It's been a while...

Well I am back in my favorite coffee shop in Tacoma enjoying a Roiboos latte and taking a break from orientation paperwork for my new travel RN position. I have been many places and many things have happened in my life since I last wrote to you. Here are the highlights... I spent a long 4th of July weekend at the beach in Florida with my oldest girl friends. We spent our days and nights catching up, relaxing, and doubling over in laughter. What a refreshing time! After Captiva, I came back to Alexandria, VA and continued to help Angela and Ryan prepare for baby. We had some memorable experiences with baby showers, nesting, and air conditioner failures in the 100 degree weather the night before Angela gave birth. Mom and I then had the privilege of helping Angela (in very small ways) as she endured her 24 hr labor. Her husband was the real hero of the night(well, besides Angela of course ;)) as he coached my sister with a lot of patience and without a wink of sleep. Labor is hard work! We were well-rewarded for our vigil as Elijah popped into the world, blond hair and all. What a beautiful child! I love him so much! It was such a joy to hold him and sing to him and pray and pray over him. I also experienced the "work" of having a baby firsthand. I had no idea! :) Three weeks after his birth, Angela and I flew to TN with Eli.. he was such a good little boy! I spent a week in TN visiting with friends and family. I was so happy to see my brother again, and it was lovely to pop into my "other life" for a while. I also got to scream in celebration with my beautiful friends, Alana and Hector, as they found out they are pregnant... such a blessing to be part of that! And now I am back in Tacoma. I'm just starting to work at a new hospital and praying for favor and opportunities to share Christ. I'm really praying that God would just instill a deep, supernatural love in me for those He wants me to connect with. My workplace has always been my natural ministry, and the Lord has been so faithful and kind in making it a joyful, easy thing for me to love the people and share Christ with them in ordinary conversation and acts of service. I went to my first day of orientation today, and, already, God is fulfilling my desires. I easily entered into conversation with the girl He divinely appointed to sit next to me, and I got to share parts of my testimony with her.. because she asked!!! She works on the floor I will be spending much of my time on, and I am looking forward to witnessing Christ's fervent pursuit of her. What a breath-taking thing to see! I think of Jesus' aggressive pursuit of some particular co-workers that I still hold very close to my heart, and I hope for them. There were times when the Spirit's work in their lives was almost tangibly evident... it makes me wonder if they will have any choice but to respond to Him or if they will have to answer to this passionate pursuer on judgment day.. I teeter on a doctrinal fence on that one. God is gracious in giving me such a burden for them. I have wondered about ministry outside of work. People have asked me where my passion lies... with what group of people. I have to answer that I don't know. I love the people I come across. I would love to jump into some ministry here in Tacoma, but I don't know where I would have something to offer. I'm asking God about it. :) I'm also asking God about my living situation. I'm staying in a friend's house until she gets married in two and half weeks, and then I'm moving to... :) I am confident God will simply place me where He wants me, so I'll let you know where I end up. So I guess that's all for now.. nothing too interesting. I miss my nephew.. it's good to be back in Tacoma.. and the Lord is still leading me on this wild, on-going adventure He began in January.. or really long before. love, me :)