Out of my early 20's: Where I was, where I am and what's next.

Today is my 24th birthday!

I'm officially out of my early 20's, and let me tell you some days my body reminds me that I am getting older. This past year was incredibly difficult, and I had my fair share of struggles, most of which are shared in this blog. I remember this past weekend a year ago I was still in clinicals finishing up my 240 hour preceptorship when I got the news my Grandpa's health was declining. I remember crying to my preceptor, praying I'd make it though the day in one piece and receiving a hug at the end of the day from a wife of a patient who had just passed. That was then. At 23, I finished nursing school, graduated, passed the boards, and found my job where I still am. But in that time I also lost my Grandpa...today of all days, said good-bye to an almost decade long friendship, and was really sad, frustrated and pissed off for a while while trying to find a job. The time in between graduating from school and finding my job held some of my darkest days of my life.

And now? I'm at a job that I sincerely love,  I've made new friends and have marveled at the wonder, joy and mystery of being in a continuous relationship with Christ. This past weekend I had the opportunity to finally work with a nurse who had been there for a while but had recently started working on my unit. She, along with her fiance (whom I have also worked with) are both Christians. She confided in me that she felt where we worked "sucked the joy" out of her sometimes. I felt myself thinking this way at times, because sometimes on a particularly crazy and stressful day it's easy to feel that way. Trust me on this one. She then said she felt relieved there were other believers who worked where we do. Like me. Even though I had had a very good shift, I felt relieved as well. I am thankful and blessed that I have a camaraderie of co workers to confide in and share my struggles. But I'm even more thankful that there are co workers of mine who too are walking with Christ. Together we're all doing our best to be His light and example, and to know there are those who are fighting the good fight too is a comfort and one of my strengths. I can't think of any other time where I've had an open discussion such as ours in a work place, with the exception of the one I mentioned in the previous post.  

God is good. Really. I'm serious. I'm not trying to preach, but I really do forget how blessed I am by Him. And as I sit here now, pondering on the fact that I'm a year older, I'm reminded of His love and grace. He has placed me where He wants me to be. I don't know if He'll keep me there forever, but it's good. I'm in such a good place right now. I don't know what 24 will hold for me, but I'm open to anything, because with Him all things are possible.