Saturday, August 25, 2007

Off to Peru

In response to last week's devestating 7.9 magnitude earthquake in Peru, I am headed there this monday for a week with a disaster medical team. Conditions are such that I have little idea where I'll be or what I'll be doing, but please keep me in your prayers.

Thursday, August 2, 2007

The Joy of Work

For the past two months I have been unemployed and generally lacking in direction for life. After moving to Philly after school, I've looked in vain for employment while I await my chance at joining the ranks of the Philadelphia Fire Department. This has been a difficult time for me, as I've battled frustration, depression, doubt and a whole other host of emotions. People have often looked at me with a "What do you mean you're unemployed" look, insinuating that it should be easy, or that I should have marched myself down to the local Starbucks from day one. To them I have always responded that I feel I have a set of gifts, gifts I have worked hard to attain, that I would like to see put to work. To do otherwise would be foolish. I have wondered amidst these thoughts if my motives were selfish, simply trying to gorge my desire to never work an "odd job."

Today, however, I know that I was right, and that faith has once again proved victor over my doubt and general duplicity. This week I began working at the Montgomery County Fire Academy as an assistant instructor for an EMT class. The class will finish up next week, but what a joy it was for me to work 10 hours, teaching something I love and sharing my skill and passion with others. It was a long day, but I loved every minute of it. Next week I will begin working in the ER at Abington Hospital, another opportunity that I feel will use and enhance my skill sets. No folks, I think I was right to hold out on this one. I felt the joy of work today, the joy of using my God given talents to their fullest - and I loved it. They say if you do a job you love you'll never work a day in your life. I never intend to work.