"Lubbock or Leave It?" But I Lubbock!

So, I'm officially no longer a Lubbockite and am currently a Sunrayan for 2 more days!  (I just realized, I'm thankful I have no stalkers, because they would know where to find me . . . ! )  Mom and I head out on Tuesday and will take three days to get out to Cali.  We'll stop on the way and see some family, see if we can make our voices echo in the Grand Canyon, maybe drive through Vegas, then up to Sacramento to complete some paperwork, then down through Oakland, San Fran, and to my temporary "home," near Stanford.

Moving was as fun as you can expect it to be!  My dear, sweet mother helped me finish up the last of the packing and clean.   I rented a 10 x 15' storage unit and I'm pretty sure I will have to have whoever opens it sign a waiver stating I will not be held responsible if an avalanche of Sabra's furniture and stuff buries them.  I'm not exaggerating!  Mom and I had to make a trip back to the unit and we couldn't get the door to open because stuff was pushing up against it from the inside.  Beware, if I ask you to open it and I'm sorry if you are injured (but you signed the waiver!).

The picture above is from my last night in LBK.  I asked friends out to dinner and was so overwhelmed with the turnout.  These people have been a huge support throughout my time in Lubbock and are like family.  I cannot express how wonderful it's been to share this time with them and how blessed I am by their friendship. Thank you, everybody, for your encouragement, love, support, the laughs, the rebuke, the growth.  I love you all and will always remember how you've blessed me!

Here are some more pictures from that night, if you're interested (If the link works. I'm wondering if you have to be signed into facebook to view it, since it's technically not my album and I'm linking you to somebody else's page).


People keep asking me if I'm more nervous or more excited.  Currently, I'm more excited and ready to be on the way and no longer in limbo.  I'm ready to know what my new life of traveling and working at different places will be like.  I'm ready to explore the places I will go.  I'm ready to GET MY LOANS PAID OFF!!! : )  I know it might be the most difficult thing I've ever had to do.  I know I might be very lonely for a while, but, I intend and hope to plug into a church, get involved, and I will have to force myself to make friends and live a little more outside of my shell than I'm accustomed to.  I keep trying to remind myself of the experience, in life in general and professionally, that will be gained through this.  I keep trying to remember all of the neat things I will get to see and do.  I keep reminding myself home is only a plane-ride (or two : ) away.  I am excited.  I get somewhat nervous at times, but I'm excited.  I also think any homesickness I feel will probably be felt either immediately after my mom leaves and/or a month or two down the road.  But, "just a plane-ride . . ." right?  : )  I will just have to find some cycling/camping/skiing/hiking/football buddies and I'll be set! : )  Maybe I'll make a Stanford game or two (they just beat UCLA today and are 3-0 in conference play!).

I've also been asked, "how will you find a husband if you're moving around all the time?" and "what if you marry somebody out there?  Will you stay there?"  To that, I have no comment, except to say,  I'm sure there will be plenty of people, patients and their family members there as well who will try to set me up!  : )  You can help me by praying they will only be very nice men, without scary secrets or weird hobbies, preferably around my age, with whom I am set up!  Thank you.

In all seriousness, I am feeling many emotions simultaneously, but the prevailing emotions are excitement and exhilaration. I don't know fully what to expect.  I'm sure some of the fun and adventure would be robbed of it if I did. I am excited about the challenges and to see how it all plays out.  I'm sure there will be much praying, maybe some crying, hopefully a lot of laughs, and many lessons learned.

I had to put a picture of Rachel up.  She was my "coach," or mentor, during nursing school and we worked together (in a way) for 2 years.  She taught me how to be a nurse!  And I love her and will miss her!

"Faith My Eyes" by Caedmon's Call


As I survey the ground for ants
Looking for a place to sit and read
I'm reminded of the streets of my hometown
How they're much like this concrete that's warm beneath my feet


And how I'm all wrapped up in my mother's face
With a touch of my father just up around the eyes
And the sound of my brother's laugh
But more wrapped up in what binds our ever distant lives


But if I must go
Things I trust will be better off without me
But I don't want to know
Life is better off a mystery


So keep'em coming these lines on the road
And keep me responsible be it a light or heavy load
And keep me guessing with these blessings in disguise
And I'll walk with grace my feet and faith my eyes


Hometown weather is on TV
I imagine the lives of the people living there
And I'm curious if they imagine me
Cause they just wanna leave; I wish that I could stay


And to visit places from my past
But only for an hour or so
Which is long enough to smell the air
To tell the tale and find the door


But I get turned around
I mistake some happiness for blessing
But I'm blessed as the poor
Still I judge success by how I'm dressing


So I'll sing a song of my hometown
I'll breathe the air and walk the streets
Maybe find a place to sit and read
And the ants are welcome company


So keep'em coming these lines on the road
And keep me responsible be it a light or heavy load
And keep me guessing with these blessings in disguise
And I'll walk with grace my feet and faith my eyes


And I'll walk with grace my feet and faith my eyes.
And I'll walk with grace my feet and faith my eyes.