For such a time as this... and my time is here!

I haven't exactly been a faithful blogger. My last post was 2010, and then this nursing school thing happened and, well, the rest is history. The very first post on this blog spoke to my heart for Sudan, and the journey that led me to eventually led me to put that trip on hold.

 The following summer I was given the opportunity to go and live in Guatemala for two months volunteering with an amazing organization called Education & Hope. During my two months there I taught English, science, and math to kids from extremely poor families. 

My two months there taught me how adjusting to a country's culture can be the difference in creating a lasting difference as opposed to a temporary one. Teaching for two months really solidified that teaching was not my calling, and that nursing was most certainly the right choice for me! That trip taught me how to get along in a foreign country and ultimately how to have complete reliance on God for my safety. While I was over there, however, my heart longed to do what I have wanted to do since I was 14 years old- that is mission work with a medical focus. 

Early on in my high school career when I began pursuing the dream of becoming a nurse/nurse practitioner, I would lie awake at night dreaming of the day I would board a plane to a foreign country to do medical mission work. When I was 14, that dream seemed to be ages away, and now at 22 that dream is finally coming true. 

Who knew that 15 years ago a Halloween costume... 

...would turn into a reality...

And now, about a month after graduating nursing school, my time has come; I will be flying to Haiti with a medical team based out of New York for a 10-day medical mission trip. The group I will be going with is the National Organization for the Advancement of Haitians (NOAH), and was founded by a Haitian American doctor (who will be on the trip with us), with a vision of empowering Haiti through a variety of different alliances. 

These 10 days will be filled with outpatient visits (for both adult and pediatric patients), as well as multiple surgeries ranging from hysterectomies to surgical repairs of penetrating wounds. As many of you know Haiti has been ravaged by natural disaster, poverty, and disease. This medical mission is a yearly trip for NOAH, and each year the potential to make a difference is enormous. Medical care is something that can make a tangible difference, especially in a country that has been ravaged by natural disasters, poverty, and disease. 

I am asking my friends and family to partner with me- both financially (if they are able) and prayerfully. Any funds raised will go towards the cost of my plane ticket, accommodations, food, interpreter that I will need when I get there. There is a PayPal button in the upper right and I can take checks as well. Any amount at all would help immensely, and would be greatly appreciated. :)  

Prayers for safety during our travels, border crossings (from the Dominican Republic to Haiti when we arrive), and during our daily clinic days are greatly needed and greatly appreciated. My prayer is that I will make an impact and show Jesus to everyone I come into contact with (even though NOAH is not specifically a Christian/church-based organization). 

All the glory belongs to the Lord for this trip, for this opportunity, and for orchestrating events in my life that have placed me in the position to go and serve the Haitian people medically. 

"For such a time as this, I have been placed upon the earth, to hear the voice of God, and do His will, whatever it is."

- Wayne Watson, "For Such a Time As This" 

(based on Esther 4:14)

CONVICTION

CONVICTION

Being convicted and assured 

to pursue the career that 

I am called to.

                                                                               

I have been asked "what I want to be when I grow up" since say, oh I was 4 years old. I have replied everything from a farmer, to a marine biologist, to my mom's least personal favorite- a cashier at City Market.

Around 15 I started telling people that I wanted to be a nurse practioner, and that answer stayed with me throughout high school. I had life easy when I was a senior in high school- when I had to write an essay on "describe your career goals" bam, I had no problem. It was undergrad for my BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing), work for two years, go back to grad school for a MNP (Masters in Nurse Practitioning).

4 years later, at the ripe old age of 19, all of a sudden my career path has not seemed so clear. 

School started on August 23, 2010 with a new clinical student orientation (I was accepted into the Beth-El College of Nursing & Health Sciences in June 2010). Between learning what to expect for our 17 credit hours of class, and all the supplies we had to have within the week, along with immunizations, drug tests, and background checks.... I began to get overwhelmed like I'd never been before.  

All of a sudden I could barely sleep at night because I was lying away wondering...

Do I reallly want to be a nurse?                                                  

Is this really what I want to do with my life?

Should I go to med school? (Yes, way more expensive, but it has always been my #2 choice)

Why am I even in nursing school?                                          

Am I doing this for job security or because I really want to be in the field of nursing?


Basically it boiled down to....

Do I really want to be in nursing school? Because if I don't, I need to get out now.

 I tossed and turned at night, felt restless during the day, and in general lacked internal peace.

This past summer (taking care of my 92-year old Grandma) had already caused me to question nursing school. Now I was in "real" nursing school, eating, thinking, and breathing nursing (not to mention spending several hundred extra dollars) and I only began questioning my career choice more and more.

Then one night, it all changed....

Per usual for a Friday night, I was at theMILL which is basically a huuuuuge youth group for college kids and 20-somethings. We were singing the song "Counting on God" (good ole' Desperation song right there!) and all of a sudden I had a vivid flashback: I was sitting at a table in the Durango High School Counseling office where I sat as a 15-year old flipping through book of different career choices. I got to the "N" section and found myself in a profession called "Nurse Practitioner". I started reading up on it, and became intrigued by everything the profession had to offer. It was that very day that I decided that I wanted to do that with my life. I vividly remember that day, and the Lord brought it back to me as I sat contemplating a major change 4 years later in a seat at New Life Church. 

Immediately after that vivid memory of when I had decided to become a nurse practitioner  I heard God in my heart, almost like I have never heard him before. What I heard was...

"Sarah, you are here for a reason. You are supposed to be in nursing school. I brought you to Colorado Springs, I brought you to the Beth-El College of Nursing. Your pain and struggles during nursing school are going to be for the benefit of others. You are in nursing school not only to help others, but more importantly to glorify my name. Every experience, trial, and triumph are all just going to be steps in becoming the nurse you're supposed to be. I planted this dream in your heart 4 years ago, and yes it will be hard, but yes I have brought you here...for such a time as this."

Since that night, I have not once questioned my goal of being a nurse because God has assured me that he wants me here. I can sleep at night (literally) and the peace that only He gives (John 14:27) fills me. My Father in heaven has CONVICTED me that I am once again in the right place at the right time.

My God is stronger than me. He brought me here by the power of His hand, and He will keep me here through His grace. He will guide my steps and lead my way.

Whatever you're doing at this stage in your life, God has placed you there for such a time as this. He has brought you to where you are by the power of His hand, and He is doing great things through you. Keep in mind:

"I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."- Romans 9:17 (NIV)

God is working through you, don't ever doubt it. Be convicted, be reassured. You are here... for such a time as this.