The first week’s been pretty good. There are three of us new nurses with two seasoned staff who are currently stationed here and everybody has been so great. It hasn’t been the most ideal orientation by any means but we’re learning quick to work with what we’ve got. And man is there ever lots to learn and know. After the days of administrational stuff, first thing learned was basic suturing (on chicken legs mind you... although we were willing to take a cut or two so we could practice on each other). Note- always looking for willing candidates to practice this skill on so let me know if you’re interested. It was stated before coming out usually a doctor comes through every two weeks… in short time we learned it's been more like months. But they're always "just a phone call away."  The learning curve has included then, how to be a lab technician, pharmacist, and to a certain extent, doctor. Famous words of advice from the age-old film “Finding Nemo” come to mind. “Just keep swimming…just keep swimming.” Suffice to say, most evenings have included “study period.” Learning is life long, right?

the road out... looks like this for hours)

Right from the get go and continuing through the entire week, God has continued to bless my heart with little unexpected surprises, conversations, words, or moments of encouragement. To start, the verse I heard in a sermon the sunday before I left. Deut. 31:8 "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." That promise... his very PRESENCE walking with us through the day... how can that knowledge not result in peace… and confidence that I can do all things through him who strengthens me? In the thick of things I have sometimes been quick to forget the weighty “awesome-ness” of all that implies. Anxiety and trust... I don't think they can co-exist. Remembering, surrendering, walking in faith.

There have been so many other little moments in the last couple days where God has gone above and beyond- using people and moments to speak, challenging my narrowing perspective, reminding me of Truth. An encouraging phone call from a new co-worker. Breath-taking beauty all around. Words given for a perspective and reality check. A sobering situation of hopelessness and hurt. Unexpected friendship. Over and over a timely word read. An unexpected text of encouragement (in a remote area with no cell reception). Laughter. Lots of laughter. These examples and so many more… all testifying about this God I know. How he cares about each of us and the details of our lives, more than we could ever fathom. Even for those who don’t know him or have “forgotten” about him. This God…speaking, loving, taking broken hopeless people and broken people who don't know they're hopeless... In him we find it; meaning, purpose, life, strength, joy, love, peace.

Many people here are very spiritual... a coworker and newfound friend who is aboriginal was sharing about her beliefs and one comment really stuck out. People spend so much time taking care of their physical self and no time taking care of their spiritual self… so much so that they forget how to or that they even need to. And in the end, may or may not ever realize… they’ve lost who they are. Even though her and I have different beliefs there’s such truth shared in that thought.

I can't say it enough. Thanks for praying. And please, write or email how things are going in your neck of the woods and whether I can be praying for you about anything in particular. Love hearing from people (we’ve been warned lots about the signs of “cabin fever” as a result of the isolation) so if you start to notice any NEW and unusual quirks with me… 

Thinking this one's not being used in -30...

saw three buffalo yesterday