No Mo Chemo

A lot of people think it's weird that I love to work with kids who have cancer, and there are days I think I'm crazy too...trust me it's never fun to see how toxic chemo takes a toll on the body in such a short amount of time. And then there's days like I had today, where you get to tell a 6 year old "No Mo Chemo" the look on their face makes everything worth it. Days get even better when patients come back just to say hello, and they are successfully in remission you realize that it's not all sad and gloomy.

There are several things you can do to help support kids with chronic illnesses and one is non profit and takes just some time volunteering to help make blankets (Kylee they would love you if you sewed a blanket or two). The blankets are a part of Project Linus and there are chapters all over the nation. I've been thinking for my birthday this year that instead of presents I'd love for people to donate money or time to Project Linus, make a wish, or the National Children's Cancer society because they need all the volunteers, prayers, and donations they can get. Here is the link to project linus, please take some time to read about it and if you can, get involved!
projectlinus.org

Gravity

My friend Kylee's post got me thinking about good songs, and for some reason the song "Gravity" by Shawn McDonald has played on pandora twice tonight, and the lyrics seem fit life perfectly. As a christian, I always want to be close to God and keep him at the center of my life, but the gravity of "life" pulls me down and makes me cry a lot because sadness seems to be so prominent in today's culture and while sadness is a good thing, as Christians we have to remember that sadness is temporary if we are Christians because someday we will be eternally happy with Jesus Christ.

The ways of this world are grabbing a hold
Won't let me go, won't let me fly by
It’s taking it's toll down on my soul
‘Cause I know what I need in my life
Don't let me lose my sight of You
Don't let me lose my sight

Chorus:
I don't want to fall away from You
Gravity is pulling me on down
I don't want to fall away from You
Gravity is pulling me to the ground

This world keeps making me cry
But I'm going to try, going to try to fly, gotta fly high
Don't want to give into the sin, want to stay in you ‘til the end
Don't want to lose my sight of You
Don't want to lose my sight

Chorus

I want to fly
Into the sky
Turn my back on this whole world and
Leave it all behind
This place is not my home
It's got nothing for me
Only leaves me with emptiness
And tears in my eyes

Chorus

Being a social worker, and job hunting

Social work gets a bad reputation no doubt. We are called "baby snatchers" and many other mean names I dare not mention on this blog. People who aren't in the profession don't understand that social work is centered around love and connecting people to one another through resources. The picture above represents the true meaning of social work, its' about love and connection and putting smiles on everyone from babies to senior citizens. Most times we don't get recognized and that's ok, we knew it was going to happen. But if you know a social worker tell them thank you for all the work they do. It's likely that they are overworked, underpaid, and stressed to the max due to their workload, yet they continue to do the job because it's what they love.

I'm beginning the job hunt and application process and I am lucky to have picked an area of the social work profession that is growing. There are many job opportunities out there in states and cities that I love and could imagine living in. But becoming an adult I've realized that taking a job has strings attached. You have to pack, move, find a place to live, learn your way around a new city, become involved in the community, establish yourself as a resident at the post-office and a whole host of other places including websites, the bank, and the DMV. At the same time the time to relocate is now. When I don't have a husband, or kids to think about. I'd love to stay in NC for a few years but I can't limit myself and in some sense i'm ready to move on. I thought NC was the place I could see myself living but it's almost like it was just meant to be this chapter in my life. The bridge to grad school and then grad school itself. Once i graduate that chapter will be closed and NC won't have the same appeal or opportunities that I have been blessed with for the past two years. So I've broadened my horizons. I'm looking for jobs in any state (well besides Alaska, and Hawaii). This is my one chance to live life. If it means moving to Texas I'm for it. If it means moving back to Michigan I'll be ok with that too (it's of course not my first choice) because it means it's God's will for my life and I want t follow his will.

I am hoping that those who read this will begin to think of social work in a new light, and if you feel so inclined lifting me up in prayer as I begin the job hunt. It's rough in this economy but I know God will provide and I'd love it if you would join me in praying that he provides and shows me the next step in on my journey through life.

2011

Happy New Year All! I'm back from cold Michigan and watching the Capital One Bowl game. I hope everyone had a safe and happy Holiday season. 2011 has a lot in store for me this year I can feel it...and I hope a great job is one of the things in store because I graduate and want to do what i love. I hope reunite with friends this year as well that's a huge goal of mine, so I hope i see a ton of you this year whether it's on a vacation or at a wedding.

HAPPY 2011