tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49717370976389434312024-03-13T13:14:40.284+03:00Cara in AmericaCarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699590377921825708noreply@blogger.comBlogger155125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4971737097638943431.post-20683932873884370742014-02-17T04:04:00.001+03:002014-02-17T08:42:46.187+03:00A Day in the Life: Nursing Edition<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I love nursing. I’ve wanted to be a
nurse since age six. In school I toyed around with the idea of being a labor
& delivery nurse, but have never regretted landing in the ER. </span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Here, for your consideration, is a
random compilation of story bits throughout my ER days thrown together to make <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">a day in the life…</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D61IEpUHH3U/UwFfqfTb8FI/AAAAAAAAA-w/ljZroN63dXc/s1600/ER+sign.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D61IEpUHH3U/UwFfqfTb8FI/AAAAAAAAA-w/ljZroN63dXc/s1600/ER+sign.jpg" height="218" width="320" /></a></b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></b></div>
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</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">9:30am – alarm rings. Snooze for 15.
Wake up. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">11:53am – clock in. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Because many have mentioned, yes, nurses
make a decent salary, but probably not as much as you think! ER nurses don’t make
more because our job has “the stress level of a soldier/policeman.” We’re there
because we want to help, not get rich. If we wanted to make $$$, we’d go into
research or become a nurse anesthetist.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">12pm – hug my co-workers hello then
take one’s assignment so he/she can go eat lunch. Check and makes sure one patient’s
circulation is still good (since he’s in restraints for trying to hurt himself,
others, and having, to put it delicately, “intercourse with the mattress”).</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1pm – give discharge instructions to
a guy who came for heart palpations after taking cocaine. He says now that he
knows that cocaine can lead to heart attacks, he’ll never do it again.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2pm – two mothers rush in with
infants in their arms, “My baby, my baby!” they scream. One child is awake, the
other is limp in her mom’s arms. That one goes straight back to a room. Still
breathing, praise the L</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ORD</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">,
so probably in a post-febrile seizure state. Come back for the other baby. Call
language line for translation help. Mom is concerned that happy, healthy baby
has an infection “because that belly button thing fell off after a couple weeks.”
Resist urge to ask if she still has hers.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3pm – triaging a man with tiny paper
cut. Me: “On a scale of 0-10, with 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain
you can imagine, where would you rate your pain right now?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Patient: “I’d say about 50/50.” Me: “Have you
been out of the country in the last 14 days?” Patient: “I’m not sure.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X2JVZeeWDqI/UwFfn7hSPVI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/bz-vPuZDAsI/s1600/for+real.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X2JVZeeWDqI/UwFfn7hSPVI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/bz-vPuZDAsI/s1600/for+real.jpeg" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4pm – car screeches up, man comes
in, grabs our wheelchair, and heads outside. I follow and discover him dragging
a not-quite-breathing person (turning blue) out of the car. “What happened?” I
ask. “What did he take?” The companion refuses to answer and, as soon as I
begin to wheel the patient inside, gets back in his car and takes off.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5pm – a woman presents to the ER
stating she took an allergy pill and now the side of her face is caving in and
her thighs are purple. Ruddy skinned and full faced, she admits that she is
hearing voices speak to her from the toilet bowl and radiator, so we prepare a
psych safe room for her.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6pm – a man storms to my ER triage
window and yells, “Take me to see my brother NOW!” I pull up a list of patients
on my screen and ask his brother’s name in order to find him. “No! Don’t ask me
questions, I need to see him now!” I explain that we have many patients so I
need to know his brother’s name so that I can take him to the right room. “Stop
looking at that computer and get me to my brother!” is the response. I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">finally</i> get a first name from him,
locate his brother, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">as</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I am</i> personally escorting him back to
his brother’s room he continues yelling that I need to take him to see his
brother.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7pm – I see cocaine man from earlier
being wheeled back to one of our trauma rooms. He told me mere hours ago that he
would never do it again, so I put on my disappointed-in-you face and start
walking towards him when I realize that he’s been shot in the abdomen and
groin. He looked at me and said, “I didn’t do it! I didn’t do cocaine again!”
He learned two lessons about cocaine that day: #1 it can give you heart
problems. #2 that you need to pay for it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">8pm – pray with a woman who is
grieving the miscarriage she is having then go to the next room where a woman
is upset that she’s pregnant again and wants information on how to terminate
it. “There’s just no way I can be pregnant. I pee every time after I’m
intimate!”</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">9pm – an inebriated man comes in via
ambulance stating he’s not drunk because he’s only had a couple pints of vodka.
He informs me that when I start drinking I need to start with at least 5-6
liters because that’s how much it will take before I feel a buzz. You learn
something new every day ;)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">10pm – teenage boy comes in with
right sided abdominal pain…appendicitis work up started! A healthy adult male
visitor comes up to my triage window and asks me to open a bottle of Diet
Sprite for him. I do so, silently taking his man card. He asks if we can fall
in love today. I tell him I am too busy triaging. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">11pm –a woman and child walk in.
Mother states she thinks the child might have an ear infection. Man walks in
clutching his chest. I tell ear infection mom we’ll get her back shortly while
I put potential heart attack man in wheelchair. Mother appears shocked and
says, “but we were here first!” EKG done. Man is having heart attack. Draw
blood, put in IV, and transfer patient to the cath lab where they will place
stents in his heart so blood flow can return.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NUusbs_mi1k/UwFfpbSHu8I/AAAAAAAAA-o/jqNisMl9v80/s1600/EKG.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NUusbs_mi1k/UwFfpbSHu8I/AAAAAAAAA-o/jqNisMl9v80/s1600/EKG.png" height="238" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">12am – “I think I might have an STD,
but I haven’t had sex since The Blindside with Sandra Bullock came out.” I wonder
in how many jobs googling a movie’s release date can actually be considered
helpful. Sign in a patient who has no complaints but wants all her regular
prescriptions refilled because “y’all here are a lot faster than going to my
regular doctor.”</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">12:05am – my charge nurse comes to
me,“I know it’s time for you to go home, but we have four discharges coming up,
a patient transferring in from another hospital, a psych patient about to be transferred
out, and EMS just called to let us know a code is coming in…can you stay for a
few more minutes?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">12:15am – assist with patient
intubation (breathing tube down her throat since she’s not breathing on her
own), she loses her pulse again. Start chest compressions while my fellow nurse
gives epinephrine. The patient’s heart starts beating again and we get ready to
send her up to the ICU.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Getting a heart
beat back is definitely worth staying over for :-)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tjqlkvQbVpI/UwFfou5eNUI/AAAAAAAAA-g/eyBxL4NNVJs/s1600/cpr+real.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tjqlkvQbVpI/UwFfou5eNUI/AAAAAAAAA-g/eyBxL4NNVJs/s1600/cpr+real.jpg" /></a> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1am – go home, eat a couple pieces
of pepperoni pizza while watching Community, then fall asleep :)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Every day I see things that…</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">break
my heart</i> – families losing loved ones, abuse, neglect, people not knowing
how to break out of generational cycles of addiction, ignorance, hopelessness.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">annoy me</i> – people taking advantage of
the system, selfishly putting their own comfort and convenience literally in
front of people in need.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="st"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">delight my
heart</i> – lives saved and changed, people learning, co-workers (they’re
awesome), people both and hurting and rejoicing with one another.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The ER can take you on an emotional
roller coaster. The only thing that you can count on is that you have no clue
what is going to come in next. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can a
person cope – even thrive – in such an environment?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">BY THE GRACE OF GOD. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By trusting in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Christ’s </i>consistency and faithfulness, not flawed humans. We are able
to return hateful behavior with love because Christ did that for us first (Rom.
5:8, I Jn 4:10). By acknowledging the pain in this world and agreeing with
David that “I would have lost heart <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">unless
</i>I believed that I will see the goodness of the L</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ORD</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> in the land of the living (Ps
27:13).” By never giving up hope that those who walk in darkness will see a
great light (Is. 9:2, 2 Cor. 4:6). With minds fixed on our L</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ORD</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, ER nurses can walk in perfect
peace (Is. 26:3).</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We’re nowhere near perfect. We fail to
do the aforementioned over and over again. But by God’s grace ER nurses can say,
“What? There’s a place where sick and hurting people gather together and I
would get <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">paid</i> to come and help? Sign
me up!” This is how we can walk into the craziness with a smile… </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4UjcGQX_WwQ/UwFfq9p7mnI/AAAAAAAAA-4/eS4QVtCMva8/s1600/shot.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4UjcGQX_WwQ/UwFfq9p7mnI/AAAAAAAAA-4/eS4QVtCMva8/s1600/shot.jpg" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">*Obligatory disclaimer*
This and all posts about patients may be fictional, may be my experiences, may
have pertinent information changed, or may be a combination of patient experiences.</i><span class="st"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></span></div>
Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699590377921825708noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4971737097638943431.post-80493765219922395472014-02-02T03:10:00.006+03:002014-02-02T03:44:39.743+03:00The Ghost and the Darkness<span class="st">I was 18. It was my first time in Africa.
A girl invited me over for a “great movie about lions…if you can take the
suspense.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told her I could. Pshht, I
knew the popular western mindset of lions roaming the streets in Africa was
ridiculous. I was too learned to fear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pOf74HqrSV0/Uu2KqwmwVGI/AAAAAAAAA98/7LhDMePhtIs/s1600/movie+poster.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pOf74HqrSV0/Uu2KqwmwVGI/AAAAAAAAA98/7LhDMePhtIs/s1600/movie+poster.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<span class="st">The movie was “based off a real story,”
but Hollywood exaggerates. Sure, in the movie over a hundred people were devoured
by the Tsavo lions and on film they seemed eerily smart and devious - even for
a dangerous, predatory animal. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I figured
a handful of people were killed during the railroad building and the producers took
it from there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The movie was suspenseful
(yes, I screamed), but it didn’t make me afraid of a real life attack at all. It
was fun. The movie ended with: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">If you want to see the lions today, you must
go to America. They are at the Field Museum in Chicago, Illinois. Even now, if
you dare lock eyes with them, you will be afraid.” </i>Bah. Stuffed animals
intimidating? Pretty much forgot the whole thing and had a great time NOT
getting eaten by lions or kidnapped by Basotho in Lesotho who speak Sesotho (but
that’s another story for another time :).</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="st">Fast forward a decade. My friend took me
to the Field Museum in Chicago a few months ago and we saw the infamous Tsavo
lions. Their eyes <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">are </i>strangely
bright and I didn’t look into them for long, but I did definitely appreciate
their size and strength!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I had met a
full-grown one in Africa, forget the idea of a bare-handed struggle, I would
have been the one who died, let me tell you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One thing embedded into my memory at the museum that day was that all
those years ago in Africa I was wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The story wasn’t really blown that much out of proportion. Those lions
killed over a hundred people for real!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And they were cunning!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These were
not the cuddly babies I met in Johannesburg:</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mWHS-bLq0C4/Uu2Kst6kz_I/AAAAAAAAA-E/JLjz0lmNgWE/s1600/Copy+of+South+African+Safari+117.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mWHS-bLq0C4/Uu2Kst6kz_I/AAAAAAAAA-E/JLjz0lmNgWE/s1600/Copy+of+South+African+Safari+117.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eFPed7gtweU/Uu2KoXnqyII/AAAAAAAAA9k/24mTAS1yCRs/s1600/South+African+Safari+120.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eFPed7gtweU/Uu2KoXnqyII/AAAAAAAAA9k/24mTAS1yCRs/s1600/South+African+Safari+120.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I watched The Ghost and the Darkness last night and it made me
even more curious about reality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his
memoirs, Patterson (the man who killed the man-eaters) wrote:<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> "(The lions') methods became so
uncanny, and their man-stalking so well-timed and so certain of success, that
the workmen firmly believed they were not real animals at all, but devils in
lions' shape."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>Oh man. Of
course that made me think of I Peter 5:8 where Christians are told to be sober,
be vigilant, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“because your adversary the
devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”</i> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the movie, what a mental picture that
brings! Those who rise up against people trusting in the LORD and false
prophets are also like lions lurking in secret places, eager to tear into their prey
(Psalm 17:12, Ezekiel 22:25).</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HZHVU3EGZTM/Uu2KoxhtNUI/AAAAAAAAA9o/ebgBRcbv4nE/s1600/prowling+lion.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HZHVU3EGZTM/Uu2KoxhtNUI/AAAAAAAAA9o/ebgBRcbv4nE/s1600/prowling+lion.jpg" height="209" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But before incorrectly typifying all lions as “evil,” our LORD
Himself is called the Lion of Judah (Rev. 5:5, Hosea 11:10-11)! Lions are often
seen as pinnacles of strength in Scripture. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How amazing is that that the God is on our
side?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even more amazing than a
terrifying, yet good lion walking around defending you all the time!</span></span></div>
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<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qxp89ymIhr4/Uu2Kp-2kHAI/AAAAAAAAA90/cIOTGRxsnnw/s1600/nice+lion.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qxp89ymIhr4/Uu2Kp-2kHAI/AAAAAAAAA90/cIOTGRxsnnw/s1600/nice+lion.jpeg" /></a><br />
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<![endif]--><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Amazingly to me, Christians are also said to be bold as a lion (Proverbs 28:1)! Scripture also talks about the power of two together being
stronger than lions (2 Samuel 1:23, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). I admit I don’t
always feel that bold, but when I don’t should look to my LORD who by grace has
declared me righteous. May all we who trust in Him be encouraged toady! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, we will be strongly attacked, but He who
is in us is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4). Our Saviour is
Most Powerful and He has already won the victory, praise be to His name! :) </span></span>
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Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699590377921825708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4971737097638943431.post-11996724779361738422014-01-26T01:28:00.001+03:002014-01-28T07:36:46.187+03:00For the Love of Music<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AZPN1aNX69U/UuQ15QQxHKI/AAAAAAAAA9U/N4Is36d4D94/s1600/music.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AZPN1aNX69U/UuQ15QQxHKI/AAAAAAAAA9U/N4Is36d4D94/s1600/music.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<br />
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<span class="st">Today I looked down at the CDs in my car:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="st"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">1. Ultimate Dance Party 1997</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="st"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">2. Johnny Cash </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="st"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">3. Old Two Rivers Baptist Church Sunday morning mix</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="st"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">4. DMB Live in Chicago and at Luther College</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="st"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">5. Harry Connick, Jr, Songs I Heard</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="st"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">6. Dan Oxley</span></span></div>
<br />
<span class="st"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">My current play list, lol. Of course there are more choices on my iPhone (because seriously, what can smart phones NOT do besides be human? It's pretty scary...yet helpful) and</span></span> I'm as apt to be singing with latest pop song on the radio (words that I make up in my head most the time ;) as I am to be belting out hymns at the top of my lungs a capella. Yes, I am the one dancing in my car - go ahead and laugh at me - I laugh at me too! <br />
<br />
You'd be hard pressed to find someone to disagree with the fact that music is inspiring, but don't just take my word for it: <br />
<br />
<b>Johann Sebastian Bach</b> noted that “the final aim and reason of all music is nothing other than the glorification of God and the refreshment of the spirit.”<br />
<br />
<b>Martin Luther</b> said, “my heart, which is so full to overflowing, has often been solaced and refreshed by music when sick and weary.”<br />
<br />
<b>Johnny Depp</b> agreed with <b>Hans Christian Anderson's</b> "where words fail, music speaks," by admitting that "music touches us emotionally, where words alone can't." <br />
<br />
It's internationally inspiring. I cannot tell you how moved I have been worshiping our amazing LORD with believers in other nations, or even merely having dance parties with songs and people from all cultures. <b>Longfellow </b>was right - "music is the universal language of mankind!"<br />
<br />
Be it melancholy or sprightly, "music...will help dissolve your perplexities and purify your character and sensibilities, and in time of care and sorrow, will keep a fountain of joy alive in you." This from <b>Dietrich Bonhoeffer!</b><br />
<br />
Oh how I could go on and on! Some days sad songs are wonderful to identify with, or songs of truth to combat discouragement. Today music has done a good job of inspiring me to praise the name of the LORD, to give glory where glory is due - Hebrews 13:15 and all of Psalm 96! Thanking God for the gift of music today. :)<br />
<br />
<i>Sing to the LORD, bless His name; tell of His salvation from day to day! Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness, tremble before Him, all the earth!" </i><br />
<br />
So when you get in your car, go ahead and sing and dance it out like nobody's watching. Maybe somebody is and they just need a laugh. ;)<i> </i><br />
<div id="r1PostCPBlock" style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; left: -99999px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="bqQuoteLink"><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/martinluth401125.html" title="view quote">Beautiful
music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the
soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has
given us.</a></span><br />
<span class="bodybold"><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/martin_luther.html" title="view author">Martin Luther</a></span>
<br />
Read more at <a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_music.html#Imjqyl5ZZuAx509d.99" style="color: #003399;">http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_music.html#Imjqyl5ZZuAx509d.99</a></div>
<div id="r1PostCPBlock" style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; left: -99999px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<span class="bqQuoteLink"><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/martinluth401125.html" title="view quote">Beautiful
music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the
soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has
given us.</a></span><br />
<span class="bodybold"><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/martin_luther.html" title="view author">Martin Luther</a></span>
<br />
Read more at <a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_music.html#Imjqyl5ZZuAx509d.99" style="color: #003399;">http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_music.html#Imjqyl5ZZuAx509d.9</a></div>
Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699590377921825708noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4971737097638943431.post-11214377992038845032014-01-16T20:45:00.001+03:002014-01-17T08:01:52.646+03:00Good NewsI keep in touch with a few people from this summer in Jordan. One of my patient/friends I asked y'all to pray for as she was so sad to be away from family has given me great news - her TB is better and she gets to go home in couple weeks! Praising the LORD for this healing! :DCarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699590377921825708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4971737097638943431.post-78021457880904951282014-01-09T04:54:00.000+03:002014-01-09T05:18:47.883+03:00Myths DebunkedIt has come to my attention that there are many incorrect beliefs floating out there. For the good of humanity, these need discrediting.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>[Note: my editorial staff removed several statements deemed "too much" for the general public. For you non-medical people, be very thankful for said staff ;)]</i><br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zkij1-hZUX4/Us4BbJmrT2I/AAAAAAAAA84/1eaGglAzCS0/s1600/Debunked.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zkij1-hZUX4/Us4BbJmrT2I/AAAAAAAAA84/1eaGglAzCS0/s1600/Debunked.jpeg" /></a> <br />
<br />
<b>Myth #1: Miley Cyrus knows Molly.</b> Heck no. She thinks she's "that cool," but has no idea. She should follow an ER nurse around for a day. Molly purports to be pure ecstasy (MDMA), but CNN reports that only 13% actually contains any ecstasy. That which does is often mixed with other drugs. So basically take a Molly if you want to play Russian roulette with your life. Seriously - people on Molly have had the most bizarre reactions I've seen since bath salts came out.<br />
<br />
<b>Myth #2: All Middle Easterners want to kill Americans.</b> Good heavens, no! I have several friends in and from that area and Middle Eastern countries are quite known for their hospitality.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Myth #3: Putting things "in there" cures constipation.</b> I was shocked to discover how widespread this one is. In short, it doesn't. Simple stool softener or laxative, folks; enema if you're desperate. Please don't stick objects up there to get something out.<br />
<br />
<b>Myth #4: Only other countries have crazy rules and regulations. </b>I was hesitant to get my emissions checked today since last year I failed three times - even with a car in great condition (turned out to be some catalytic converter computer code thing). Today I failed again! I have "too clean" of an engine cycle. What?! Weirdest fail ever! "Just drive it around for a couple days then come back" was the subsequent advice. At this point there is nothing to do but laugh.<br />
<br />
<b>Myth #5: If you swallow gum it will stay in your stomach for seven years.</b> Sometimes the digestive system doesn't have the easiest time with gum, but no, it does not stay there for even one year. A couple days and it normally exits just fine.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Myth #6: The flu shot is useless.</b> The flu shot is effective in preventing many strains of the flu and lessens the symptoms of others. The flu is deadly this year, y'all! Remember this when immunization time rolls around again this fall.<i> [The editorial staff states that I may have been corrupted by the government and vaccine makers, but until medical evidence convinces me otherwise, I'm sticking to this one]</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Myth #7: Aliens with teleportation devices may exist. </b>Oh wait. This one's not a myth. If you're out there and can hear me, I believe...and want one of those devices...Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699590377921825708noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4971737097638943431.post-31920822854723499372013-11-08T19:40:00.002+03:002014-01-10T11:19:06.827+03:00Les Miserables & LifeLast night I had the pleasure of seeing Les Miserables. I went for my
sister, the flautist. ;) She is such a talented musician. And oh how music can
evoke such emotion!<br />
<br />
If you have never experienced Les Miserables, I would recommend you read the
book or watch the talking movie version with Liam Neeson. His acting is
stellar. The musical is best after you know the story.<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I0ydHW5RGRY/Un0TtZy5hSI/AAAAAAAAA74/Xa6smdD88O0/s1600/Les+Mis.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I0ydHW5RGRY/Un0TtZy5hSI/AAAAAAAAA74/Xa6smdD88O0/s320/Les+Mis.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
<div style="margin-left: 2.25pt;">
It’s illegal or something to take pics of the
show so y’all get a dark selfie at intermission :P</div>
<div style="margin-left: 2.25pt;">
<br /></div>
Les Miserables begins with Jean Valjean being released from hard labor jail
after 19 years. His initial crime? Stealing a loaf of bread. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After being ‘freed,’ his past continues to
plague him because his papers are stamped CONVICT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Now every door is closed to me<br />
Another jail. Another key. Another chain<br />
For when I come to any town<br />
They check my papers<br />
And they find the mark of Cain<br />
In their eyes I see their fear<br />
We do not want you here.’ ”</i><br />
<br />
He cannot get a job or a place to stay until a kindly Bishop lets him into
his home, feeds, and houses him. In desperation, Jean Valjean takes advantage
of the man, seizing his silver and taking off in the night. He is quickly
apprehended by the police who take him back to the Bishop who, instead of
condemning him, tells the police to unhand Jean and tells Jean to take more of
the silver, as well. At this point he informs him that he is now to be an
honest man, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">by the witness of the
martyrs, by the passion and the blood, God has raised you out of darkness</i>.”<br />
<br />
One thing I love about Les Mis is how it shows people behind their labels.
Why would a convict or prostitute do what they do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s face it, those aren’t professions kids dream
of being when they’re young. The prostitute in the story was fired from her job
for refusing the advances of the foreman and tried every other way to provide
for her daughter before selling her body. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you think it’s so different today?<br />
<br />
Les Miserables is a hard story to go through at times, filled with war and
desperation and despair, but isn’t real life, too?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This world we live in is rough, people. I
have seen what many would term as “the worst” - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>starving children, rape victims, hopeless prisoners,
abuse, neglect, bombings, shootings, people who literally bite each others’
faces off and stab their parents through the eyes.<br />
<br />
I have been left a choice. I can build up walls around my heart…and that
would be easiest. It’s simplest not to care. Caring can be a most beautiful
feeling or downright painful. I love how C.S.Lewis puts it:<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">“To love
at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and
possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it
to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little
luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of
your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will
change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable,
irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.”</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1;">
<br /></div>
I choose love. <br />
<br />
Not ooshy, gooshy feelings, or the ideology that “everyone should just be
nice,” but purposeful, grace-filled, difficult love. Love that suffers long, is
kind, selfless, and bears, believes, and hopes all things. I Cor. 13:4-8. I
want to be like the Bishop in Les Miserables who shows unexpected grace and
points people to God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know I will be
hurt. Over and over, probably. But I choose it anyway. You know why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because I was changed by love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was a wretch, living in sin without hope
until God in His magnificent grace reached down and loved me, the unlovable. Jean
Valjean wondered after all he had done:<br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“How can I ever face my fellow men?<br />
How can I ever face myself again?<br />
My soul belongs to God, I know<br />
I made that bargain long ago<br />
He gave me hope when hope was gone<br />
He gave me strength to journey on.”</i><br />
<br />
I know I cannot love like this on my own. It is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Christ’s</i> love that carries, strengthens, empowers me, and gives me
hope. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another character in Les Mis is
the policeman, Javert. He ends up committing suicide. All his life he has
followed the law and done good deeds. He thought he had it figured out, but after
Jean Valjean spared his life, he saw that the law had failed him. Today it is
the same. No amount of good deeds can get us in to heaven. It is only by grace
through faith that we are saved. Praise God that He takes away that burden of
us having to try on our own!<br />
<br />
Both Javert and Jean Valjean were shown grace and presented with a
choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One chose despair, the other
chose acceptance and gratitude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are
faced with this same decision today – and every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can remember our past and current sin and
be crippled by it, or we can be overwhelmed with thankfulness to God who sent
His own, beloved Son to be the propitiation for that sin. I am<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> not </i>perfect by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">any</i> means. I do not always choose the latter, but when people ask
how I can be so happy, I think Karl Barth puts it well – “Joy is the simplest
form of gratitude!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s faithfulness
and abundant grace lead me to thankfulness that brings joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is Him, not me.<br />
<br />
Jesus<span style="font-size: 8.0pt;"> </span>said “If you love me, keep my
commandments” (Jn 14:15) and He has commanded me to love. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knows I don’t want to every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knows I don’t always feel it. He knows
there are days it would be easier to not show patience and grace, but when I
think about how much I have been forgiven, the grace which has been lavished so
greatly on me (I Jn 3:1), it spurs me on to keep loving. It fills my heart with
joy. He chose me, so I choose Him.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When I survey
the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died;</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">My richest gain
I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Were the whole
realm of nature mine, that were an offering far too small;</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Love so amazing,
so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span>Isaac
Watts</span></div>
Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699590377921825708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4971737097638943431.post-40498993601747214652013-09-01T17:14:00.001+03:002013-09-02T01:18:20.115+03:00Air vs Land Bombs <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-95z_Rydb94U/UiNPKoUrlwI/AAAAAAAAA4c/ID7Xu-VeoBE/s1600/P8315326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-We566Dh2MAo/UiNLvYG2XbI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/IznRZyJ-Qvw/s1600/tank.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-We566Dh2MAo/UiNLvYG2XbI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/IznRZyJ-Qvw/s320/tank.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
They both have a low rumble, like thunder…or how thunder would sound if
rain ever came during the summer here in Jordan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Five miles away from the Syrian border, I
have learned how to tell which kind of bombs are exploding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those from the air shake the ground while
those from the land merely make noise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Now, I am by no means an expert on what is happening in Syria. I’ve never
even been there. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All I’ve done is live near
the Syrian border and work with refugees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ve talked to Syrians, Jordanians, and other ex-pats who live in the
area and there is no obvious consensus on what they believe should be done, who
should be in power, etc. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of them
end up throwing their hands in the air saying, “There is just no good way out
of this situation.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh may God bless the
leaders of nations with His wisdom! But not in them will we trust, but<i> </i>we<i> "hope in the LORD; for with the LORD there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption"</i> Psalm 130:7. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Unrest around the city has been ramped up these past couple
weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There have been a few murders and
lots of rumors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Talk around town says
the men were killed due to an old tribal feud, a random targeting at the
university, a drug deal gone bad, it was discovered that a rich guy had cash on
him – hearsay is rampant.<br />
<br />
We were having a farewell grill-out for a guy, so a couple of my friends and I
went into town for food. As we were driving, all of a sudden six armored military jeep/tanks drove past
us, lights flashing and sirens blaring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We looked around and saw a hoard of people running down a street towards
us, appearing terrified. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn't
recognize what a rare that sight was till seeing it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the guys running shouted in English, "Don't
go to the market!" <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Praise God for
him because none of us were fluent in Arabic so hadn't a clue what the frightened masses were shouting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe he was an angel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know, but he alerted us as to where
stuff was happening and we subsequently changed our course from the market to
away from the market and whatever was going down! </div>
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<br /></div>
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Due to the nature of the road, we traveled along with the jeep/tanks
for a while and were amazed at how few cars pulled over to make way for
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we got an opportunity, we
deviated left when the tanks went right. There was a store right there so we
were able to get most of we needed, but then decided safety was more important
than the rest of the food and our own insatiable curiosity and and went back to
the hospital (thankfully to our hospital and not the local one where a fire was
started in the ER - that’s the rest of the story from my ambulance post – the
ER had just reopened after repairs after this crazy day!).</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We came to find out that there was a big fight in the marketplace
between Syrians and Jordanians because each were blaming the other for the
murders. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure this was only the tip
of the iceberg with all the tension surrounding things that may potentially
happen in and to Syria. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
And in case you’re wondering, no I was not scared and no, this should
not make you concerned about my mental state. :P<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe wholeheartedly that
God is sovereign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is in control of
everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This does not make me feel
invincible by any means.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have prayed
that I may bring glory to God – whether that be by my life or by my death, and
He can allow either at any time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pray
God gives me faith to say continually with Job, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him,”</i> and with the Psalmist,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“The L</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 8.0pt;">ORD</span> is my light and my salvation:
whom shall I fear? The L</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 8.0pt;">ORD</span> is the strength of my life; of whom shall I
be afraid?”</i></div>
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Also don’t let this make you concerned about my physical safety, either.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I waited till I left Jordan to post this
just for your ease of mind. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m spending
a few days with friends in London before coming back to the good old US of A,
but I will say it wasn’t easy leaving my new friends in the Middle East on the brink of a
potential war.<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-95z_Rydb94U/UiNPKoUrlwI/AAAAAAAAA4c/ID7Xu-VeoBE/s1600/P8315326.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-95z_Rydb94U/UiNPKoUrlwI/AAAAAAAAA4c/ID7Xu-VeoBE/s320/P8315326.JPG" width="213" /></a><br />
(See? Made it safely to London) </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">An anonymous missions worker once said, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Remember, when you see a missionary coming home broken in body and
weary in soul, it isn't the privations or dangers or things he's done that leave
a deep hurt; it's the things he couldn't do that break his heart.”</i></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am completely
convinced that God’s timing is perfect, but that doesn’t mean I’m not sad to
leave at this time. Syria is a mess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They need so much help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">May our merciful God spare lives. May He draw people to Himself. May He show Himself strong and bring glory to His name through this impossible situation. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">I love you all, </span></span><br />
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Cara :)</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">I leave you with words from an old hymn I believe to be timely for Syrians (and others!) right now... </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Down in the human heart, crushed
by the tempter, feelings lie buried that grace can restore;<br />
Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness, chords that were broken will
vibrate once more.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rescue the perishing, care for
the dying. Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.</i></div>
Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699590377921825708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4971737097638943431.post-32889956846399738132013-08-22T21:01:00.002+03:002013-08-22T23:11:03.545+03:00An Ambulance Ride in Jordan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ibSCfE5jg08/UhZPNTEbe7I/AAAAAAAAA2w/DRoHxHdPyX8/s1600/me.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ibSCfE5jg08/UhZPNTEbe7I/AAAAAAAAA2w/DRoHxHdPyX8/s320/me.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<![endif]--><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">[Disclaimer: this
post is written as a nurse and if there are any unfamiliar terms or you have
any questions, just let me know!]</i><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
A friend and I were talking not long ago about skills we
appreciate in other nurses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the
most important things in the ER is being able to ascertain “sick” and “not
sick.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Granted, this is not super objective
nor easily measurable, but some nurses I trust to know just by a cursory glance
which patient needs to see the doctor…like nowish. :P</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The patient admitted yesterday was sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Several noted it. Her </span>x-ray showed bilateral pneumonia, her lungs
sounded junky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We started her on IV
antibiotics, breathing treatments, etc, but today she was satting 65-70% on
room air, 80% with 5LPM BNC, barely 90% with a non-rebreather. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Febrile, tachy, and breathing 62 times a
minute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked the doc to come and he
looked at me and said, “I think she needs critical care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would you be able to take her to the
government hospital ER in the ambulance?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Would I?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah
baby I would! *grin*<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so pumped to
be able to play paramedic, see the local ED, and, oh yeah, get the patient the
care she needed. ;)</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I asked the doc if he had called ahead for admitting and he
chuckled. “Oh no, if you let them know then they never accept.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just show up.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did, however, know that the ED had opened
back up following a fire a couple days ago (longer story, things are okay now,
will share that later :P). </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The ambulance is basically a van with a stretcher and oxygen
(hey, if you have to have a couple things, those are good ones ;).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took David, a new RN grad, with me on this
jaunt, but he rode in the front with the ambulance driver because it would be
inappropriate for guys to be in the back with the difficulty breathing female patient,
of course. :P<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it was really great to
have him along because not only is it nice having a couple medical people when
you have a sick patient in an ambulance, but he’s also fluent in Arabic!</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hL4mVvpNk-4/UhZPneJdHYI/AAAAAAAAA24/B0ud8kIL7Ns/s1600/oxygen.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hL4mVvpNk-4/UhZPneJdHYI/AAAAAAAAA24/B0ud8kIL7Ns/s320/oxygen.JPG" width="213" /></a> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I’m also not being derogatory when I use the term
ambulance driver. The guy knew how to turn the siren on, but was NOT a paramedic,
EMT, or medical at all, just drives hospital staff to and from town with a bus
and drives the ambulance as needed. :P </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I strapped the 39-year-old fast breathing lady onto the
stretcher, connected her to the portable oxygen, and found a place to nestle
the IV bag (thinking of my Southern Hills and paramedic friends the whole time!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a relatively uneventful drive there,
praise God, as I could jack the portable O2 flow higher than her bedside O2 so
we were at a WHOPPING 92% (even though she was still gasping quickly with every
inhalation).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
We pulled up to the hospital and I told David to get a wheelchair
and oxygen (ours weighed like 80 pounds). He was informed that there were no
wheelchairs, but we could get a stretcher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They rolled a stretcher out with – I kid you not - fresh blood splattered
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was like, okay, I’m not putting my
lady on somebody else’s blood. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we
figured out how to unleash the cot from the ambulance and took her in. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xDHNOawClbg/UhZQthrSnSI/AAAAAAAAA3M/77StRoH_uKM/s1600/ambulance.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xDHNOawClbg/UhZQthrSnSI/AAAAAAAAA3M/77StRoH_uKM/s320/ambulance.JPG" width="213" /></a> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Cots sectioned off by drapes lined the ER wall. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I, of course, glanced in each open one to 1)
see what kinds of patients they had and 2) look for the bleeding person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were a bunch of police in one area with
a patient I couldn’t see<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe that was
the bloody one. Who knows. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
What I do know was that all of a sudden not only was I the one checking everything out, but everyone was staring at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether it was because I wasn’t wearing a
head covering (I normally do in town but not at the hospital), or was the only
fair-skinned on there, or because I had on awesome teal scrub pants, I’m not
sure, but I was definitely cognizant that it was one of those “all eyes on the foreigner”
moments. :P</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
We put our patient in a bay and asked if they had a
non-rebreather mask so we could take ours back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The closest they came was a regular face mask. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heading out to the nurses’ station, we gave
report to the doctor who appeared to be about 23-years-old. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said it was her first year there and was
very impressed with the report (“Such a good history!”), so I thank all my
paramedic friends who have been examples to me these years on that.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
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The day got even better when we realized we missed the lunchtime
window at the hospital and stopped for shawarma on the way home and then an
hour later my Yemeni patients cooked for me. *grin* <br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l--wf64iS88/UhZQpHQAolI/AAAAAAAAA3E/8LvlTU_y8NQ/s1600/yemen.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l--wf64iS88/UhZQpHQAolI/AAAAAAAAA3E/8LvlTU_y8NQ/s320/yemen.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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So please pray for S*, this woman with pneumonia that
appears to be going into ARDS, that God would heal her and receive all glory
for it!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I love you all!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Cara :)</div>
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Titus 3:3-7</div>
Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699590377921825708noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4971737097638943431.post-3849758635476330242013-08-18T21:53:00.002+03:002013-08-20T16:48:04.590+03:00Jordanian Pick Up Lines<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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else in the world.<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
#1: Man: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Do you
know why the Dead Sea is so good?”</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Me: “No.”</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Man: “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Because you
are in it.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He smiles and
winks.</div>
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<br /></div>
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What?! That doesn’t even make sense. I’m in my scrubs at
the hospital, mister, not my swimsuit at the Dead Sea!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But anyhoo…the days are always interesting.
:P<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(See how happy he looks with the two
of us here? Definitely snuck his arm around at the LAST moment before the pic was taken - reminded me an awful lot of THIS happening - ha! <a href="http://carainmadagascar.blogspot.com/2011/09/not-your-third-wife.html">http://carainmadagascar.blogspot.com/2011/09/not-your-third-wife.html</a>)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BLaR04NTYHc/UhEVaHA0QyI/AAAAAAAAA1w/sjWO3f-Z-1U/s1600/Moh%27d+Ali+Mahmood.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BLaR04NTYHc/UhEVaHA0QyI/AAAAAAAAA1w/sjWO3f-Z-1U/s320/Moh%27d+Ali+Mahmood.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
#2: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I will take my
medicine now, but when you leave I will have a problem.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>Oh really?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Yes, I
will have a problem taking my medicine because not only are you beautiful on
the outside, but you have a beautiful heart.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, illogical. My beauty has nothing to
do with whether or not you should or can take pills. Keep taking ‘em, mister,
and be healed.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
#4: “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hello.</i>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You think I jest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Arabic word that sounds like hello<i>a</i> means “you’re
cool and beautiful," so when you think you’re just getting a greeting… ;)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
#3: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“We should get
married.”</i> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No frills, straight to the
point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This one’s the most common and
just might be my favorite. Lol. And I guess this one’s Syrian and Yemeni as
well as Jordanian. :P<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The guy on the
right asked me this one, the guy on the left is a fellow volunteer nurse. :)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2kr-F59qe2Q/UhEVppLpMfI/AAAAAAAAA14/Whr6ga_DKp8/s1600/Moh%27d+Ghassan.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2kr-F59qe2Q/UhEVppLpMfI/AAAAAAAAA14/Whr6ga_DKp8/s320/Moh%27d+Ghassan.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
My patients make me laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which is incredible when they are going
through so much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you guys so much
for praying for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>N*s abscess is
healing beautifully, but a large open wound on her elbow is not, so if you
could lift that up, that’d be great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
PTL relationships among the staff are going well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The maintenance crew, teachers, lab tech, and
nurses came over for an American meal tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We’ve done fried chicken and homemade pizza nights already, but this
time I made chicken pot pie and they were astounded. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“THIS is a traditional American dish?” One
asked. “I thought Americans only ate hamburgers like from McDonalds!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ha ha ha. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UQD3oFBPya8/UhEWJN_VdSI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/h_57JXqLPgo/s1600/food.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UQD3oFBPya8/UhEWJN_VdSI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/h_57JXqLPgo/s320/food.JPG" width="310" /></a> </div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I also got the neat opportunity to go out to a town on the Iraqi/Jordanian border.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are many Bedouins
out there without access to medical care, so once a week a doctor, director,
and nurse go out and put on a clinic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
a 5 hour bus ride, apparently, that the Palestinian director did in 2.5. Wowza
did we go fast.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nak7orom1fk/UhEV_SLgMlI/AAAAAAAAA2A/P-phRT1vmdk/s1600/scale.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nak7orom1fk/UhEV_SLgMlI/AAAAAAAAA2A/P-phRT1vmdk/s320/scale.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div>
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The scale at the clinic cracked me up because it’s so
Arabic – right to left and of course in kilos!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The director bought Aileen (below) and I both an extra stuffed shawarma and a cold coke for the trip home, so I was
one happy and satisfied girl. ;) </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z3b_3HC5ejk/UhEWHB3l5rI/AAAAAAAAA2I/Ts7siUSllnQ/s1600/Us+girls.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z3b_3HC5ejk/UhEWHB3l5rI/AAAAAAAAA2I/Ts7siUSllnQ/s320/Us+girls.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
This woman is one of the founders of the hospital and she
is amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ended up bringing one of
the patients home with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was
diagnosed (in another city) with diabetes a month ago and his blood sugar was
almost 500 when we checked it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Basically any time he starts
to feel bad he drinks sugary juice and eats packaged cookies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s just say a little education is in
order!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s at the hospital now and, in
true Bedouin fashion, doesn’t like rules or confinement so I often have to
search for him in order to give him his insulin. :P<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
My dear friends, may <i>“The LORD bless you and keep you; the
LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His
countenance upon you, and give you peace”</i> Numbers 6:24-26. He is so good!</div>
Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699590377921825708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4971737097638943431.post-87987807432958162342013-08-16T12:47:00.000+03:002013-08-17T01:21:11.224+03:00The Attributes of God<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GuoYWlvvFYw/Ug3y5hnot1I/AAAAAAAAA1c/mmDJgm-l68A/s1600/New+Image.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GuoYWlvvFYw/Ug3y5hnot1I/AAAAAAAAA1c/mmDJgm-l68A/s320/New+Image.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I love reading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
feel like I’ve been quite social here in Jordan, but have found the time to
consume a dozen books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s
just something so wonderful about being curled up with a good book. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw this little gem in the library and
picked it up because I’ve heard good things about Arthur Pink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those who say such things are not wrong. :P </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I hesitate to even post an abbreviated review of an
already short book, but maybe it will inspire some of you to go ahead and read
the whole thing (it would be well worth your time).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved how he used Scripture and quotes from
old Puritans and the like along with his own thoughts to encourage me to have a
high view of God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he manifests God’s
character it proved to be simultaneously inspiring and convicting. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All quotes are Pink’s unless otherwise noted:</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Solitariness
of God</b> – God was under no constraint, no obligation, no necessity to
create.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That He chose to do so was
purely a sovereign act on His part, caused by nothing outside Himself,
determined by nothing but His own mere good pleasure; for He “worketh all
things after the counsel of His own will” (Eph 1:11). That He did create was
simply for His manifestive glory. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Knowledge of
God</b> – The whole of my life stood open to His view from the beginning. He
foresaw my every fall, my every sin, my every backsliding; <i>yet, nevertheless,
fixed His heart upon me.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, how the
realization of this should bow me in wonder and worship before Him!</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Foreknowledge
of God</b> – What controversies have been engendered by this subject in the
past!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what truth of Holy Scripture
is there which has not been made the occasion of theological and ecclesiastical
battles? … Yet the controversies which have been waged over them did not close
the mouths of God’s faithful servants; why, then should we avoid the vexed
questions of God’s Foreknowledge, because, forsooth, there are some who will
charge us with fomenting strife?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let
others contend if they will, our duty is to bear witness according to the light
vouchsafed us.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Supremacy of
God</b> – There is no other possible alternative between an absolutely<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>supreme God, and no God at all…. Were all the
denizens of heaven and all the inhabitants of the earth to combine in revolt
against Him, it would occasion Him no uneasiness.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Sovereignty of
God </b>– There is no attribute more comforting to His children than that of
God’s Sovereignty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>C.H. Spurgeon</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Immutability
of God</b> – Herein is solid comfort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Human nature cannot be relied upon; but God can!</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Holiness of
God</b> – Power is God’s hand or arm, omniscience His eye, mercy His bowels,
eternity His duration, but holiness is His beauty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
is the prime way of honouring God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do
not so glorify God by elevated admirations, or eloquent expressions, or pompous
services of Him, as when we aspire to a conversing with Him with unstained
spirits, and live to Him in living like Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Stephen Charnock. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Faithfulness
of God</b> – Blessed are all they that wait for Him!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is. 30:18, Ps. 27:14. From a hymn written by <span class="st">William Cowper:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Judge not the Lord by feeble
sense, but trust Him for His grace, </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Behind a frowning providence He
hides a smiling face.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage
take, the clouds ye so much dread,</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Are rich with mercy, and shall
break in blessing o’er your head.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Goodness of
God</b> – [Gratitude] is often withheld from our great Benefactor simply
because His goodness is so constant and so abundant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is lightly esteemed because it is
exercised toward us in the common course of events. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not felt because we daily experience it.
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Patience of
God</b> – God is slow to anger <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">because</i>
great in power. He has no less power over Himself than over His creatures. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Grace of God</b>
– [Grace] is the favor of God shown to those who not only have no positive
deserts of their own, but who are thoroughly ill-deserving and
hell-deserving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is completely
unmerited and unsought, and is altogether unattracted by anything in or from or
by the objects upon which it is bestowed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Grace can neither be bought, earned, nor won by the creature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it could be, it would cease to be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">grace</i>. …<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Gospel addresses men as guilty, condemned, perishing criminals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It declares that the chastest moralist is in
the same terrible plight as is the most voluptuous profligate; and that the
zealous professor, with all his religious performances, is no better off than
the most profane infidel. … The grace which the Gospel publishes is his only
hope.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Love of God</b>
– It is not simply that God loves, but that He is Love itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love is not merely one of His attributes, but
His very nature. …<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How little real love
there is for God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One chief reason for
this is because our hearts are so little occupied with His wondrous love for
His people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The better we are acquainted
with His love – its character, fullness, blessedness – the more will our hearts
be drawn out in love to Him. …<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The love
of God is gracious. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Wrath of God</b>
– Faithfulness demands<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that we speak as
plainly about Hell as about Heaven.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Contemplation
of God</b> – The incomprehensibility of the Divine nature is not a reason why
we should desist from reverent inquiry and prayerful strivings to apprehend
what He has so graciously revealed to Himself in His Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Nothing will so enlarge the intellect,
nothing so magnify the whole soul of man, as a devout, earnest, continued, investigation
of the great subject of the Deity” C. H. Spurgeon. True happiness consists only in the enjoyment of God. His favor is life, and His lovingkindness is better than life.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Just a sneak peek at the whole of the book, but my
beloved friends, be encouraged in the awesomeness of WHO GOD IS today! To end as Pink did, <i>"Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen" </i>(I Tim. 1:17).</div>
Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699590377921825708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4971737097638943431.post-36169834987539160242013-08-13T22:32:00.003+03:002013-08-14T20:47:59.857+03:00The Hard Truth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eTIow0kpU3Y/UgqH8pVtMLI/AAAAAAAAA08/eXohlKvOFt4/s1600/wadi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eTIow0kpU3Y/UgqH8pVtMLI/AAAAAAAAA08/eXohlKvOFt4/s320/wadi.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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</xml><![endif]-->I’ve been putting up a lot of pictures on Facebook of fun
things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Visiting archeological sites,
hiking a wadi, cuddling cute babies, but the reality is that things are not all
happy-go-lucky here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How could they be,
so close to a war zone?!<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Oftentimes I hear bombs going off in Syria since we’re so
close to the border.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After hearing
several of the refugees' stories, it’s easy to imagine what’s going on a few
mere miles away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s not so easy is
the knowledge that I don’t always care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sometimes the realization of what is happening hits me and I’m on my
knees praying for them, but other times I’m enjoying a meal with friends or
reading a good book or doing laundry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How strange to go about everyday tasks when there is a war so close, yet
how normal it has become!</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Some friends and I went to visit a refugee family last
week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of the three moms in this home,
only one had her husband there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One’s
husband is fighting in Syria and she hasn’t heard from him in a long time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other’s was wounded by a gunshot to the
kidney and he is awaiting an operation in Lebanon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only is she taking care of her three kids
aged 4, 3, and 1 without him, but she is due to have their fourth baby any day now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you imagine not only knowing that your husband
will miss the birth of your child, but also not being able to be with him when
he is in critical condition?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are
the types of stories people share with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D92VmszPAJU/UgqI2u_JTUI/AAAAAAAAA1I/Wp2zTvw32iE/s1600/Syrian+refugee+front+yard.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D92VmszPAJU/UgqI2u_JTUI/AAAAAAAAA1I/Wp2zTvw32iE/s320/Syrian+refugee+front+yard.JPG" width="240" /></a> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
-Refugee area of town-</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
A common burden of the refugees in the city is the not
knowing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not knowing if their friends
and family made it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not knowing if
they are alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My patients here at the
hospital have all the “normal” stressors plus the stress of being chronically ill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most have drug-resistant tuberculosis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The treatment is harsh. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many get painful injections every day, and all
take scores of pills that cause nausea, lack of appetite, fatigue, and more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please pray for these dear ones.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
There are distractions from the monotony of chronic care –
dance parties, surprise desserts, Eid celebrations, entertaining conversations –
that help, indeed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the truth will
help the most.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The truth of the grace of
Jesus. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The truth that though this life
is hard, it is not the end, and though they may feel very alone, they need
never be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It may be difficult to
believe, but when one places their faith in Jesus, it is possible to be content
in every situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being a Christian
does not mean a life of ease, but it does assure that Christ will never leave
us.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“For He Himself has
said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘The LORD is my helper; I will not fear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What can man do to me?’ “</i> Hebrews 13:5-6</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
What an amazing comfort from the most terrible of situations to the most “normal” of days.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
One thing shocked me while visiting this last refugee
family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Traveling to third world
countries, working in a crazy (yet wonderful) emergency room in America and having
other random life experiences, I must admit that not much shocks me these days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It even took 27 years before someone was able
to throw me a surprise party<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- and not
for lack of trying!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But in this home one
thing did.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Y’all have probably heard that the Middle East is very
conservative in dress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a true
statement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I leave my compound I am
generally covered collarbones to wrists to ankles and often am sporting a head
covering, as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Men and women do not
normally mix company...but we did on this day. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amazingly, the three women and one’s husband,
nearly a dozen kids, and my friends (two men and one woman) visited together in
one room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only that, but we all
talked together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was impressed at this
very fact, but not shocked UNTIL I looked over at one of the women and saw her pull
out her breast to feed her baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, I
lived in a country for years where it was okay for people to go around topless
and am not surprised to see people breastfeed in many places in this world,
but this is the MIDDLE EAST, for cryin’ out loud!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the middle of summer and I’m having to
be careful to shield my ankles from the sight and cover my head - and out pops her
breast with several MEN around!?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What in
the world!</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Like everyone else in the room I pretended nothing
happened, but inside I was making a very shocked face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess I don’t have this culture all figured
out after all. ;) </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Now may the God of
hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by
the power of the Holy Spirit”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Romans
15:13.</div>
Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699590377921825708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4971737097638943431.post-12641244446641264832013-08-04T01:13:00.003+03:002013-08-04T17:44:30.506+03:00I Have a Baby and Another on the Way!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uRCi7LJH5pg/Uf1_Gwta4sI/AAAAAAAAA0E/hyL_prT3opg/s1600/1cim.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uRCi7LJH5pg/Uf1_Gwta4sI/AAAAAAAAA0E/hyL_prT3opg/s1600/1cim.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uRCi7LJH5pg/Uf1_Gwta4sI/AAAAAAAAA0E/hyL_prT3opg/s320/1cim.JPG" width="240" /></a> </div>
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Surprise! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ha ha,
no, neither one is from me nor mine to keep, but I will be spoiling them for a
few weeks. :)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a happy thing for
me to cuddle the little twins, but a sad story overall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From their mom’s perspective:</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“My husband is not
a good man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is does not try to provide
for our family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I worked very hard in
the fields to save some money to feed the children and maybe send them to
school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sewed the money under the
mattress so he could not take it and spend it on himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He found it and went out and bought himself a
second wife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now he lives with her and
just comes here to make me have more children.”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
My heart breaks for this woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How terrible to not be protected and loved by
your husband!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
A couple friends and I went to visit these infant twins a
couple weeks ago and it was so hard to leave them in the squalor in which we
found them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their mom tries to take care
of everything, but she can’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These new babies
are kids #9 and #10.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can’t feasibly
provide for ten kids and watch them all at the same time – especially with as
much attention as the little ones need!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SsR8PXoJGQw/Uf1_dvDpCiI/AAAAAAAAA0M/E4ejHnQ_eHs/s1600/2cim.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SsR8PXoJGQw/Uf1_dvDpCiI/AAAAAAAAA0M/E4ejHnQ_eHs/s320/2cim.JPG" width="245" /></a> </div>
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The babies were covered in flies and had dirt in every little
wrinkle of their tiny hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mother
obviously favored the healthier looking twin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Maybe as a defense mechanism?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Only giving her affection to the one she thought would survive?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I do know is that she is a woman hurt and
drained by difficulties of this fallen world.</div>
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The hospital I am working at was started by a couple
ladies about 60 years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of them
still works here, is in her 80s, and has a heart for taking care of babies in
these kinds of situations. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She shelters
and feeds and loves them for a few weeks or months and then gives them back
healthy and happy to a grateful family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
saw that the mother was favoring one twin, so she brought the favored baby to
the hospital and will return next week for the other (thus hopefully giving
the mom time to bond with her).</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGvfDZn_16M/Uf2ANlgExhI/AAAAAAAAA0U/wRK22YGBqNs/s1600/3cim.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGvfDZn_16M/Uf2ANlgExhI/AAAAAAAAA0U/wRK22YGBqNs/s320/3cim.JPG" width="240" /></a> </div>
This favoritism reminds me to ask you to pray for
relationships here at the hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>People have been incredibly welcoming to me and it seems like everyone
is friendly to one another, but I know that relationships (especially between
believers) are a key thing Satan attacks because, as Jesus said, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“By this all will know that you are My
disciples, if you have love for one another” </i>John 13:35.
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In <u>The Attributes of God</u>, Arthur Pink talks about
the well-known verse <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">God is
love</i>. “It is not simply that God loves, but that He is Love itself. Love is
not merely one of His attributes, but His very nature… The better we are acquainted
with His love - its character, fullness, blessedness – the more will our hearts
be drawn out in love to Him. His love is without limit.” </div>
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Love among Christ followers is a testimony to His name. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">We can only love because He first loved us (I John 4:19) and as we learn to love Him more every day, His love naturally overflows to those we come in contact with. </span>Pray that we here at the hospital would love each other
limitlessly, speak the truth in love, and that our love for one another would
be a witness to those who have yet to know our Saviour!</div>
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I pray for you, my friends, that you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and
length and depth and height – to know the love of Christ which passes
knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God”</i> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ephesians 3:18-19. Oh how filling is His love!</div>
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Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus<br />
Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free<br />
Rolling as a mighty ocean<br />
In its fullness over me<br />
Underneath me, all around me<br />
Is the current of Your love<br />
Leading onward, leading homeward<br />
To Your glorious rest above<br />
<br />
Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus<br />
Spread His praise from shore to shore<br />
How He came to pay our ransom<br />
Through the saving cross He bore<br />
How He watches o’er His loved ones<br />
Those He died to make His own<br />
How for them He’s interceding<br />
Pleading now before the throne</div>
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- S. Trevor Francis </div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span>Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699590377921825708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4971737097638943431.post-71257510971974534862013-08-01T14:08:00.001+03:002013-08-03T13:37:05.765+03:00Bedtime with the Bedouins – Part Two<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->I’ve been putting off this blog because there is just no
way for me to let you experience exactly what I did. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wish I could teleport you here for a
day so you could hear, feel, smell, taste, and touch what I do!
<br />
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So where were we?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Oh yes, it’s late afternoon and I’m driving up to a Bedouin tent with my
very new friend Margaret…</div>
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The women, and children came to greet us as we got
out of our truck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We held hands while kissing
once to the left, three times to the right (although I’ve since learned that it
can be four if you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">really</i> like the
person). :P<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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While we were doing all the hand-holding and kissing, the
men came home with the flocks and herded them into the pen.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WhqaKEwJjmo/Ufo7VlYT2cI/AAAAAAAAAzY/sAX-KT6NQtM/s1600/herding.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WhqaKEwJjmo/Ufo7VlYT2cI/AAAAAAAAAzY/sAX-KT6NQtM/s320/herding.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div>
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The ladies helped with the stragglers. :P</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FPe95AO6YLM/Ufo7TZosZuI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/Dhr0ytUkMKM/s1600/carrying.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FPe95AO6YLM/Ufo7TZosZuI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/Dhr0ytUkMKM/s320/carrying.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div>
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Margaret and I were then ushered into the tent where an
elderly woman came at us with cups of boiling coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I say “came at us” because 1) it was late
afternoon – hot – who wants a hot cup of anything at this time? and 2) although
the smell is delightful, I don’t like the bitter taste of coffee, but am not
about to turn down someone’s hospitality when they offer it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To clarify: someone from another
culture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I come to your American home
I am turning down your coffee. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ha ha!</div>
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That trial over, the men went into their area of the tent
and then women and children came into ours and we talked until supper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One lady wanted us to help her read the Qu’ran
that she had, but when she brought it out to us we discovered that it was
actually the book of Luke from the Bible, so we helped her understand the
difference. </div>
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During our conversations, kittens pranced around the sitting
area, flies were buzzing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">everywhere</i>,
and two sheep walked through the tent.</div>
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Supper was delightful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is a picture from another day of some Jordanian food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t take any in their home because I didn’t
want them to feel like they were a spectacle or anything, just wanted to build good relationships
and show them we cared enough to spend time with them. </div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cOdgz1VP-U4/UfpBHd0JEbI/AAAAAAAAAzw/UbvBBVXKVIg/s1600/4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cOdgz1VP-U4/UfpBHd0JEbI/AAAAAAAAAzw/UbvBBVXKVIg/s320/4.JPG" width="260" /></a><br />
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After supper a 7ish-year-old girl came up to me shyly and
asked to brush my hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, I love
people playing with my hair, but brushing it dry would make it a frizzy
mess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided it didn’t matter and let her brush and style my hair while her mom cuddled up beside
me and petted my arm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As they prepared
the mat for sleeping, it appeared that the physical touch may not be over for
the night because five of us ladies were to sleep on a mat in the middle of the
floor (I was #2 of 5 in the sandwich, ha ha).</div>
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We waited till the men had settled into their area for
the night before venturing outside to go to the bathroom. We went far enough away to where we had some
privacy (no outhouses, lol), but not too far that the guard dogs thought we
were intruders and mauled us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Interesting balance.<br />
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Inside again, I settled into my area of the mat where I
slept peacefully for most of the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was awakened once by something biting at my back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My first thought was that it was a rat so I
reached down there to grab it and throw it against the burlap wall, but at the
last minute I remembered the kittens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sure enough, it was a kitten, so instead of walloping it across the room
I just brought it up to my pillow where it started purring and we both slept
soundly till morning. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>:)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2TVovxMOws/Ufo7Xue5NhI/AAAAAAAAAzg/u3uuQJOioEA/s1600/birdhouses.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2TVovxMOws/Ufo7Xue5NhI/AAAAAAAAAzg/u3uuQJOioEA/s320/birdhouses.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div>
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Those are birdhouses on the poles. <br />
<br />
On the way
home we saw the ruins of Umm Jimal (“mother of camel”) which was a city from
thousands of years ago and mentioned in the Bible (I believe in the book<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>of Jeremiah).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s pretty neat
getting to see these ancient places that I’ve read about for years.</div>
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Anyway, thank you for your prayers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Things at the hospital are going very well,
and I’ve gotten to visit with some more refugees outside the hospital, as
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has been so faithful to draw
me to Himself this past week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thank
and praise Him for that because it’s so easy to get caught up in all this doing
that I neglect the most important thing which the Westminster Catechism says
is<span class="st"> “to glorify </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">God and enjoy Him forever.”
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">:)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please continue to ask that I keep
Him first in all things!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Also lift up the mental /
emotional state of our patients. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not
only have a great number of them been through so much, sickness is a constant
drain on not only your body but your mind, and some of the TB medications have
depression as a side effect, as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Living in a hospital for months at a time can be very hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray that they would find encouragement,
contentment, and joy in God. </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><i>"But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You"</i> Psalm 5:11. </span></div>
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I love you all!</div>
Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699590377921825708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4971737097638943431.post-72803305331386648282013-07-28T21:30:00.000+03:002013-07-29T00:40:34.354+03:00Amazed Once Again by My Saviour<i> </i><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fdRsF2xavTY/UfVhZtGUzDI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/9VGsmYi2Rj0/s1600/cleft.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fdRsF2xavTY/UfVhZtGUzDI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/9VGsmYi2Rj0/s1600/cleft.jpeg" /></a><i> </i><br />
<i>"He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all."</i><br />
<i> </i>Isaiah 53:5-6<br />
<br />
<i>"There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God... For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith." </i> Romans 1:10-11, 3:23-25a <br />
<br />
A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord, <br />
He taketh my burden away,<br />
He holdeth me up and I shall not be moved, <br />
He giveth me strength as my day.<br />
<br />
With numberless blessings each moment He crowns, <br />
And filled with His fullness divine,<br />
I sing in my rapture, oh, glory to God! <br />
For such a Redeemer as mine. <br />
<br />
When clothed with His brightness transported I rise<br />
To meet Him in clouds of the sky,<br />
His perfect salvation, His wonderful love,<br />
I’ll shout with the millions on high.<br />
<br />
He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock,<br />
That shadows a dry, thirsty land;<br />
He hideth my life in the depths of His love,<br />
And covers me there with His hand,<br />
And covers me there with His hand.<br />
<br />
He Hideth My Soul - Franny Crosby<br />
<br />
Amazing love! How can it be that Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?<br />
<br />
And Can it Be - Charles Wesley<br />
<br />
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<span class="lyrics-line" id="line-11">What can I say that has not been said before? So undeserving we, so filled with grace and mercy He. No matter where I am, it is Jesus Christ that sustains me day by day and He that is<i> completely</i> sufficient. Alleluia, alleluia</span> <span class="lyrics-line" id="line-12">- the majesty and glory of Your name</span>! </div>
<i><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x7QbJ1ubkyY/UfVhaEs-r1I/AAAAAAAAAyY/ldJvtqChEgY/s1600/cleft2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x7QbJ1ubkyY/UfVhaEs-r1I/AAAAAAAAAyY/ldJvtqChEgY/s1600/cleft2.jpeg" /></a></i>Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699590377921825708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4971737097638943431.post-81753247659760435022013-07-27T20:29:00.000+03:002013-07-28T01:07:36.320+03:00Bedtime with the Bedouins - Part One<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">WOW has this post been a long time coming! Let's go way back to July 5th when I left America. I saw the insides of airports and airplanes for a long time before arriving in Amman, Jordan, on the morning of the 7th at 4:30 AM! </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">An <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">amazing </i>family here (a lovely couple and their four cute kiddos)
woke up during what I consider to be the middle of the night to pick me up from the
airport and take me down to Petra for the day (3 hours both ways + 6 hours
exploring one of the ‘Wonders of the World’…in the summer heat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are these people great or what?!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For beating jet lag it was perfect – not only
did I take a long nap in the car, but I’ve slept every night I’ve been here,
hamdidillah (praise God).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HeyrU5HqEHs/UfQDsL8_ahI/AAAAAAAAAx4/vwkigvYGvB8/s1600/cim1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HeyrU5HqEHs/UfQDsL8_ahI/AAAAAAAAAx4/vwkigvYGvB8/s1600/cim1.JPG" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The next day we drove up north to
Mafraq, a city near the Syrian border.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
swiftly unpacked into the room the hospital had prepared for me and went to
sleep again (I really kind of like this sleeping thing, apparently).</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On day three I started my hospital
orientation with a nurse from Holland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>About an hour into orientation, a woman came through the door and the
nurse and her started talking in Dutch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A couple minutes later the new woman turned to me and said, “Would you
like to come with me and stay with a Bedouin family tonight?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Yes!” I said, thinking something like 'when am I
ever going to get another chance to do this?'</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Okay, great, we’ll leave in about
an hour,” she said and left the room. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Packing a few minutes later, I
started laughing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did not know this
woman’s name or where we were going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Before you completely question my sanity, I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">did</i> know why we were going (relationship-building, etc) and that
she works in a clinic a few hours away associated with our hospital AND again, when
was I ever going to get another chance like this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ha ha.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We drove about an hour away TOWARDS
the Syrian border…like ‘hear-bombs-all-night, see-that-village over-there-being-burned’ type towards the border.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First a
nice paved road, then a dirt road, then a pothole-riddled sand “road” till we
started seeing homes like this:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UzvHJRnTj1Y/UfQDsx213-I/AAAAAAAAAyA/hM0tbYw-86U/s1600/cim2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UzvHJRnTj1Y/UfQDsx213-I/AAAAAAAAAyA/hM0tbYw-86U/s1600/cim2.JPG" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Arg!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s time for me to head to Amman with some friends for the weekend so I
am going to have to finish this story later [this was actually posted on the 25<sup>th</sup>,
but didn’t make it up for real till now, sorry :P].<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love you all, please continue to pray for me,
know that the LORD, He is God and we should shout joyfully for His name, serve
Him with gladness, be thankful to Him, and bless His name <i>“for the LORD is good;
His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations”</i> Psalm 100.</span></div>
Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699590377921825708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4971737097638943431.post-44491092312873319662013-07-21T01:14:00.001+03:002013-07-21T02:27:21.386+03:00The Blog in Which I Flirt<span class="bodytxt12px">Okay, let me first say that I
have never purposefully flirted before (…at least consciously, says one ;). I recognize that normal friendliness can be taken as flirtation, but in general I generally think it’s pretty rude to flirt for the purpose of manipulating someone into doing what you want them to do. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today, for the first time in my life, I broke
that unwritten rule and flirted unabashedly...and it worked. *wry grin*</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="bodytxt12px"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="bodytxt12px"></span>Today was a LOVELY day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some friends and I decided to get away from
Mafraq and explore Jerash (an ancient and modern city), Ajloun Castle, and eat
at “the best restaurant in Jordan.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All
was accomplished PLUS an ice cream stop on the way home with just one teeny
little flirting incidence.</div>
<span class="bodytxt12px"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="bodytxt12px"><span class="bodytxt12px"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JGBvUVan3F8/UesJ_lnNinI/AAAAAAAAAwg/2_YpkgK39oI/s1600/Jerash.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JGBvUVan3F8/UesJ_lnNinI/AAAAAAAAAwg/2_YpkgK39oI/s320/Jerash.JPG" width="320" /></a></span> </span></div>
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Jerash is a cool city. It boasts
human occupation for over 6,500 years and was one of the ten great Roman cities
known as the Decapolis League.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I
didn’t know till reading about it is that it’s nestled in a valley of the
mountains of Gilead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So yes, “There is a
Balm in Gilead” may or may not have been hummed intermittently throughout the
day. :P<span class="bodytxt12px"> </span><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-51JPAkqT8iA/UesKXF33yGI/AAAAAAAAAw4/S1TBXZEDWNs/s1600/Me+and+City.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-51JPAkqT8iA/UesKXF33yGI/AAAAAAAAAw4/S1TBXZEDWNs/s320/Me+and+City.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="bodytxt12px">The first historical reference
known about Jerash was by my buddy Josephus at the turn of the 1<sup>st</sup>/2<sup>nd</sup>
century.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently the “tyrant of
Philadelphia,” Theodorus, took his treasure there for safe keeping in the temple
of Zeus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I climbed around Zeus’ temple,
but found no treasure…hmm, maybe next time. ;)</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="bodytxt12px"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lz9_wA8gbns/UesKCrjucxI/AAAAAAAAAwo/ujZRqIjX350/s1600/Climbing.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lz9_wA8gbns/UesKCrjucxI/AAAAAAAAAwo/ujZRqIjX350/s320/Climbing.JPG" width="213" /></a> </span></div>
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<span class="bodytxt12px">Ajloun is a castle built in
1184-85 as a fort to protect against the Crusaders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was in a chain of forts which lit beacons
at night to signal each other from the Euphrates to Cairo!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell me which one of you is not picturing
Lord of the Rings right now!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They also
were a part of a pigeon chain from Damascus to Cairo – apparently the strong
little chaps could make it in under a day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Pretty impressive for small wings. :-)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="bodytxt12px">An Arab historian tells a story
that some of the stones the castle was built with have crosses on them because
a monastery once stood on the site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Apparently it was inhabited by a Christian monk named Ajloun, but when
the monastery fell into ruin, the castle took its place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So they say…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="bodytxt12px"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PN_f8aXhyfY/UesKUd81KWI/AAAAAAAAAww/0pQpnhYsKTA/s1600/View.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PN_f8aXhyfY/UesKUd81KWI/AAAAAAAAAww/0pQpnhYsKTA/s320/View.JPG" width="320" /></a> </span></div>
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<span class="bodytxt12px"></span><span class="bodytxt12px">You can’t really see the castle
for the trees (which is pretty amazing in the desert, but it’s a nice site due
to the Ajloun Nature Reserve nearby maintained by the Royal Society for the Conservation
of Nature).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is why I had to flirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because there were trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Okay, I didn’t have to, but this is why I
flirted.</span>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="bodytxt12px">According to the normal summer
schedule and the schedule posted on the government website, the castle is open
for exploration till sundown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With that
in mind, we lollygagged around Jerash and arrived about an hour before
sunset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>HOWEVER, the gate was closed and
all of us in the car instantaneously gasped and said, “Ramadan!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Castle hours were shortened by an hour so
that the staff could go get ready to break the daily fast that evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had driven all that way only to find that
our desire was unattainable!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="bodytxt12px">Or was it?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="bodytxt12px">A gentleman in the car sighed and
said, “You guys should go flirt with the guard and make him let us in.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I chuckled, but then thought about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m in a touristy place where no one will
probably ever see me again and flirting with an Arab man takes no more than
smiling and greeting him, so if it could get us in to see the castle it was
worth a try, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could play the
ignorant tourist card, right?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="bodytxt12px">As I type this out I am laughing
at the fact that this actually happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It probably gets me kicked off the perfection pedestal, but it was about
time for that anyway.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="bodytxt12px">I got out of the car with my head
uncovered (normal for tourists, abnormal for local culture), but my hair was
pulled back so that wasn’t too bad (here “loose hair = loose woman”) and walked
with purpose up to the gate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I left my
sunglasses on till the guard turned around then whipped them off and flashed
him a smile.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="bodytxt12px">“Marhaba!” I greeted him, staring
him right in the eye. “We have come to see the castle, please.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His face fell as he informed me from the other
side of the iron bars that it was already closed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You see, things are different because of
Ramadan,” he tried to explain, sputtering with multiple excuses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just kept smiling at him, with a hopeful
glint in my eye.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="bodytxt12px">I could literally see the
indecision on his face.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="bodytxt12px">And then he broke.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="bodytxt12px">“Come through the gate,” he said
with a grin, and told one of his guard buddies (who was wearing pj pants, oddly
enough) to give us a little tour.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="bodytxt12px">“Shukran,” thank you, I told him,
and we went on our merry way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The castle
was pretty neat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The view was amazing –
we could see all the way over to the Dead Sea!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="bodytxt12px">I don’t plan on making this
flirting thing a habit, but maybe once every 28 years is okay?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe? ;)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="bodytxt12px"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n0sKhi15x6I/UesKXgAbJNI/AAAAAAAAAw8/JwCSMpPlqmA/s1600/View+1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n0sKhi15x6I/UesKXgAbJNI/AAAAAAAAAw8/JwCSMpPlqmA/s320/View+1.JPG" width="320" /></a> </span><br />
<br />
<span class="bodytxt12px">Praise God for a fun, relaxing day building relationships with new friends (I really do mean those I went with, not the castle guard :P).</span><br />
<br />
<span class="bodytxt12px">Continue to pray for A* as she misses her family and N's* abscess wound to heal.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="bodytxt12px">Pray for me to keep my focus on the LORD and</span><span class="bodytxt12px"> be faithful to keep my relationship with God up on top
where it belongs and that I would love people well. <i> "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage... And let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." </i> Galatians 5:1, 6:9</span></div>
Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699590377921825708noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4971737097638943431.post-49500543731713041492013-07-15T21:48:00.001+03:002013-08-01T15:05:50.272+03:00To Break the Law or Not<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The man stared into my eyes. "If we do this, we could get thrown in jail." In my peripheral vision I saw the teenage girl with us nodding in affirmation. "Do you still want to?" He asked. I took a deep breath and decided.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JLtpT3FbfJ4/UeQ9akfQnAI/AAAAAAAAAv8/RzJfeVkYHFU/s1600/baby.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JLtpT3FbfJ4/UeQ9akfQnAI/AAAAAAAAAv8/RzJfeVkYHFU/s320/baby.JPG" width="228" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But before we get to my decision, let me set the stage a bit. Saturday I
was able to visit with several Syrian refugees and enjoyed the time
ever so much. The first home we entered had a three-week-old baby I got
to cuddle - which in itself makes for a good day!</div>
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A Jordanian girl, Egyptian man, and this American girl (no, this is not the
start of a joke ;) went out with basic hygiene and food gifts (etc) for
families who have been displaced by the war in Syria.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We basically just listened as they shared
their stories, hugged them as they cried with worry about unaccounted-for family
members, and talked and prayed with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
A little girl in one home was sick, so her mother asked me to assess her and
offer medical advice, which I of course was happy to do. <br />
<br />
As the Egyptian man gave the first address to our cab driver, the Jordanian girl looked over at me and said, "Wow, they live in a disaster area! Even before the war started that was a bad part of town." We all looked at each other and shrugged. We'll go wherever they have need. Plus we had a man with us - so culturally appropriate! We had large, heavy packages for each house. The woman at the first house told us the next was only a few blocks away and assured us there was no need to call a taxi.<br />
<br />
Ha! I guess SHE hadn't done her math to figure out that 40 degrees Celsius is over 100 degrees Farenheit!. Just sayin'.<br />
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</xml><![endif]-->The poor man got the brunt of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gallantly heaving the bulky box over his shoulder, he led us girls to
the other house in the hot, hot, heat. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On block number three I saw sweat pouring down
his back and the girl’s face and basic nursing training stepped in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hey guys, I have a couple water bottles in
my purse. Why don’t we stop and drink so we don’t get heat exhaustion or dehydrated
or anything of that ilk?”<br />
<br />
That’s when it happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The looks of
surprise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both of them, staring at me.<br />
<br />
The man stared into my eyes, “If we do this, we could get thrown in jail.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my peripheral vision I saw the teenage
girl with us nodding in affirmation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why
on earth would we get thrown in jail? I queried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Because it’s illegal to eat or drink on the
street during Ramadan,” came the answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I knew I wasn’t supposed to eat or drink in front of people during Ramadan
for politeness’ sake, but I didn’t know it could make me a prisoner!<br />
<br />
“Do you still want to?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The question came.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took a deep breath and decided.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
Decided to let my national partners choose. :D<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve found that, in general, the locals know
best! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After contemplating the options,
they decided that if we stepped away from the road and surreptitiously sipped
we’d probably be fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
I went with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I drank water on the side of the road during
Ramadan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I didn’t get thrown into
prison. Neither, by the way, did either of my companions drop into the dusty
street with heat exhaustion or dehydration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’d say that was a win/win (shout out for Heather).<br />
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I have a PRAISE! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you for
praying for A*.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her mother, sister, and
baby got to come visit her today!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
Another PRAISE is my continued health and safety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know a lot of you are praying for those and
please know that I do not take it for granted!<br />
<br />
Continue to PRAY that I grow in my Arabic speaking – 46 words and, Lord
willing, counting! :)<br />
<br />
PRAY for N*, my patient with an abscess that must be drained daily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's close to her spine so it needs to heal well and not get deeper! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I almost put up a pic, but then
remembered some friends who would kill me for doing so (okay,
they’d probably just puke, but still not a great outcome). So for those of you
who (like me!) didn’t know about TB abscesses, here’s a link to find out more: http://manual-of-surgery.com/content/0038-Tuberculous-Abscess.html<br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Beloved, let us love one another, for
love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He who does not love does not know God, for
God is love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this the love of God was
manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world,
that we might live through Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this
is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the
propitiation for our sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beloved, if
God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>I John 4:7-11</div>
Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699590377921825708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4971737097638943431.post-25090297894692167932013-07-12T22:53:00.000+03:002013-07-12T22:56:42.447+03:00Break my Heart, Why Don't Ya?!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-boffB3skKCE/UeBd6RF9UgI/AAAAAAAAAvY/s4KAbv_QMTo/s1600/P7094910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-boffB3skKCE/UeBd6RF9UgI/AAAAAAAAAvY/s4KAbv_QMTo/s320/P7094910.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
[I've yet to take pics of the hospital, so y'all get one of the northern Jordan landscape for now! :P]<br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tonight I headed over to the “football” field (soccer)
where some patients and hospital staff were playing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got there late, but a handful of people
were still hanging out enjoying the cool, evening breeze (a relative statement
in the Middle East ;).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I joined the conversation until my 26 words of Arabic ran
out, and everyone went back inside except for a 27-year-old woman named A*. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A* is one of the inpatients in the hospital with
multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (TB). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>TB causes people to lose a lot of weight, so
this lady only weighs about 90 pounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Holding her thin arms out in front of her she tells me, “I used to be so
beautiful.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I assure her that, while I would
like it if she gained some weight, she is absolutely lovely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turning her face toward me, she looks at me
with her dark brown eyes in near-disbelief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Shukran, </i>thank you,” she
says, her expression of disbelief turning into a smile.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A* is an intelligent woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She knows four languages and can read and
write fluently in Arabic (an impressive feat in itself), and is teaching
herself to read books in English.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She knows
how to dance. “I can do tango, salsa, and Arabian dancing.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am thinking a TB ward dance party might be
in our future. *grin*</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A* found out she had TB in her home country of Saudi
Arabia. When the disease was discovered, she began treatment right away,
wanting to get better for her infant son and husband of two years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After months of medication and not getting
better, it was found that her type of TB is resistant to several drugs and was
referred to our hospital.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Many people think just poor or dirty people get TB,” A*
told me, “but my family is rich and we have everything we need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I just need my health so I can get back
to my beautiful husband and baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I miss
them, Jamelh.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jamelh (Jah-mee-lah) is the Arabic name my patients gave
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It means ‘beautiful’ and ‘one who
makes me happy when she comes to speak with me.’ </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A* has been here two weeks and her 16-month-old son has started
walking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hears her voice and won’t
let go of the phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“My husband says my
baby has such sad eyes because I am away,” A* says, almost crying, “but I have
to stay for maybe four months before I can be better enough to go back to him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I ask her how she copes with being sick and away from her
family and she mentions <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>praying to
Allah, having hope that she will get well, reading books to pass the time, and spending
time on a Galaxy phone that she gets calls from her family and pictures of her
baby on. :P</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We chat till it gets close to being too dark for ladies
to be out by themselves and then begin to say our goodbyes till the morrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reaching down for my keys, I am surprised
when she flings her arms around me, kisses me on the cheek, and cries, “I love
you, Jamelh,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> habibti</i>!” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I have a new friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What a blessing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I am very much enjoying the many cultures of this
hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The patients are from Jordan,
Syria, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Palestine, and more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The staff from Jordan, Holland, Brazil,
Egypt, South Korea, Canada, and more!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
fun!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You guys can be praying for me as I strive to obtain a
workable knowledge of Arabic in the next couple weeks (ha – easy, right?).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In August, a couple of the nursing staff are
leaving so they will be short-staffed and I will be functioning as a
full-fledged nurse…in a language I don’t know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I would love to be a competent nurse and especially be able to have good
conversations with my patients, so please lift up my brain capacity for Arabic
(why, Babel, why?! :P)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Pray for A*, that the God of hope would fill her with all
joy and peace <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">in believing</i> that she
may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Pray that the staff and patients of the hospital would
worship and adore the One True God and give Him the glory that He so richly
deserves (Revelation 4:11). </span></div>
Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699590377921825708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4971737097638943431.post-61347380043484339242013-07-10T17:49:00.001+03:002013-07-10T17:49:24.897+03:00The Days are Being all Fleeting and Whatnot<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">I
really need to blog; the stories are piling up. Just need the time and
gumption to write! Bedtime with the Bedouins, Stargazing with Bombs,
Grace to be Shared, Watermelon Love, My New Home, Bite in the
Night...it's been quite a fun adventure thus far. *grin*</span>Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699590377921825708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4971737097638943431.post-37677800890288905512013-07-07T22:16:00.000+03:002013-07-07T22:18:18.218+03:00Here Safely!And here's a pic of me looking down on the monastery at Petra to prove it! Will write more about the journey to get to the Middle East later, but just wanted to let you all know that I am here safely. :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G_ggTQkrUss/Udm-f57QueI/AAAAAAAAAvE/WjxSKgpyJYM/s1600/P7074890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G_ggTQkrUss/Udm-f57QueI/AAAAAAAAAvE/WjxSKgpyJYM/s320/P7074890.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699590377921825708noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4971737097638943431.post-23901674580352484422013-07-02T18:36:00.002+03:002013-07-02T18:42:12.511+03:00Jordan Facts and Culture<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oE_2lythPQY/UdLz-Hq57XI/AAAAAAAAAuk/QeQJ_5940i8/s442/Jordan1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oE_2lythPQY/UdLz-Hq57XI/AAAAAAAAAuk/QeQJ_5940i8/s320/Jordan1.png" width="289" /></a></div>
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Some culture tidbits and Jordan fast facts for you!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am fairly familiar with Middle Eastern culture and things
that go along with that such as modesty and hospitality, but I was glad to
learn BEFORE I go of some more specific Jordanian culture taboos:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">One should not
carry/jangle my keys in their hands walking outside because it basically
denotes prostitution.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Don’t go outside with wet
hair – especially important for me as a single woman because the understanding is that
women wash their hair after…doing things that only married couples should
do. </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Loose hair means loose
woman – put that hair back!</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I briefly mentioned before, modesty is extremely
important especially in Middle Eastern cultures and so if you see me looking frumpy and shapeless in pics, know it’s on purpose. ;)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In America it's good manners to look someone in the eye as
you talk with them, and in the South to smile at people as you pass on the
street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With women this should be JUST
fine, but to do that in my interaction with men in Jordan would be considered
flirtations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to watch out that I don’t
freely give away hugs to everyone, either – watch that gender interaction, Cara! :P</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Except for a small portion of the Red Sea, Jordan is
surrounded by other counties – Saudi Arabia on the southeast, Iraq on the east,
Syria on the north (close to where I will be), and Israel on the west.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are approx. 6,249,000 million people in Jordan.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The language is Arabic, but many people also speak English. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jordan is 8 hours ahead of Nashville time.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Religion is an important part of Jordanians' day-to-day
lives. The call to prayer is broadcast five times a day and during
Ramadan (which starts the evening of July 8<sup>th</sup>) many businesses are
closed during the day. Most of the country is Sunni Muslim.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ramadan is the 9<sup>th</sup> month of the Islamic (lunar)
calendar and is considered a “month of blessing marked by prayer, fasting, and
charity” focusing on self-sacrifice and devotion to Allah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Muslims fast for the entire month whenever
the sun is shining – they don’t even drink water throughout the day (which
grips the heart of this ER nurse a bit – can only imagine the heat exhaustion
cases that are seen during summer Ramadan months!).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fasting (sawm) is one of the five pillars of Islam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Confession of faith (shahada), prayer
(salat), almsgiving (zakat), and pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj) are the other four. </div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>(several of these
tidbits came from http://www.gomideast.com/jordan/fastfax.html)
Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699590377921825708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4971737097638943431.post-16457632643974360022013-07-02T07:26:00.003+03:002013-07-02T07:44:58.228+03:00Shakespeare I am Not<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;">I’m not eloquent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m pretty
good at knowing what I’m feeling / thinking, but the art of expressing it well verbally
often alludes me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh to be able to comprehend
and aptly share <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“what is the width
and length and depth and height – to know the love of Christ which passes
knowledge”</i> (Eph. 3:18-19).</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hR9Wdpi1zeA/UdJVAFkl4oI/AAAAAAAAAuE/lYjDUukp80U/s1024/ocean.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hR9Wdpi1zeA/UdJVAFkl4oI/AAAAAAAAAuE/lYjDUukp80U/s320/ocean.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></span></span></div>
<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;">This is one reason I love hymns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sometimes they capture what I want to say so well!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How eloquently they speak of the love of my
LORD – you can almost feel the engulfing waters singing the words of Trevor Francis:</span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Oh the deep, deep
love of Jesus, vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!<br />
Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me!<br />
Underneath me, all around me, is the current of Thy love<br />
Leading onward, leading homeward to Thy glorious rest above!</i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">O the deep, deep
love of Jesus, love of every love the best!<br />
Tis an ocean full of blessing, ’tis a haven giving rest!</i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
When I am tempted to feel inadequate, for instance when heading to
Jordan knowing only 6 words of Arabic, hoping to somehow bring glory to God in the mere few
weeks I am there, what encouraging reminders from Come Ye, Sinners:</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lo! th’incarnate
God ascended, pleads the merit of His blood:<br />
Venture on Him, venture wholly, let no other trust intrude.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Let not conscience
make you linger, not of fitness fondly dream;<br />
All the fitness He requireth is to feel your need of Him.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I will arise and go
to Jesus, He will embrace me in His arms;<br />
In the arms of my dear Savior, O there are ten thousand charms.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
It is not my strength that brings Him glory but His strength in even my own weakness (2 Cor 12:9)! No, I should not lean on my overseas experience or
nursing skills or generally cheery disposition, but only on my beloved Saviour, who someday I shall see face to face and, while I will probably first fall
prostrate before Him, you better believe I will eventually end up in His arms!
:)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MaQmgqTCw90/UdJakgKhK2I/AAAAAAAAAuU/S8-BI4vk6E8/s1600/Firm.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MaQmgqTCw90/UdJakgKhK2I/AAAAAAAAAuU/S8-BI4vk6E8/s320/Firm.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">How firm a
foundation, ye saints of the Lord,<br />
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!<br />
What more can He say than to you He hath said<br />
Who unto the Savior for refuge have fled?</i><span class="apple-style-span"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;">Yes, He Himself is sufficient and has given me everything that I need
to obey and love Him wherever in this world I am. How I look forward to seeing what He has in store especially in these next few months!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="apple-style-span"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;">Now to Him who is able to do
exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power
that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all
generations, forever and ever. Amen.</span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Eph. 3:20-21)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Praise be to His name.</span></span></div>
Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699590377921825708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4971737097638943431.post-67604763708729747712013-06-27T06:56:00.003+03:002013-06-27T07:04:04.761+03:00I Already Love JordanYes, 'tis true. From my very first Jordanian friend in Madagascar to
my brief jaunt there in winter 2011, I have known that I love the
Jordanian culture.<br />
<br />
Today in the ER this was only
reinforced as a Jordanian family I had just met invited me to be their
friend, learn Arabic from them, come to their house <i>"at</i> <i>any time</i>,"
and eat Jordanian food. I'm sure there will be many other things I
learn in these coming two months, but one thing I already love about
Jordan is the hospitality! :)<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FSEmDBHXUCs/Ucu4OQfAAZI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/vsmPKP5S3iY/s1600/P1132131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FSEmDBHXUCs/Ucu4OQfAAZI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/vsmPKP5S3iY/s320/P1132131.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
(With dear friends at Hercule's temple in Amman, Jordan, 2011)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HsTOkGOPTJE/Ucu4Phyrb4I/AAAAAAAAAtY/4DRPW0Ydqsg/s1600/P1132149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HsTOkGOPTJE/Ucu4Phyrb4I/AAAAAAAAAtY/4DRPW0Ydqsg/s320/P1132149.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
(Came across some musicians in some old ruins in Amman, 2011)<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qXn1YjXq-_Y/Ucu4aIW6-BI/AAAAAAAAAto/bWYv0Em8FIA/s1600/P1172298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qXn1YjXq-_Y/Ucu4aIW6-BI/AAAAAAAAAto/bWYv0Em8FIA/s320/P1172298.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
(visiting in Jordan, 2011)<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2DdMBFzUFJo/Ucu4dUEx8rI/AAAAAAAAAtw/CCwaxOIifOU/s1600/P1172294.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2DdMBFzUFJo/Ucu4dUEx8rI/AAAAAAAAAtw/CCwaxOIifOU/s320/P1172294.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
I Peter 4:9 -<i> "Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling."</i>Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699590377921825708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4971737097638943431.post-70157497328583154822013-06-26T07:03:00.003+03:002013-06-26T07:12:05.651+03:00A River Runs Through It...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r4SDydpN6Zc/UcpmLXo-v-I/AAAAAAAAAsQ/27Y1JZu5ecY/s1600/Getting+ready+RIVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r4SDydpN6Zc/UcpmLXo-v-I/AAAAAAAAAsQ/27Y1JZu5ecY/s320/Getting+ready+RIVER.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This last month have been quite silent on this blog, but full in real life! I've been so intrigued by the ways that God has decided to grow and bless me. Last week was just delightful because I love rivers and got to go out on a couple good ones! <br />
<br />
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</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g95Xa0ZmL_Q/UcpmNv5lM0I/AAAAAAAAAsY/OsBP3PXP4j4/s1600/Before+we+get+in+RIVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g95Xa0ZmL_Q/UcpmNv5lM0I/AAAAAAAAAsY/OsBP3PXP4j4/s320/Before+we+get+in+RIVER.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />
"The pink ladies" pictured above are some of my awesome ER nurse friends. People sometimes freak out about the raging Ocoee river, but what better people to go with if there's the potential of getting hurt?! They are hilarious as people and competent and caring to work with. And cool enough to set up a white water rafting trip. :D<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WRngV4mVgqU/UcpmPfT22CI/AAAAAAAAAsg/FFjnoIbYpoc/s1600/On+the+RIVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WRngV4mVgqU/UcpmPfT22CI/AAAAAAAAAsg/FFjnoIbYpoc/s320/On+the+RIVER.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Sarah and I braving the front of the boat that only got nigh-capsized a couple times. ;) <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S2DI2ZRknCo/UcpmQKnqFCI/AAAAAAAAAso/FG1aTeG-eWk/s1600/Water+RIVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S2DI2ZRknCo/UcpmQKnqFCI/AAAAAAAAAso/FG1aTeG-eWk/s320/Water+RIVER.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The water was a bit chilly, but felt good after we had been out in the sun! Sweet Karen decided to stay in the boat all nice and safe. :) <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NCE2-oGfJ48/UcpmRBWljiI/AAAAAAAAAsw/boO-gRZJFOQ/s1600/Fulfilled+RIVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NCE2-oGfJ48/UcpmRBWljiI/AAAAAAAAAsw/boO-gRZJFOQ/s320/Fulfilled+RIVER.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Mission accomplished! I think Karen's smiling so big because none of us were thrown out and drowned. It was a fun day had by all. :) I don't have any pics of the other river (The Narrows of the Harpeth) because I didn't take my phone or camera out on the water, but it was a pretty one, as well! We took kayaks and a fishing pole with us for a nice, leisurely float which turned out to be quite lovely, indeed.<br />
<br />
Jordan update: I believe I have all but one item bought for my trip. Crazy that I leave next week. So excited! :D <br />
<br />
Would write more, but know I should be good and get some sleep before my early shift tomorrow - and the next day! May our precious LORD bless you all with His joy inexpressible! :)Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699590377921825708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4971737097638943431.post-90476619868144032582013-05-20T04:51:00.000+03:002013-05-20T05:02:56.675+03:00Yes, I Recognize My Weirdness<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"></span></span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ltIMpkGu7Yw/UZl9Uaqaa-I/AAAAAAAAArY/6CxXD9xSKKA/s1600/Carly+and+I.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ltIMpkGu7Yw/UZl9Uaqaa-I/AAAAAAAAArY/6CxXD9xSKKA/s320/Carly+and+I.jpg" width="320" /></a></span> </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gCzbb9pbmzA/UZl9d2FiL_I/AAAAAAAAArg/e4qr39VY2Cc/s1600/Corn+field.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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</div>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">You can treasure the weirdness that is Cara or you can think "crazy woman!" and run away, but I am self-aware enough to know the truth of my strangeness. In many ways. This unconventionality is partially manifested by the fact that I have a desire to go to places most would not. The dark, repulsive, forgotten places on this earth tug at and call out to my heart. For some time now I been praying about going to a tumultuous country like Syria or Afghanistan because they are so very desperately needing medical personnel and people who will love them hard. It's easy to love people who love you, but loving those that are harder to love is simply a delight.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gCzbb9pbmzA/UZl9d2FiL_I/AAAAAAAAArg/e4qr39VY2Cc/s1600/Corn+field.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gCzbb9pbmzA/UZl9d2FiL_I/AAAAAAAAArg/e4qr39VY2Cc/s320/Corn+field.jpg" width="320" /></a> </span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><i>"Watch out, here I come from a corn field to love you, dear people!"</i></span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Many tell me this is odd. "Stay where it's safe," they say. "Stay where you can make money and be close to your friends and family," they chime. But a "safe and easy" life is not what God has drawn me to. Normality I can never claim.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Talking with workers in the aforementioned countries, I discovered that going to one of them as an American woman might just cause more problems than help, what with needing 24-hour bodyguards and whatnot. Thus I began praying about how I could be of help to those who have been ravaged by these terrible wars. Working with refugees in a surrounding country was an idea God nearly instantly brought to my mind. Three days later, a doctor friend who works with an NGO wrote me asking if I would consider coming to northern Jordan to work with Syrian refugees! </span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><br /></span>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">"Consider it?" I thought, "By jove, God's already got me loving the idea!" </span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5sYHuC1NtHU/UZl9fuPKgYI/AAAAAAAAAro/nHnl6ZBHcxU/s1600/Which+worm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5sYHuC1NtHU/UZl9fuPKgYI/AAAAAAAAAro/nHnl6ZBHcxU/s200/Which+worm.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RaV92RG9d4E/UZl9iQZnWoI/AAAAAAAAAr4/hLYNNEketYA/s1600/Locust.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RaV92RG9d4E/UZl9iQZnWoI/AAAAAAAAAr4/hLYNNEketYA/s200/Locust.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><i>An idea I didn't completely love? Eating caterpillars and locusts in Zambia. Ate one but not the other. You can guess which one. ;)</i></span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Well, now the tickets are bought and I'm heading that way! I'll be working with a hospital near a Syrian refugee camp for a couple months and yes, would most definitely appreciate your prayers! I am excited to see what God is going to do both in me and through the medical work and relationship building over there. I have a feeling I have a lot to learn. :)</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PYnGOsj8lBs/UZl9gS2bv0I/AAAAAAAAArw/nk5hSOytExM/s1600/Pousse+pousse.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PYnGOsj8lBs/UZl9gS2bv0I/AAAAAAAAArw/nk5hSOytExM/s320/Pousse+pousse.jpg" width="320" /> </a><br />
<i>An unconventional relationship-building time in Mada - switched places with a pousse-pousse driver for a day. Weirded him and all his buddies out, but they loved it! I'm sure while thinking "Crazy American girls..."</i><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Another
reason I want to go to these places is because Jesus Christ has changed my heart. By His grace He has
instilled such a love for the people of the world within me. It's
not a "normal" love, not one I could ever conjure up by "being a good person." No, there is no good inside me but for that which God by His mercy and grace has bestowed for the glory of His name.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Look at what the love of God can do in Matthew 5:43-48! Look at it's nearly unbelievable description in I Corinthians 13! Look at what it led Christ to do for us unworthy, sinful people!</span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><br /></span>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">As a Hindu noted in <u>The Life of Pi</u>, </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"Humiliation? Death? I couldn't imagine Lord Krishna consenting to be
stripped naked, whipped, mocked, dragged through the streets and, to top
it all off, crucified - and at the hands of mere humans, to boot. I'd
never heard of a Hindu god dying. ... Why would God wish that upon
Himself? Why not leave death to mere mortals? Why make dirty what is
beautiful, spoil what is perfect?"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"Love."</div>
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<br /></div>
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So why am I going to this "dangerous" place? Why do I even care? Why do I love? Because Christ first loved me, and that, that has made all the difference in the world. I John 4:19.</div>
Carahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699590377921825708noreply@blogger.com3