Greetings all from Texas!
I had to leave Dubuque, this past Monday the 7th instead of Wednesday the 9th due to a pretty bad blizzard that went through the midwest. I am SOOOO glad I left when I did. Although the drive was still pretty bad....sleet, rain, snow, ice, sneet, slain, 14 hrs later I was home! I did have to stop for the night in Kansas City. I don't think I really realized how bad the weather was until I was driving in it! Dubuque now has about 12" of snow and expecting more this weekend!
I had to extend 2 of my fall classes, since I had to leave early to get back here to TX for my surgery this coming Monday...which I am NOT looking forward to; but then whoever does??!
I managed to finish most everything else in my other classes. I also registered for next semester which looks like a bear of a schedule...but then again, so did this semester. My one elective next semester will be Loss and Grief....doesn't that sound like a happy class! Well....my thought was that it may be good to take before I do my CPE next summer. Speaking of which...I still have no idea where I will be going! I did interview in Charlotte while I was home for Thanksgiving. I also have an interview scheduled at Children's Medical here in Dallas next month. The one place I had hoped to go still hasn't contacted me for a phone interview, so I hope that changes within the next few months. I did have a recent interview at a church in Dodgeville, WI for a part time Christian Education/Youth Director position. I felt the interview went very well. They called me on my drive back down here and said they"d let me know soon. So we'll see about all that.
It is really nice being home....but almost a little weird. I feel different about being here. Julie said that I seem calmer....whatever that means. I've been pondering a lot about where my mind was just 6 months ago and everything that has transpired over the last few months. I have missed so much by not being here, but have also gained a whole lot by being away. Kinda a catch 22 situation! I have been enjoying playing and spending time with my Goddaughter, Chloe, who is now walking; she wasn't when I left. She is so much fun to play with. At first, she didn't recognize who I was....but now she walks around the house saying....Roro, all the time! My church has been through quite a bit of transitional changes too...still going through it. I imagine I will continue to hear all about it over the next few weeks. I went to church Wednesday night for Advent services and was soo excited to see people. I have missed my church family very much!
I am staying at my best friend's house with her husband and my Goddaughter here in Richardson. Julie has offered to take care of me during/after my knee surgery this week; which I continue to keep questioning. It's just hard for me to be so dependent on someone else. Not to mention that the last friend I had help me after a surgery, no longer speaks to me...so it makes me a little nervous. (Although they are 2 completely different people!) As I sat watching cartoons this morning with Chloe, I watched Julie and Darrell, rearrange their living room and move stuff around...all to make it easier for me to get around after my surgery on crutches and a walker! I was just overwhelmed by how loving the 2 of them can be and more importantly, how blessed I am to have them in my life.
SO my left knee will be replaced in just 2 days at Dallas Regional in Mesquite, TX. I went yesterday for a whole bunch of pre-op stuff. I had to get blood drawn, a pregnancy test done and a chest xray...not really in that order! (I tried to tell her a pregnancy test was NOT necessary! LOL....but apparently it is hospital policy to check just the same!) Then had to sit with a nurse, who took my bllod pressure, temperature, and explained what would happen the morning of the surgery, where to go, etc. I am still quite concerned about whether or not this is the best thing to do, but at this point, I am concerned (and so is my Dr) that if I wait, I may cause some further damage to my knee and I would like to be able to stand and get around during my CPE. Please keep me in prayer Monday morning!
So, I probably should sign off, and get back to working on finishing at least one of the last 2 papers I need to complete and ordering my textbooks for next semester.
During this Advent season, I pray that all reading will have expectant hearts that will be filled with all the love of Christ this Christmas and always. Many blessings to all! PEACE!
