JD is home!

JD has been gone for 6 long weeks in Ashland for summer rotations and is finally HOME!  Ashland is about 5 1/2 hours away, fairly close to the Oregon/California border.  We found out back in March that he would be going there so we had time to process the fact, but it didn't make being apart when I was 9 months pregnant any easier either.  While it was a hard time for both of us being so far apart, we experienced so many blessings from the experience this summer.

We had a really hard time finding somewhere for JD to stay in the Medford area.  The contacts we had didn't work out and it was getting a little stressful as his rotations got closer.  We had actually started looking at hotels at a price tag close to $3,000 when we couldn't find a place for JD to stay, but I didn't feel good about going that route and I felt pretty peaceful about the whole situation and figured we could get a better idea when we were on vacation the end of May.  After a series of events moved our temple attendance plans to a different day and two different session times, we finally got to the Medford Temple to do what would be my last session for this pregnancy-we later learned there was a very good reason that we had changed plans so many times leading up to the temple.  A temple worker ended up chatting with JD for a bit when JD asked for directions since we hadn't been in that temple before.  Those of you who know JD know that he isn't one to just strike up a conversation with a stranger, and in getting to know Brother Jorgensen, he isn't much one to do that either.  Anyway, in the course of the conversation JD brought up that we had checked out Ashland the night before since he was doing rotations there in a month and that we hadn't found a place for him to stay during that time.  Brother Jorgensen mentioned that they had once hosted a PA student in their home for a similar circumstance and if it was ok with his wife, he felt that JD staying with them shouldn't be a problem.  Turns out that the Jorgensens were the only remaining contact that we hadn't tried, having been referred by our friends Haylie and Chris Weston, JD already had their phone number, but had been hesitant to call since our friends didn't know them, but were in the same ward and had heard they might be an option.  He thought it might be awkward to call and say "Hey some people you don't know in the ward gave me your number, could I maybe live with you for a few weeks?" And yet it was in the Medford temple that they were able to meet and talk.  We left our phone number for Brother Jorgensen after our session and by the time we pulled into our parking spot in Portland he was calling JD to confirm that he could stay with them for hardly any cost at all.  JD was able to stay in their beautiful home in Ashland that was about 10 minutes from the hospital he was assigned to and walking distance to his retail sight.  When JD locked his keys in the car, Brother Jorgensen gave him a ride and let him borrow their car until I got into town.  They would often save dinner for JD and it was just a really amazing situation altogether.  It was a huge testimony builder about the power of prayer, temple attendance, and paying tithing.  I know that all of those things are very real and that blessings do come from doing them.

JD's sites were really excellent as well.  Instead of just learning about anesthesia medications, the hospital JD was at was small enough that the pharmacist was able to work JD into the operating room with anesthesiologists.  He was able to sit in on several surgeries and see the 'drugs in action' as these doctors administered the medications during the operation.  His retail site was busy and very involved with helping JD learn.  JD was able to counsel, administer vaccines by himself, and pretty much do everything within the limits of being an intern.  Hearing from other classmates that wasn't so much the case in many instances for them.  Some pharmacists invited him for dinner, one even sent JD home with a full meal for us when JD came home for the weekend.  He got to see a lot, experience a lot, and learn a lot from the rotations.  They were also very accommodating letting him work 10-12 hour shifts to allow him to come home on Fridays and head back on Mondays.

There was a lot of divine help on my end too.  For starters, this pregnancy has been relatively 'easy'.  I have felt really well.  I only had to go to the ER for a clot scare once and that wasn't too big of a deal.  I have been able to work and continue to watch friends' kids, and carry on like normal. It helped a ton to have JD home most weekends.  One of the weekends I was feeling really good and drove down to be with him and check out Crater Lake.  It was good to meet the Jorgensens and see where JD was staying.  Aimee and her friend Lisa also flew out from Utah and stayed with me for an entire week towards the end of my pregnancy.  It was so nice to have people stay with me and they even cooked and cleaned.  My ward was amazing during this time too.  They either kept me busy by asking me to watch their cute kids for a few hours, something I truly enjoy, I had the fun coast day with the Fox family, and I was also invited to several different dinners with different friends during JD's absence.  It felt good to be needed so friends could go to the temple or go house hunting and it kept me busy too.

So that is the summary of the 2013 Summer Rotation.  Thankfully next time around wherever JD gets assigned is where he will be for a full year and I will be with him wherever that is, however, this has been a good experience and an opportunity for faith and trust in the Lord to increase.  I'm grateful for all the blessings we have experienced, for the opportunities JD was given, and that this baby waited until his dad was back home to make his appearance.  JD has a week of online coursework before the semester is over so we will just be working, doing school, and making preparations for the kidlet to come.