reads 2015: Ordinary Lives Extraordinary Mission

Some books just inspire you so much that they are worth a detailed blog post.  This is one of those books.  I got it from Dynamic Catholic as one of those books that you only pay shipping.  If you aren't familiar with Matthew Kelly or Dynamic Catholic you should be so I highly suggest reading his book, checking out his website, going to his talk.  You will be inspired.

So Ordinary Lives Extraordinary Mission could be summed up as "just become a saint."  John Wood outlines his book reminding readers that we must know there is a war, know our enemy, free ourselves and have a shield and sword.  He says,

"As a nation and as a Church, we've forgotten our story and forgotten our mission.  Central to knowing that you are in a war is knowing what you are fighting for and what you are defending."

In his book, he inspires you to fight and imprints on your just how important it is to fight however reminding that it isn't force, but love that wins the war.

"The battle can't be won by force.  We can't win by changing people's minds; we can only win by changing hearts.  We must begin to live our beliefs.  We must offer an example of truth if we expect others to find it."

I could go on and on adding quote after quote.  Get this book.  Be re-inspired for the mission and fight the good fight of faith passionately.  

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This book along with others has been added to my 2015 reads lists.  Be sure to check it out!

 

Expectations v. Reality Four Months In

So someone, and I greatly apologize for not remembering who, suggested I do a post on if my job is what I expected.  So just a refresher my job for the first three months was rotating between high risk Antepartum, Labor and Delivery (including OB OR, triage, OB ICU, and prenatal monitoring unit), and postpartum.  In the past month, I have been working in my permanent job of Labor and Delivery.

So what is my job compared to what I expected.  It is really hard to say because I don't really remember what I expected but I will give you what I've got.

I didn't expect to be so scared of "what could go wrong."  Ideally labor and delivery is an experience that is healthy for mom and baby and requires few interventions.  Unfortunately I work at a high risk hospital and this isn't always the case.  Alot of the mom's come to my hospital because of how sick they are and they require alot of interventions from Magnesium to prevent seizures and C-sections because their placenta covers their cervix.  In addition, sometimes things just go south in ways that we didn't expect which can be scary but we are used to it and can handle it. It is great when labor and birth are beautiful experiences with good outcomes all around but that isn't always the case.

I didn't expect to get along so well with my coworkers and to actually make friends with the people I work with.  A couple of the girls I actually see outside of work and many others I love being with when we are working.

I didn't expect how much we would work in a team.  Not only do I know my team leader has my back but also the other nurses on my team will help me out as much as they are able.

It is sometimes the most unexpected patients that I really hit it off with.  I will get patients that I expect to just tolerate taking care of for one first impression or another and before you know it we really hit it off.  The opposite is also true.

Some days I am over or underwhelmed of the whole labor and delivery process. There are days when I come home and I marvel at what happened during my day.  Amazed that the baby I had been monitoring all day is now opening her eyes and staring at her mamma.  Other days I forget to stop and marvel at the lives taking their first breath all around us and just stumble through the monotony that is a high volume maternity hospital.

I don't feel like this post really portrays everything I want it to say but maybe when I am a few more months in I will be able to flesh out a little bit better my expectations versus the reality of a labor and delivery nurse.  In addition I wanted to put some sort of funny meme in hear about labor and delivery but I will save you from the "v" word and other such things. Your welcome.

NAS: Qualities in Your Husband

What are the qualities and characteristics that you are looking for in your future husband? We have talked about what we don't want, but it's good to have an idea of those things that are important to us. Discerning religious life? This applies to communities, as well!

Linking up with Jen and Morgan for another week of the not alone series.  

So when we wrote about Deal Breakers, a very similar topic, back in March I think I basically answered this question instead of that one.  And honestly I still agree with (almost) everything I said.  I think I hit the nail on the head when it comes to spiritual things.   I still want my husband's actions to reflect an authentic sacramental love and a man who will lead me to heaven.  I don't see any that changing anytime soon.  No need to rewrite something that is already well written so please go back, read that post.

However, since I was a little bit more serious in that post I want to turn this one a wee bit more fun and superficial.  While those deal breakers are what it really boils down to I also know that the Lord has this way of answering our quirky desires.  So without further ado I present to you my top ten list of (a bit quirky and not so serious) qualities I look for in a husband.

1. The ability to not snore, because who wants to not sleep for the rest of their life.

2. The perfect height.  I have for a long time had this idea that I need to "fit" next to him when he has his arm around me.  I am guessing around 6 foot. 

3. Who am I kidding I also want him to be gooood looking.  No one else has to think he is cute but I know I want to think he is the cat's meow. 

4.  Please, please be able to change a diaper.  I change alot of diapers and I just really want a guy who knows how to do some basic child care because I do not want to teach you everything.  

5.  Likes to grill because I like me a smokey hamburger. 

6. Be silly.  There is something so fun and romantic about laughing and being silly with a guy.

7.  Like to drive because I hate to and am counting down the days until I have a handsome man to do some of the driving for me. 

8.  Please for the love of all that is good be a man and put the toilet seat down. 

9.  Be passionate in everything you do.  This one is a bit more serious but I just want my husband to be intentional about his job, his vocation, his life.  I want him to enjoy what he does for a living so that he never works a day in his life.   

10.  Don't love cats.  You can like them but don't love them.  That is just weird and I do not find it attractive.  (And yes I have had a bad experience with this.)

Well there you go.  10 Qualities that I seek in a husband.  The Lord does say ask and you say receive ;). 

Reads of 2015

Another year, more books.

I know there are sights like goodreads that you can keep track of the books that you read but I am sticking with the good old blog.  Check back to see as my completed books grows. As always many of the links are affiliate links and any support would be greatly appreciated.

Reading lists from 2013 and 2014.

This years reading list:

1. Joy to the World by Scott Hahn---I think Jen reviews this book better than I ever could.  I copletely agree that this book paints a more in depth picture of the characters of the nativity store.  It is a quick, easy read and will probably be reread each year as part of my advent.  Read it and be in awe of the incarnation all over again.

2. The Red Tent  by Anita Diamant---This book is....interesting.  I decided to read it because it was about some of the untold stories of the female characters of the bible and their role as midwives.  Great combo.  I almost gave the book up about 25% of the way through but decided to keep trucking on.  I don't regret it but while the book is good it is by no means great in my opinion.  In addition, it has periods of being rather mature.   Has anyone else read this?  What were your thoughts?
3. Ordinary Lives, Extrodinary Mission by John R. Woof---Read the review here.
4.We are Liars by E. Lockhart--- A quick easy read that keeps you entertained.  However I was not prepared for the twist at the end.
5.  Something Other Than God by Jennifer Fulwiler---  I read this book less than a year but enjoyed it so much that I have already reread it.  I enjoyed it just as much if not more the second time through.  It is so beautiful to read Truth and the light of Christ shining.  Read my review from the first read through here.
6.  The Giver by Lois Lowry----Somehow I had missed out on reading this book in high school which is rather unfortunate.  I was so fascinated by the predictive qualities of this book. The suppressing pills, the lack of memories, the control-all so fascinating.  The whole time I was reading it I wanted to have a high school discussion about it.
7.  The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion---I liked this easy reading fiction so much that I am reading the second book in the series now.  Not only did I enjoy it but it also inspired me to learn how to make cocktails.
8.  Come Be My Light by Mother Theresa--You know those books that sit and sit and sit on your nightstand and you only pick up here and there but when you do you wonder why you don't read it more.  Here is that book.  Which why wouldn't I want to read the personal writings of a woman on the path to sainthood?!  This book is full of line after line with Mother Theresa's desire to do the Lord's will despite personal struggles. 

Friday Fasting for Babes

The bishop of the Diocese of Steubenville has long asked the people of the diocese to fast on Fridays for the intention of life of the born.  Attending Franciscan it wasn't terribly difficult, there were always few meat options on Friday reminding you of the fast and giving you many meat free options.  However, now that I have graduated and moved away it is very hard to remember and honestly I rarely do.

As the anniversary of Roe v. Wade comes  to an end and another year has passed where it is legal to kill the unborn I am reminded once again just how important it is to pray and fast that this injustice is brought to a screeching halt.  

Therefore I am publically declaring a recommitment to fasting on Fridays for the intention of the unborn, not to proclaim it in the synagogues but to invite  others to join me and to remind and hold each other accountable.  

Who is with me?!  Let's join the army  fighting for life in a very concrete tangible way. 

Comment below.

NAS: Children and Babies

Do you have children in your life? What is your relationship with them like? Do you have godchildren, and how do you form a relationship with them? Does having children in (or not in) your day-to-day life make you feel happy, wistful, or wary (of having your own someday)? 

Thanks to Lindsay!

Once again linking up with the lovely ladies of the Not Alone Series hosted by Jen and Morgan.  Hop on over to Jen's blog to read all the posts. 

My life pretty much is babies (read by Day in the Life post).  The funny thing is I thought when I moved to Pittsburgh I would have less children and babies in my life.  How foolish I was because really I have even more.  But the babies at work aren't the same as children I really have relationships with.

At home, I have a family that I have grown super close to since they were my CORE members in youth group in high school.  They have three kids and one cooking in mommy's belly.  They are basically my niece and nephews.  The funny thing is the other day someone at Church thought the dad was my parents' son so apparently they are like my niece and nephews even to bystanders.  The little girl is also my Goddaughter and she is just the able of my eye.  She calls me NaNa as soon as I walk in the door and she could be rotten and I would still steal some sugar.  When I am at home I do basically everything with them-grocery shopping, school pick-up, zoo trips.  I actually know more of the preschool moms at our parish then the young adults.  That was a bit of a red flag for me when considering where to settle in when I was job searching.  It is beautiful to spend so much time with them and if I lived at home right now I probably would spend all my free time with them.  But I can't do that because their life isn't my state in life.  I can't be a mom without kids, I need to be a single young adult.  When I am living life with them I do want kids of my own because I would love my kids to grow up with them (which could still happen) but for the most part I just love loving on them and handing them off when they are particularly rotten. Perks of not being a mom.

I also nannyed when I lived at home. 

So they say that when you work in obstetrics you get baby fever.  I can honestly say that most days this isn't true for me.  However when I have particularly great or particularly awful patients I want to be having my own baby.  Normally it is just a quick tug on my heart that quickly leaves as I change out of my scrubs but I can't deny that some days I really want to be the one with the big belly anxiously waiting for the first breath of my little one.

So yes, I have a lot of kids and babies in my life.  And yes, somedays it really makes my heart yearn to have little heads of my own to kiss but I know that the Lord's timing is perfect and in His perfect will little hands and feet will come.  Until then all I can do is learn and love the kids I already have around me.  

Why am I busy?

I recently had a very insightful conversation with a friend.  If you have been around this blog, specifically the NAS: Day in the Life, you know that I typically work 55-60 hours a week between my nursing job and my nanny job.  Before I got the nanny job I had alot of extra time on my hands and since getting the nanny job I have very little time that is allocated to a job or a scheduled event.  I love it and I hate it all at the same time.

Well my nanny hours are going to be drastically less very soon.  The mother of the family I nanny for is back at work and they need someone who has a more stable schedule than me, the nurse with an ever changing schedule.  Once they find someone I will be doing more PRN work for them (as needed for you non medical people). This means that I will have a lot more "free time."

I was talking to my friend and telling her about how I am excited about having more time available to visit localish friends, make dinner, go to Mass, and work out but I am also afraid I am going to have too much extra time making me feel lonely.  She challenged me asking why I felt the need to fill my time.  Was it related to deep seeded fear or just simply my extreme extravertedness?  Right now, I don't have the answer but I am fascinated by the question and want to dive deeper into it.

Part of this is I realize extra time is a fleeting thing that will pass when I one day Lord willing transition from singleness to a marriage and family so how so I take hold of my time and the special opportunities available to singles while still single.  What even is it I should be doing besides this elusive "discovering yourself" and more time in prayer.  How can I fill my time purposefully and with things that actually make me a better person.  

Part of the purpose of this post is a journal entry of sorts but I am also interested if you have any thoughts?  Past experiences? Current struggle?