2 Months Worth of Bibles

I have always said that there is enough to be fixed in your own country, no one needs to go to another one to help. Kind of like how we need to take care of ourselves before we can help anyone else. Well, I’m a hypocrite. The two missionary trips I applied to were both out of the country. One for Cusco, Peru, volunteering as a nurse in some of their facilities. The other is to ride along side our US Navy, volunteering as a civilian Nurse. Since I became a nurse in the first place to eventually join the Navy, the latter makes the most sense, right? I’d be able to see if it’s really something I want without the 6 year commitment. 
Well, Peru! Here I come! Why? I have no idea. It just feels right. Gods telling me to go to Cusco. Why did I even apply to that program to begin with?! God. God put it in my heart so I’m going to Cusco! 

Now to explain this to my family…

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.

Proverbs 3:5

I have just over a month to raise some funds to help me out for the two months I’ll be away. Check out my link please!
https://www.crowdrise.com/healing-peru/fundraiser/ambereggli

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Now What?

So it’s May 6th and I am waking up thinking about all the margaritas people probably had last night. No, I can’t act innocent, I went out last night too. Just no tequila for me. I’m a whiskey and beer kinda girl. Long story short, I was planning on just having pizza and beer at my best friends apartment with her husband but he got called into work so her and I decided to see a country concert for free. Yup, that’s how we get down, Mexican style. 

Anywho, I woke up thinking about how much I really enjoyed just hanging with my best friend! We still went out and had a good time, but this is probably the first Cinco De Mayo that we didn’t get fancy and drink tequila and act immature. We simply went to a small venue, had two drinks, and just enjoyed ourselves. Oh God, we’re getting old. No, I need to do something about that! I have to do something adventurous! 

That’s it! I googled and researched missionary trips. I have narrowed it down to two different ones, and just submitted my applications. Now we wait. I’m graduated from Nursing school, young, and I have no bills until October. So this is it! Wish me luck!!

Baking in Switzerland

I’m back in the US from Switzerland. It was such a great experience! No more school, no more gym, all outdoors, major Alps hiking, town bike riding, and hill ziplining! My trip to visit and even meet family was so great! Swiss food is so delicious!!! I love eating what I call American-Seiss food, but nothing’s like actual Swiss food!!! Yum!!!!!

Bratwurst!!!   
Croissant!! 
Cheese! 

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do,
do all to the glory of God. 
1 Corinthians 10:31

Oh wow! I just loved everything! It truly was my heaven on earth! What made this trip the most affordable was the fact that we stayed with family and ate home cooked meals! That’s also what made this whole trip that much more enjoyable! 

As a thank you, my mom and I knew we’d give our baking side a shot and try to show our love with sweets. There were a few problems we didn’t think of, but found out! 1. The altitude is different 2. Everything is metric system (no pounds or ferinheit) and 3. We can’t read or speak German, or Swiss-German for that matter!

Mom and I brought Oreos and crushed graham crackers knowing we could make a few things with that. We thought we would just buy the rest of the ingredients at the store. Well, we have it our best and instead of cream cheese I bought a lot, I mean A LOT, of live yeast. We bought chocolate moose instead of syrup. We did manage to buy sweetened condensed milk, even though it comes in a tube rather than a can! Oh and I have no idea what kind of milk we bought, but it got the job done!

For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.

1 Timothy 4:4-5

Once we were in our new temporary home, we put together the desserts and attempted to bake it! This time we came across 2 new major problems… 1. We had no idea how to use the oven 2. No one has used this oven in years… There was grease all over!

Long story short, we successfully baked one out of the three desserts we had prepared and started a grease fire but put it out in time without burning the place to the ground.   

Everyone loved our Thank You cheesecake and forgave us for burning the kitchen and destroying a hand towel! 

It was a great time and as much as I’d love to leave a cheesecake recipe, I have no idea how we pulled this one off… And the other two desserts? Yea, we threw those away! 

Visiting “Home”

Bier und brats, gut! 

This is it! Schools out of the way, time to see family in Switzerland! Grandma, Mom, Dad and I! Maur, here we come!

   

I hold on to the beautiful memories in my mind of hanging out with my cousins from Switzerland in our backyard here in Los Angeles. Such fun, getting together with family, especially when you are all living in totally different worlds on opposite sides of the country!  

Cousins weekend in Los Angeles, CA. 

  Cousins weekend in Dana Point, CA.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

Wish us luck and send prayers our way! Via SwissAir, we will be landing in Zurich, Switzerland in about 17 hours!  

Nursing School is Finally Over!

The day my parents have been waiting for! Graduation! Haha! Yes, my parents, my mom to be specific! When it came to graduating from elementary school and picking a high school to go to, my parents were emotional. I am the last of four children for them, so their baby is starting high school! Well, I passed all my classes but I didn’t qualify to walk the stage at graduation. I was too young to care and too immature to see how that could hurt any of my loved ones. So I made sure to make it to my high schools graduation! I felt like I was doing it for them 100%. Now, my nursing school graduation is around the corner! This, this one is for me AND them…but mainly for me!

I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons. I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope. For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 16:7-11

Shiney black gown, stiff decorated cap, baby blue stole, green and gold cords… Bright white nursing uniform, white leather shoes… Here it is, and the last thing I want to do is go. I worked so hard to get to this day! I made the decision that I’m going to pinning but I would like to celebrate with my family and with the people that got me through this instead of “walking.” So, instead of attending graduation and walking, I’ve decided to go to dinner with my entire family and close friends that helped me make it. 

  

My mom baked and decorated a cake to look like me in my scrubs. It was by far the most special day for me, and so much better than wearing a graduation gown and having to pick 4 people to watch me. This way I was dressed up for my pinning, wore my pin, and was able to invite everyone! My parents are the best and I couldn’t have done any of this without them!!

  
I hurt people’s feelings when they first heard that once again I wasn’t attending graduation and walking the stage, but I think everyone enjoyed this one much more! Even my dad stood up and gave a speech! A new sight for everyone there!  

 
That’s it! No more writing 40 page care plans and playing go-fer for medsurg nurses that only see you as a CNA with no skill. Thank you nursing school, thank you to all the nurses that have taught me along the way, and welcome nursing world! I’m so excited to be seen as a new grad, as a nurse, as something more than just a stressed out, nursing student!

Interning Sucks… Cancer Is Worse!

  
Getting patient A ready to go home on hospice while family member from patient B is in the hall crying for me because she has questions about what to do now, and a patient a few rooms down was just found non-responsive… Yep. That’s what my first day of interning looked like. Let me tell you, I’ve read about all of this in nursing books and I have passed all my tests leading me up to be an RN on the floor, but damn. It’s a whole other world when you are actually up and doing it yourself.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”

Matthew 5:4-5

So I’m half way through my precepting (last internship) hours and I am really feeling that warmth flowing down my inner legs. Yep, I am ready to pee myself any minute during these shifts! During my orientation of the hospital my precepting nurse opened a door to what looked like a closet and told me, “this is where we go to cry!” Welcome to Oncology. 

It’s amazing, to see people come in and get treated, but I’m not working in the emergency room anymore… This is a hospital unit just for patients with cancer diagnosese. It’s sad watching my patient receive chemotherapy for the first time. It’s heart breaking to watch my coleges comfort a young wife after finding out there’s nothing else medicine can do for the young husband. 

“I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.”

Philippians 1:23-24

One morning in particular, I was assigned to three out of four patients. Remember, all of them are in some sort of critical situation and are living with and/or fighting cancer right now. It was so heart breaking but I told myself that I am so honored to be able to be that person to hold their hand through this rough part of life. I get to see these people in their most vulnerable states, and they look to my team members and I for support and comfort. 

Well about an hour in to my shift I received a few calls that I ignored, and then a couple text messages. My grandmother, whom I take care of as much as she needs, is in need of going back to the hospital. My cousin who is fighting cancer for the third time is no longer recieving treatment due to not being healthy enough, and my grandfather is having his first chemo treatment this week. Everything around me hit way too close to home now. The minute my preceptor met with me again, I apologized for what may be unprofessional or inappropriate and excused myself for the day. 

“We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.”

Romans 15:1

Yes, being an intern in a new hospital is terrifying. Carrying around my drug book, aka new bible, to make sure I don’t medicate someone incorrectly is exhausting. Most of all, knowing four people’s lives are in my hands and their well being is based on my nursing judgement… Yes, my nerves make me throw up! I’ve thrown up, starved, binged, cried, screamed, and even zoned out during important phone calls. Interning feels like the most difficult thing in the world. That’s until I remember other people are dealing with bigger issues. 

Happy Mothers Day

Another 5am trip to the local flower shop to pick up Moms big yellow sunflowers wrapped in brown paper. Mmm, the smell of fresh roses! That slight burn in your nostrils from the cold crisp air. All the birds singing the song of their people! That’s what Morher’s day morning looks like for me. Then, it turns into 18 grown adults, 7 children, 3 dogs, and a tortouse, all hanging out in the backyard by the pool. It’s sunny, it’s smokey, it’s loud and most of all, it’s surrounded with food and fresh flowers. 

  
Mother’s Day at my parents house is so much fun! All my mom wants to do is get together with family and feed everyone. Every year that’s all she wants, but this year my sister and I thought we’d surprise her with a little more. We didn’t want to take away from what she asks for and her annual tradition, so we bought her tickets for ziplining in Catalina Island for another weekend. Booked a hotel, typed up a personally made itinerary, and put all that love into a little envelope addressed to “Mom!” Well, guess what? That weekend just happened! 

   
 

We took a boat to the pretty Island, had dinner and relaxed at the hotels jaccuzi. It was such a wonderful weekend! The weather was perfect for us to hang out at the beach and then strap up to fling our bodies through the protected and secluded land. 

You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

Psalms 16:11

The tour consisted of two workers that were so friendly and so educating, about 20 minutes of learning how to fly, 7 other people, and 5 different lines to ride. The air was fresh, the scenes were God given. The entire experience was just remarkable!  

         

Lactose Tolerant

Yep! That’s tolerant! So after a good few months of being sick and not knowing what was happening to my body, I think it’s all behind me now! …not like it used to be, either! 

So I came up with the conclusion that I was finally hitting my lactose intolerant days and posted about my TMI porcelain explosions. I know, I probably didn’t need to remind you. Well, I’ll move on. I went to the doctors and quickly found out that I had slush in my gallbladder (doctor was thinking stones) and that I had bleeding stomach ulcers from a bacteria called H. Pylori. Awesome! I got to take 9 pills a day for 2 weeks and then 2 pills a day for the following 2 weeks. 

You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples.

Psalms 77:14

I just went to the doctors yesterday for a follow-up and all is well! I have only had one gallbladder attack in the past month, no more bacterial infection in my stomach, and best news of all, I had a bowl of ice cream and nothing but happiness after! I have eaten an entire pack of string cheese this past week and I did so with no regrets! Haha! Maybe a little while I did a 10 and a half mile run, I could feel the extra weight slowing me down. 

  
Yay! In my short experience with more diet restrictions, my best friend and I went to a Celiacs Disease convention (for her) and while there, I tried a lot of different vegan dishes. We ate all these things that were dairy-free and so delicious, I couldn’t even tell! The Mac n Cheese was by far my favorite, and since it was dairy free, it was healthier than what I would have been eating on a normal diet. I might be allowed to eat cheese now (and will eat a lot of it), but I’m going to replace some things for healthier alternatives! Yay! 

New Happiness

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It’s not New Years, but I do feel a new me. Yep! Randomly, in the middle of March! Here I am! So I’ve had some terrible experiences thrown my way, but I try not to let them get me down. I just wanted to post and say that life gets better! Don’t let your head drop, keep your chin up and keep going! If it didn’t kill you, it really did make you stronger. If you’re not stronger then I bet you’re still in the middle of that rut. You have a little bit of a ways left. Keep on going before the devil even knows you’re there! (Love country music!)

I will lift up my eyes to the hills – from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.

Psalm 121:1

When I’m at my lowest and hardest days my best friend reminds me of just how blessed I really am.

The devil attacks the ones who are the biggest threat. So you must have some strong faith & a close relationship with God if you’re struggling. Keep it up!
-Best friend/Sole sister

It really opens my eyes. Everything bad, truly is a blessing. The issues draw me closer to God. Gives me more prayers, and in return, more answers. Even when the answer is ‘No’ it’s still an answer. Remember that. Remember how blessed you are. Be proud of yourself and just keep pushing.

Today We Ride!

So today I decided to ride instead of run. The 2015 LA Marathon was this morning! My goodness, it was beautiful! My friend, Eric, and I went for a bike ride down the course to the finish line with intentions of cheering on the runners, whether they were teammates of ours or not. Well, there we a few mishaps throughout the day, but that makes for a great story!

I got off work at 730am and headed home to get ready for the event! Showered and put on my team running shirt, packed my backpack and put my padded shorts on! Sounds like I’m ready, doesn’t it! Well, I was but my bike wasn’t… My bike tires are flat and I don’t have the correct pump for it!

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible”

Matthew 19:26

Running late, as usual, Eric finally shows up to my house and we load up. On our way to LA we hit a Big 5 so I can buy a pump that will work on both of our bikes! We drove into LA and found a side street by a Starbucks to leave the car and start our ride!

We are well into our second mile and I hear a loud clinking noise. I looked back to find Eric walking his broken bike over to the near-by curb. Runners are passing us as we sit on the side of the route cheering us on! Haha! It was so funny how the roles turned. Quick thinking lead us to the decision that Eric just needs to buy a better bike! I let him take my bike to go get the truck and come back to pick me and the broken bicycle up. We headed to the nearest bike shop to pick out a beauty!

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The bike shop owner saw what a rough start we were having so offered a cold drink while we found the perfect bike! Since we were in a rush to get back, it didn’t take too long. We picked out a beauty, Eric tried it out, and back to Starbucks we went. Finally back on the road, riding the course and cheering the runners on like planned. We were passing people that passed us an hour prior. It was fun to see their faces when they recognized we were the ones struggling. Here they were, mile 20 and seeing how the struggle is always temporary. They started picking up their feet a little higher and were singing along with my music. It was awesome seeing all the different ages out there and hearing their stories!

We finally made our way to the finish and found our girl, Jessi! She finished running her very first full marathon! I don’t think our small family of runners could have been any more proud! To celebrate, we parked our bikes at Buca Di Beppo and had pasta, pizza, and beer!

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It was such a lovely ride down to the beach, hearing inspirational stories, and eating to celebrate our loved ones accomplishment! Now… Well, now Eric and I have to ride back to the car. That ride was slightly down hill the whole way… That meant our ride back was going to be just as long, but slightly up hill the entire way. All I could think was, ‘Thank God we are parked by Starbucks!’

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