that matter, as I muddled up the pronunciation of the words. I had to keep saying “baba ray” – I’m sorry. Their grace is so refreshing – just as God’s grace is in my life. All I can say is I’m so thankful!

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Adventures in Togo land continue… I must say that keeping busy isn’t hard to do thanks to many different “off ship” ministries that Mercy Ships has available.

This week I went to one of the local deaf schools after my shift. A group of us – about 16 - went in the land rovers, leaving at about 5:30pm. I found out that there IS rush hour traffic in Lome, Togo and that I don’t like it. Cars are bumper to bumper with zimees (motor bikes) cutting in and out. Additionally there are people in the midst of it all attempting to cross the street! Note to self, bigger is better – at least for safety. J We arrived after about an hour of travel on mostly red dirt roads with a few scattered pot holes. Just fyi – the trip home was about 25 minutes long.

A group of about 40 children greeted us immediately when our white Mercy Ships vehicles pulled through the gate that lead into the schools open court yard. All the children had huge smiles on their faces and energy oozing from their bodies as they made welcoming hand gestures. It was almost silent, but the joy from our arrival was evident - even if you couldn’t hear it in their voices.

One of the teachers for the Mercy Ships’ academy is fluent in sign – and apparently this school uses American Sign Language. So we told/acted out a story with Christina (the teacher) as she translated into sign. Painting was next on the agenda. The children were told to paint their hearts desire. My heart was touched as I looked at their creations. There were motorcycles, airplanes, and for a number of them – a painting of the whole world. The world – that was their hearts desire. For these children, for the people here in Togo - their opportunities in life are far less then mine. What a gift I have been given, and how easily I forget!

I thought I was coming on a mission trip – to do medical work, to share the love of Jesus with those I cared for. But every day I am realizing more and more that this trip isn’t just about others – it’s about me drawing near to God and growing as a person – becoming the woman He desires me to be. It’s scary and humbling - and I can’t wait to see what tomorrow holds!

Today was a celebration day! First is for my health being restored (almost over cold number two) and second for the gift of sight.

Cataract removal is one of the services that is offered by Mercy Ships. The restoration of sight is a major cause for celebration. Approximately 150 patients each week participate in a “Celebrate Sight” event. I attended this morning and joined in the singing, a bit of dancing - not too much - no need to worry folks, and heart felt praise to our God for giving sight back to so many here in Togo.

In addition to the surgeries performed while we are here - more will be performed even after we have left. This is a result of a new training program onboard. African ophthalmologists receive training in the specialized procedure to remove the very dense cataracts that are common in Africa. The hope and healing will continue on!