When Texas Came To Portland... (Part 2)

Day 2 of my Portland adventure began early. We (Brynn, Trina, and I) woke up and went to Dutch Bros. again! I loved the second time just as much as my first Dutch experience. From there we drove to Portland's Saturday Market and met up with Brynn and Trina's friend, Liisa. Saturday Market is where several local people set up booths of things they have created. They have everything from purses to clothing to paintings to flower arrangements...you name it, and you can probably find it at Saturday Market. Such a fun place to visit. I ended up purchasing a super cute messenger bag and a wrap around skirt. I fell in love with both of them immediately. The four of us also got Henna tattoos. Brynn and I got "Wo Ai Ni" which is "I love you" in Chinese...Trina got the chinese character for "joy" on her foot which is perfect because she is the picture of Joy!...and Liisa got a design on her ankle/foot.

Following our trip to Saturday Market, the four of us loaded up in the car and drove about an hour and a half to Cannon Beach on the Oregon coast. It was an overcast day, but it turned out to be an experience I will NEVER forget (but I'll get back to that in a minute). The first stop at the beach was Mo's. They are known for the clam chowder, and so I had to try it. I must sasy, it was my first EVER taste of clam chowder, and it was pretty tasty.

As we were eating our lunch, we spent a good portion of time "people-watching". We all noticed these two guys in matching white, long-sleeve button up shirts with blue jeans setting up a keyboard along the beach. This immediately peaked our interest. It didn't take us long to figure out that these guys were shooting a music video....priceless, amazing entertainment over a nice bowl of clam chowder on an overcast, chilly summer day at an Oregon beach. We finished our meal and went for a walk along the beach. Liisa decided to ask these guys what they were doing and they told us about how they finished recording in the studio a few days earlier and were shooting their music video. They said they still needed one part of the music video and asked if anyone would be interested being part of it. Ok...many of you know me and know that my immediate response was, "No! ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!" But according to the other girls, I was "dressed for the part" in my white sundress/coverup with a cardigan. So....you guessed it, I was recruited for a music video...COMPLETELY OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE!! Brynn went first. I still attempted to back out of it, but the girls insisted I do it. I guess that's why I need friends like that in my life...to make me step outside of my comfort zone a little bit. So I found myself, walking "hand in hand" through the water and then breaking up with him...all within a matter of minutes. Brynn gave him her email address, and I'm hoping we will see this video when it's all said and done. I make NO promises of posting it on here, but I will consider it. I will never forget that day...so funny and a memory that I will treasure with these incredible, godly girls.

We concluded our beach trip with a walk through the little town. I got some saltwater taffy (YUM!). Our trip back to Portland was filled with sounds of four girls who absolutely love "Wicked" belting out the entire soundtrack!

Brynn invited some friends over Saturday night to play games and eat smores. There was another Katie there that evening; so I was given the nickname "Tex-Mex". We played frisbee...Signs...Moffia...Spoons...ate smores....and met a bunch of incredible people. After most people left, a few of us played Hand and Foot for a little while. Trina spent Saturday night at Brynn's house, and the three of us had a slumber party. Of all that we did the entire weekend, my favorite part was spending time with Brynn, Trina, Jess, and Candi! Because of that, the slumber party was so much fun. The THREE of us just got to hang out, be silly, dance, catch up on life, and just simply enjoy each others company.

End of full day #2 of the "When Texas Came to Portland..." weekend.

When Texas Came To Portland... (Part 1)

Last Thursday, I boarded a plane to Portland, Oregon to spend the weekend with some friends I met in China in 2006. I can't tell you how much I'd been looking forward to this weekend, not only to see beautiful Portland but to FINALLY get to see Brynn, Trina, Jess, and Candi after almost THREE years.

Before I tell you about my trip, I have to tell you about these amazing friends I went to visit. The friendship we have is completely a God thing. Rewind to July 2006....on my flight with my team of 8 people heading to Yining, Xinjiang, PRC, the school where we were to teach called and backed out of the program. So when we land in China, my team has no place to go! The organization I went with scrambled to make other arrangments for us, and in the end, we were partnered with another team headed to Nanning, Guangxi. I thought, "this could be REALLY awesome or REALLY bad!" Thankfully, it was one of the most life-changing summers of my life to date. The Lord moved mightily in the hearts of some of our students that summer. You may remember the story of Apple who is now a believer and one of my dear friends. The Lord also blessed me with some incredible friendships of people on the team we were partnered with....this is where my friends from Portland come into the picture. Almost instantly, I felt as though Brynn, Trina, and I were kindred spirits. I loved their company and it felt as though I had known them forever. We laughed together...prayed together...explored China together...lived life together for five weeks. Jess was the team leader for the other team, and he picked on me about my conservative, Texas lovin', "southern belle" ways. I loved it! A couple of weeks into our trip Jess' wife, Candi, came to visit us in China, and just like the rest of the Portlanders, she was awesome too! Looking back to the circumstances that led me to Nanning that summer, God's hand was in all of it, and I am so thankful! I love these precious people/blessings.

Thursday night after two delayed flights and a lengthy layover in Dallas, I arrived in Portland...FINALLY!!! Brynn picked me up at the airport and we went back to her house. Both of us were pretty exhausted from the day, but we ended up staying up WAY too late talking and drinking sweet tea (that she learned how to make just for me). Little did I know how literally EVERY MOMENT of my weekend in Portland was packed with things to do.

Friday started bright and early with a little bit of Dutch Bro. coffee on the way to work. I LOVED the coffee....and I'm not a coffee drinker at all. Then it was off to Warner Pacific College where Brynn is an admissions counselor. Mid morning, I went and met up with Jess, Candi, and little Ella. Little Ella will always be the way I will know "how long" I've known Jess and Candi because Candi found out she was pregnant RIGHT before coming to see us in China. The four of us drove around Portland and they took me to Voodoo Donuts. It was crazy! Definitely culture shock for this Texas girl. I mean, seriously, who has a donut in the shape of a voodoo doll complete with a pretzel stick to poke the doll?!? C-R-A-Z-Y!!!!

Jess and Candi took me to meet back up with Brynn at lunch. Brynn and I then went and picked up Chinese food and met Trina for a picnic. Eating Chinese with them brought back so many memories from China. We did have a slight mishap with the food though. They put our order in plastic containers and the food was so hot it melted throught the plastic. Whoops! So when we opened it, the food kinda went everywhere and we had to be innovative with how to eat it. Trina came to the rescue and got us bowls and napkins.

Brynn and I said goodbye to Trina and then we took off to do some sight seeing. We drove up to the Gorge and visited several beautiful places. Our first stop was Multnomah Falls. We then drove up the Historic (beautiful) Hwy and stopped at Crown Point and Larch Mountain. We took TONS of pictures while we were up there. I can't describe to you the beauty of the mountains. We serve an amazingly beautiful and creative God. I love that I was able to sit and just be in awe of HIS vast creation which reminded me how BIG He is, yet at the same time to be reminded of how intimately He knows me. How can He be so immense, but at the same way know and care of every small detail?!? What an AWESOME God we serve!

The night didn't end there....Brynn and I went back to her house, changed clothes and met up with one of her friends for dinner at the Montage. It was a neat place to eat. The food was really good, but the leftovers were what made the experience! They package your leftovers in the shape of different animals made out of aluminum foil. Mine was a swan, Brynn's was a snail. :D

We then went downtown and walked up to Portland City Grille to get a view of the Portland skyline. It was beautiful...I'm such a sucker for city lights...I love them. We then went to a place called McFadden's for an evening of dancing. So much fun!!!

Ok guys...that's just the end of day 1. More to come on the rest of the weekend when I have a chance to get the posts up. Hopefully it will be soon. I'm only going to post a few pictures, but I am planning on putting together a slideshow of some more pictures. When that is finished, I'll post it on here as well! I know that was long, but thanks for bearing with me. I want to have everything that we did written down so that I can look back and remember it all.

Life is Good!

This post may (ok, it will be) scattered, but hang with me as there has been A LOT going on since I last posted in February. When the Lord placed the phrase "wherever He leads, I'll go!" as a prayer on my heart several months ago, I had no idea that He meant even here....right now! Slowly but surely, I'm learning to trust what the Lord with each little detail.

--------

This semester of nursing school has definitely NOT been an enjoyable one. I can't remember a time when I have disliked school as much as I have since January. It has been full of psych clinicals....Saturday at 6:30 am clinicals....lots of papers....even more busy work....ridiculous school policies...lack of help from faculty. You know, all things that can make the life of a nursing student pretty difficult. I do have to say that through it all, I have the best clinical group! I just love each and every one of them. I'm so thankful for the relationships that have been formed and the ways I have seen the Lord working inspite of the unfavorable circumstances.

Aren't we a good looking group?!?

You would trust us to be your nurses, right?!?

-------

I have been looking forward to the summer (not just to be finished with 2nd semester) because I thought I would beparticipating in a medical mission trip to Mexico. It was a trip where I would be able to sharpen my skills and gain confidence in my abilities as a nurse. Friday I received an email from my instructor saying the trip was cancelled due to the violence going on in Mexico. I was disappointed to say the least. If you know me well, you know I love to have things planned, and this definitely messed with my summer plans.

The awesome thing is that even though there is disappointment, there is even more of a peace about my summer. I trust that whatever happens this summer was already ordained by the Lord before time began....eventhough I am surprised, God isn't! I'm trusting HIM! Once again, if you know me well, you know that is a HUGE accomplishment. The need for control has LESS control over me! hehe

That being said...

I'll be living in San Antonio for the summer, and I am super excited about that. 小Katie....I AM GOING TO GA CAMP THIS SUMMER! Other than a week of GA camp, I will be working in Labor & Delivery as a PCA (patient care assistant). PCA is a program set up at University Hospital for nursing students to gain more experience/confidence in their skils. Wait a second....isn't that exactly what I wanted from Mexico?!?! God provides! The nurses seem to be really good to work with, and I will be able to work as much or as little as I am able. I'm excited!

-----

If you go to my sweet friend Cindy's blog, you can see a little story that has been awesome to be a part of the past couple of weeks. (skip to the last part about an Iraqi conversation) Then after you read that, read this one to see another part of the story. Oh, it's a good one! :D

I took "Lillie" to the store today to buy groceries. Well, I THOUGHT we were going to buy groceries, but really she just wanted to go shopping. While shopping, I attemped to teach her three year old son some English (because I found out today the only thing he REALLY says in English is "H-E-B"!). Through some role playing and translating by Lillie, her son learned "thank you". It was the sweetest thing to see him finally get it. His entire countenance changed and began smiling from ear to ear with a sense of pride and accomplishment in his beautiful brown eyes! For the next 15 minutes, he would say "thank you", and I would reply, "you're welcome"! He would laugh and smile even bigger. It was such a simple sweet reminder to me that even the youngest child wants to be heard and understood. What a difference one little phrase can make!

I point you to that blog and tell you that story to say....maybe this is my "Wherever He leads..." moment right now. There has never been a time in my life where I have been surrounded by so many people from different nations at one time. It truly brings a personal meaning to, "ask and I'll give the nations to you." He means it...they are right here! Within about a 5 mile radius of where I live, there are many nations represented with MANY needs. So each day I ask, "Lord, how can I be a part of what you are doing today?" The answer may be as simple as "take Lillie to the store". I pray my response will be, "I'll go...wherever you lead."

Life is good...even when it's difficult....because I serve a God who is REALLY GOOD!

I'll Stop Procrastinating...Later!

You would think that since I have a Chronic Test in 17 hours and have logged in a total of oh.....3 hours study time, I would be studying....WRONG! I decided to procrastinate even longer and post (just a couple) pictures from my birthday on Monday.

Six of the nursing school girls went to dinner on the River Walk on Monday night and then back to the apartment for dessert. Fun times! I love these girls so much. :)

We ALL should have been doing this....

...but instead, we did THIS! Much more fun!

Joan (my roomie!), me, and Julie

Ok...enough of that. I really should get back to reading about Diabetes and Circulation. Don't be too jealous. Only the evening of studying and ONE test in the morning separate me from my THREE DAY WEEKEND! What will I ever do with all of that free time?!?!

First Day of Psych Clinical

As the title says, today was the FIRST day of our Psych/Mental Health clinical. And let me just say...if today was any indication of the rest of the semester, it is going to be INTERESTING to say the least.

While we were touring one of the four units we will be rotating through, we went into the day room. Several patients were sitting around playing Scrabble, and out of the blue one guy said, "I'll be the first to volunteer for any physicals." We all just laughed it off in an "of course-you-would-say-something-like-that" kinda way and went on about our business. Our group walked out of the day room and stood in the hallway to continue the tour, and that same guy walked out of the day room "headed down to his room". Well, conveniently as he walked by he touched/tried to grab my rear! I was TOTALLY caught off guard and jumped. When I turned around, several of the girls were laughing and I am quite positive my face was COMPLETELY red. Seriously....was that REALLY neccessary?!?! I think not.

I have a feeling that won't be the last of stories like that. On another note...I love our clinical group. I'm pretty pumped about hanging out with them and getting to know them this semester!

Xin Nian Kaui Le!

Today is Chinese New Year AND it is the year of the OX. I'm pretty pumped about it because I was born in the year of the Ox. While I'm not EXACTLY sure what that means for me, one of my sweet friends in China told me I was supposed to be wearing red underwear. Is that just on New Year? or for the ENTIRE year? Who knows?!? It's supposed to bring me luck and good fortune.

Holidays, both Chinese and American, are always a fun time for me to reconnect with my students from the summers I taught there. We exchange pictures and traditions as well practice my very limited Mandarin skills and their INCREDIBLE English skills. I've asked all of them to send pictures of their celebration...if I get enough response from them, I will make a post about it.

This New Year I thought a lot about my students and friends in China. My heart began to ache not knowing if/when I will get to see them again. Some of them know the Lord...many of them don't. I pray for them and hope that one day they will know HIM. I decided to post my slideshow/video I made of Camp China 2007 for a couple of reasons: 1- so I would have it on this blog and 2-some people have asked to see it. So here it is!

XIN NIAN KUAI LE!

*that's Mandarin pin yin for Happy New Year!