Spring Break Part I

Miss Lilly had a presentation at the beginning of the month for school that was all about a country that she has family heritage from.  She chose Sweden and we got to learn some really cool things about Sweden.  She also got to dress up and make krumkakes for her class with her great-great-grandmother's  krumkake iron.  Yum!

Master S had his first concert for band several weeks ago.  He is the 5th one in on second row up of trumpets (four girls and then him -- with short hair).  So fun to hear him play with the band all the music he has been 'practicing' at home!

 Master S also turns 12 this week!  Love watching him and a few friends bowl together ... they got creative when the game wasn't looking as good as they wanted it to!

 Love this kid!

 It's the middle of spring break here - and with the weather not so warm this weekend we went to check out the IMA with the kids. 

  Big D found the giant 6 and love the contemporary art exhibit on the 4th floor.  When I asked who wanted to check it out with me, he excitedly volunteered, took my hand and was intrigued with the art we got to see.  I am always surprised by him ...

 There was a giant lite bright wall in the kids creation room -- the boys loved it!

 Miss Lilly spent the whole time creating with paper ...

 her creation was made almost entirely from colored masking tape -- so different from any of the examples in the room.  She amazes me with her different way of looking at things.

 Today the kids were bored (surprise?!)  And made some Minecraft creations from boxes sitting in the basement.  People driving by slowed down to 'see' what was going on at our house this afternoon!

 Miss Lilly and I bought a big box of chalk today and they spent our first glimpse of warm weather during spring break creating on the driveway. 

Notice the 'Frozen' characters - she is loving drawing from that movie right now.

 And this boy, made the East Middle School Golf Team!  Yahoo!  Only 12 boys (6th, 7th and 8th graders) are on the team, he was number 11.  It is going to make some crazy scheduling over the next 6 weeks but he is thrilled to be able to play almost everyday and since he loves every minute he gets on the golf course, I'd say this just might be the best 6 weeks he's ever had!  Looking forward to watching him play.

Sacrifice and Blessings

The post I wrote about going part time was written the end of February, shortly after I accepted the part-time position at work that I was offered.  I waited to post it because I wanted to mull it over - let it sit for a while and think through what I had written, which I often do, especially when it is significantly personal.  Within a week of writing that and saving it to post later, we had some unpleasant news regarding J.D.'s work and found out that his benefits (our family's benefits) would end the end of March and that he would be contracting instead of working for salary at his current job until further notice.  In other words, J.D. is looking for another job.  The hours he is getting are limited at best and all of a sudden the part-time job that I took is proving to be a decision that was prompted by a loving Heavenly Father who is aware of our needs and wants, long before we are even aware of them.  I am overwhelmed when I think about the implications of that decision - the security, the love, and the awareness of a plan beyond my understanding, that is being orchestrated for me, for my family, for those around me.  The last few weeks have been a roller coaster of emotions, as all major job changes are, but I feel peace when I focus and block out the creeping feelings of despair and depression (they are still there).  Regardless of what happens with J.D.'s job, I know that I followed the spirit and that I did what I felt I was supposed to do and because of that I feel my Father in Heaven's love.  Sometimes we feel moved to do things and we never know why - and sometimes we do things when we are prompted, and as life unfolds we have no doubt about why we felt prompted to do them, this is one of those times.  It certainly doesn't guarantee that J.D. will have a fantastic job offer next week, but it does give me a sense that regardless of what happens, there is a plan, our Savior will provide for us and that 'sacrifice (truly does) bring(s) forth the blessings of heaven' (Praise to the Man, hymn #27).  So, in the meantime I'm working much more than part-time, but I'm also getting to share this life moment with some amazing co-workers, who not only are supportive, but have been my listening ears and have gotten to hear me talk about my testimony and my faith.  The Lord truly does work in mysterious ways!

Part Time

It's official.  I started as a part-time employee at St. Vincent Women's hospital March 16th.  If you are worried - I haven't changed jobs or locations, just my employment status from PRN or per diem to part-time.  It has been a decision long in the making - one that I've put off for awhile.  It means less flexibility (per diem is the ultimate in flexibility!)  adding a weekend rotation, working every third Saturday AND Sunday, as well as a holiday requirement (UGH!)  It has been 7 years since I've had a weekend requirement and worked a holiday, and really I haven't missed it at all.  It is one of the frustrations of working as a floor nurse - holidays, weekends, nights - all of those undesireables are on the table.  But, the time has come for me to pick up benefits, start thinking about retirement someday and it really was the right thing to do.  Plus, earning PTO is a good thing - a very good thing.

 

Honestly it may even allow me to work 'less', eventually, than I have been for the last year, and I have a feeling I will like this change, which begs the question - 'why has this taken so long for me to take this leap?' - and yes, this is a leap of faith for me!  I hate working Sundays.  I really want control over my ability to worship and there is something about the re-charge I get from church each week that I just can't replace, with anything.  The commandment to keep the Sabbath day holy has had some significant blessings for me and I didn't want to give any of that up.  I also couldn't stand the thought of working on Christmas!  Is that crazy?!  It's one day a year!  But, the thought of getting up, leaving my family and going to work on that day just drives me crazy.

 

So, as J.D. and I realized the need for something different in our financial picture, and the discussion of working part time started to circulate in our conversations, I really had to think, pray, ponder and work through all the reasons that I've been so resistant.  It really is what our family needs - better benefits, steady hours, earned paid time off and when I prayed about it I totally wanted the answer to be 'no way!  you can't work Sundays!'.  But the answer wasn't that.  The answer was more of a peaceful:  Yes, you are working where you are supposed to be.  Yes, you are a powerful force for good in the patients, families and co-workers you work with.  Yes, you are needed there and, Yes, that is where I want you to be.

 

I've made a goal to read the Bible, cover to cover.  I've tried before, but this time I mean it.  It may take me a long time (like several years!)  but I'm determined and I want it to be meaningful.  I finished the New Testament in December after two years, so all I have left is the Old Testament!  So far this year I'm making progress and recently I've been reading about Abraham and the sacrifice he was willing to make of his only son - a sacrifice that went against what he knew to be truth.  But, that act was what God wanted him to do and he was willing to sacrifice his knowledge/understanding of 'truth' or 'what was right' to do what God was asking him to do.

 

It just makes me think of how many times do I let what is perceived as 'right' or 'truth' - get in the way of what I really should be doing, or what I'm being prompted to do by the spirit.  Do we trust that God will lead us to where we need to be?  Do we trust that He will provide the way for us, if we give up what we want - even if it is righteous desires and wants?  Do we really listen and act on His will for us and does He trust us because of that?   

 

Does working on Sunday mean I'm disobeying the commandments?  Is it that cut and dry?  I don't think so.  As I've worked through this decision to actually put myself in a position where that is a requirement, I've done a lot of praying and studying.  Working on Sunday can be a blatant disobedience, it all depends on your motives and the job.  Women have babies on Sundays - they always have and I'm pretty sure they always will.  God did not design our bodies to not get sick on Sundays - He also didn't design our bodies to not go into labor just because it's Sunday.  Working with new mothers and babies is like a calling for me.  It is what I feel called to do and as a result that necessitates that the hours I work revolve around that, not the days of the week, it is just unavoidable.  I also have come to understand that our attitudes and how we approach the Sabbath, have much more to do with how we keep it, than almost anything that we 'do' on that day.  Sure, we should try to limit our activities to things that center on worship, but working with people, helping them in a time of need, easing their pain, sharing their burdens, teaching them how to work with a new little life, those are some of the most holy things I have ever done.  They are an expression of my awe and gratitude for my Savior and my God.  They are in some ways, how I worship.