California Series #4: Final Days and Our Next Stop

Almost a year ago we got news that Matt had been accepted to a clinical site in California. At the time, we only dreamed of being able to go to California together, to somehow have moving across the country for only 2 months make sense. We had an apartment, a steady job, and our roots finally beginning to grow in Miami. As the time passed and Matt's clinical became closer, we never fully let go of that dream to travel together, to use our free time to explore and make memories through this awkward yet necessary period of time.

Looking back we see how wonderfully God provided for us. He gave me an opportunity for a travel nurse position in the San Francisco Bay Area - one of the most competitive travel nurse markets in the country. Never did we dream that traveling to California together, our hope for the year, would come to fruition. Now with less than a week left,  and our assignments coming to a close, we feel more thankful than ever for this opportunity.

Coming to California was not easy, living here has not been simply or dreamy the entire time. I have had an hour and a half commute to work each way. Matt has needed to be creative with his transportation to clinical, using a combination of public transportation, shuttles, Uber and walking because of the awkward location of his clinic. We have been on opposite schedules and have gone as many as 10 days without seeing each other once. For the last two months, we have been living out of suitcases in rented bedrooms with roommates. Regardless of the challenges of this trip, we have learned so much, had many opportunities to explore the area, and grown closer through the experience.

Our final weekend

Our last weekend in California we went spent in San Francisco and Pacifica. On Saturday we met up with two different couple friends, exploring the city, grabbing some food and saying our goodbyes for now. We walked to Alamo Square, Cow Hallow, the Marina, and the Palace of Fine Arts grounds in San Francisco.

Later on we met up with another couple friend for dinner and a the first Christmas movie of the year - which we all fell asleep during (blaming the Ramen). We have been so fortunate to reconnect with several friends from Minnesota and Miami that have moved into the area. Having great friends to spend time with has made our experience in California even better.

Sunday afternoon we headed out to Pacifica to do a little sunset hike. It was so nice to get out by the coast, watch the sun slide down the horizon, hear the waves along the shore, and walk along the bluffs. California is so beautiful and we feel like we have barely begun to explore it. Although we have to leave for now, we hope to be back for more hiking, camping and adventuring through this beautiful state.

Next for us

As our time in California has come to a close, we have been busy deciding on the next step for us. Matt will complete his next 8-week clinical internship in Tampa before heading to his final 8-weeks in Miami. Over the past months I have been exploring job options and applying to travel and staff positions in California, Florida, and Minnesota. During this time, Matt and I have been praying for God's best - regardless of where that job may be.

Just two weeks before the end of my contract in California, I was offered a job Minnesota. Matt and I felt an overwhelming amount of peace about our decision to accept the travel contract in Minneapolis. Going into the season of our lives, we have been preparing for the possibility of spending some time apart and feel fortunate that California was the assignment we got to spend together. The next three months will undoubtably been challenging in a way that we haven't experienced before. However, I am thankful to have my family close by and the airport just 10 mins away for weekend trips to visit Matt in Florida.

These last months have been more amazing than we could have dreamed. We are so grateful for the opportunities we have been given and the love and support we have felt from family and friends throughout this wild season of life. It is hard to believe that after almost three years of grad school, we are in the home stretch. Graduation is in sight and we are so excited for where the Lord will take us next. For now, we are enjoying the ride!