This was the title of this past Sundays sermon. I actually applied it to myself. Tom was saying in most situations we “run the numbers” to see if something would work and often leave God out of it.

Next month it will be FIVE years since I left Mercy hospital. I took the summer off to spend with my girls as all three would be home that summer most likely for the last time. I was trying to figure out my next job when I ran across the posting on Indeed looking for a volunteer nurse for Camp Kesem Washington University. I applied and got the job. It was a great week and when I was told Maine was looking for a nurse I jumped on board. Maine was also an incredible week and I got all emotional thinking about not being able to come next year because I would be the new person, least seniority, not enough time off and on and on at the new job. I never once gave God a second thought about this.

In true God fashion he said “here Rachel hold my beer” and bam covid hit. All camps were cancelled that summer so I didn’t miss any Kesem or Big Stuf. The next summer Big Stuf was on and I got the time off. The following summer Kesem was back in session but another coworker was going to Ireland the same week as Maine so I did a camp in Arizona instead. This past summer I did Arkansas, Wash U and Maine. While at Arkansas the girl that would be in charge of 2024 camp for Oklahoma was helping out. She said to me, you must do Oklahoma next year. Then when I went to Maine, the camp advisor was one of the counselors from Arizona the year before. He also told me I must do his camp in 2024. His camp is also in Arizona but a different university. I remember saying I’m going to need a different job. They said to me let us pay you and not volunteer. I said money is not the issue, it’s the time off. I thought to myself there is no way I can have five weeks off next summer.

In January God said once again “umm Rachel, hold my beer.” I have worked in the only unit that is borderline over staffed. We have had a part time RN position on hold for six months. Three days after my surgery I found out they were going to fill it. I wanted to bang my head on the wall and say why doesn’t anyone ever listen to me. And then I realized I could do all five camps this summer. So I announced my plans to everyone. Some of the camps don’t run all week so I can do camp and still work thereby hoarding my vacation time. As Brian always says, all I do is go on vacation.

This Monday the new girl has decided we have too much staff and is looking to drop to prn. I immediately panic and think I’m not going to be able to do camp. I’m texting people about it. So at the end of the day she is telling me her thoughts and plans and I swear God is yelling “did you even listen on Sunday. How many times do I have to tell you that I have this covered?” I guess he will have to beat me over the head for me to get this straight.

Mole Moral ~ God has my back on camp and this summer is going to be amazing.