Pictures and updates!

Its been a little over two weeks since Mom had her surgery. I am happy to say that she keeps getting better every day. Please keep praying for Ted he has had an additional surgery since the transplant and could possibly have another surgery tomorrow. The kidney transplant was successful but other complications are coming up now.
Here are a few pictures from the weekend in Ann Arbor. I know it was a rough weekend on the family over all but I left the hospital knowing that I definitely can't wait to be a nurse! Mom and Dad thought it would be best for me to go back with her to pre-op and be able to talk to the anesthesiologist and the surgeons. Despite the crazy emotions of seeing your mom go through that kind of surgery it was a great to spend time with family and catch a glimpse of my future :)

Sitting by the pool the night before we left for Ann Arbor

Mom and I

Dad and I

Nick, Jeff and I sat outside most of the day

Nana joined us!

Its a long drive from Chicago...had to catch up on sleep at some time!

Going Home

It looks like we're leaving Ann Arbor today! Last night Mom had some normal food, walked a little bit, and she looked so much better. The surgeon said she would probably be able to leave this morning or afternoon. So one more trip to the hospital and hopefully we'll be able to head home!

Ted is doing very well. When we visited him yesterday morning he looked great and was already walking. I'm so happy that Mom could do this for such a wonderful family and its great that they are both right on track for recovery! Now we've gotta get back to the hospital and I'll find out if the nurses could find a pair of scrubs for me that weren't XXL! :)

Just out of surgery...

4.5 hrs of surgery and 2 hrs of recovery so far but Mom is right on track according to the surgeon. He said that mom's kidney was beautiful and the surgery went as well as possible. Ted is in recovery and so far he has accepted the kidney and is doing well! The surgical team was great and I'm so thankful for their talent. Our family is so excited to see how God protected them and guided the surgery. Thank you so much for your prayers! Please continue to keep praying as they are recovering.

Comments

Sorry to those of you that have been trying to leave comments! I finally fixed that... thanks for the emails and prayers though! I appreciate it and so does my family. I will keep you updated in the days to come. Thanks again!

The Stars

I think some of my favorite memories come from times where I was laying under the stars. I think back to those late night bonfires at Andy's when all of us at Faith would be laying by the bonfire just talking about whatever came to mind, nights spent with Dad setting up the telescope and checkin out the planets, laying out by the pool watching a meteor shower with Ron. Once college came around it didn't stop either...Northland was the best place to look at the stars. I loved seeing the aurora borealis, turning the headlights off at our bonfires by the lake and singing to God, laying out in the middle of the soccer field during preseason, and finishing the long trip back to campus by pulling off on the side of the road just to look at the stars because we lived out in the middle of nowhere and we could do that!

It seems like something inspirational always happens when you're looking at stars. I don't know if that's just because you can finally put things into perspective after you've been reminded how small you are in the grand scheme of things or if its because you actually slowed down enough to think through some things. Either way I haven't done that too often since I've been at Southeastern. But tonight I was able to do that. So many things have changed lately or are about to change and tonight was the perfect night to lay back and think about all of that. I am so excited about what God has been doing in my life lately and the opportunities He has given to me in this next semester. I'm finally starting up classes that will go towards my BSN, I'm back at Providence and I'll be able to start serving there, I'm still studying at SEBTS which suprisingly I'm very excited about, and my job is going well. Believe me things haven't gone the way I thought they would over the last few years but I see God's hand guiding me through it all and tonight I was able to think back over some of that and look forward to this semester. All in all, tonight was a good kickoff to the upcoming semester!

Update

• Mom and Dad and the Washburns are going to Ann Arbor tomorrow for the final checkup before the surgery next week.* Please keep them in your prayers.
• I was finally able to register for two prerequistes for nursing school!!! I'm on my way...
• AND...I'm going home in 7 days!!!!!

*My mom is donating her kidney to a close friend of the family and member of our church back home. It has been really amazing to see how God has worked everything out for this surgery to be possible. Now our prayers are that God's love and power will be seen through this operation, fears would be replaced by confidence in God (for those in the surgery and for family members), and for quick healing and recovery. The surgery will take place on Thursday, July 24th at the University Hospital at the University of Michigan.

Multiple Choice

Growing up I only attended two churches until I was 17 and graduated high school. There just wasn't a choice in the matter. We went to Bible Baptist in Illinois and Faith Baptist in Michigan, and that was that. You didn't switch around. I don't know if that was just do to the fact that there aren't a lot of churches to choose from in the North or my parents faithfulness (I'm thinking its the latter). But i'm tellin you...the amount of good churches that are in Raleigh alone is enough to make a person's head spin. There literally seems to be a church on every corner. I have never had such a hard time picking a church as I have since I moved to seminary. Even in college I pretty much knew exactly where I wanted to attend and got plugged in and stayed til I transfered. Well, "mass" at Bob Jones doesn't really count I guess...but that was short lived.

Anyways... coming here I had an idea of where I wanted to attend but I thought I should see whatelse was out there. The churches ranged from contemporary to traditional. Some had evening and wednesday night services while others only met Sunday morning and had Bible study at someone's house once a week. There were so many options! After searching for a while I started the membership process at Providence. I really saw God at work in my life while I was there and just when I began to really get "plugged in" I felt that I should serve at another church for a while. That only lasted a few months but after my time there had finished I faced the same dilemma again..."where should I go to church?" I didn't want to drive all the way back to Raleigh since I drive there everyday for work. So I began the search again. Soon after I found a great church that was so much closer to SEBTS and began to attend there. This church was great and the people there were great too, but I still felt like there was something missing. I went back to Providence and it just felt like home again. Weird how that is since its so big but I guess confirmation from God just gives you that feeling sometimes.

So having said all of that, I have finally found my church for the rest of my stay here in Raleigh. (unless gas prices keep going up I might be forced to start a church in my apartment and ask a neighbor to preach :) I'm so excited to get plugged back in and I am thankful for the relationships I formed at other churches along my way back there. I really struggled with the question of how do you pick a church after the fact that they are biblically based. And maybe there is no cut and dry answer for that when you have so many choices like I have here in Raleigh. Since that dilemma has concluded I am not really going to worry about it any more but instead focus on being faithful to the church to which God has called me. Thank you for your prayers through it all!

Happy Birthday Tiffany!

My sweet niece Tiffany turned 11 today!!! I love this girl SO much. I can't help but smile whenever she's around. We have had some great memories with our girls nights out action packed with camping out in my room, nail painting, new hairstyles, creative makeup artistry, and talking about whatever came to mind til late at night. Tiffany has an incredible talent for singing and acting and I love hearing her sing-a-long with her Highschool Musical Karaoke cd. Most of all I love how she is one of the most genuine, fun loving, girls I've ever met. Tiffany I'm so proud of who you are and who you're becoming! Have a fantastic birthday party tonight with your cherry pie cake :) hahah

Happy Birthday Tiff!

My Weekend Away

This past weekend I escaped the unbearable heat in NC and ran away to the cooler land of Pennsylvania to visit one of my sisters. Our weekend was spent watching fireworks downtown, hanging out at Portland's pool, trying to work on our tans, creating culinary masterpieces, eating food that had very little nutritional value.... and just spending quality sister time together. On top of that Rob, Josh and Toni were all in town as well so I got to catch up with them as well. I am so thankful for this past weekend since it was the first time Renee and I ever hungout apart from our huge family get togethers. When I was younger I probably thought I'd never been close to my big sister who had already moved out of the house, but its amazing what time can do. Thanks Renee for a great weekend and letting me win the bullseye game! ;-) Love you much!

Happy Birthday Colin!

One of the coolest little guys in the world turned 6 yesterday! When I talked to Colin on the phone he was telling me all about his big plans for the day which included hanging out with his friends, seeing Nana and Grandpa, eating cake and ice cream, and of course opening presents. I couldn't believe the same little guy that called me Aunt Maadalieee and wouldn't go in our pool without his Spiderman goggles was telling me how much he wanted Indiana Jones Lego's, spray colors, and other toys. I heard he couldn't sleep cause he was so excited that it was his birthday. So Colin, I hope you got some sleep last night after your big party and I will see you soon and we can play with those Lego's!

slightly outdated but still a favorite....

A Late Night Thought

Click to hear music file
Its pouring outside, and I can't sleep. I could stay up all night listening to the rain which would leave me useless tomorrow if I do that... but as I was laying here I was thinking over this past year, the rain and a series of recent circumstances. It all took me back to a blog I wrote over a year ago. It's completely random because yet again it was another late night thought, but I thought I should recycle this one...

February 24, 2007
I'm in Clemson right now...200.85 miles from my apartment, 773 miles from home, and two feet away from the bed that is calling my name to go to sleep :) but I can't help but think about all of the different places i've been in my life and how for the first time in years I feel like I am where I'm supposed to be! Believe me not everything is falling into place. As it has been said "when it rains it pours" and for me that includes the good and the bad. What I'm learning is that no matter where you are and how hard its "raining"--look at it as an opportunity to dance in the rain.
There is just something about being wherever God has placed you, having an amazing time being there, and not always trying to figure every little thing out! I'm an analyzer. I analyze this, that and everything in between! My life has been spent trying to figure out my next move, other people's next move, and I guess altogether God's next move--and it seems to have been a complete waste of time. I received the BEST advice the other day from a friend when she told me to stop analyzing an just enjoy life and that got me to think how the best times in my life have been the times when I've been carefree, relaxed, vulnerable, free to love, and looking for even the smallest blessings in the most trivial of situations. So now it doesn't matter if I'm at Southeastern working on a masters program that is going to take an eternity to finish or laying on the beach on some remote island--life is going to be only as good as what I allow it to be. God is just waiting to shower us with blessings and yes some of those blessings come through hard times in that we can know Him all the more. I believe God wants us to enjoy life to the fullest because we are completely filled by His Spirit. Solomon knew what he was talking about when he said "I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live." Ups and downs will come and go, questions about purpose and identity will arise, but I'm positive that there is always some kind of blessing that you can identify in your life, thank God for it, keep trusting God in ALL things, and just go on enjoying life and serving HIM. I know all of this is completely random and just to let you know my blogs don't always follow a logical train of thought but hey it's late and I felt like typing! :)

THE END and goodnight.

National Smile Week

Happy National Smile Week! I got an article in the mail today announcing that this past week has been National Smile Week, however, when I Googled it I found that there are a lot of different weeks throughout the year that National Smile Week is celebrated around the world. But, if anyone knows me they know I have a slight obsession with teeth... its true I love my dentist...so I figure now is a better time than ever to celebrate smiles so here's a few random facts about smiles and some quotes that could bring a smile to your face!

According to an Invisalign Smile Survey...

• 96% of people surveyed see a smile as very important ot someone's overall appearance


• 84% of the people surveyed believe that an attractive smile is important for dating


• 75% repsonded that an attractive smile is important for succeeding at work


• 71% believe that having an attractive smile is important for making new friends

It takes as few as 5 pairs of facial muscles to smile which is less that what it takes to frown...so take the easy road and smile! :)

"Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes." ~ Jack Handey

Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go. -- Oscar Wilde

A day without laughter is a day wasted. -- Charlie Chaplin

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

Today, 71 years ago...can you believe it?!...in a little town called Burlison, TN my wonderful father was born. Today is the day to celebrate it! Too bad I'm in Raleigh missing out on all of the fun, but hey all you people out in Michigan have fun sittin' around the pool eating birthday cake. I love you much and will see you in 28 days! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

Melody's Wedding

This is a little late in coming but one of my closest friends, Melody Fowler, became Melody Shirley just a couple of weeks ago!! I'm so happy for her. She was one of the most beautiful brides I have ever seen. Unfortunately, and as usual, I forgot to charge the battery for my camera so I am without pictures, but just picture this... a small chapel on the top of a mountain on the edge of a cliff; a violinist, cellist, and guitarist; bridesmaids dressed in black; and probably no more than 150 guests. Sounds perfect doesn't it? Well, it was pretty much was as close to perfect as you could get, but the best part is still to come. From the moment the rehearsal begin the wedding planner explained the purpose of this wedding--to be a worship service. The whole wedding was centered around God and glorifying Him for what He had brought together and how their lives were brought together in order to better serve Him. So not only was the bachelorette party a lot of fun, and staying in a beautiful home in the mountains nice, oh and how could I forget learning how to shag (its a southern dance for all of you northerners that are reading this haha) unforgettable, but I just want to take this opportunity to thank Melody and Seth for all of the great memories from their big day and for truly reflecting what a marriage ceremony should be--a time of worship. I love you both and best wishes to you as you begin your lives together as Mr. and Mrs. Seth Shirley! Oh...and if anyone finds a hubcap at the Cliffs at Glassy let me know ;) hahah

So much excitement

Here's a quick little update... I got to see my brother this week! (I love my family!!!), school is almost out, Melody is getting married soon, I FINALLY have had a chance to catch up with some friends from college, Mom got the ok on the surgery (please continue to pray for her), and....Julia is PREGNANT!!!

I MOVED!

I moved! No...not to Briarcreek as you are all probably thinking. Now I'm just a few doors down from where I lived for the past 2 years. This is definitely not the decision I saw myself making at this point but God really showed me that I was making my own plans and that I needed to trust him and finish what He called me to. So, for now I am still residing in McDizzle, hanging out with the same friends, and going to Southeastern. And to top it all off I have a new roommate!! I kind of have to laugh looking back on the way God orchestrated everything. Its funny how He always seems to always know what's best for me.

Katie and Geth's Wedding

Here's a few pictures from Katie and Geth's Wedding...well, actually they're from the day before. I was a little busy on the wedding day. It was so much fun meeting her friends and spending time with her family. And one of the best parts was the drive out to Robbins--NC is gorgeous! Congratulations Katie and Geth!

Charlotte the Second

So this trip to Charlotte was completely different from the weekend before! It all started with a late night arrival at a hotel where the attendant reminded me of someone straight out of a horror film and a room that reeked of smoke and made you feel like you should be watching Austin Powers. This is when the adventure began. Hiding behind the luggage rack, Shana and I made our way out of the creepy hotel and over to the Marriott. Brats? perhaps. But it was 11pm, we were tired, getting ready to spend a weekend saving the environment--who wouldn't want to have a nice place to come back to after such a trying of the soul during the day? :)

The weekend went on from there with volunteers that had many nutritional demands, questions about rain water retention containers, solar panels, wind mills,(good thing the volunteers were great at answering them!) and completely random comments about the dark side...of which I still have not figured out who they were talking about. If it were not for the fact that neither Shana, Alley or I are environmentalists and we had free wireless connection all weekend I don't know if I would have surived the weekend. It was a trip that's for sure.

All in all, I worked, had some great coffee, met some nice people, explored the city of Charlotte as Shana and I got lost looking for a Fed-Ex, and got to sleep in a comfy hotel :) and that was my weekend.

Training

From the moment I walked out of chapel and it was raining my heart sank. I love the rain, we need the rain, so why can't I be happy about it? Because I was supposed to run. Summer rain runs are the best but cold rainy runs...well...they just don't do it for me. So this is at 11am and it isn't until 630 that I have to hit the roads. So I have 7 and a half hours to wait for it to go away.

630 rolls around and I haven't been outside recently but to my surprise it was the PERFECT night for a run. So I waited for Jenna to get out of class and we took off on our 60 minute run. I was a little apprehensive about this run since I haven't gone running for over a week (since Jenna and I decided to take a week off so we'd be on schedule). The first two miles weren't the greatest as usual, but we were keeping a great pace. I started to dread the thought of doing this half marathon but the longer we were running the better I felt. It was a cool night with the smell of fresh air right after a good rain. Jenna and I were suprisingly in great running condition after all of the hills (Mt. Everest) that we had been doing the weeks before. Before I knew it we were almost to Walmart and it was time to turn around. We made great time and really enjoyed the weather. This was probably the best run I've ever had and now I'm SO excited about Nashville.

I've been learning about praising God on the spot when I am reminded of his goodness or any attribute of His and this definitely gave me cause to praise Him. I've had doctors tell me I wouldn't be able to run anymore and I've had a number of injuries along the way. I am just so thankful that He is the Great Physician and that he gives me the strength and ability to do this. I couldn't ask for a better hobby--a great run, with great weather, and running with a great friend--God is good!

Charlotte the First

This is the first of two weekends in a row that I'm going to Charlotte. This trip began with a late night run to Salsaritas and a 3.5 hour drive to Gastonia where Nicole and I were able to see a number of once in a lifetime sites such as a glowing red sky and the only human being that would dress himself from head to toe in orange that was not in the state penitentiary. We made it to her house and settled ourselves in for a relaxing weekend at "home."

I love going home with my friends, being able to see where they are from and pretty much just seeing them in their element. It reminds me of all the times friends came home with me in college--such good memories!

Well, this weekend has included lots of sleep, lots of reading, good food, and being around people that are pretty much my second family! Can't get much better than that, but I still have half of the weekend to go!

A New Beginning

Ok, with facebook, my space, email, and cell phones who would think that I'd need one more way of updating everyone on what's going on out here in Wake Forest (or wherever I might be at that time) :) But here goes nothin'. It kinda looked like fun so I figured I would give it a try!