Lately

Tomorrow I'll be attempting to cook my first turkey. I'm going to try several ideas, I'll be using an oven bag and suggestions from the Trader Joe's website on roasting a turkey and combine them we'll see what happens. I heard it's harder than it looks.
I've been happily making plans to prepare a meal with my friend Lindsey Davis. She also has amazing talents of cooking! We already know we'll have plenty of food and leftovers. I made really cute invitations with a turkey on them and the back states "Turkey fellowship at the Popes'" when and where etc - who needs Martha Stewart when I have my own creative ideas right? Well, I still like her websites on scrap-booking and her other inventive crafts.
John and I purchased a table today from Lowe's it's a folding six foot table. Yay for more celebrations and hospitality in our near future.
John and I recently traveled to Dayton in a four seater plane. It was really amazing. I love seeing the states this way. And by far love by passing the terminal, security and traffic at RDU. We just pop ourselves in our seats. Jack and his wife Ashley are so generous in helping our church plant from the very start. God has blessed us beyond measure. John preached on Sunday at Kionos, he stated that God has one mission not missions and we get to be part of that!
John and I went to Harry Potter last night. I was actually pretty scared at the scenes especially when the snake pops out. John is so sweet at any movie he'll let me hold his hand through the entire movie. I feel like his one and only princess.

note on ibuprofen

So I was told by a fellow nurse the other day: "you should give food when administering ibuprofen" who knew! I'm now educated, ibuprofen potential gastric bleeding. check.

I did apply to the fifth floor RN position, a pediatric unit. Tomorrow will be my first dayshift at the new computer documentation - Caredoc I hope all goes smoothly John reminds me just pray.
I just recently re-learned that Jesus prays on our behalf. Romans 8:27 "and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." I am so thankful for His intercession, Jesus knows what's best for his saints.

Life on the 8th Floor of Duke Hospital

Duke huddle previous week: CareDoc Go Live Week! (Interpretation: all nursing staff will have new computer documentation.) I guess it's not so bad but I've only done on shift so far. There's tricky icons, and ways in which you could do excessive charting.
God has been gracious to help me find some friends among the staff. People of opened up to me when I least expect it. I also like John's model of remembering what's going on in their lives to allow them to know I care about them more than superficial stuff at work.
I took care of a patient the other night and their heart rate increased to the 160's! Most people regular rate is 60-80's/per minute. However the patient become stable enough to stay on our floor but God is gracious to provide the care I can give her through Him. My mom has said that He uses our hands! I am also reminded that Christ is the ultimate Physician.
Then to top of the night we had a code, my heart starts racing whenever that alarm goes off! EVIDENCE OF GRACE: another patient had pretty poor color (by that I mean blue) I couldn't see much of this patient's breathing , and someone tried getting a pulse rate, so after our charge nurse started doing compressions I also helped out doing compressions - then the patient started breathing on their own again while the respiratory therapist was on the verge of intubation...wow cool the patient's color came back! Then because this patient was not able to get the intensive monitoring they need this patient went to the MICU which is right around the corner from our unit...lucky us huh.
If you can remember to pray that John and I are a light and illuminate sketchy places of unbelief in peoples hearts if God is willing at my work picnic on Sunday. :-)

Ohio is on the radar

John and I have been praying about church planting and Ohio is a place of unchurched people. There was a pastor who said, "If all the people in Columbus, Ohio decided to attend church one Sunday there wouldn't be enough churches to hold them!"
John prayed we don't loose site of spreading the gospel here and now but his heart's desire is to start church planting in Dayton Ohio. Here where University of Dayton is located.
I also noticed Dayton is located in southern Ohio which means a little warmer weather. Well just a little!
We have a meeting with the Southern Baptist Convention and our Pastor Sean will be in attendance. Be in prayer as we seek others counsel and most of all we are trusting that God is working for our good.

wedding day reflections

My what a wonderful day to start remembering the moments of marrying John Alexander Pope.

First, my dad was about to walk me down the isle and he said. "You look like a million bucks."

My flowers arrived within minutes of taking our family photos.

I kissed my dress by accident and mommy helped try to get it out.

My mommy, my pastor, Holly Chilton, and other's prayed with me.

I had a great lobster-looking sunburn from the previous day and it kinda hurt.

My Grandfather was crying with tears of joy when John and I walked through the isle as married couple.

I fought my tears during the rehearsal.

I texted John in the morning, "I love you Johnny" his text, "I love you too!"

John's dad Mitch said something like this after the ceremony, "The devil will want to tear your marriage apart after hearing how much you are committing your life/marriage to God!"

My brother asked, Is this what people do before weddings? We were sitting around the couch after the wedding photos...

in love

(engagement photos by lane dycus)