Tanto estrés.

 Jake and I are finishing up work responsibilities for the year 2024 today. Myself, almost, I do still have some clinic appointments. But Jake, it's official. His last day at Braun is today. 

He surprised me by submitting his official last day of work approximately three months ago. Yes, you would think ample time for Braun to arrange a replacement to be trained... but let's leave soapboxes alone for today. (In all honesty, it's not fairly even my soapbox, will have to have Jake post sometime.) He submitted the date before we had really started talking seriously with WorldVenture, and long before we had started the application and interview process, which we are currently treading our way through. It was his faith in God's direction through a rather unknown, uncertain future that surprised me. Letting go and jumping without the parachute strapped to his back. To us, seems like a leap of faith, in reality, God is just asking us to take the next step a trust.

So as he has been frantically trying to tie up as many loose ends as possible at Braun this week, I've been undergoing the usual juggling process on my side of things. I'm not sure why, but stress has been higher as well. Perhaps, I'm feeling it from Jake, or perhaps because we will be gone next week and I don't like leaving work for my partners, perhaps all of the above. Either way, I had a thought. Just a moment, I remembered what it was like as a resident to show up, operate all day, and though I took the responsibility as serious as I could, ultimately there was an Attending where the buck actually stopped. That thought, "wouldn't it be nice to not be responsible for what happens to everyone." And then I shook my head and vanished the thought; 99% positive simply stress-induced delirium. Ha. 

We are both looking forward to the end of the week. I am proud of Jake, and thankful for his leading steps. It is fun having a front row seat watching him become the man God wants him to be.  

 Much Love.

Estamos montando motos.

Jake and I hit one year of marriage yesterday. I still struggle to believe that we're actually married, let alone married for over a year now. Just doesn't seem possible. Yet here we are, a testament to God's goodness and His love for his children and His ability to create a blessing for those who follow Him exceeding abundantly above all that we could ask or think (Ephesians 3:20)

Not saying that we're starting a trend here. Or are we...

Either way, I was thankful to have space on a seat which didn't require me to hang on for dear life.

Much Love. 

Estoy agradecida.

 Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Rounding at the hospital this morning, and everything felt a bit deserted. 

Driving to the hospital, the roads were all but empty and quiet. I pulled into the parking lot at the hospital to find it oddly vacant save one other lone vehicle. Walking the halls of the hospital, I saw one dietary personnel, but otherwise, again, empty. Thankfully, the patients themselves were in fact still in their rooms and not AWOL like seemingly the rest of Lafayette. Later, a few docs did pass through the lounge as I was working and shared a friendly "Happy Thanksgiving!" and I was feeling better about the day, until it came time to leave and I found myself once again flying down the road unimpeded by the bumper to bumper traffic that had filled that exact same spot just the evening before. The stores on either side of me darkened and closed, not a soul. And I thought this must be what loneliness feels like. Lafayette must be lonely. 

And then I drove by Denny's, packed and bustling for Thanksgiving morning breakfast. God does have a sense of humor, as it made me smile, reassured by the never-failing reliability of the praxis we exhibit as human beings. 

So much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. Jake & I are incredibly blessed by the family and the community God has placed us in and the love that He daily surrounds us with. I felt so bad this morning for Lafayette. Even though I have often been on my own in the past, I had never felt as lonely as the city looked this morning. 

 Sunrise on Franciscan Lafayette East Hospital.

Much Thanksgiving and Love.

Estoy escuchando el Jazz.

 Jake and I took a quick train trip down to New Orleans. Planned a long time ago, when things were less hectic, but we held to it, and glad we did. 

Got to Chicago with bonus time to spare.

Here we go!

Louisiana

Jackson Square: sight of the signing of the Louisiana Purchase

St. Louis Cathedral

Bonus: Christmas Tree

Overlooking Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral

The Mighty Mississippi River: 200ft deep as it winds through New Orleans

Jacques-Imo's

riding the streetcars

La Belle Esplanade

La Belle Esplanade (the red building in the middle)

one of many coffee shops throughout the city

Cemeteries of New Orleans

West Pearl River bridge

Alligators

More Alligators

Pearl River

Honey Island Swamp

Raccoons in the swamp

Honey Island Swamp

Snakes in the swamp

Wild hogs in the swamp

Indian Village along Pearl River. Accessible only by boat.

Whitney Plantation: Allees Gwendolyn Midlo Hall

 Whitney Plantation: Field of Angels

No date of birth. No gender. No name. Only a date of death.

Whitney Plantation

quick stop along Royal Street

Our neighbor out sitting on her porch with her coffee, cigarette and jazz playing. Just relaxin' on a slow Saturday morning in New Orleans. 

Breakfast at La Belle Esplanade

 

Acorns were everywhere

Experiencing the beignet from the original Cafe du Monde in City Park

Children's museum City Park

Sir Cumference Playground City Park

City Park

Canal Street

When you need to catch your train home, but want to grab a sandwich quick first.

Caesar's Superdome and Smoothie King stadium

Almost Home.

Bonus Time in Chicago again!

Much Love.