nothing like missing a red-eye

This weekend Chase is in Charleston, South Carolina for a very dear friend's wedding. The wedding is Sunday, and Chase flew out late Friday night to make it in town in time for the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner on Saturday. We had great conversation as I drove Chase to downtown Phoenix to the airport. We knew we would both really miss each other and it would be my first time in Phoenix without Chase. As soon as I dropped Chase off, he realized he didn't have his wallet. SO unlike Chase, he is very organized (perhaps I distracted him whilst packing?) We freaked out for a second, knowing that because Chase only likes to get to his flights an hour before, I would be unable to make it back to our apartment (in north phoenix/scottsdale) to retrieve his wallet and then back to the airport in time for him to board his red-eye to Newark. I tried though, and made it back in phenomenal (illegal) time...unfortunately I was 8 minutes too late and Chase missed his red-eye.

By GOD's grace, the airline (Continental) put him on the next red-eye to Cleveland FREE of charge, and though he was initially on stand-by, he made it onto the plane. However, he would have to fly from Phoenix to Cleveland to Newark and then take a later flight to Charleston. So 2 lay overs. He was going to miss the rehearsal!

When Chase arrived in Newark, he realized that the earlier flight to Charleston that he was originally supposed to be on was delayed and had not left yet, but they were very close to leaving. Pulling a "Chase move" (aka something he has done before) he went over and asked a couple times if he could switch his flight back to the earlier one, and after a few minutes, the airline agreed.

He is now in Charleston! He made it to the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner on time! On Sunday his is standing by his buddy, Justin, as he marries a beautiful gal. I wish I could be there to witness the awesome marriage...and ALSO to see my husband in a tux again - he's looks very handsome in a tux...that ONE time I saw him sporting one...I think it was an important day? Can't remember though. It was definitely recent.

Tomorrow is my first day on the floor at Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center. I will be shadowing a preceptor for several weeks. My body is going to get a rude awakening getting back into these grueling 12-13 hours shifts (lets be real..my longest day on 3 surgical at IU was 15 hrs...with 10 min of lunch to eat as fast as possible)...because I was a new grad...and slow. Naturally, the plus side to all this walking is the amount of cals I will be burning. Aint never gonna complain about losing a pound or two!

Miss my boy...can't wait until he's back in town!

Just the Two of Us

Chase and I will be staying in Arizona this year to spend Christmas with just each other! We are excited and bummed at the same time. It'll be nice to have time with Chase home a lot (he gets several days off), but since I have a part time job AND a real job now, who knows what my hours will be like. Not that I'm complaining! We decided it would put us in a much better position to be financially wise and good stewards of what God has given us rather than purchase plane tickets this year, especially since Chase is flying out this weekend to be in a friend's wedding in Charleston, SC and we will both be flying back to Indiana for my sister's wedding in March aaaaand I will also be flying out to Indiana in February.

We weren't going to get a Christmas tree, until we stopped by Lowe's and discovered they were 50% off...because they were dying in the heat. Lol. So different than Indiana. We found a good one though - for $12 bucks. We gave it some sugar water and it perked right up. It feels WAYYY more like Christmas now (isn't that pathetic? as if it's about a tree.) However, we are grateful, and also pretty pumped about some cute (READ: glittery) new ornaments.

Chase gave me a budget on the ornaments (let's be honest, he didn't really care what they looked like), so I made the executive decision to forfeit a nice, large tree topper in order to get more glittery ornaments. Only 23.5% of all our ornaments are completely free of any glitter....yes, I did the math. Also, Chase had two stockings from when he was younger (and often had BOTH filled on Christmas), and I left mine in Indiana to stay with my family because, as this first Christmas without all her children is going to be hard enough on my mom, I didn't want her to also be staring at my empty stocking spot all season long! SO an easy fix to this was to just tape my name on Chase's extra stocking. WaaaLaa! (also shout out to Melinda for the wonderful tree skirt:)

We've already seen the benefits of a quiet Christmas season. We've had some time together to really praise God and think about the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. That God had such grace on the people He created that He would send a savior into the world. That he would allow Chase and I to be born into a time after Jesus came that we may know God personally, and not only that, but that God also called Chase and I to follow Christ while we're here on this earth, and gave us the Spirit. It will be a really special Christmas, being together alone for our first one.

Soccer Tennis

Chase and I play soccer tennis all the time. This tradition is dated back to the very first visit that Chase made to Indiana (Muncie, no less) to see me. However, I've been playing with my siblings for years up at Torch Lake, where there is a tennis court in the condo complex where we vacation. Back when Chase and I first started playing, I was still in my last season of soccer at Ball State. For some reason that I still to this day cannot figure out, Chase used to occasionally beat me...I mean like every third game...ok well maybe sometimes more than that. Yes, I know, how horrible...the collegiate golfer somehow beats the collegiate soccer player at a variation of her own game. Maybe it's because I was too nervous around my new boyfriend to go all out and kick his butt? Doesn't sound like me. Let's just say I was tired after practice and that's why he often beat me in soccer tennis...................................

By the way, soccer tennis is played on a tennis court with mostly tennis rules, but instead of using a tennis ball and racket, a soccer ball is used (with feet, of course!) I guess the scoring is more like volleyball though...we play up to 11, have to win by 2.

However since we have moved to AZ, we have been able to play often. And I am keeping score of who wins every game. I often remind Chase of these accurate statistics.

Rachael: 25 games
Chase: 2 games




In our most recent game a couple nights ago, it started off very competitive, as always. I had achieved victory already in the two games prior and we were starting a third. A couple points into the game Chase hit this great cross court shot that sent me sprinting to the left side to dish it back. Cross court shots are no doubt Chase's greatest strength in the game. As I approached the ball, it was a little high and on it's way out of bounds, so I knew I had to get my left foot around to sent it back. I hit it hard with the inside of my foot and whipped it just over the net and right down the sideline. An impossible shot for Chase to return. Except I never saw it, because the next thing I know, I was flat on my back looking at the stars. Apparently the momentum of my left leg carried my right leg out from underneath me as well and I landed FLAT on my back. No boo-tay action here to break the fall. Then there was the foreign tennis coach on the next court that gasped and asked the dreaded "Are you OK?" that drew attention to me on the ground. I've always been really embarrassed when injuries happen to me in sports, especially in such a ridiculous manner. So despite my spine being fractured (jk) I got up and pretended like nothing happened, you know...played it cool, meanwhile motioning to Chase (who was sprinting over to see if I was ok) to go back where he came from and continue the game.

Didn't happen.

He made me go home.

And I was SOOO thankful because that sucker HURT. I am also thankful for a sweet husband who felt so bad that he kept telling me what an awesome shot it was (like I cared at that point...ok, actually I did, I like to win.)

Chase also tried to tell me it looked like I was doing some sort of sweet move, like a bicycle (he even went as far as to "recreate" the move using our king sized bed as his landing pad.) But I know better...it looked ridiculous.

Blessed with a job!

I know I haven't written forever but I am so happy to say that God has blessed me with a job! He has been a faithful provider just like He promises that He is. God literally pulled my name out of a very large pool of candidates, most of whom had way more experience that I as the minimum amount of experience for the position was 6 months (ok..I technically only have 5 months...but who's counting??)

I will be working at Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center on a Neuro Trauma Intermediate Care Floor. It's a little med/surg and a little progressive care. We will receive patients from the ICU. There is also a little unit of stroke telemetry patients on the floor, so I will get to study EKGs and potentially use my Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification - yay! I love that stuff. I start December 13th. The drive is a beautiful one down the interstate with a huge mountain range on one side. It will be a little closer than my drive to downtown Indianapolis.

Chase is still enjoying learning all the aspects of Cintas. It just hit us the other day that his management trainee program is up in a year. We have gotten used to Arizona and really have been putting roots down in this area. We (more so just me..) do not want to already be packing up to leave in one year, but we will go where the Lord calls us.

Sedona!

Chase and I traveled up to Sedona for the day last Saturday! We left in the midmorning and drove to the beautiful town to hike up Bear Mountain. We knew it was a 5 mile hike round trip, but we had no idea how long that can seem when you are hiking virtually straight up! (ok... occasionally it was semi-flat...rarely though). At one point, after "phase one" as I refer to it, we saw a peak way off in the distance and concluded that there is "no way" that that could be the top because it was way too far away. But of course, that turned out to be the summit! I swear, the only reason why I am able to make it all the way up these hikes is because I never know where I'm climbing to, or where the summit is. So I just keep going until we reach the top. Although I straight up laid out on a rock a couple times because I was exhausted from climbing. The funny thing is, I was carrying nothing but myself. Chase wore a backpack loaded with water and a few snacks. It was extremely heavy (I tried it on...for a few steps...at the very end...on a flat ground). But we made it! Here are some pics:





6500 feet above sea level

hiking and other adventures

Arizona has been so beautiful to explore! Chase and I have started to hike a lot to see the wonderful views that the mountains here have to offer! Last weekend, we hiked up the McDowell Mountain range to a pass called Bell Pass. It was over a 7 mile hike round trip. It was so steep in some areas and was exhausting on the way back. The fun part is getting to the top and seeing the breathtaking views while relaxing. However, once that was finished, we had 3.5 miles to walk back. The last 2 miles where basically through the desert, and Chase and I hadn't rationed our water appropriately, even though we tried. We brought over four bottles! Now we know we need more, maybe one day we'll get one of those little backpacks that holds a gallon of water.

Tomorrow (or later today) we are driving up to Sedona for the day to hike in a canyon and see some red rock! Don't have much red rock in Phoenix. Eventually, we'd love to camp out a night. But that will take some gathering of resources. Right now, we only have a tent, although it is an awesome 4 person tent that we got as a wedding gift and we are DYING to use it! Some day!

Tonight we checked out the Arizona State Fair. It definitely was pretty similar to the Indiana state fair, except not as big, and less livestock...and a more diverse population. We tried to find interesting foods. Deep fried bacon with a side of gravy??? Definitely didn't try that, but what we did try I am almost too embarrassed to tell. We split a donut burger. Yes, you heard me. A cheeseburger (well bacon cheeseburger...for chase) with a krispy kreme donut for the bun. It was surprisingly not bad. Sweet and savory. All the fat kind of hurt my stomach though, and left me craving raw vegetables just to ward off the fear of a myocardial infarction. We arrived at the fair right before 6pm and got 1/2 price admission and some $1 food items. We are big savers and deal finders now! We both agreed that the atmosphere and ferris wheel ride were the highlights of our evening. Annnnnnnd we both really really enjoyed the monster truck rally that we spotted from atop the ferris wheel and decided to attend. It was my first...not sure about Chase. Then we saw old school RVs drive attempting to "demolish" one another. Interesting show. Definitely rounded out the evening for us!

Marriage Retreat

A couple weekends ago, Chase and I had the awesome opportunity to go to a wonderful marriage retreat up in Prescott Valley. We had a blast. There were 9 other couples there, and we got to share stories of times when God worked through tough times in our marriages in an informal atmosphere. Chase and I got to hear some really good things and it was neat to see other couples giving advice about mistakes that they had made or how they would have done things differently. We also got to know the couples in our Faith Forward Sunday morning class a lot better. The retreat was laid back and really focused on spending time together as a couple in prayer and talking about issues in our relationships.
On Saturday night, which was date night, Chase and I went to downtown Prescott and had a casual dinner at a local brewery. This town was so cute! It had all these little shops and "saloons" at every corner. All the retail was old western. And best of all, it was a normal October temperature! Now I do NOT miss cold weather. But it was nice to have a night to walk around when it was quite brisk outside (ok let's be real, I got pretty chilly). I brought these fall scented candles from Bath and Body works that I have been waiting to burn until the weather changed. It still hasn't changed in Phoenix, but thanks to Prescott, we got to burn them and get into Fall mode.

Eastern Carolina Barbecue!

Today Chase and I are trying a recipe for Eastern Carolina Barbecue! It is pulled pork with a vinegar based sauce. When it's done cooking, you add red pepper flakes and brown sugar, and some more vinegar! This is our favorite barbecue ever, so it's an exciting day at the MacFarland household!

UPDATE:
The pork came out really tender and delicious, but I definitely used way to much vinegar based sauce on my portion and couldn't eat most of it and had a little bit of a stomachache. The cole slaw diffused the vinegar a little bit though, and it was pretty good. When we try this recipe again, I will definitely make some changes and not use near as much vinegar.

near misses

A couple weeks ago as I was roaming the grocery store, I began to think about how, in a few distinct instances, my life (and Chase's life) would have changed forever had things kept going as they should have, or if the Lord Himself hadn't intervened in a specific moment. Almost like near misses. Like we can nearly miss the entire course of our lives changing in an instant.

The first and most striking instant in which God and His beautiful grace intervened for me was in high school. A month before my 17th birthday I was in a car accident that left a huge scar over my right eye. But the weird thing wasn't "just happening" to put on my seatbelt 30 seconds before the wreck even though we were only 2 miles from my house(I kid you not, the EXACT thought that casually went through my mind was 'well mom always says you never know what can happen'). No, the bigger miracle was the position of the cut on my forehead. It was very deep, through the fascia tissue, almost to the bone, and started above my right eye about my midforehead. The cut continued all the way down through my right eyebrow and even lower onto my eyelid. But then, it stopped! The cut stopped right before slicing my eyeball. That would be a miracle enough, but to even more astonishment, the cut picked up and continued exactly BELOW my right eye. Almost like the Lord's hand was covering my eyeball from harm. That cut should have sliced my eyeball, rendering my vision ineffective. I wouldn't have been able to play soccer anymore...just imagine me trying to save a shot with one eye...and therefore I wouldn't have been recruited to Ball State (for FOR SURE would not have gone there without soccer, only because at the time, it had a bad academic reputation, which is 100% completely false, I just went to a snobby school). Playing soccer at Ball state is how God drew me to the gospel of the Truth through the ministry of Athletes in Action. This truth of God's lavish grace and how he saved my sight (and used it to later save my soul) even when I wasn't a believer is enough to leave me speechless and in awe of His sovereignty over all things. To end the story I had like 50 small stitches, and then later had a reconstructive surgery perform in which they look a piece of skin from behind my ear and grafted it to my eyelid so it could function properly.


This photo was taken a few weeks after my reconstructive skin graft surgery in July of 2003 on vacation with my family. I couldn't ski, swim, tube, run, or workout of any kind. I read Harry Potter 5 all week. To the left side of the graft is the original scar. Below my eye is were the cut started back up again. It was smaller and only needed 6 stitches and by this time was almost fully healed. Today you can't even see the smaller scar below. My eyelid will always hang down a little, especially when I smile. Just look at our wedding pictures!

That was my best story of a near miss, I have a few more, but I thought Chase has a good one that directly affects my life too. It has to do with the reason we met. Chase was scheduled to go to the Athletes in Action Ultimate Training Camp (UTC) the 2nd week it was offered (I was going the first). This was because he was out in Seattle competing at the NCAA Regionals and was doing so well he was anticipating going to the NCAA national championships, which would have been the same week as UTC week one. Chase was leading his team at regionals and was about to qualify as an individual for nationals, when he saw one of his teammates on a hole he has already been on. He casually told his teammate to try hitting the ball to a certain side. His teammate told him to probably not say anything else because giving advice to a teammate is against the rules. Chase went to his coach and told him the story. His coach confirmed that it was indeed against the rules, but since Chase didn't know, he told Chase to just not do it again, but don't tell the officials. Chase considered what his coach said, but felt incredibly convicted by the Holy Spirit to tell the truth about his actions to the officials. The Predicament: Go to the NCAA National Championships, a feat that so few in the country ever achieve and ignore the Spirit? Or follow God and tell on yourself and lose your one shot in a lifetime at playing in the most prestigious college golf tournament? The officials awarded Chase's honestly with a 2 shot penalty, as the rules dictated.

Chase ended up missing the cut to compete at the NCAA National Championships as an individual by 2 shots. Had he not followed the Spirit, he would have been competing for a national championship. But since he was obedient, he was able to go to the first week of UTC and not only have one of the best weeks of his life, but one of the most life-changing weeks of his life as it was there at that camp that Chase was introduced to his future wife.

This photo was taken right after Chase introduced himself to me at camp. I only sat there because it was the only seat open near my friends. The photo was supposed to be of just me and my friends, but Angie felt bad and asked Chase to get in...I think he was delighted because he jumped right in! This picture makes me laugh because he literally just poked his head in.

God is just so good to us. He was good to me before I even knew Him or was obedient to Him. He was good to Chase by using His spirit to empower and direct Chase's steps in an incredibly difficult decision. This all comes down to His immeasurable love, and His infinite grace. How can we not praise and follow a Lord who is so good to us even when we can't see it just yet? He never had to prove Himself as good to us, it is in His very nature, but He loves us, and He wants to show us that love.

Season of Waiting

I meant to write last week but got a little busy! The weather here is finally cooling down a bit, and it is AMAZING! It feels so comfortable outside. The sun is warm on our skin, but not unbearingly hot. Lately we've had a cooler breeze because we've had some storms roll through. It even hailed (marble to golf ball sized hail) for like 5 minutes during an intense storm yesterday. It was pretty bizarre! Chase went out of the porch and got pelted with hail balls, and kept yelling that it hurt, but continued to stay on the porch...

I had an interview last week at Banner Good Samaritan Hospital for the Trauma/Surgical ICU. Good Samaritan was named one of America's Best Hospitals this year, is also a Magnet Status hospital, a level 1 trauma center, AND a teaching hospital. GAHHHH!! I want to work at this hospital so badly! The interview went well. I said some good things and could have said other things better. I talked to the nurse recruiter today, and the RN manager said the only thing holding me back was by lack of experience with high acuity patients, and she thought I might do better to start off on a step-down unit like the progressive care unit. The nurse recruiter forwarded my info to the PCU nurse recruiters. The ICU job isn't necessarily out of the picture, but they are interviewing other candidates. So there is still room for God to work, but I have been praying to follow His footsteps and be living in His will, and not my own. My best friend Jenn and I were just discussing how in our culture today, it is so easy to believe that Jesus is Lord or say that we believe it, but it is MUCH harder to follow Him and His will for us. He could call me out of nursing altogether. And I pray I would be obedient!!

Right now I am still on the lookout for jobs, especially PCU jobs at Good Samaritan. But I am still holding out and praying that God can still put me on the Trauma ICU if it is his will! It will be hard if I get the final word that I wasn't offered a position on the ICU because man oh man I wanted to work on that floor SO BADLY. I have such a desire for ICU nursing, and with this job, I would get to cross-train to the trauma room and also be a level 1 trauma ER nurse! But like I said, I'm trying to stay neutral about it, because from a worldly perspective, it doesn't look good.

It's weird to be in a season of waiting without knowing the future. I can't say I've ever been in a season quite like this. I always have had awesome things to look forward to, whether it was soccer, Chase visiting, graduating, marrying Chase, a honeymoon, a move. I am trying to not get caught up in the worldly perspective that says if I'm not being super productive every hour of the day, then I'm lazy and not being diligent. The Lord has already used this time of waiting to refine my heart and draw me closer to himself. I am learning so much, and I also have met some amazing women who love the Lord.

But in the back of my mind, I know that I need to bring in an income. Financially I need to have SOME kind of job by the end of October, or Chase will start looking for a second job, which is ridiculous. He shouldn't have two when I have none. I want to work and bring an income in so badly! I know God knows this need of ours. We want to be good stewards of whatever money He's gifted us with, and spend it how He calls us to. Easier said than done, right? Thank goodness for the Holy Spirit that empowers us to actually be able to follow God!

the desert run

This week has been completely different than the rest! For me, that is. Chase is doing the usual work. Actually he's been filling in for a service manager that recently resigned. Chase will become a service manager after his 18 month management trainee program. He is enjoying managing all the service techs and is really gaining their respect because he is always on top of things. He gets done what needs to be done, and he works hard. That's something I've always admired about Chase, is that he has a serious work-ethic. To the point that his first weekend of college EVER, he stayed in to read his econ book...BEFORE class EVEN STARTED!!! Ok - let's be real, that's a little ridiculous. I think I called him a geeeeeeeeeeeeeek for that. But in all seriousness, he's not afraid to put in the work because he knows that it pays off.

My week has been so wonderful because I've had the opportunity to volunteer at Just Moved Ministry. As the name explains, it's a ministry for women who have just moved. The woman, Susan Miller, who founded this ministry is leading the Tuesday morning class I go to at Scottsdale Bible called "Moving On After Moving In." I have met such wonderful and Godly women! They have embraced me as family already. That has really filled my days, and has been such a job. In the meantime, I am still applying for jobs.

Last night, Chase and I decided we needed to start running again if we want to actually run this 10k we keep telling ourselves that we are training for. We had taken about a week off of running. We decided to run to the Mayo Clinic, a hospital 2 miles away from our house. About .25 miles into our run to mayo clinic, the sidewalk on the road ends. Between our apartment building and the Mayo Clinic is literally nothing but desert and one two-lane road. We ended up running into the wind and sun THROUGH THE DESERT. And when I say through the desert, I mean like literally a desert (have I said that before?) with no buildings or civilization around for about a couple miles. Tumbleweed, little pathetic shrubs, and a whole bunch of flat sandy dirt. Into the wind, into the sun, and then it started to rain...which neither of us were mad about because the wind and rain droplets kept it cool, and not 110 degrees - which would have made for an impossible run.

We didn't stop until our hands touched the Mayo Clinic building. We went inside, got some water, and then proceeded to take a longer way back to our apartment (we walked) while exploring the desert around us. Because it wasn't as hot, and the sun was setting, it was actually quite beautiful! Also, the rain had stopped. We really enjoyed it and definitely saw God's beauty in a different way. If this is a taste of Arizona winters, I think I am going to LOVE this place Oct-March!

Finding Community

As I mentioned earlier, Chase and I found a church out here called Scottsdale Bible Church. We were really drawn to the sound doctrine and people that seemed to truly live out their faith. The members here really seem ready and excited to pour into us. Every sunday, we go to a class for young married couples called Faith Forward. There are also some older "mentor" couples in the group. We have had a great time getting to know these couples. Many of the couples, even if they are only a few years older than us, have children. It's really neat to see them balance finances and glorify the Lord in the way that they raise and discipline their children. After Faith Forward, we go to a service called Eleven10 that has contemporary worship, followed by watching Pastor Jamie's sermon from the main auditorium over videocast. We have really enjoyed this!

This week, the bible studies started! AHHH Chase and I were so thankful! Finally we can meet people in a more social setting and get to know them more intimately. This was honestly an answered prayer. The cold-turkey transition we had moving out to Phoenix has been rough lately, especially on me. I have never been a home body! I thought I would go so far away from school, even though I only ended up going an hour away (hey, that's where I was recruited!). I've never really been "homesick" nor have I ever did the kind of thing where I talked to my parents every day. Maybe once every two weeks. BUT, this is the first time in my life I've ever been completely uprooted from community, without having another community in which I already automatically belonged (like going to college, where I already belonged to a team from Day 1). Chase has moved a lot in his life, with his parents, and then to UNC for school while his parents lived in Savannah, GA, then they moved to Tampa a few years later, and are now in Texas. This is all after he spent the first 13 years of his life at various residents in Southern California.

We both agree that it is tough to be in a different part of the country, where no one knows you or your family, and it's also hard to find things in common with people. I guess the best thing you could have in common with someone is a relationship with Jesus, and we have definitely found plenty of those people at Scottsdale Bible! On Sunday night, a bible study from Faith Forward started up, and Chase and I both enjoyed it. The study drove deep into scripture and really challenged us. Afterwards, the men and women split up to share prayer requests and pray together. This was the time I was looking forward to. I love hearing the hearts of women who love the Lord, they are honestly so beautiful and real. Chase said he enjoyed talking to the men, and really felt like he learned a lot just being in the presence of Godly men who are great leaders and husbands.

This morning, the church-wide women's bible studies started. I was so nervous walking into the auditorium by myself not knowing a soul! I knew that if I was in Zionsville or Indianapolis in a room full of strangers, it wouldn't have bugged me one bit because, I don't know, that's just home! So this was good for me, and definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone (one that I didn't know that existed, I have never been shy). After we did praise and worship with all the women as a whole, we split up into the individual bible studies that we registered for, I think there were like almost 12 different ones. I was advised by several women of Faith Forward to do the bible study called "Moving On after Moving In" and that it would really help me let go of my former life and start over in Arizona. I can already tell this is going to be great. I was the youngest woman in the room by at least a decade (probably younger gals are in the night class), but I didn't mind at all, in fact, I liked it because I would love an older Godly woman to mentor me!

The class is full of woman who had just moved to Phoenix/Scottsdale for whatever reason, and most were emotional about it, like me. At first our move was exciting! Then reality set in that I am in a community where no one knows me. It has slowly become depressing and discouraging, and feelings of worthlessness start creep in. It's not like Ball State, where I saw my name and picture in the paper after a great game, and had whole articles written about just me. It's not like Athletes in Action, where I found immense joy in meeting with young women to show them the hope that is found in Jesus Christ, or leading bible study and watching my girls grow in faith. It's not like Indianapolis, where I was a new nurse at an exciting downtown hospital with endless possibilities in sight. Or like Zionsville, where our neighbors of 15 years have watched me grow up and still ask, and really care about, details of my life.

All of those things I have to learn to let go of! I didn't know it would be this hard! But it is honestly such a good thing. There is absolutely nothing that I can have my identity in anymore except Christ! I remember when I was playing soccer in college, and how it was always such a challenge not to be prideful or place my identity in how good, or not good, of a goalkeeper I was! It was always a struggle to glorify God in my sport. I feel like He was constantly reminding me that it's not about me! And everything that I have, everything that I am, is because of His Grace! And then after soccer, it was hard not to put my identity into what kind of nurse I wanted to me. So I am thankful to be in this humbling position and I feel that God is teaching me a lot about increasing my faith by putting my identity in Him alone in this trying time of waiting.

Rather than just waiting for my life to start, I really think this class about Moving On after Moving In will help me become more active, and take a bigger role in starting my life out here by getting myself plugged into community and serving in the church, and then trusting that God will provide employment in the exact area and hospital that He wants me in.

IT WENT THROUGH HIS HANDS!

Chase LOVES UNC. LOOOOVEEEEESSSS Carolina. Wants our children to grow up as faithful, unwaivering carolina fans, and in carolina gear, still checks www.tarheelblue.com every day, etc. And I don't blame him. He was talented enough to play golf at one of the nation's best universities, in academics, and as everyone and their mom knows, in athletics. The University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill is one of the top apparel selling colleges in the country, not to mention all those national championships.

However, recently, as in every day (while Chase is undoubtedly watching sportscenter), Chase mentions how upset he is about UNC football, and their ineligible players. Apparently they were supposed to be unreal this year (everyone knows UNC isn't usually known for their football teams), but the NCAA decided to come investigate the football team and found some noncompliance with NCAA rules. Chase, being a devout UNC fan, would really rather the NCAA didn't investigate and just let the players play and bring glory to UNC. I think that cheaters need to punished. I, too, had to comply with the NCAA for 5 years, and I did, AND I wrote MY OWN PAPERS.

Chase was GLUED to the TV watching the UNC/LSU game. I kind of hoped carolina would get slaughtered like the announcers predicted. But they didn't! They had a great come back, and almost won the game. HAD the game in their hands! And then they dropped TWO perfect passes in the endzone from 6 yards away! Chase was so distraught! I seriously could not believe what I was hearing, he was moaning "no, no, no". I, like a good wife, thought this was HILARIOUS! It's just football (not carolina basketball, for goodness sake!) and they were supposed to lose anyway. I wish I would have acted faster, but I was able to catch some of Chase's pouting on video. Here it is! (Don't worry - I asked his permission!)

Chase the Bug Slayer

A couple nights ago, as I was up past chase (he's got to go to bed early!), I noticed several little bugs infiltrating our apartment. I HATE insects with a passion, I absolutely cannot stand for them to be around me, just the thought of them jumping on me is horrific. These little bugs were crawling on our walls and ceiling by the front door. I managed to get the courage to kill a few, and then next thing I noticed, I would look over to the door frame and see more! Oh my goodness is was horrible! I was so paranoid with them being there, that I had to muster up the courage to continue killing them. This was a several hour ordeal, and my adrenaline was pumping. It was a borderline murderous rampage. Over the course of the night, until about 3am, I probably killed 20.

Waiting for me the next day, when I woke up, were 6 more crawling on the ceiling. I killed them and then gratefully was able to get out of the house and meet a friend for lunch, then I took my time running errands so that Chase would get home before me. At first, he didn't see any bugs, but upon a second glance, he said he had to kill about 15.

I was distraught over these insects. We tried to google what they were, maybe the arizona blister beetle? Luckily, the maintenance people at the apartments came and installed a new door weather frame, because when we shut our front door, it never sealed and there was a visible gap in which the bugs were entering.

Haven't seen a bug come in since...although 3 hours ago I did find a few stragglers left behind. I'm really trying not to look for them until Chase comes home. He is the bug slayer - and he really is relishing in that title.

Friendship

Chase and I were at Trader Joe's getting some groceries, when we saw some basil plants for $2.99! Buying a little package with way less basil costs more, like 3.99 or 4.99. This is a pretty decent sized plant so we realized it was a pretty good deal, and we were getting a lot of basil leaves for our money. We (I) named the basil plant Friendship. Friendship needs his soil to stay moist and get plenty of sunshine, but not too much in the Arizona heat or he will die. I have accidentally left him outside on our back porch a time or two. Now I keep him inside on our table to soak up the rays through our window. Hopefully he can still photosynthesize.

Living With a Man

Today I woke up to a text from my husband asking me if I could check the parking lot for his lunch. He said he thought it fell off the top of his car while he was driving away to work because he set it up there and accidentally left it. I laughed imagining the scene! I make Chase's lunch for him every night because, according to Chase, there is something about the way a woman makes a turkey sandwich that makes it so much more delicious (I agree). Anyway, I walked out of our bedroom after waking up and the first thing I see is Chase's lunch sitting on the counter top. Ya just gotta love my husband:) Makes my job easier for his lunch tomorrow - all I had to do was put it back in the refrigerator!

The Phoenix 10k

After the wedding and honeymooon, Chase and I were feeling a little bit out of shape. We thought at the time of the wedding, we would be in the best shape of our lives, but with me working crazy shifts and all the preparing that went into the wedding, we definitely did NOT have time to work out near as much as we liked. In fact, the four days leading up to the wedding, we had been going to bed at around 4am and getting up at 9 or 10am! (Chase graciously helped me with my arts and crafts projects). That, coupled with the way we ate on the honeymoon (really, really good, but really, really unhealthy), we were feeling a big sluggish when we got to Arizona. So last week we decided we would go for a middle distance race and try a 10k. I have never run in a race before in my life (if you don't count fitness tests). Chase, on the other hand, used to run cross country in high school (for the sole purpose of getting out of basketball preseason workouts because the two seasons overlapped). Anyway, so we just started training for this 10k, or 6.2 miles. We have different methods. Chase just goes out and runs and tries to go farther each time (he said that's what worked for him in high school). I, however, am going to need a plan if I expect to run the entire way, and not get passed by anything being pushed in a stroller. I have researched a plan I am loosely following that combines distance running, with adequate rest, and cross training. I will probably throw some strength training in there, although last time that happen, I crushed my ipod (still works, just busted screen).

I realize that a 10k is not that far of a distance, really. I think that is why we chose it to start with. Who knows, we could maybe want to do a half-marathon after this, and I may really start to enjoy running. This is very far fetched though. We chose the 10k because it's not near as intimidating at the half-marathon, but a challenge. A 5k would be too easy (for Chase).

This 10k is part of the Arizona state fair, which I guess is pretty popular amongst all the state fairs. It is in early November. We've given ourselves a lot of time to train!

The hardest part is just making yourself go run, knowing it's going to be long, and hard, and boring. If any one has any suggestions about running at 10k, or making it fun, or training for one, feel absolutely free to let me know!

Moving Along

Today (Monday) I just randomly checked the Arizona state board of nursing online and to much joy after I searched for my name, found an RN license number next to it! This was a little earlier than I expected as they told me it would be at least 30 days from when I turned in my fingerprint card, which was like July 13th. And I think part of me just assumed there would be another complication and I would never get my license to practice. But praise the Lord! Now I can properly apply for jobs and be completely qualified (apart from my lack of RN critical care experience...minor detail). Honestly though, I feel really encouraged because a few different men who work with Chase have wives who are critical care RNs and NPs and have offered to help me out and see that my resume gets where it needs to be. I know this doesn't guarantee me a job at all, but it is nice and encouraging just to know people are willing to help. There are like a bajillion hospitals in Phoenix, not to mention like 5 adult level I trauma centers (Indiana has 2...right next to each other downtown). So I am optimistic and really praying that God is glorified through this process and not myself, because it is really easy to just do what I want to do and not follow where the Lord is directing me. And in my short 24 years, I've at least learned that if it's not in God's will, then it's not worth doing. So Chase and I are praying that the Lord leads me to the job He has laid out for me. My only fear is that it's med-surg! (just kidding -- learned about 1000 value lessons from med-surg nursing and the excellent nurses I worked with at IU, but man, you gotta be ORGANIZED to the max, and you have to really, really enjoy walking...!)

So that's probably the most exciting news I've gotten since we've been in Phoenix! I absolutely look forward to checking our mail everyday, and (if I were to be honest) Sundays are kind of a disappointment (strictly in reference to the lack of post - darn you US postal system!). Chase thinks it's pretty pathetic. We will go work out at the gym at our apartments, right next to the mail boxes, and I make us go first to our little mail box to check it, even though we leave the mail there until after our workout, then we take it out and take it home. This is not a plea for mail!! Really I just wanted to make you laugh. But the story is true.

However, we think we found a great church! We've been looking for weeks! It's an adult ministry worship service called SOMA with Scottsdale Bible Church. We went on Sunday to the main service at Scottsdale Bible, and then to SOMA (a separate service - almost like a church within a church), and it just fit. The music was so passionate and high energy, and people LOVE and FOLLOW Jesus there. We listened to a guest pastor that night who was 61 years old, and that man was solid. He loves the Lord and really preaches the Truth, and does not water it down an ounce. He definitely challenged us and the Holy Spirit really used him to convict us, and Chase and I LOVED it. We are excited to go back and get involved. There is a volleyball tournament coming up with 2 brackets - competitive and non-competitive. I'm sure you all can imagine which bracket chase and I will be in... Also- the membership is an 8 week class, and we are excited to go through that and learn more about the doctrine and vision of the church.

Getting Settled

We have now been in Arizona for 3 weeks. It seems like a lot longer - despite our apartment still needing decorated. The picture frames and wall decor are just sitting propped up against the wall because I have no idea how to hang them and what configurations to put them in and on which walls. I need an interior designer! Wishful thinking! Our apartment has a lot of white walls, although the kitchen has beautiful granite counter-tops, but if there's a such thing as fake granite, then that's probably what we have...not that I'd know the difference anyway. I would love to paint a few accent walls and hang some drapery eventually when I get a job and generate some income. Which leads me to why it seems like we've living in Phoenix a lot longer, at least to me...not having a job or something new and challenging really makes the days seem long. I want so badly to dive into the world of critical care nursing! Chase works with a man who's wife is an RN on a neuro-surgical critical care unit and she gave him her card to give to me to send her my resume. That would be so awesome to work on a unit like that, two of my favorite things - neuro and critical care. But I am also scoping out other hospitals (there are TONS in Phoenix - it's the 5th largest city in the COUNTRY) and will be applying and submitting my resume to those as well. Until I am employed, I am focusing on writing notes and thank-you notes to many wonderful people, getting my name changed and all that goes into that, throwing one of my best friends a bridal shower in Indiana, and several other small things...oh and hanging out with my new husband!

Chase is really getting into his job as a management trainee with Cintas. He has to learn many different domains of the Fire Protection side of Cintas. Because he's training to be a manager, and eventual general manager, he is learning every aspect of the business, from the service techs, to managers, to general managers, to accounting, to the warehouse jobs...he has to learn and perform them all (well, he just observes the general manager ...let's be real). He learned how to inspect a fire extinguisher with a service tech out in the field...and then proceeded to show me how while we were at Walmart. We get to meet up for lunch a few times a week which is fun and special and we usually just goof around.

We have been looking for a home church for the last 3 weeks and have been to some very solid and sound churches, but we haven't found the church where we feel God calling us to call "home" yet. We know he has one out there that He wants us to build community in and have fellowship and go out and serve with...but we are still looking, and seeking His will for us in that. It would be nice to have some friends here! It's weird not knowing anyone! But God knows our needs, and He will provide and whatever His provision is, is enough...His GRACE alone is enough. 2 corinthians 12:9.

ARIZONA

WE ARE HERE! Oh my goodness we are finally in Phoenix (really north scottsdale) Arizona after an amazing wedding and honeymoon. I will start with the wedding, then honeymoon, and finally Arizona!

Our wedding was the most blessed day of our lives! It was an absolutely classic and beautiful day. Chase and I are so humbled and grateful that we have such wonderful, loyal, amazing friends and family! Korky, the missionary with College Golf Fellowship ministry who married us, did an unbelievable job at glorifying God in our ceremony. We definitely felt His presence there and His blessings. The church was beautiful with the natural light flowing in and the amazing floral arrangements on either side of the altar.
The reception was a BLAST. Who knew our wedding party was full of the most awesome and hilarious dancers...actually I did, that's the only criteria Chase and I used to determine who we would ask to be in our bridal party...ahhhh! It was honestly the most fun I've ever had at a wedding (I think everyone thinks that about their own wedding)! All of our vendors did an amazing job! From the florist with the lovely centerpieces (I'm partial to the really tall ones!) to the photographers whom we absolutely loved, to the awesome 5 tier cake (LOVED IT), we appreciate how hard they worked to make everything look good. The downtown Marriott people we unbelievable and so professional, they took care of everything. I can't wait to see the professional photos and the video!

Aruba was FANTASTIC! AHHH it was SO MUCH FUN. It looked exactly like the pictures, but better. The bright white, soft beaches and the turquoise water - it was like a paradise. The first few days we really just stayed around our resort, for good reason - it was so nice and luxurious, Chase did a great job on booking it. Aruba is in the dutch Caribbean and is actually owned by the Netherlands, so in some parts it has a very Euro feel, like at our resort. The Bucuti was only for adult couples, so it was quiet and relaxing (no children running around like at the high rise hotels). The rooms were like a modern European look, very sleek and clean. There was this extensive, delicious breakfast each morning. Chase grew very fond of the smoked salmon on top of a toasted cream cheese bagel...I think he misses it. We hung out under cabanas on the beach, and stuck our red flag in the sand whenever we wanted a drink or lunch - it was the LIFE! Chase especially liked hanging out at the pool (no sand). They had really swanky furniture at the pool and I think it made Chase feel a little like royalty (haha just kidding honey).
We had dinners at sunset on the beach, went on a sunset sail, a jeep tour of the other, uninhabited side of the island, and went snorkeling. The jeep tour was amazing! We saw huge waves hitting giant slates of volcanic rock (Aruba is a very windy island), secret, private beaches, and a natural pool made of encased volcanic rock. We were sad when we had to leave Aruba and the Bucuti resort, but definitely excited to continue our adventure and get out to Phoenix!

So Arizona! After spending a night in Miami after flying in from Aruba, we flew from Miami to Indy the next day. We were at my parents house for maybe 3 hours before we hit the road to Phoenix. My dad and brothers had gotten the Budget rental truck, and completely packed it up for us. What a blessing! Soon into our trip, we realized the AC wasn't really working (read = was not working at all). It was pretty horrible driving through some of the hottest states in the country with no AC. And those seats only sit completely erect! SO UNCOMFORTABLE. But we were thankful to be making the trip anyway, and arrived in Phoenix a few days later!
Now our address says Phoenix, but we are essentially in North Scottsdale. It's such a fun area, there is so much to do and see. We are praising God for providing an apartment at such a great price so that we can live in this part of town. Let's just say that my 2000 chevy blazer with 140000 miles on it is probably the junkiest car in the parking lot, but I don't care, I love him, and will drive him tell he dies (he was dubbed "Kyle" circa 2004.) We love exploring the area! Chase insisted that the first time I see the downtown area of Phoenix, it be from the top of a foothill overlooking the city at sunset. It was well worth it, it was beautiful!

We are almost completely settled in our apartment. We just need to hang a few more things. As for other stuff (changing name, getting our own cell phone service, car insurance) we are still working on. Over the honeymoon, I received a package from the Arizona state board of nursing saying that my fingerprint were unsatisfactory. I had to have them professionally done and then hand delivered them to the Arizona State board of nursing myself - although I won't have a license to practice for another 30 days! So while Chase is at work, I keep the apartment in order and get things done that I need to do. Chase is enjoying his job with Cintas, he's like the understudy to the GM, essentially training to be a general manager in a 4-5 years. We went out and got him so more dress shirts and ties, it was so cute. He liked getting his first big boy pay check, that's for sure!

Thank you for reading this ridiculously long post and I hope that caught you up to speed on our life in Arizona. IT IS HOT OUT HERE! Thank goodness for air conditioning!

5 weeks??

Honestly, I can't believe how fast time has gone by. When you are looking forward to something, it goes by sooo slow, and then all the sudden it's right around the corner. I can't believe our wedding is only 5 weeks away. There is SO much to do in the mean time - almost gives me anxiety thinking about it! I just pray that I can be diligent in my time and get this sucker completely planned!

Our move to Arizona is also in the back of our minds...well the front of Chase's. We already have literally 20 boxes of awesome gifts to pack up. That doesn't include any of our individual possessions - actually now I am really starting to hope the truck is big enough. By the way, if you are moving and need a "u-haul", don't actually get a U-Haul, try Budget truck rental. Uhaul was going to charge us $1500, Budget wanted to beat their competition and gave us the same truck, same size and same car carrier, for 900...wowzaaaa. Anyway, so we have furniture and a king size bed, a dresser, and a million boxes to put in this sucker. Hopefully my brosefs will help load the truck while Chase and I are on our honeymoon cause we have to LEAVE the night we get back from Aruba. Insane right, I know. Chase's job says the latest he can start is that Weds morning (we get back Sunday around 4pm) and they can't really budge because he is actually already starting later than their latest start date. So, we just gotta make it happen! The drive out to Phoenix is 28 hours. Possibly more with a big truck, I'm not sure. We aren't exactly sure how we are going to break down the drive yet. We have to arrive in Phoenix with enough time to at least unload the bed and few essentials!

On a slightly less complicated note, I sent in my application for licensure in Arizona. It was $230 all together, but well worth it. Gotta have a license to practice as an RN. Hopefully the process of getting licensed will be quick and I can apply for jobs. I have been looking online and seeing things I like. The next step is actually calling nurse recruiters and speaking to them. But man, with everything else going on, on top of grueling 14 hour days at the hospital, I have no idea when that's going to happen.

Let's just say this week long vacay to Aruba is going to be SO needed!

Big Things

So first post. I've never been much of a blogger. As in I've never done it. I don't know that there are many people out there who would be interested in hearing my thoughts. I've always felt blogging begins for just 2 reasons: The first being that a person has a lot of things on their mind, and have thoughts they want to voice, but not specifically to anyone, so they blog, in sort of a therapeutic kind of way, and if they're lucky it turns into a business, a professional kind of thing, or merely for entertainment. The second being that someone is going on an adventure, and leaving a familiar place, and blogging is the means by which others can keep up with their journey and new life.

I chose to begin blogging for both reasons. The first because I have thoughts that come across my mind that I will put on my blog in cyberspace space that hardly anyone will really read or even care about, but for myself, it's nice writing them down and being about to go back to them (and a lot quicker than journaling, although I will continue to do that as well). Maybe the occasional random blogger will stumble upon this blog and be interested.

The second reason (the main reason) is to in a way document my (our) new life that will be beginning shortly in Arizona. I was born and raised, and even attended college in the awesome state of Indiana. I've never been a fan of the desert-like west, but here I am, preparing to move out there because my awesome fiance as he just recently accepted a job in Phoenix. We will be moving out there immediately after our honeymoon in early July. I thought this blog would be a great way to give my family and friends an opportunity to check in from time to time without having to schedule a phone call (although those will be nice). But more than just moving to a foreign city, Chase and I will be embarking on the even greater adventure of beginning a marriage together.

About the title. First thing you should know - I HATE cheesy, cliche things with a passion. They make me feel uncomfortable. But this one was too good to pass up. My new last name will be MacFarland. And we're moving. Across the country. To Arizona. A "far land". So you get the point.

The big move will take place after our big day on June 25th, when we get back from our honeymoon. It really all depends on when my future husband will be starting his job. We are praying for about a week (after our wedding, before he starts his job) to pack up and drive out there. Don't ask me about the details...I have no idea how we are supposed to find an apartment, or get one or both of our cars out there before the official move, or if we'll need a U-Haul. Do they make manuals on how to make cross-country moves? Oh yea - my fiance (Chase) will be coming from North Carolina. Talk about ridiculous logistics. But we trust that the Lord has a plan for us out there, and that he will provide a place for us to live, and an authentic, dynamic church that we can call home where we can get plugged and poured into and grow to be more like Jesus Christ.