Busy, busy, busy!

I may not be as busy as my dear friend Jenny (my prayers are with you girl) but I have been pretty active lately! I started the month with a trip to Lynchburg, VA with Megan and Lucas. Megan grew up there and Lucas went to college at Liberty which is located there. So we spent several days checking out the town, visiting Megan's family, seeing some of Lucas's old friends and even did a little hiking! Upon returning to Fredericksburg, I worked, took an ACLS course (required for my job) and worked some more! There was a little bit of playtime in there, dinner with Megan and then a couple of hours on the playground with Lucas! Last night he and I went to DC and had a very late night bike ride - we left around midnight and I dropped him off at 0430! It was such a great night...no traffic and very few tourists (I think we saw 5 people, not counting security guards) so it felt like we had the National Mall to ourselves! I'll post a few pictures after I finish rambling!! I work the next 5 out of 6 days, have a few days off, work my three days and then get to go home for a visit! I'm very excited to get to see everyone and meet my new niece! After that, I will return to Fredericksburg to work for a couple of weeks and then go to California for my friend Kelley's wedding! I'm excited to go but very sad for the day to come because when I return to Fredericksburg, Lucas and Megan will be gone! I hate to admit it but I miss them already! I'm hoping to be able to work enough that I won't get too lonely plus I definitely plan to take a train ride to wherever they end up (either New York or Boston). It is unbelievable how cheap and fast the train ride will be. I have only checked into NY but that is a 5-6 hour ride costing less than $100. Hooray for cheap travel!! Okay - here are some pictures!

This is me on the peak of Sharp Top which is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Chillin' with George Mason!

Jefferson Memorial - my favorite!

Inside the Jefferson Memorial

Korean War Memorial - my second favorite - you have to see this one in the dark, it totally changes the tone!

One of the "men" at the Korean War Memorial

The facial expressions are amazing...you can almost feel what they are thinking!

For those of you that have Myspace or Facebook - there are many more pictures should you be interested!!

What's on my mind...

I'm supposed to be at work right now but census is down so I'm on call. So, I thought I'd take this opportunity to share what I've been thinking about with my devoted readers ;). First and foremost, has been family. My Grandma's brother was recently diagnosed with lung cancer that is apparently very advanced and involves his heart. His doctors have basically told him there is nothing they can do and give him 1-3 months. It's times like these I realize fully the disadvantages of my lifestyle. I wish I could be home and hug my Grandma...anything to bring her comfort. I also wish I could be home to hold my new niece. Little Miss Natalie Nicole was born July 31 to my brother and his wife, their first. She makes four granddaughters for my parents! Sometimes, I wish I could be home just so I had some company! I am very thankful that I have friends here now, not sure what I would have done if I hadn't. I never, not in my wildest dreams, expected to feel as lonely as I have. I have actually considered giving up travel nursing several times because of this. I realize I am too dependent on my friends. I rely on them for things I should be relying on God for. I feel He is using this time to draw me closer to Him and while I don't object, sometimes I wonder how exactly one goes about that. Oh, I know intellectually...but it is my heart that needs help. There is a wall, I'm sure I've built it, that I feel I'm continually running into. How do I tear it down?

I am happy. I am having loads of fun. I am so thankful for amazing friends. I just want to live my full potential as a servant of the Lord. I don't know that I can achieve that with my current occupation. That is why I think it's time for me to go back to school. Not right this second, but definitely within the next year or two. I also want to find a place to settle down. The obvious choice is home but I don't believe home is the best place for me. I find myself becoming too complacent there. I want to find a place where I will be challenged. I also feel a very strong call to attend a Christian University. I have been debating about doing an online program vs actually attending class. I'm not sure I would get the full benefit of a Christian University without actually showing up there! I would need to continue to work, obviously and that causes me to lean toward online. I'm glad I have some time to pray and ponder! Another big decision is whether or not I pursue nursing as my chosen degree. I really feel a pull in another direction but that direction is unclear. I'm sure I will stay in healthcare but don't feel I want to continue in the hospital. Basically, my future is one big puzzle!!

I realize this is a random post and I'm not even sure it makes sense! I just want you to have a sense of my turmoil!! ;) I guess I should be glad I don't feel stuck in a rut - I definitely have options...maybe too many!!!! Wish me luck!

I've lost 40 pounds!

That's it, just wanted to brag about my success!! Love to you all!!