Mission Trip and Guatemala

Panajachel-Solola-Nahuala Mission Trip

helping serve the Mayan Families http://www.mayanfamilies.org

organization- Global Hands of Healing

For a few years now, I have wanted to go on a medical mission trip and serve those who are in need, while being able to adventure to another country. My health cooperated and I was able to travel to Guatemala with Global Hands of Healing for eight days.

The group consisted of eighteen individuals, who came from a variety of religious backgrounds and many different skills. Our group consisted of 1 medical doctor, 4 dentists, 4 nurses, 2 dental assistants, 1 paramedic, 2 vision workers, 2 ministers, 1 CRNA, and 1 young adult/college student.

We flew into Guatemala City and traveled to Panajachel (about 4 hours away) where we stayed at the hotel Jardines del Lago for six nights...

The hotel sat near a lake leaving us with beautiful grounds and a great view...especially at the morning buffet. Every morning the weather was lovely and we ate overlooking the lake.

We would all make frequent stops in the lobby to use the wi-fi, to play crazy UNO, eat cookies and head out for the many activities.

I am going to break up this experience into a few different posts...

My degree arrived!!!! Now maybe one day I will frame it.

I Graduated...Finally!

I have taken the longest road to completing my bachelor degree...and I am happy to say that it is done. I did an 8 month accelerated program. Honestly, for years, I did not even have the desire....and then the medical industry decided to want to make it a necessary norm...and I got on board. I feel quite accomplished...learned a thing or two about research and writing...and writing....and writing {need I say more}...and it is a good thing that I learned something {as no pay raise comes with this}. I finished with 7 A's and 1 B...not too bad I guess.

So my educational path goes something like this:

Completed my LVN in July 2000

Completed my ADN in April 2007

Completed my BSN in August 2014

(Do you see the seven year pattern?)

As I am contemplating earning a masters degree...I ponder if it will take another seven years

 In front of the Texas Tech University Marquee

 Guns Up

 My parents decided to make the six hour trek to Lubbock to watch me have my moment of fame

 and so did Nathaniel

 this awesome man came to play with me in Lubbock and we made a weekend out of it

Check out the awesome Converse that Charles gave me for graduation....LOVE THEM!!!

A New Blog



Since life is starting anew, I decided to create a new blog. A place to share my new beginnings...challenges...and life as it unfolds. I hope that you will join me in part two of my life.

http://www.lifeparttwo.org/   {it may take 2-3 days for the link to work}.

In the mean time you can gain access by clicking here

I lost my boot

My foot is starting to have good bone regrowth and so this past Wednesday the doctor told me that I could ditch the boot. What glorious words to hear. I have now been trying to learn how to re-walk while wearing two regular shoes. It has been a bit awkward...and at times I find my self tripping. And there is the issue of my foot really not fitting into too many of my shoes. This will resolve with time...but for the moment....I must say that I do not miss that boot.

Now maybe I will eventually be able to start exercising in the near future. My next appointment is in three weeks.

Sunday Blahs

Sometimes Sundays are...a bit BLAH...LONELY...and full of REFLECTION these days. They are a bit downright tough to muster through at times. I had been warned about this from a variety of single adults over the months {SIGH}. Today is a day that I get it.

I have been attempting to go to church. After all, I do have a handful of friends that have been a great support that I like to socialize with. I also enjoy singing the uplifting hymns. But let me tell you, most Sundays I could just pass on right now. Church is a place to watch families that are happy...pretend to be happy...remember the good times of my past life...reflect on the imperfections....and wonder what the future holds...blah blah blah.

I sent Nathan a text today letting him know that the house was too quiet. That Thumper and I missed him extra today. He replied back that he was pretty bored today also.

I have a lot of time on my hands right now (actually since my surgery). I am sure that after I get a new job, that I will look back and think the quietness of today would be lovely. I am sure that as I adjust to the choices that I have made...that I will eventually adapt.

But at this time...I wonder where one goes to find new friends {HMMM}.