What. A. Whirlwind!

Let me tell you, friends. Life sure isn’t boring!

Starting off with Tuesday afternoon. I came out of my room after scanning a patient and saw this note on my co-worker’s computer, which sits right next to mine at the same work station.

Now, mind you, no one has the name Laura in my department, including my co-worker’s. So, I consider to myself that it’s a note possibly for a patient my coworker was scanning.

After a moment or two of pondering, I decide to walk up to the front desk to ensure that this note wasn’t meant for me.

Well, who do I see in the waiting room but my very own housemates: Marcelo, Anna, and Mia!

I was completely shocked and overjoyed all at once. I dazedly welcomed them with hugs and asked the age-old question, “What are you guys doing here?!”

Not only had these amazing peeps driven all the way from Fayetteville, they bought Starbucks coffee and treats for my entire department!

We were only able to speak for a minute or two before I had to return to work, but let me tell you, I couldn’t retell that story without a huge grin and misty eyes for days afterwards. It was so meaningful to me and I know I will never forget it.

Next, I worked a half day on Wednesday. When I got off work, I decided to use my free afternoon to get an oil change.

I had barely settled in for my wait when I was called out to the bay area and shown this.

The blackened scorch marks indicate that there was a fire of some sort under my hood, recently, that I had no idea happened.

This could have gone south one hundred ways, but the Lord is sovereign and He showed that in several ways Wednesday!

I took it in to a Jeep dealership 20 minutes away and it is being repaired there.

After work Friday, a few of my housemates picked me up in Raleigh and we headed off to Rio for the weekend!

Marcelo, Natalee, Mia, and I had a blast on the way up! We got in a little after midnight and dropped Marcelo off at our guy friends’ house before the girls and I headed over to my apartment.

When we came inside, we were welcomed by a note from Hunter!

Saturday morning, a few of us met up at Twinkleberries for coffee and breakfast. We all gathered around a table and individually spent time with the Lord in His Word.

While the whole weekend was sweet, this was my favorite moment and memory made throughout the whole weekend.

Afterwards, we went over to the soccer field and watched Rio’s men’s soccer team win 4-1!

Natalee and Marcelo were especially invested, as they both enjoy the sport. It was great getting to see my NC friends in their element, to catch up with my Rio friends, and to be back on campus!

Later that afternoon, we went over to the Perry’s and enjoyed an all-day cookout.

We ate good food, played games, and savored the sunshine (I savored a little too recklessly and got burnt on my face. Alas). My parents even came down for the day, which was just one more layer of goodness!

I loved getting to hear my NC friends share their life stories and my Rio friends share theirs.

It was beautiful watching relationships and friendships develop right in front of me and with very little help from me, for that matter.

They all come from different backgrounds, with different personalities and nuances. Yet, having the mutual desire to follow Jesus makes a way for the miraculous and sometimes, you are lucky enough to get to watch it happen.

Sunday morning, we had breakfast over at the Perry’s and enjoyed some more conversing before hitting the road and heading back to Fort Bragg.

I truly am so grateful to call this life mine.

Is it perfect? Not in the slightest. Is it easy? Not particularly. Is it good? Abso-frickin-lutely