Prayer

Upon moving to Florida I took a second job at a minature golf place. I was unsure why God placed me at that job. I met a friend immediately and thought maybe that she was the reason. As the days went on I began getting closer and closer with this new friend, and all I cared about was trying to show her who God is. She has no clue and told me she did not want to discuss it. So every day I would pray and pray just waiting to see what the next step was. I wanted so badly to get her into a church. So I just was myself around her and showed her what a Christian was. Well eventually we became very close and she started opening up to me about her life and some things that she is going through. She has a very hard life, and I wish I could just move her in with me away from some bad things that are happening in her home. So anyway I just kept praying and finally two days ago after four months of prayer, she came to me and asked for my help in finding a church. She did not even no what denomentaion, or any other "church" terms meant. Which was strange to me but I said to her ok, well I will take care of it. Well I got scared and started to think, "well maybe she just said she wanted to go but I don't want to push her into anything." As soon as those words came out of my mouth she called, literally the next second and asked if I had found a church for us to go to on Wednesday nights together. And everyday this week she has been calling me, asking if I found the church for us yet. I can't believe what God is doing in her. I just would like every one to pray for me that I will be open to God working through me. I also would like your prayers in helping me find a church. I am scared that if take her to her first church service ever and she does not like it she may regret it and stop going only after one try. I know I just need to have faith, but your prayers would be of help also.

My Calling

I have always wanted to work in the medical feild, probably because my mom is an RN also. I grew up wanting to be a plastic surgeon. I got into my first year of school and was directed on another path. I felt a strong pulling to be a nurse, I never wanted to be a nurse I wanted to be the Doctor. But after a semester of feeling I was going in the wrong direction I signed up for nursing instead. Throughout my schooling I have always had a heart for missions and going to Africa to one day work in the medical tents. I really still have that dream but along the path of my schooling found another passion. I really became interested in the field of oncology and after taking care of a few of my family members with cancer, I decided this is what I was supposed to do. I have always felt comfortable around really sick people and have never worried what to say to someone who is dying or who is in pain, it kind of just comes. Well since moving to Florida I started my career in oncology. I knew God's hand was in it because new nurses usually do not get hired into oncology departments because of the training and experiance needed. I was lucky and interviewed with just the right person. I really found out how lucky I was while going through my hospital orientation with 50 other nurses, I was the only one being placed at MD Anderson Cancer Center. The hospital is located along with five other hospitals downtown Orlando. MDA is a leading hospital in research and treatment for cancer. I work on the 7th floor which is a chemotherapy and blood product floor. I have about 4-6 patients a day and go in at 6:30am -7:30pm. It is a long tiring day but I would do it everyday if I could. I care for patients with all types of cancers, all types of prognosis, and all types of treatments. I also take care of any age range because we are one of the best hospitals for cancer all ages are cared for. My youngest patients can be toddlers and my oldest can be 100 years old. I care for my patients in every way you can think. From giving them their medicinces, making sure they are eating enough, making sure they are not in too much pain, and emotionaly supporting them, and being a link between them and their doctor. If something is going wrong I am the first that is supposed to notice it and report it to the doctor. The hardest part of my job is giving people chemotherapy and blood transfusions because I have to make sure my calulations are correct so there is not a fatal mistake. All my daily duties are so exciting to me, I just love learning and being a part of someones life. Sometimes being a part of someones life means being there for them in the time of their death. I wish cancer was not even around but it will always be here and some people are going to die. I had to come to terms with that which was hard. I feel honored that I get to be with someone in their last hours of life. Some people hate that part of their job but I choose to accept it and be supportive to the person dying. I have held a couple of peoples hands as they take their last breath and I just think it is amazing that this person in their last moment of life wants "me" to hold their hand, wow what an honor. It will never be easy for me to sit with someone as they are dying but I do know that God has called me into the field of oncology, and I am so proud of what I do and honored to be working at MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Happy Birthday

Happy birthday bro. I can't believe you are 30, you are getting so old. I wish I was there to celebrate our birthdays together like we usually do. Happy 30th Birthday Chris !!!!

Again I would ask that you keep my mom in your prayers. She had a fall today and is really not doing well. The disease is really starting to take over her muscles. She is seeing another specialist tomorrow. I really just want to be with her but I can't come home right now because of my job. I am trying to trust everything will be ok, it is just so hard when I can't be there to hold her hand and pray with her. Thanks for your prayers.

My Love

I love you baby. Just wanted you to know you are my world. Thank you for being the man you are.

My Mom

My mom means the world to me. She and I are very close and I hate not being around her. About two years ago my mom started getting really sick and had some trouble walking. After tests and going to the Mayo Clinic they still could not provide her a definite answer what was happening. Just a year ago she was seen by a doctor that specializes in Muscular Dystrophy. My mom at that time was told she had MS and it was very devastating to our very active family. Then her symptoms kept progressing after more testing they changed her diagnosis to a rare muscle disorder called Dystonia. Dystonia is an awful disease and it has taken my moms life over, along with my dads. For the past 8 months my mom has basically been unable to function like she use to. Most of her days are spent in a chair or bed in unbelievable pain. It is hard to witness not being able to do anything about it. She is on multiple medications but it has not really helped. The doctors tell her they do not know what to do for her, she is one of the only five patients they have with this disorder, and they specialize in it. It seems like they have hit a dead end on what to do for her. This week has been really hard on her, she has been in awful pain all week. My mom is even more compromised because she has asthma which sometimes during her spells her asthma takes over and she can not breath. It is all very stressful to watch happen, especially for my dad. My dad prayed and prayed for my healing, and kept telling me God told him I would be healed, even when I doubted my healing my dad would just call me and repeat that God would heal me. The night before I was healed he called and said God is doing it soon. Well after I was healed I said now it is moms turn and it shocked me he had lost hope that God was going to heal her. He had all this hope for me but when it came to mom he said, he knew she would not be healed in the way I was. I just would really like if everyone who believes would pray for my mom and dad. It is really hard on them because I am not there to help physically take care of my mom. My dad has no help because my brothers are scared to help and nobody can really do the nursing care that I do for her. Please just pray that my dad would feel comforted and have hope for her. And pray that my mom be comforted and the pain would go away. She said she is not scared of dying and sometimes wants to just go, but I along with everyone else do not want that for her, I believe she can be healed. Please believe with me and pray with me. Thank you.

New address.

Just letting you all know we are moving this week. I am so excited, our new house is so cute. We even have a palm tree in the front yard, and a lake in our back yard. If anyone would like our new address please just email me and I can give it to you. I don't really want to put my address on here, don't want any strangers showing up at my door. Hope everyone has a great weekend. Chris and I miss all of you so much. Every weekend Chris grabs his stuff and says get in the car we are going home for the weekend and I have to stop him and remind him it is a 16 hour drive. Chris is counting down the days to moving to France and then back to Indiana. I love Florida, wherever Chris is will be my home but I still miss you all very much. Keep us in your prayers. My email address is JordanRN@gmail.com

Can't Explain

I wish there were words that could describe God justly. There are no such words though so I will just say; I love him and can't believe I get to call him my Father. Thank you God. Lately that is all I have been thinking about.

Happy Birthday Doug !!!!

I just wanted to say HAPPY 22nd Birthday !!!! I miss you so much.

For you Sis

I just want you to know how much I love you and miss you. I can't wait to hang out with you again. I think that you should just jump on a plane and come on down. You are my Joni my only Joni, you make me happy when skies are grey, you never know dear how much I love you please don't take my Joni away. HA HA I know you miss my songs so there you go. Love you sis, I hope to see you soon.

Big Day

Today Chris and I got a call that we got our townhome, we had been wanting it so bad. The townhome is a two bedroom, two bath home. It is newly remodeled it is not even done, we get to move in Dec 1. We had been praying about it for a week now. When we first called about it they did not want pets in the new house, but after meeting with us, they decided to go ahead and allow it. The landlord had 10 other applicants and she thought about the decsion for several days, she called today and said she was happy to rent it to us. I could not believe it. IT is so pretty. New hardwood floors downstairs, new cabinets, and all new appliances. The upstairs is all new carpeting and the bathroom is all new also. We are so excited that God chose this home for us. After getting our home we decided to go donate blood. It took me three and a half years to talk chris into donating. I used to donate off and on, before I had gotten real sick with my heart. I have not been able to donate for two years because of my heart, but because of God's goodness I donated today. I was so excited to be helping people again. I had to keep talking Chris through it, the entire staff at the blood bank was talking to him. He had four women around him just giggling with him and then all the sudden I looked over and he passed out. All the nurses jumped into action and brought him back around. Good news is he is a fast bleeder so they got all they needed before he went out. I felt bad because I could not get up because I still was donating. After waking up the nurses and I told him he has to try it two more times before he can decided if he is never going to do it again. I am so proud of him. He is so scared of blood and needles but he put that aside to help someone else. Chris I am so proud of you baby.

Being used by God

My relationship with God has been steadily growing since moving to Florida, which is a GREAT thing. Last night something happened and it really is still not understood by me all the way because I have never experienced something so powerful. Chris and I were in bed, around 12:30 I had this overwhelming feeling, I can't really explain if it was sadness, pain, anger or what. I just felt the need to cry and I was becoming very uncomfortable. Chris said "you know you need to start praying, in your prayer language." I am still not so sure about tongues, especially because I have only a few words. I was hesitant until the feeling became so overwhelming I did just start praying in tongues. I was praying and was so in touch with just God and this feeling. All of the sudden more words came to me, words I have never heard. I started praying those words with the other and the overwhelming feeling started to leave me. Chris held my hand the entire time I was praying and was praying for me to be able to receive more words, right when he asked this of God I was given more words. All I can say is it was an amazing moment, I hope whomever was needing prayer got it and feels better. Now I feel addicted and can't wait for God to use me again. I have always been very emotional especially when it comes to God and now I think I know why. I don't like feeling uneasy but once God starts using me, there is nothing I would rather be doing. After everything was over Chris and I went to sleep but were awakened with a call around 1:00am, it ended up being a wrong number but after having that feeling something was wrong it was scary to be awakened so fast that late. Anyway I just wanted to share this because it was amazing, and if it was any of you needing the prayer I hope you feel better. I know if probably was for someone I don't even know, which is even more amazing. I can't wait to be used by God in this way again.

A weekend of Relaxation!!!

This is Vegas' cousin Tiger. They were so cute together.

My uncle and Chris in front of the Apache helicopter my uncle flew. He was a pilot of special aircraft in the Army. This is his actual helicopter he flew in Germany.

My aunt and I

Since moving to Orlando Chris and I have not had a weekend for just him and I to relax. He and I have been working every weekend and he has been busy with so much school. We finally just took a weekend and went to my aunt and uncles' house in Alabama. They live in the southern part of Alabama so it only takes 6 hours for us to get there. It was so fun and relaxing. For the first time since moving Chris and I were able to attend church and talk about God all weekend with people. My uncle is a minister at a Methodist church. Even though his church was different then the church we are use to it was just refreshing to hear God's word and to be in an environment that was filled with God. His church has two services, one is more contemporary but it was no were near the type of contemporary service at CFC, but still was pleasant. The second service had about 200 people and was more traditional, still nice also. It was so great to be able to just relax and talk with family. It made me realize how much I miss my church and family. My aunt and uncle recently went to Israel and he spoke in his service about Lazarus' tomb. The sermon really made me realize that life is eternal for believers, which is amazing to think about. It was a great sermon and it was cool to hear about his trip to Israel. Being with great Christian people this weekend really rejuvinated me.

Back to School !!!

After thinking about it for two years and considering all the options I have decided to go back to school. I love being an RN and want to continue being a nurse. I especially love the holistic care of nursing therefore never want to give that part of my job up. I want to go back to school simply to further my education. In order to pursue my career in medicine and to eventually be the type of nurse I want to be I personally want more education. I love knowledge and I want to be as prepared as I can be for my clients and myself therefore more education is needed. I will be going back to either get my Masters degree in Natural Medicine, or to become a doctor of natural medicine. I am not sure which path I want to pursue but either one will provide more education in the direction I want to go. I eventually want to practice natural medicine in oncology patients. Natural medicine includes, basically anything that does not have to do with medications. I believe that the mind is powerful and focusing care on the mind and spiritual aspect can help heal someone or at least ease pain in someone who is sick sometimes better than any medicine can do. I am not an extremist I do believe in the use of medication but just not overdoing it, especially when there are other options. I want to practice natural medicine along with traditional chemotherapy and/or radiation for oncology clients. I may become a doctor I may not but to me that is just a title I will always be an RN at heart and want to focus my care that way, I just want more knowledge.

What it is all about.

Finding out what life is all about is not an easy task. I thought I had everything in my life figured out. I was shocked when God called us to move away, far away from everything I knew. I have been angry, especially because I have not been able to find a church in the place where God called us to go. Well this week it finally started coming to Chris and I why we were brought far away. First Chris and I relied to much on our church back home. We let our church carry us and only our church fed our spiritual needs. Until moving away from the place that was the source of leading our spiritual lives we never realized how much we depended on church and our family of believers. Being away from that has allowed chris and I to depend on ourselves and each other to be the ones leading our spiritual walk. I never use to read the Bible, and felt no need to because I got what I thought I needed at church. Since moving to Florida I can't imagine a day without reading my Bible. Chris and I would rarely pray together and since moving to Florida we pray every day and do devotionals every night together. Yes this could have happened living in Indiana, but I believe we were brought out of our comfort zone to help build our faith. We do not have a stable church, or a group of strong christian friends in Florida, but for once we are both growing strongly in our relationship with God. I can't wait for the day that God says it is time to go back to Indiana, and share all you have learned. I am sure there is more to be learned and there is still more to the reason God called us to Florida. I can't wait to see what else he has to teach Chris and I.

For you Charis!!

Charis this reminded me of you sitting at my house looking up cat videos. Chris and I found this one and immediatley thought of you. Enjoy, and we miss you guys. Love you.

One amazing date!!

Chris and I have not been able to spend much time together since moving to Florida because we both are very busy. Yesterday that changed when we got out of bed and he said come on lets go, we are going to Seaworld. I did not think he would actually take me but five minutes later we were there. I had so much fun, especially because I got to spend an entire day with my husband. I love dolphins so we went to see a dolphin show and it was so amazing. We also got up close enough to pet the dolphins but they were all to busy playing and eating. Because Chris works at Seaworld he knew exactly were to take me and what to see. The day was tiring but so fun. After walking through the park all day Chris got us into his restaurant to see the Hawaiian show. He even got our $100 meal for free, he is great. It was really a fun show. The day was perfect. Chris is going to have trouble topping this date.

Wow!!

First of all there have been a lot of things happening lately, so Chris and I have been very busy. I wanted to thank everyone who prayed for my nephew Easton. He seems to be doing much better after a short stay in the hospital, he is going to be seeing a specialist at Riley sometime soon hopefully. Second, I got another job and had a very interesting day today. I am still going to be working as a nurse but I thought why not get a fun job that does not have anything to do with death. I work at a Golf/Safari place. It is so fun, my job consists of teaching foreigners, with the little Spanish I speak how to play put putt; and about our 25 alligators. Yeah, I know most people don't see me taking care of alligators, but I usually do not have to be around them I just teach people about them and show them how to feed them. Until today that was pretty much all I did. Today a young kid was feeding an alligator and the alligator decided to swallow the entire feeding string that is attached to a stick. I freaked out and called the manager and he said just hold on to the stick as tight as you can and I will be right there. So I was a little scared at this moment but I was trying to hold it in around all the kids you know. So the alligator decided he wanted to try to pull me into the pin, I did not like that idea so I pulled back. I really did not want to go into the pin with 25 alligators so I pulled really hard on the stick and all the string the alligator stupidly swallowed started coming back up. The alligator started choking and finally I managed to pull the string and pole out of the alligators mouth. Once my manager came I told him I was done with the alligators I am sticking to the golf, he laughed at me and told me I still have to teach about the gators. I still love my job!!!
Third of all Chris and I are still searching for a church. It seems hard around this area because many of the churches are Baptist or Catholic. We are praying about it please be in prayer for us. Although we have not been able to find a church we are still growing in the Lord.
One of the most amazing spiritual things I have ever been through occured last night. Chris and I were in bed and I was quietly saying my nightly prayer. All the sudden God said to me speak in tongues and I said to God but I only have a few words, he said "Speak" I had my eyes closed and was speaking the words that were coming to me just to God and not out loud, God said "keep going". Something started happening, I was fully into concentrating in a spiritual mind and I felt a bad presence enter the room, God said "keep speaking." I usually get scared of these types of feelings and give in but I kept praying and the room continued to get heavier and all of the sudden I did not understand it but with my eyes closed I was showed an image of a demon. I have a fear of seeing demons but at this moment I was not afraid at all I was so in tune with God more than ever, that all I could focus on and all I wanted to was God. God said "Do not be afraid, Keep speaking." I continued to pray the only words I could and God became so present that I felt His presence in front of me and the demon just disappeared. After that God said "Wake Chris and pray together." I thought "God has brought me through the worst fear in my life I better listen." So I woke Chris and we prayed, and then talked about what had just happened. I can't explain everything and do not fully understand it all, but I do know this was one of the closest experiences I have ever had with God, and I loved it. He taught me that I don't need to be afraid because he is my Father. It also taught me not to doubt and try to figure out everything in life. I have been so upset that I have not been able to speak more than a few words in tongues but God showed me the words I spoke do mean something and are important for some reason so hold them dear.
OK so I had much to say in this post but thanks for reading and keep Chris and I in your prayers.

Prayer Request

Hello all!! Just need you all to pray for my nephew Easton. Everyone from church may remember Easton, I brought him to church and had him prayed for because he was sick when he was born. He was premature by a month. He has had lung problems ever since. Easton is an amazing baby and my Godson so it is my responsibility to pray for him everyday and be there in his walk with God. Therefore since everyone who reads this is a part of helping me with my walk with God I ask that you would help me by praying that Easton's lungs would be healed and he would not have any more problems in relation to his lungs. He is only a year and has had pneumonia I believe 6 times or more. Please pray for him and his mom and dad. Pray that God would touch his lungs and help him breath easy from this day forward. Thank you. Love you all.

I have a new sister!!!

Chris and I went to Miami for the weekend to my brother's wedding. One of my older brothers Matt got married to a beautiful woman named Wendy. They were married on a Carnival cruise ship going to the Grand Cayman and Jamaica. Our family had the cruise ship all to ourselves for the first three hours, it was so fun. I am so happy for my brother and Wendy, I wish them luck in their marriage. Chris and I discovered while we were in Miami we never want to live there. It is way too big and busy. Congratulations Matt and Wendy, make Chris and I some beautiful nieces and nephews!!!