The Little Things

Sometimes it's easy to forget the importance of the little things...for example, we currently have a patient who's a local retired nurse. It's absolutely great that we can help her. I've worked the last three days and have had the privilege of caring for her. 

'Beth' speak French, I've picked up a few words, but really I'm very limited to English. Even with the language barrier I feel as if we have made a connection. There's a mutual smile, and a wave for a greeting. Accompanied by a handshake and greetings exchanged in French. 

All of the sudden I found myself wondering, when I leave she asks if I'm back tomorrow. If I say yes then her face lights up with a smile, yesterday when I said no she looked sad until I told her that I would stop by and say hello sometime today (which I still need to do, and will do).

What surprised me the most was last night. After I came back from dinner it was time for the visitors. One of her visitors brought in local food for her to eat (I guess eating pasta gets old), anyway, at one point we made eye contact from across the room and she gestured to her food offering me some. Without even thinking, I declined having just ate and being full. The look on her face made me feel as if I rejected her. 

I wish I could say I went over apologized and accepted her offering. Instead of doing that, I had a patient that came back from PACU right at that time and so I was busy taking care of my post-op patient. 

When I finally stopped to think about it today, I found myself wondering when did this connection with Beth happen? I've been her nurse, but I can't say that I sat down with one of the translators and just talked to her about her life and got to know her better. Was it really the smiles, the greetings, and attempt at French. 

It makes me think of the saying, 'actions speak louder than words.' How true that is, but I don't know that I realized the power of actions until I depend upon them. I don't speak the language, at times I use actions to make my point. Sometimes the patients use action to explain what they need. 

Actions...what actions portray love and acceptance? What have I done inadvertently that is the opposite love and instead inflicts pain and rejection? Which actions are most prevalent in my life? What do my actions say about me? Do they reflect the love of God? Do they bring Him the glory? How about in your life? What do your actions say about you? 

Maybe the saying 'think before you speak,' should be 'think before you act.'

Helicopters and Jets

There was very cool opportunity that presented itself last weekend...so of course I jumped at the chance and now have a cool story to share. As most of you know, living on ship means that we are docked in the port. Well, this port is very active; ships are always coming and going. 

Right now, there is an Italian Aircraft Carrier that is docked in port across from us on a humanitarian mission. One day a question was posed...if it could be arranged, would anyone be interested in touring their ship. Lots of people were interested, over 200 people wanted to go on this tour. 

The aircraft carrier across is docked in port across from us

Saturday evening this tour happened. They had it set up so that 30-50 of us were in a group and then we were escorted around. We got to see the bridge, tower control, hospital, and walk out onto the flight deck next to the helicopters and jets. It was very cool, and the best part...they didn't care if we brought cameras and took pictures. 

Still in the bridge, our guide is explaining the compasses and rudders

Looking out on the flight deck from the control tower

There is the runway

Now we are out on the flight deck! 

Helicopter!!

It's a jet!

And finally, the picture of me in front of one helicopter. 

 All in all, it was a really cool experience, and over the last couple of days they have been coming to tour our ship in slightly smaller groups. One really cool thing that I want to mention, as I said before they are on a humanitarian mission and so they have offered to help us out by donating their time and some supplies!!! How amazing is that?  

February!

I know it's been awhile since I've last updated my blog. A lot happens and yet it has become normal life here. Eat, sleep, work, laundry and some socialization with lots of hello's and goodbye's. Constant change has become a normal part of life...I'd be lying if I said it was easy. 

Although, there are fun times involved with all the change. One day, we had a picnic with nurses and day crew from D-Ward, for those who wanted to attend. We packed up a bunch of stuff and drove the beach. 

After getting the fire lit with some assistance from the local people (apparently we weren't so great at starting an open fire on the windy beach) , we got the chicken over the coals and the BBQ began.

It took several hours to cook all the meat that was prepared and so the cooks took turns...these were the first 2 happy volunteers while the rest of us visited, and watched the sunset. 

Finally, after the sun set and it was dark out we finished cooking the last of the meat! It was a whole process, but it was fun.

The Sunset

Grilling chicken with headlamps for light :) 

It's hard to believe that January has come and gone...and now we are half way through February. Time seems to be passing by...soon I'll only have 3 months left, March, April, and May. Then, I'll eventually need to figure out what is next in my life...and that seems overwhelming! There are so many possibilities, that I need to slow down, not stress about the future and trust God to show me his direction.