without borders: Gainesville life

First off, I want to tell you all thank you for your prayers and support during this time in our lives. It isn't always easy to be away from our friends and family and we are thankful for those of you that reach out while we are away. We are humbled that you are reading about our adventures here on the blog!

While there have been several low points here in Gainesville, we are determined that we will make it through the summer! It seems like everyday there is something that isn't working, another fee or amount we are being charged for, or something that has taken longer than we thought. It has left us feeling frustrated, on edge with each other, and wondering if our luck has run out.

Austin has been looking for work since we moved here because extra projects with SCS (his Alabama company) have dried up for the most part. He has looked for odd jobs on craigslist and the like and had an interview with a company for a part time job of restocking and organizing greeting card displays at stores around town. It has taken several weeks for the interview, the subsequent hiring, and the actual training to take place. As more time goes by during this process the time he will have to actually work has dwindled down, leaving us wondering if it was worth going through all the trouble. Valuable lessons in time management!

My work has been different than what I have experienced in the past. While I am learning new things and gathering new skills, some nights I feel like the PICU is over my head. It has led me to some serious thinking about my future in nursing: Do I want to work in a PICU, or stick with general pediatrics? Do I want to go back to school and pursue my nurse practitioner degree? Would I like to continue to work in acute care and night shift, or would I like something else like a clinic with a set (days) schedule?

We both have time now to think through and talk through these things with each other, and we are still interested in pursuing travel nursing assignments until we make more decisions about our future. We ask that you pray for us both as we seek God's will for us in our perspective careers.

We have been so blessed by our new church home, City Church in downtown Gainesville. We were able to start attending our small group a few weeks ago and it has brought joy and much needed community in our lives. Again we are so thankful for those that are willing to reach out and share their community with us and make us feel at home. We have loved getting to know you, hanging out with you, and talking through the gospel with you.

I think it's so amazing that new city like Gainesville can feel so cold, big, and lonesome until just a few folks reach out and create a space for you. It has made me see the city differently. Friends suggest new things to do or restaurants to try or invite us to things and all of a sudden this place has memories and moments that are special to us.