Everything I need

There’s no doubt about it…life is full of challenges! But I must admit, I love how God sometimes just smothers me in grace, and allows me to walk through the day undeterred! Today was one of those days! I wasn’t totally sure what I was scheduled to do at work…but as the first hour of my morning progressed, things changed drastically! From a “good” day, to a busy day, to a crazy day! My prayer on my way to work this morning was, “God, let my life be a witness and testimony of who You are. And may every word that I speak be edifying and uplifting.”
I was sincere when I prayed it…but as I saw my day, as I had it planned, quickly being changed, I wondered if I would be able to walk out the desire in real life! I remembered other days that turned crazy…and how hard it was to keep going, let alone be edifying to those around me! The day progressed…and although things were a bit crazy, God’s grace was so much greater!
Although I’m not one to wish my life away…I did find myself wishing it was 4pm, when it was only 3:05! But an hour and a half later…when I 4 pm had come and gone and I’d missed it… as I sat at a computer working my way through a list of phone calls, I suddenly realized that I was singing! I was glad no one was bothered by my singing…but I was struck with the irony of the situation- hours of a stressful work day, and here I sat, singing while I was charting! I couldn’t help but smile to myself, and thank God for his incredible faithfulness.
And so tonight… I have a thankful heart. Thankful for a faithful God, and thankful for the gift of joy! Thankful for the ability, and opportunity, to smile and sing, despite the chaos around me! Thankful for a job, for an incredible set of co-workers, and the friends they have become! Thankful for the opportunity to learn, to go to school, and to help others in need. And most of all, thankful for Jesus…thankful that He loves me not matter what, thankful that He is ever faithful, and thankful that He is everything I need!

First day of Graduate classes

It’s still incredible for me to think that I actually started grad school today! To realize that the calling that I have felt on my life since 2008 began to become a reality today, as I sat through my first FNP class! In some ways…I can’t believe I’m at this point in my education already. And yet in other ways…it feels like it’s taken so long to get here.
...I felt like a child this morning, getting ready for my first day of school! I was eager and excited to step into this new season of life, and see what God has in store. When the first challenge was thrown at me early this morning- I was quickly reminded that this would not be an easy walk. And yet, despite the slight panic I felt, there was a calm- knowing that He has a perfect plan! As I thought about the situation throughout the day, and prayed for wisdom and direction… I continued to find a peace, knowing that He had my situation in His hands.
It felt great to walk into classrooms, filled with colleagues who are walking out this journey with me. However, the overview of just what was expected of us was slightly overwhelming… Research papers, projects, diagnostic exams, physical exams, clinical experiences….
I sit here tonight…feeling slightly overwhelmed, feeling like my mind is racing in so many different directions, feeling like I don’t know where to begin… and yet deep down, there is peace. While it seems overwhelming now… I know that in just a few short weeks, I will look back, and wonder where the semester went! And somehow, the overwhelming-ness of it all…the research papers, research projects, exams, physicals, clinical… will all feel so natural and right.

"You hold my every moment.
You calm my raging seas
You walk with my through the fire
And heal all my disease
I trust in You
I trust in You
…You hold my world in Your hands!"

What we believe to be true is the reality that we will live…

I can hardly believe how quickly time has passed…and its already January 9, 2011- which means school starts again tomorrow. In some ways, it feels like just a continuation, as I prepare to begin my 4th semester at Upstate Medical… And yet, it’s different! It’s Graduate school, it’s the beginning of the Master’s program…and most excitingly, it’s the beginning of NP courses and clinics.

As I look forward to this next week, this next semester, this next season of my life…I am filled with excitement! God has been so faithful to me in the past- and I am excited to jump into yet another unknown, and see where God will take me! While I certainly have expectations…I have learned that God has a tendency to far exceed my expectations, and His plans are so much better than mine!

I sat in church this morning, and was completely enveloped in His presence… and was in awe at the invitation and opportunity set before me. To live my life completely sold out and dedicated to the Creator of the Universe, and in turn, to have Him live within me! What an incredible reality…and what an awesome God! The idea that what we believe to be true is the reality that we will live was shared. How incredible to think that we have the opportunity to affect the world we live in! If we believe that Jesus has won the victory already, we can walk through the challenges of each day victorious, knowing that He will carry us through!
So, as I step into this new adventure, as the new chapter of my life is opened, and as I enter this new season… I choose to believe that God has His hand on my life, and walk in the reality that He has a perfect plan for me!

...a snapshot of my trip...

The breaking news on January 12, 2010 of the devastating earthquake in Haiti left me speechless and heartbroken. For the next 10 days, I watched the footage, and listened to the stories, praying that if I was supposed to go, a way would be provided. With that said, when the offer came to travel to Haiti with CURE International, I was ready and willing to go! We arrived in Haiti on February 2, and although I’ve thought that some things would never change in Haiti, by the time we exited the airport, I knew things had changed, drastically. We stepped outside the airport, and I was shocked by the quietness. In the past, one is met by literally hundreds of Haitians, as soon as they exit the airport; this time, however, only a handful of people were outside the airport. In the past, the parking lot was full, and the taxi drivers would be overwhelming; this time, the lot was practically empty, and only one man called to us, offering a taxi ride.

While in Haiti, my team worked at the Haitian Community Hospital, assisting with patient care, and helping in any way we could. Fortunately this hospital had not been seriously damaged in the earthquake, and was reopened shortly after the quake. Staffed by both Haitians and international volunteers, thousands of patients had been operated on and cared for. The courtyard of the hospital was full of tents, housing patients and various family members. Various healthcare providers made rounds through the tents, caring for patients with casts and external fixators, and changing large bandages.

Inside the hospital, the rooms were filled, and beds lined many of the hallways. Although most of the patients were orthopedic post-operative patients, there were also patients with serious crush injuries, major infections, and limb amputations. Also mixed throughout the rooms were pediatric patients who were being treated for major fractures, deep tissue wounds, amputations, abdominal hernias, and fevers.

The atmosphere was highly charged emotionally, and I found myself bracing every time I walked into the hospital. Although there were many times my heart was breaking, and everything within me wanted to cry, I knew I had to stay strong, and be the confident smile that brought hope to a patient’s day. While there are so many patients that I will never forget, there are two particular patients who’s stories illustrated the challenges and devastation that face so many people.

One of my first days there, I met a 17 year old girl, who had as fractured pelvis, as well as a left arm fracture, both of which had been corrected with external fixators. Additionally, her left wrist was paralyzed, due to nerve damage from the fracture. Every time I stepped into her room, she greeted me with a bright smile, and usually a question about how to get better quickly. Her passion to help herself gave me confidence that she would come through this tragedy victorious. Despite the challenges facing this beautiful young girl, she taught herself to walk with crutches, and learned how to clean the pin sites, so she could be discharged.

Down the hallway was a 32 year old woman, who had lost both of her legs. While the surgical sites were healing well, and she would have been ready for discharge, the surgeon refused to write discharge orders. This woman sat alone, barely making eye contact when we entered her room. When we asked about her family, she shrugged her shoulders and looked away, and then explained that they had only come to see her once. We asked if she thought it was possible for her to go home with them soon. She looked away again, and quietly told us that they didn’t want her anymore. My heart ached as I realized how scared she was as she faced her future, alone.

Their stories are endless. And they have forever changed my life.

We drove through the city of Port au Prince, and saw the area where the most destruction had occurred. I had seen many pictures, but seeing it through my own eyes had a totally different effect. I was left silent, seeing a hillside that once was home to thousands of people, now completely uninhabited, many of the houses reduced to a pile of rubble. Makeshift buildings lined the median along the main highway, and tents filled every open area. The pictures had prepared me for so much, but to see the numbers of people drastically affected by this tragedy left me numb for days.

...and the countdown begins...

It can be so overwhelming to me to realize how much God loves me, and how much He longs to give me the desires of my heart!

So, the count down… God has opened doors, and confirmed many times over that I am supposed to return to Haiti this winter, during my school break! I started praying about this while I was still in Haiti this past summer…and really didn’t know if it was going to be part of God’s plan. As I prepared to return to New York in July, I had countless friends ask me when I would be back. I told them that I was praying about coming this winter, and many of them committed to praying that I would be back for Christmas. Never underestimate the power of prayer! I think there were about 80 people praying for me…and within 5 days of getting home to my parents house, God had confirmed in several ways that I was supposed to go back!

Over the next weeks and months, God used little reminders of this trip, and the real reason I was in school to get me through the challenging moments…the times when I just wanted to walk down the street and hear the horns blowing, the hours when I wished I could be out in the village at the clinic rather than cramming for exams, and mostly the days when I wished I could be at the orphanage loving on the kids instead of sitting through yet another lecture! (I admit, I put pictures of the kids in several of my books!) Remembering my trip this summer, and looking ahead to this winter have been valuable reminders of why God has brought me to the place I am, and why I need to continue to chase after the call He has place on my life, with everything that is in me!

And now, this trip is close enough that the countdown must begin! Tickets have been purchased, and the date set… December 20^th, 2008, Flight 1291 out of JFK (NY) at 5:45 am! I am so grateful that God has made a way for my Dad and sister, Meg, to travel with me. God has also provided the way for a close friend of my family (my boss!) Dr. Carr to spend a week with us in Haiti. He will be flying in on January 2^nd, and staying until Meg and I fly back to NY on January 10^th. (My dad will be flying back on January 5^th.)

And so- the count down begins…Six weeks! It can be a little overwhelming to think the in six very short weeks, I will be back in Cap Haitian, living out one more chapter in the calling God has placed on my life! How awesome it is to realize what God can do through me, when I yield complete control to Him!

I’ve found myself thinking about this trip more and more over the past few days… and then I remind myself that I can’t think about it too much, but I have to focus on what God has called me to for today…for this week. There seems to be so much that I must accomplish before I can concentrate on packing a suitcase and heading for the airport!

I will do my best to keep you all updated as we finalize plans for this trip, as well as keeping you informed of ways you can be praying for us!

· Please keep Hudson and Lucy Hess, the missionary couple we will be staying and working with, in your prayers. They are currently facing support issues, but are trusting God to raise up financial partners so they can continue the work in Haiti.

· Please keep my Dad in your prayers as he works on the Kreyol language, and seeks clear direction on future plans for the work in Haiti.

· Please pray for Meg as she searches out the place God has for her on the mission field.

·Please pray for Doc as he prepares to travel to Haiti by himself, as he begins to learn the Kreyol language, and as he seeks out his calling in Haiti

·Please keep me in your prayers as I finish out the last five weeks of the semester, and take my finales.

Billy Joseph

This is a copy of a letter that I submitted to the Nursing Student Association at SUNY Canton... that ended up blessing me far beyond what I ever imagined! Thank you all, so much!

Dear NSA,

As some of you may know, I have a special passion for health care in the Haiti, the poorest country in the western hemisphere. I had the privilege of spending several weeks during the summer there, doing a nursing internship. I also plan to return over winter break to begin working on plans for starting clinics in the near future.

One thing that I am especially interested in is seeing quality health care performed by the Haitian people, to see clinics staffed by the nationals. The key to this vision is connecting with Haitians who have competent medical training. One such contact is a Haitian man, Billy Joseph, who is, at present, a student at a medical school in the Dominican Republic.

Billy Joseph, orphaned at a young age, was raised by his uncle outside the city of Cap Haitian, Northern Haiti. A local missionary provided financial support for Billy’s primary and secondary school. After graduating as valedictorian of his class, Billy went on to Medical School, in the Dominican Republic. He has done exceptionally well in his studies, and anticipates graduation next August. Billy’s goal is to be an obstetrician and set up a practice in Haiti.

In order for Billy to complete his studies and continue on to graduation, financial support and assistance are needed. Approximately $6000 is needed to get him through to graduation. The program he is in is divided into trimesters, each one costing approximately $2000, or $500 a month. This includes: tuition, housing, a food allotment, and books.

As someone with a passion for Haitian health care, a friend of Billy’s, and a fellow student; I have committed to raising financial support for Billy. What I am looking for is finding others to partner with me. This can be done by direct donations, assisting with fund raising or even additional ideas for fund raisers!

If you as a group, or individually, would be interested in supporting this student and my efforts to assist Billy, please contact me. I am hopeful of raising about $1000 in the next six weeks, and an additional $1000 - $2000 by New Year’s. Any degree of support would be greatly appreciated and rewarding for all those willing to get involved.

If anyone feel led to donate towards Billy's education, please contact me, and I will get you more details! God has blessed Billy with so much, I feel it is important to continue to help him follow the dream and call on his life. Some funds have come in ( a very special thank you to those of you who have donated!)...but atleast $4000 is still needed for him to be able to complete his education. Please consider investing in Billy's future, and in the futures of so many that he will impact.

back posting

...Just a couple things I've written up over the past weeks...

Written on September 6th
...When the Music Fades...
"When the music fades, All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring, Something that's of worth
That will bless Your heart
I'll bring You more than a song, For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within, Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart

I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You,It's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You,It's all about You, Jesus"



"...When the music fades...and all is stripped away..." ~When the rush
is over...and you're sitting on a plane by yourself. ~When the crowd
disperses...and you're left standing alone. ~When everyone has said
welcome back...and you feel like they've forgotten you have stories to
tell.~ When I get the email...and find out Christine has been taken
back by her family. ~When people ask if my friends are okay after the
hurricane...and I have no answer, because I haven't been able to
contact anyone for several weeks. ~When I sit in class...and find
myself trying to connect everything that is lectured to cases in
Haiti.~When you stop to listen to God's still, small voice...and
realize He's always there. ~When you see the blessings in each new
day...and know that God loves you and has a perfect plan. ~When the
music fades........

This song became very precious to me this summer while I was in
Haiti... but it has become even more meaningful to me since I got back
in July. The words have challenged me in so many ways... And countless
times I have found myself rehearsing the first lines "When the music
fades...and all is stripped away..." When the schedule slows, and I
refocus...where is my heart of worship? Am I consumed with bringing a
song...or do I put my whole heart into my worship? Is it just what I
do...or is it truely who I am?

It's so hard to believe that I have been back in New York as long as
I have been! And I really do miss my other "home" down in Cap Haitian,
Haiti! I think the hardest part of the adjustment for me has been the
lack of contact/communication with everyone down in Haiti.
It has been a very busy couple of weeks for me...readjusting to
life here, starting a new job, and now, starting my 3rd semester of
Nursing school! But God's hand on my life has been very evident, and
He is so faithful! Daily I am reminded that He has a perfect plan for
my life...and that if I am willing to give Him complete control, He
will perfect it!
I am excited about this semester...and it is incredible how many
things that are discussed in my classes are things that I saw this
summer, and often, really want to know more about! (Learning about
moldy peanuts in Microbiology yesterday probably didn't excite most
people..but I've been wondering about that ever since I heard that was
an issue with the Haitian peanuts!)
I apologize for not keep you in touch with many of you over the
past few weeks...and I wanted to take a few minutes and let you all
know what I am doing, now that I am back in NY....as well as share a
few prayer requests that have come up with in the past 24hrs...
First...the nation of Haiti as a whole... Many of you may know of
the 3 hurricanes that have hit Haiti within the past 3 weeks, and the
4th one that is expected to hit within the next day or two. These
storms have taken many lives...and left countless other homeless and
hungry.Many of the countries crops have been destroyed by floodwaters.
One news report quotes a priest, talking about Hurrican Ike (yet to
hit) "It's going to be hard," he said. "We will try to do what we
can...People are really, really, really scared. We have a very bad
situation," he said. "Please say a prayer for us."
Second...a Haitian friend, Enoch.... he is planning to travel to
Nicaragua within a few weeks, for his work with a medical mission, but
has just found out that his passport is "stuck" at the embassy in Port
au Prince. I believe he was attempting to get it renewed...when the
tropical storms hit...and he is now concerned that he will not have it
completed in time for his trip. Please pray that he will be able to
get his passport, and be able to travel.

I want to thank all of you for your many prayers this summer.... and
for the support and encouragement I have received from so many of you
since I have been back! Those of you that I have not had an
opportunity to see yet... hopefully soon! I will try to be better
about keeping you up to date with what I'm doing...and any future
plans for going back to Haiti!
Please continue to pray for me as I seek out the next step that God has for me!




Written on July 22nd
...Home Again...
" To have the undivided attention of God can be disconcerting until
one realizes that His gaze is tender and full of love and compassion."
We serve such an awesome God... the God of the universe...and He loves
me, and cares about where I am and what happens to me!
I wanted to write and let you all know that I had a safe trip back
to New York on Saturday, and got to my parents house Sunday afternoon.
Thank you for your prayers...I was able to get on the 6 o'clock flight
from Cap Haitian to Port au Prince (that actually left at 6:45) and
made it to the gate for my Port au Prince to Miami flight five minutes
before they called for boarding! I will admit...I prayed ALOT that
morning that I would get through the many lines in time! God is so
faithful!
I was supposed to have 2 hours in Miami...that turned into a very
long 7 hours, due to mechanical issues, but thankfully the flight was
not cancelled...and I finally met up with my family, at JFK, around
10:15 Saturday night.
It has been a blessing to be back with my family, and to see
friends...but I will be honest, I miss my friends down there! However,
it is great to know that, although there is still so much more work to
be done down in Haiti, I accomplished what I was sent for, and it is
time to be back in NY!
During my last week in Haiti, as I thought about coming home and
saying many goodbyes, I was filled with a peace that my call to Haiti
was fulfilled for this summer, and it is now my responsibility to come
back and share with those of you here. To share with you the battles
that are being won through the power of Christ, as well as those that
are still being fought. To encourage you in your part in furthering
the kingdom in foreign countries...either through igniting your
passion to go, or helping to direct the prayers of those who stay!

I look forward to seeing you all soon, and share the many stories and
experiances God allowed in my life over the past few weeks!

God bless you all....thank you so much for you love, support, and most
especially, your prayers!

In Christ's love
~Miss Katie



Written July 15th
I can hardly believe that my seven weeks here in Haiti are really coming to an end! The time has gone soo fast, and there is so much more that I would love to stay and do... But the tickets have been purchased, and I am flying back to New York on Saturday. Going to the airport to confirm my ticket from Cap Haitian to Port au Prince made it very real to me just how near my departure is!

It is a blessing to look back on the past couple weeks and see the things that I have learned, remember the people I have met, and smile at the many experiences I have had (like spending the day at the beach on Saturday, and picking up a star fish...) And although this trip has had its share of challenging moments, the moments of true joy far out-weight the challenges, and make every day more than worth it!

I do request your prayers as I say many goodbyes to many close friends over the next three days. Knowing that I will becoming back at some point in the not-too-distant future does make it a little easier to say goodbye... but it is still a challenge to leave behind the people I have lived, learned, and grown with for the past 7 weeks, as well as the ones that I have a desire help.

Please also pray that I will be able to get on the 6 o'clock flight from Cap Haitian to Port au Prince. As of right now, I am on a Standby list, however, that 6:00 flight is important, so that I can make my 9o'clock flight to Miami!

One last request.... for the kids in the orphanage. Many of them come from very troubled and tragic families, and we are seeing how some issues are still not completely resolved. Please pray that there would be a desire, especially among the older ones, to trully seek after and run after God. We are especially praying that Delince, the "leader" of the teenagers will have a real breakthrough, and that through his change in heart, the others will see God's love and power!

Thank you all so much for your prayers...it has been a blessing to know that even when we get tired and are tempted to be discouraged, that you all are praying for me....I look forward to sharing with you all the many things that God has done in my heart and life while I have been here!