community-part two

The setting sun is shining through the stained glass windows.  People are walking through open doors, Bibles in hand, greeting one another with hugs, handshakes, and high fives, there is laughing, smiling, and embracing.  Then the sun sets and the lights grow dim, three men walk on stage with guitars and start strumming cords.  People settle into the old pews and a pastor walks on stage for a warm welcome.  As the music starts to pick up, the mood sets in and people become engaged.  As voices fill the air, hands are lifted and walls are broken.  There is a sense of simplicity and peace in this place, I find myself forgetting about those around me and having a conversation of praise and thanksgiving with my Father.   As the music starts to wind down, the pastor comes on stage once again and encourages people to break into groups of two, three, or four.  Some are groups of friends, some are groups of strangers, but there is no awkwardness or self-consciousness in the room.  First Thessalonians 4 is read and the soft whispers of prayer are started to be heard around the room.  Chapter four is prayed through word for word, people are pouring their hearts out to God, asking for sanctification, for brotherly love, for the grace to accept the sacrifice on the cross, for empowerment to be lights in this dark world.  As prayers are voiced, we move to the table, to the place of remembrance of the sacrifice that was shed for us.  We are reminded of First Corinthians 11 and examine ourselves at the foot of the cross.  And then one by one, people start moving towards the table, taking a piece of bread and dipping it into a cup of wine.  "do this is remembrance of me."  With humble hearts and open minds, voices start to be heard again around the room.  Beauty.  Joy.  Humility.  As the evening comes to a close, chatter once again fills the room.  But the mood is different, there is a peace that fills the air, people are leaving encouraged and hopeful, the Holy Spirit comes to those who call, to those who gather in His name.      

This, my friends is community.  People gathering for the common purpose of praising our God, becoming vulnerable, letting walls fall.  This is why I think community is so important, because we can't live this life alone, we need people, we need fellowship, we need accountability, we need God.

the past few days...

My roommates in Austin are advocates for community to occur around the table...dinner parties are a weekly occurrence. 

I took a quick visit to San Antonio last weekend to visit my dear friend Kerra before she heads off to Nepal for a few months.  Kerra is currently working for Mountain Child, a non-profit humanitarian aid organization in Nepal.  Check out this awesome ministry and the lives it is changing in the Himalayas.

http://mountainchild.org/

Dear sweet Natalie came to visit for a quick weekend, it was so awesome to have a friend and familiar face to explore Austin.

Common sitings around the city, word art.  I love it.

community-part one

With the start of a new travel assignment, I intended to write this next post about the career aspect of the young professional years of life.  But, that's gonna have to hold off for a few weeks.  Over the past week I've been overwhelmed with gratitude and peace that God provides what and who we need when we need it/him/her.  One of the hardest parts about traveling is leaving behind a sense of community and having to pick up and move, only to start all over again in a new place.  It took me a while to even discover what community was, what it looked like, how to find it, and why it was so important for life. Even in Birmingham I constantly struggled with finding a group of people to relate to, hold accountable, be honest with, laugh with, cry with, and build relationship.  It took me almost a year to find true community in Birmingham, so you can only imagine my fear and anxiety when it came to living some place for only three to four months at a time.  In Spokane it took me a few weeks to make friends and actually have people to hang out with on my off days.  But, the Lord heard my cry and came through faithful.  After four months I had built a community with a group of young professionals at a local church, studied the book of Isaiah with a group of older women, volunteered my time with teen moms, and built solid relationships at work.  And after spending a week in Austin, I'm already overwhelmed with how the Lord is providing relationships in my life.  I've studied the Bible with a community group from a local church, spent the day at an outdoor concert with a mutual friend, begun the process to plug into volunteering with a local sports ministry, found favor with coworkers and helping hands, and had some solid conversations with the people I'm living with...God is SO good.  If this is how the Lord has provided in one week, I'm pumped to see how He will continue to provide.

Now, back to the whole topic of community.  What is community?  Webster defines community as "a unified body, most likely with common beliefs, interests, policy, or location."  Stop and think about your life for a minute, whether your single, in high school, in college, post college, married, have kids, whatever stage of life you may be in right now, think of who you tend to surround yourself with most of the time.  Your neighbors, church friends, classmates, teammates, roommates, coworkers, family, kid's friends?  Whoever it may be, that's your community.  You surround yourself with them because you share some commonality.  Although Webster is great at vocabulary, community can also be defined biblically.  In Hebrews it says, "let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another..."  And in Matthew Jesus says, "where two or more are gathered in my name, there I am with them."  For a believer and follower of Christ, this is community-to find a group of people who share your same beliefs, to get to know them, invest in them, trust them, encourage them, challenge them, love them, and be open for them to do the same to you.  Finding community is tough, but take a leap of faith and put yourself out there.  We are all searching for our places in this crazy life, why not walk through it together?  You'll be glad you're not alone. 

Don't worry, this is only part one on the topic of community.  I could probably talk for days on this topic, but I'll keep it to a minimum and leave you with only two parts.  To hold you over until part two on community, enjoy these lovely pictures of my first few days in Austin...    

My first Texas sunset, somewhere between the state line and Austin.

Town Lake Trail, more like a river trail...immediately one of my favorite spots in Austin.  

I'm determined to learn to eat healthy while here.

Free outdoor concerts are a common occurrence in the local parks.

The infamous "Juan in a Million" from the Food Network's Man vs Food.

the in between

When you're in high school you count down the days until graduation, then you count down the days until you leave your parent's nest and move off to college.  In college you are immediately immersed in a sea of people, it's easy to find community, and there is always something to do.  You look forward to each summer where you get to travel, work at summer camps, catch up with friends at home, work an internship, or even take summer classes.  And then eventually, you start to count down the days until college graduation.  Everyone prepares you for all these steps, for high school, college, new jobs, etc.  What people don't prepare you for is life outside of college, the step into the "big girl" world, the awkward "in between stage" of life.  Unless you're getting married, starting grad school, or maybe going on some exotic trip overseas, you don't really have anything else big to countdown towards.  In this "in between stage" of life you're most likely single, most likely have a job, but may not necessarily like your job, and probably constantly ask yourself, "What am I supposed to do with my life?"  I know I'm not alone in this stage of life, almost daily I have a conversation with someone about this weird stage of life where we don't really know what to do, who to hang out with, or where to work or live.  I may be in this stage of life for many more years, but since I graduated college I've learned a lot about who I am, my passions, what type of people I tend to surround myself with, and who God is in the midst of this crazy life.  I know I still have a lot to learn, but over the next few weeks I'd like to share with you some things I believe God has taught me, so in turn I can encourage others who are also walking through this "in between stage."  Obviously I'm not a very regularly blogger, so bear with me...the posts will come...eventually.  And don't worry, I'll still take a moment to share with you adventures and happenings along my travels.  

Just a little glimpse of the past few weeks...

Annual girls weekend with friends from college, lots of laughing, hiking, story telling, memory sharing, eating, and encouraging each other.

My 60 hour view of the snow storm that swept through the South.  Though I never got to go out and play in the snow, it made for quite a story.

Being at the hospital for such long hours made me more appreciative for the work family I have at UAB.  Nothing quite bonds a group of women quite like sleeping on stretchers, wearing hospital scrubs and mesh panties, and scrounging around for food.  These women have raised me up to be the competent, patient, and compassionate L&D nurse I hope I am.

I can't be in Birmingham and not hang out with Northstar kiddos.  I got to help out with January skills, catch up with Coach Sara, and even see some of my former players.  This ministry will always hold a special place in my heart.

My months in Birmingham have been filled with celebrating upcoming weddings, birthdays, and new babies.  Coach Val, the director of Northstar, welcomed a new member into the family in January.  I'm so thankful I got to meet little Jacob before leaving town again.  

Next up...Austin, Texas.

the next step

Every year it seems like the holidays come quicker and are over sooner.  Maybe it was the cross country travels, or the amount of catch up sessions squeezed into such a short amount of time, whatever it was, I felt like Christmas came and went too quickly this year.  Although it seemed to fly by, Christmas was a joyous occasion in the Apple household this year.  All nine of us were together for a brief, but special time.  Mornings started early and toys were scattered around the house, presents were opened and new toys were used with eager excitement, the sounds of children laughing filled our ears, and dinner table talks consisted of thanksgiving for the Lord's provisions over the past year.  Each year I become more and more thankful for the family God placed me in, for the places He has scattered us to, for the place we come home to, and for parents who have been by our side every step of the way.  

The Apple Clan-Russell, Dan, Keziah, Alex, Mike, Dad, Mom, and Emett

Family time has been interwoven with catch up sessions with missed friends, celebrations of engagements of dear friends, and jumping back into the business of work at UAB.  I've been reminded of how wonderful my life in Birmingham is, of how much the Lord has provided for me here, and the ways He has allowed me to pour into lives around this city.  With all this being said, jumping back into life in Birmingham has given me insight and reflection over where I've been and where the Lord is taking me.  Yes, I am surrounded here with a job I absolutely love-high risk patients, residents, busy nights, a low income patient population, etc.  Yes, I am surround with the greatest friends anyone could ask for-roommates, spontaneous sunset dinner dates, coffee chats, popsicles, walks through the neighborhood, hang outs at local establishments, lazy nights on the couch, babysitting kiddos, etc.  Yes, I am involved in some of the most sincere and genuine ministry in the city-coaching inner city kids, breaking down the walls of racial discrimination that still exist, taking middle school girls to ice cream, performing ultrasounds, encouraging and supporting life, etc.  Yes, I do call a city home that has been transforming over the years, that is beginning to thrive, revitalize, and become a "happening city."  Yes, I am thankful for this place, these people, the life change I get to be a part of, this city.  And yes, I do miss this place when I'm gone.  

After much prayer and consideration, I have decided to continue travel nursing, maybe not for a long time, but at least for the next few months.  I will start working in Austin, Texas on February 10th, working at a bigger medical facility downtown.  I came back from Spokane almost 75% sure I wasn't going to travel again; I missed community and ministry too much, my friends were getting engaged, and family was moving back to the South.  But, after jumping back into life here, I'm realizing life still goes on while I'm gone.  Hang with me here while I explain...    

It's such a selfish thought to want life to stop while I'm gone, hoping no one makes new friends, ministry takes a stand still, and people stop having babies.  I know it's wrong, but stop and think, have you ever had fear of missing out, wanting to be in two places at once, hoping that people's lives can't go on without you?  The good thing about all of this is our God is a forgiving God, One who accepts these crazy thoughts that run through my mind, reveals the selfishness in them, and humbles our hearts to repentance.  When I grasp the fact that even though my life is unknown, that doesn't mean other people can't have their life all together.  And in reality, do any of us ever really have our lives all together?  We are all wanderers in this world, but thankfully we have a God who is willing to lead us and not let us wander astray.  Now back to the traveling... After realizing new friends were made and incredible steps forward were taken in the ministries I participated in, I began to pray about the next steps.  Did the Lord want to jump right back in here, plugging into ministry, getting involved in a local church, investing in the friends around me?  Or, did God want me to travel again, explore unknown territory, meet new people, work in a new environment?  Both of these situations would take me out of my comfort zone, challenge me, and have lasting impact.  But, the more I looked at the life and people around me, I felt comforted and full of peace.  When I leave, I leave Birmingham in some really good hands.  I know first hand how Val and Sara go above and beyond to invest in the lives of inner city kids, to teach them the skills of soccer, to unconditionally love them, and pour into them the Word of God.  I know first hand how Meredith, Connie, Lisa, Heather, Alison, and the countless numbers of volunteers pour themselves into every conversation they have about life, how they share the Gospel with every person that walks through their doors, and how women leave Sav-a-Life feeling empowered and full of hope.  I know first hand women in Birmingham are delivering babies in a state of the art facility, with physicians, residents, and nurses who provide compassionate care.  I know first hand my friends are investing in lives around them, praying for the lost, including outcasts, going to the nations, and seeking God's will for their lives.  I know that if I stayed in Birmingham, I could be a part of all these experiences.  But, I have hope that the people of Birmingham are being loved daily, the Gospel is being spread, and lives are being changed.  And with this hope I'm encouraged and challenged to go forth and make disciples of all nations, to find a place that may not be so invested in, to meet people that may not have as much access to the Gospel.  In a few months, God may very well tell me He isn't finished with me in Birmingham, but until that day comes, I'll embrace the journey ahead and live one day at a time.  

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."  Romans 15:13

Sunset from an evening at Pursell Farms.

traveling home

We were driving along Highway 101, basking in the scenery and singing along with Pandora at the top of our lungs.  A quick glimpse ahead and I felt the urge to stop at the next upcoming pull off.  We all piled out of the car and pulled out our cameras, snapping pictures of the beach surrounded by cliffs and rock formations.  After some convincing, I talked my companions into climbing down the cliff to the beach below.  As soon as we made it to the bottom we immediately felt like five year olds, frolicking on the beach before us.  After realizing the rock formations were covered with live clams, I started screaming with joy at the top of my lungs...I had stumbled upon live STAR FISH.  I can't even explain to you how indescribable this sight was...simple, beautiful, God's creation.

The above story is just one of many from my travels back South.  I was very blessed to be accompanied by such dear friends from college, my friend Lori (who now lives and Chicago) and my current roommate in Birmingham, Keaton.  We were like little kids when it came to exploring Portland, driving down the coast and running into the freezing Pacific Ocean, hugging trees in the Redwood Forest, visiting all the sights in San Francisco from the show "Full House," hiking through Yosemite, walking the strip in Vegas, and driving along with a cold front.  It was such an incredible adventure that concluded with beautiful memories made and a long list of places we have to return to and places still to explore.  

Driving through the Columbia River Gorge between Washington and Oregon.  This was the last glimpse of sunlight for the week.

Visiting the Sunday Market in Portland.

 

The Redwoods were HUGE.

In the Redwood Forest we had the opportunity to see a herd of wild elk.  You can't really see them in this picture, but check out Instagram for a better photo!

In front of the houses that are in the opening scene for Full House.

Hiking through Yosemite, though it was a cloudy day, we still caught a glimpse of the infamous Half Dome (the base is right behind us in the picture).

In New Mexico we woke up to snow and temperatures of 19 degrees; it made for quite the driving experience.

One of my favorite shots from one of the many tunnels we drove through, this one is in Yosemite National Park.

After spending a day in Birmingham, I traveled to Florida to be with family over the holidays.  Over a span of 10 days I literally traveled from "the Redwood Forests to the Gulf Stream waters,"  it was quite an accomplishment.  It was wonderful being with family and meeting my niece for the first time.  

Keziah Elise has had quite the first few months of life, but we are grateful to say now she is home and as beautiful as ever!

We also got so spend some quality time with this little guy.  Emett loves when Nana showers him with gifts and Uncle Russ comes to play.  

You're probably asking "What now, Emily?"  If only I knew.  I'm learning to trust God one day at a time.  Living in the present and making the most of where He has me in the moment.  For now, I've jumped back into life in Birmingham, working at UAB, living with my roommates, and catching up with the ministries and people that mean so much to my heart.  I'm so thankful for all the Lord has provided thus far, and I'm thankful He will continue to be faithful.    

reflection

15 weeks.  That's how long I've had the privilege of living in Spokane, Washington.  Yes, there have been some rough patches, but I'm proud to say I'm leaving with a full heart.  A heart that has grown to love the people of Spokane, a heart that is slowly learning to find true and full satisfaction in God, a heart that has become even more passionate about women's health and the need young moms have for someone to pour into their lives.  I've been stubborn, selfish, controlling, deceitful, and lazy, but God has shown me humility, grace, mercy, unconditional love, and an abundance of faithfulness.  In a way, yes, I did take a leap of faith by moving to a city where I knew no one.  But, it's more than faith that helped me through; it's hope in something greater, in someONE greater; it's a relationship with a God who yearns for me to be totally His.  No, I'm not perfect; I'm not doing everything right, and I never will.  But, God has chosen me to live this life as His child, as a daughter of the King.  And though I will never fully live up to those expectations, all I can hope and pray is that God would use me to bring glory to Him.  The rest is still unwritten, but that's where the adventure awaits...

And I'll leave you with this, a few things I will miss the most from Spokane...

Working for a hospital with a mission like this, "As people of Providence we reveal God's love for all, especially the poor and vulnerable, through our compassionate care."

Working in an environment where your coworkers feel like family, where even the security officers know my name, where doctors appreciate and trust my opinion, and where one feels comfortable to ask questions and learn.

Hiking and exploring new places, and taking people along with me for the adventure.

Being a part of YoungLives, seeing teen moms poured into and challenged with truth and hope; getting to know the YL director and watching her passion being lived out in every area of her life.

Being a part of a group of young professionals on Wednesday nights; nights where we left our busy lives to talk about the Word of God, to dig deep, ask questions, and apply God's truth to our lives.

Participating in a Beth Moore Bible Study with a group of older women, digging into the book of Isaiah and learning how to break free from the bondage life throws at us, ending the last meeting with me in the center and hands laid upon me as prayers were lifted for the unknown journey ahead.

Laughing with, talking to, listening to, and building relationships with people I now call friends.

Doing nothing, slowing down, basking in the presence of the Lord.

God is good, friends, all the time; all the time, God is good.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

 

beauty

beauty of friendship.  of laughter.  of trees full of color and crisp fall air.  of adventure and exploring.  of slowing down life and sitting still.  of conversation and encouragement.  of snow capped mountains and waking up to snowy days.  of little finds of hope on hikes.  of simplicity.  of giving newborns their first baths.  of coworkers welcoming me like family.  of teaching a first time dad how to change a diaper.  of hearing a teenage mom say, "there is nothing quite like the immediate and overwhelming love you have for your baby." 

Being a lover of nature, I'm constantly amazed by the beauty of the landscapes and scenery that surround me.  Recently though, I've been more aware of the beauty in the people and experiences surrounding me.  God has hand picked each of us to live on this earth, to experience His creations, and to enjoy His presence.  Such grace and mercy He extends to us, and all because of one word.  LOVE.  Love is the core behind everything God has done, is doing, and plans to do.  Is love the core behind everything you do?  It's not for me.  But, I'm learning.  I'm learning to love unconditionally, sacrificially, patiently, and humbly.  

"...you are precious in my sight and I love you.  I would trade creation just for you." 

Isaiah 43:4

A glimpse into recent life...

I got to spend last weekend with two very dear friends and fellow L&D nurses.  Natalie and Ellen came all the way from Birmingham to explore Seattle with me.  I'm so thankful for these two, for their love for life, traveling, and birthing babies.

Right-my one quick glimpse of Mt Rainer from the ferry ride. 

Left-hiking in Olympic National Park

Hiking in Olympic National Park, well worth the ferry ride and short road trip.

On top of Hurricane Ridge...breathtaking panoramic view of the mountains.

A Seattle must...the Space Needle.