The world is a little smaller...

Every couple days, since I began this craziness, I ask God to reconfirm that this is really something He is leading me into, cuz I'm cool with stuff here if He is not into me moving a gazzillion miles west! He never ceases to amaze me at His faithfulness to show me signs leading the way!!

Today at work, I had a patient who was talking about his last plane trip he had just a couple months ago. So I was curious and asked where he visited. He was visiting his daughter who lives in AUSTRALIA. What? Where in Australia- I ask, and he responds- Brisbane, Queensland! What? That's where I am moving, I tell him and we spend the rest of the day talking about what I should see and visit. OMG- literally!!! It is becoming soooo common for me to hear something about Australia, almost daily. Thank- you so much God! I need encouragement, and He knows it!!

For those of you who may not know what its like to prepare to move to another country... don't ask me! I am blindly packing and praying for direction! I would really love it if some of my followers (which at this moment is only 1) would pray for me and my 3 kids as we prepare for this big move. Thanks mates! (hows that sound?) ttyl :)

Hi all! My name is Cassie. Cassie Perkins, short for Cassandra. I am new at all this high tech computer communicating. (I refuse to use Facebook) But I decided that since I am about to embark on the biggest adventure of my life, I should write something down!

First let me tell you a little about myself, to anyone out there who would even read this! I'm 42 almost 43, but I sure don't feel that old, did I really graduate high school already? I was married but now not. I have 3 great kids, who all live with me still, thank-you God!! I live in Lakeside, California but will soon be leaving the country to live in a foreign land! But, before I talk about that, let me tell you the most important thing about me.... I love Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, best friend, confidant, Father, and all around great guy!!! If it wasn't for Him, I would not be any part of the me I am today!!! Now, Let me begin.....

Last year 2009, around March or April, I had just ended another mistake of a relationship with a "friend" (because that's what grownup men call women now adays when they are too chicken to commit to ANYTHING). I was really frustrated at what I was doing with my life. I KNEW I was meant for more than this merry-go-round dating stink! The home group (which is a homebased biblestudy group formed from a base church) that I was attending started reading a book that really inspired me to get a grip. It was titled, The Spirit of the Disciplines. The chapter that grabbed me was about solitude. Basically, getting alone with God and tuning out any other voice. That is actually harder than it sounds, but I really attempted it. I stopped calling my friends and family. I turned off TV and radio, all outside influence and pressed in to God. Wow, I could really begin to hear Him! And He really liked me!! We had a great time together, and that's where He began to call me out of my comfort place and take me on a wild ride!!!

I am a nurse by profession and by calling. I love it! When I first wanted to be a nurse, I was about 17 or 18 years old and I knew I wanted to go to far off lands and serve the sick. Life got in the way, marriage, kids, junk... but know, this past year God showed my my old dream was still alive in my heart and so wanting to come true! I began to say to myself, "Why not?"

It was crazy! How could a single mom with 3 kids, a mortgage, and air sickness even think about leaving the country? But that's all I thought about for months! I was so excited, but I knew how insane people would think I was so I tried to sit on it for a little while, but it was no use! I told everyone- "I'm going to Australia to be a nurse!!"

Let me back up a little. When I first thought about nursing abroad, I thought of my friend Beth Wolflick who is a missionary in South Africa. I figured I could go there and work in her orphanage. When I did some research about travel nursing abroad, it turned out that you can't practice nursing in South Africa without becoming an African citizen. Hmm! Not to sure about that with 3 kids. So I wondered, what are my other options? Well, I needed to probably start in an English speaking country, London..., Canada..., or Australia THAT'S IT!!!

As soon as I heard the name Australia, I knew. My spirit lept within me! I get so excited, even now, just imagining it!!! So it began. I contacted O'grady-Peyton, a international travel nursing organization, and told them my qualifications and they let me know it could take from 6 months to a year to get everything ironed out so get started, and I did. The openings for my line of nursing is most needed in Queensland. This is on the east coast above Sydney and right where the Great Barrier Reef is located! Cool!!

So, I just received a letter saying that they have begun the processing of my application and should have my Australian Nursing licence sometime soon!! Woohoo!! My kids and I are preparing for take off.... in July or around there! It takes a long time to get rid of 10 years of,"this house", clutter and some left over,"all of my life", clutter! Oh Yeah! One very important thing I forgot to mention, The contract is for 2 years! I will be there for 2 whole years! Isn't this exciting? Again, I ask why not?! You only get one life! If God offers you some great adventure and another chance to show the world the Glory that is alive in you, WHY NOT??

I will keep you all posted.... January 16,2010