No, it won't all go the way it should.... But I know, the heart of Life is good.

Life doesn't always go the way you plan, and God doesn't always take you down the road you want to go.
But He remains faithful. He remains merciful. He continually reminds me that the plans that He has for me are to prosper, and not to harm.

I so desperately wanted to move to Portland, Oregon.

So, when applying for jobs this last semester of nursing school, I applied only in Oregon.
After talking to Minda, who encouraged me not to limit God, I applied to hospitals in Washington as well.

And then, because I felt like I probably shouldn't shut the door completely, and to "not limit" God, I applied for 2 hospitals in Texas.

I got an interview with both of those hospitals in Texas.

I didn't get anything back from the places I wanted to be.

Within 2 hours of leaving an interview, for an ED new nurse residency position, at a Level 1 Trauma Center, in Downtown Dallas, I received an offer.

Needless to say, it's been hard to come to terms with the fact that I'm still in Texas.

While the job is an incredible position, and the experience that I will get will be absolutely unlike anywhere else,  it's still hard to hear Oregon mentioned, especially Portland.

As much as I love my apartment, and the location... It's still hard to think that I'm not in some little apartment on Mississippi Street.

As excited as I am to stay near friends, go to an awesome church, and discover life here... I'm so sad about the fact that I don't get to be near my aunt and uncle, and my new cousin.

I'm sad that I didn't get the adventure that I originally wanted.

However, I'm not bitter or angry. [not anymore, at least].

I 'm so grateful for the fact that I'm FINALLY done with school.  I finally graduated, I finally can remove the title of "college student" from my life.

I'm so grateful for the family that has been so encouraging and supportive of every step I've taken.

I'm grateful for the fact that my new apartment is 2.2 miles from my new job.

I'm grateful that I can see my mom on a regular basis.

I'm grateful that I have a job, as so many new graduate nurses won't, and don't.

I'm grateful that I'm working in the field I want to be in.  I didn't have to settle for a position that might eventually get me to where I want to be. I'm in the area I want to be.

I'm grateful that there are people here who already are reaching out to me, just because of a legacy that was left behind by my sister.

I'm grateful that I'll get to have a life again.... [though it won't be anything like yours, Minda]

I'm grateful for so many things.
I'm grateful for my health, my job, my family, and the fact that even though I'm not in Portland, I'm where God has intended for me to be.