Florida Vacation :)

I know it's been a bit since I've attempted to blog. I was sweetly reminded by Kim M. on Sunday night that I needed to get with the program. So here I am.
Just want to say that I had a wonderful vacation in southeast Florida! I flew to Florida( on an airplane, in case you were thinking of a smart-aleck comment,) and spent a lovely week with my good friend, Sonja. She and her family were gracious hosts/hostesses...they treated me like I was family, made me feel so at home. We did lots of fun stuff. We went to tea with Sonja's mom, Ruthie( and no, George, we are NOT stuck-up ladies now..just common folk like always :) Sonja and I also spent a great day at Seaworld in Orlando. I loved all the shows, don't know if I could pick a favorite. We spent a little time at the beaches, taking pics mostly and enjoying the sunshine. And we spent several hours enjoying a private pool nearby. Ahhh....the cool water was absolute heaven in the Florida heat! No, I haven't gained a lot of confidence in my swimming abilities, but I can navigate from one end of the pool to the other wearing a noodle( don't laugh..it kept me from drowning.) Also spent alot of time just vegetating, which I hardly ever get to do. It was one of the most relaxing vacations I've had in awhile.

The only small fly in the ointment was on Sunday, when I became ill. As a nurse, I'm a terrible patient, and I really hate to be sick, especially away from home. But I did make it to church for both services, and even accompanied Sonja when she sang a solo. Those who may have watched it via livestreaming, may have noted that the accompanist looks pasty :) Indeed, it was shortly thereafter, at the end of the altar call to be exact, that she had to beat a hasty retreat to the bathroom. There, she lost her lunch in a very undignified manner. But she was just soooo grateful that she made it out of the auditorium first :) Are you enjoying this little story? I warn you that nurses can sometimes be a little gross... I started feeling better the next day, and Sonja's family was very gracious about everything. The only good thing about my getting sick was that I actually lost weight in Florida, instead of my usual gain! In fact, my appetite is still not quite up to par, so hallelujah, the weight loss continues :)

One movie that I watched on vacation was "Facing the Giants." Sonja has already blogged about this movie, and said it much better than I could. But I will say that I am very convicted about my lack of faith. I have tried to protect myself from disappointment and disillusionment by keeping my hopes/expectations low. To trust God with abandon was frightening...afterall, if He didn't answer my prayers the way that I thought He should, would I still be able to trust Him? Or would my fledgling faith die completely? It has been easier to just stay within my comfort zone, to not step out in faith and "risk it all." God is digging up the soil of my heart, and I am finding peace in trusting Him to know what's best. I want to be used of God...whatever that may mean for me. If it means leaving the comfortable and familiar, then I am willing. If it means giving up a good paying job with good benefits, and trading that in for minimum wage, then I'm willing. With God's help, I am willing to face the giants of fear in my life...to allow Him full control. I am praying for specific guidance in the coming weeks, and I would appreciate your prayers as well. If you're wondering if I'm considering a move to the far east...well no, not particularly. But I have to be open to God's leadership. I have to learn to pray about offers/decisions, not just write them off because they're out of my comfort zone. I could probably say more, but I'm gonna call it a night. Thanks for your prayers...