Empowered for a purpose...

Hello all and welcome to my blog! I figured it was about time to start this as I gear up to head across the Atlantic to Douala, Cameroon! I hope you will follow my journey and hear my stories. Feel free to share my blog with your friends and family-and stay in touch while I'm away! So a little bit about my story...


I was raised in good old Blackwood, NJ- one of five kids (I like to joke I'm the favorite). My mom and dad raised us all in a cute brick house where there was lots of love to go around! I love that house-and miss it so much.


I grew up playing soccer-that was my first love. If I wasn't at school or hanging with friends you could probably catch me on a soccer field. That's what helped me get to college-and was a huge HUGE part of my life. I used to dream about playing soccer in Africa with the kids who couldn't afford as much as a ball. I don't know why but Africa was put on my heart from a very young age.


When it was time for college, I picked La Salle University. They had a soccer team that was division one and that's all I really cared about! I didn't know what I wanted to be. I was thinking about being a teacher then decided to switch to nursing right before I started. I think my mom thought I was crazy since I almost passed out when my little sister cut her head open. However-I am forever grateful this is the path I've chosen.


Not only do I get to treat and care for the sick day in and day out-but I get the privilege and honor to care for the cutest patients-my kiddos. I started out my career at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and can't say enough good things about that place. They taught me to be the ICU nurse I am today. I worked in both the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) and PICU (pediatric intensive care unit) while there. Ask me if I have any stories-that place was a mad house sometimes!


I then decided to step out of my comfort zone and travel. I figured I was young and single-so why not? It would be a cool chance to see the world and essentially get paid to do it! I started my adventure in Seattle, Washington and of course fell in love with the mountains out here. I wanted to travel to more places but there's something about the craftsmanship of the landscape out here. It just draws me in. Now granted-who knows what my future holds or if I will stay in the state of Washington, but it was a very cool first place to visit.


I currently work at University of Washington in their Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with all the cute little babies. However, my contract end is fast-approaching and in about a month I will leave for my newest adventure-Africa.


This is all pretty cool-how I heard about this and how it just all fell into place for me. I had a few friends from CHOP who had gone over to Africa for a month or so and did Mercy Ships and loved it. They suggested it might be something I would enjoy. I looked into it and just decided to apply on a whim. They got back to me pretty quickly and was accepted within a month. I pretty much cried tears of joy when I found out I was getting the opportunity to visit this continent that's had my heart since I was a young girl.


I'm leaving on February 24 and will return May 25. I'm not sure what to expect. I know I'll be living on a ship with about 400 other crewmates. We get to do surgeries on kids that will absolutely change their lives. I know that I will probably get more back than I can ever give to these people-I feel their love already. I expect God to move in big ways. I'm praying for it-and I want you to pray for it too. Pray also that I'm a light while I'm there.


Please please please stay reading my blog! The excitement is unreal. I want you all to hear about the effect you're having on not only my life but these babies' lives half way around the world. Thanks for loving me and supporting me. Can't wait to see the crazy things God does through this experience. Love ya'll-until next time....

Comments

  1. Can't wait for your adventure to begin!

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  2. We are looking forward to reading your blog and living vicariously through your experience! To God be the Glory!

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