BIG NEWS!

Published on by Mackenzie

I have some news….. part of me is super nervous to announce it because I’m afraid it’s all just a dream that will disappear once I bring it to light…

BUT, GUYS! I was offered and have accepted THE DREAM JOB! This “dream” entailed being a part of a special new grad nurse program. You know… the one I talked about here, and here, and here.

THE JOB!

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But there is something so cool that I have to share surrounding this process. I don’t mean to get preachy, but I just can’t contain myself.

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Lemme back track a bit. Our church started the New Year off with a series on prayer. This TRANSFORMED the way I pray and the way I think about prayer. It is such a powerful tool we have been given, a direct line to the Creator of the Universe. I think growing up in the church I sometimes take for granted the beauty and immense power of it. And prayer isn’t just about asking for something, solely. No, it’s beauty is in the relational element of it. It’s crazy how God will change your perspective, bring you peace, bring you solutions when you just ask! Matthew 21:22 says, “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith”. Now, I’m not saying that Corvette you prayed for last Tuesday will show up on your doorstep (But who knows, maybe!). The thing is, when you are in this relationship with Christ and go to Him, your Father, in prayer, He will transform your heart, your thinking, and your life to be more aligned with His. Your capacity to forgive will be expanded. Your love for this hurting world will be deepened. Your ability to see a situation with wisdom will be sharpened. The desires of your heart and what you ask for will be more aligned with His will, and He wants to give the best to His children. Yes, I realize this life brings so.much.pain. How does that align with this same God? That’s another topic completely, but presently I just want to emphasize His love is incomprehensible and all He wants is to be in relationship with us. He became man and died so that we could have eternal life. He cares that much about us, so why do we think He doesn’t care about the small stuff sometimes? He cares about every detail. He wants to be involved in every detail of our lives. We just have to let Him in, we have to talk to Him, we have to confide in Him.

Anyways, I’m trying to keep this short. So let me just turn this back to the interview right quick!

When anyone asks, “What field of medicine are you interested in?” My answer is always the same: Oncology or neurology. I aspire to be a nurse practitioner one day in one of those fields. Why? These are fields that heavily rely on loving and encouraging patients-hard prognoses are not strangers to these areas. All areas require compassion, all areas are incredibly noble,  but I particularly gravitated toward these areas personally. I have a long way to go on my technical skills, but I can give love. I’d also love to do research one day in these fields to help contribute to the solutions for some of these incurable diseases. I have a heart for both dearly, but I only have clinical experience in oncology. However, if someone were to give me the choice between the two, I probably would choose neurology- I find it incredibly fascinating, and it also has personal ties close to my heart.  But I’ve never expressed how much I wanted to work in neurology to anyone, not even DJ. The choice just didn’t seem to exist for new nurses. When a chance to interview for oncology opened up, I jumped on it, because, like I said- I have experience there, and it is a field I truly have passion for and would be honored to work in. Neurology just wasn’t an option.

The morning of the interview my phone lit up with texts from so many friends and family filled with prayers. I wrote 1 Philippians 4:6-7 on my bathroom mirror and repeated it over and over to myself on the drive to the interview. Understanding the power of prayer, I felt peace. I shouldn’t have felt peace going into a panel interview for crying-out-loud with three other candidates (yes, all candidates are interviewed in the same room at the same time). Our answers were timed and we had five people in front of us to answer. I shouldn’t have felt peace considering I was competing against girls with far more clinical experience, ivy league educational backgrounds, and personal connections to the hospital. But He was with me, He helped me think clearly and articulate out of compassion. I shouldn’t have felt peace based on the situation, but I just felt the Lord’s spirit with me, and He is the Prince of Peace. I couldn’t have done that on my own, but I did it on His strength.

When I received the phone call the day after my interview, the HR director said, “I have an offer for you.”

My heart leaped with joy!

“But…” she said, “It’s not in oncology.”

I grew confused. But that’s what I interviewed for? 

“It’s on a neurosurgical unit”.

Wait… hold the phone. Neurology?! NEUROLOGY? I didn’t even interview for a neurological position, I didn’t even tell a soul that this was truly my heart’s foremost desire, but God knew. Why do I ever put Him in a box? Thinking He operates within the rules we place on Him? Our God is so big, He loves us more than we can imagine. He will give us our hearts desires if we just ask, “give me YOUR desires, Lord, let YOUR will be done.” He will align our hearts desires with His plans for us.

And in case it’s not clear- our God is a God of the impossible.

I also want to say a massive thank you to all of you for your prayers, encouragement, and love throughout this long process.

I have no words to express how excited I am to care for my future patients, love  others in Jesus’ name, and be part of the extended hand of healing.

xo <3

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140 thoughts on “BIG NEWS!”

  1. Wow.. Just wow. What a beautiful testimony about the power of prayer and faith in God. Thank you so much for sharing! And congratulations! (hugs)

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    1. Thanks so much!!!!!!!! You have seen this big long crazy story unfold from the beginning as one of my first “blog friends”! Thanks for all the encouragement! 😀

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  5. Oh my goodness Mack, I am leaping up with joy for you…scratch that, WITH you!! BIG hugs all the way from Boston! Seriously my heart is pounding in excitement and I’m so happy you’re sharing the big news with all of us! This is HUGEEE! Like unbelievably huge! And your back story with God and Neurology and how he just placed you EXACTLY where you wanted to be, I’m sitting here with my eyes wide open in amazement, it’s miraculous! I can hardly even believe how everything is so aligned perfectly down to the T. God of the impossible is right; and he’s proven it to you once with your father and now this?! Could he be any more generous and loving! Even in Gods will and strength, you are such a strong, intelligent girl as is and you are SO deserving of the position!!! I know you’ll excel in it and it’s such a wonderful moment of achievement and a step towards your dreams! I hope you celebrate the big W for you!!!! Do you know when you get to start?! Sending all my love!!!!!! <3

    xo, JJ

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    1. THANK YOU THANK YOU, JJ!!!!!! Gosh you’re the sweetest!!!! Ahhhh the fact that you get this excited with me means THE WORLD. I’m a lucky girl to get those Boston hugs! You are the greatest 💕 THANK YOU for your sweet words and ALLLLL Your encouragement along the way. You truly believed in me more than I think I believed in myself. I was dying to tell you all weekend about it (I found out Thursday), but I was like nahhhhh I’ll wait so I can explain everything. Ps. We had four pieces of cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory to celebrate. HAHAH. Breaking my own cheesecake records. My start date is March 20th!!!! I bought a book in neurosurgery to study my butt off until then. SO much to learn. Once again thank you, thank you, thank you! Ah, so much love to you, dear ❤❤💕💕 😘

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  7. This is an amazing testimony! Those fields definitely need caring people. Tomorrow will be 4 years since my oldest had a skateboarding accident that led to a skull fracture and epidural hematoma. He did not end up needing surgery and it healed, but the neurosurgeon who made that decision and came to see him on PICU was busy that night working to save lives of others who did need surgery. Best of luck in your new journey.

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    1. Wow- I’m so sorry that happened to your son – that is an amazing perspective you have on that situation though. I’m SO glad he was okay, scary stuff! I hope to make a difference for someone just like those that did for your son ❤ Thank you for sharing with me and the encouragement! It means so much!

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  9. I love this post and how articulately you conveyed the message about prayers and wisdom. Congrats to you! He does put us in intimidating situations in order to demonstrate his glory. Like David and Daniel! I’m so thrilled that things worked out the way that you wanted and that you wanted what you did as a result of you being in alignment with Him. I’m so happy to see this post and I know you will be a wonderful nurse!!! <3

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    1. Thank you, Kristin!!!! I was dying to tell you everything as soon as I found out but there was just toooo much to tell! Thank you for your prayers BIG time- you were one of those prayer warriors that brought me such peace. And EXACTLY – (about David and Daniel). I kept telling my mom that that interview was my “Goliath”, and how I hoped I would have a victory like David. God is so good. I’m continue to pray for you dear and I can’t wait to see how he works big time in your life bringing you what you desire !!!!!

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      1. Awww thank you! I almost wanna frame this lol! I’m so glad things turned out well and you nailed that goliath hahaha! I’ll continue to pray for your service in the industry and I’m really happy we became friends! :😄

    1. Of course! it’s the least I could do to give Him allll the glory! Thank you for reading and sharing in this joy with me, B.! Have a great weekend

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  13. YEAAAAHHHSSSSS!!!!

    Mack I am SO happy for you!!! Congratulations!!!! Holy cow this is great news!!! And your story was super inspiring and eye opening to me too–I’ve been going through tough times myself, so to read your experience and your heartfelt turn to God in prayer made me really open my own heart and eyes, too. Thank you for writing such a joyful yet real and enlightening post!!

    God is USING you!! You are only going to do great things from here on out! 🙂

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    1. Hey!! Okay, first things first- HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!!!!! I feel like life has been going 125 mph this past couple weeks and I’m a bit all over the place, BUT I didn’t want to go the whole week without wishing you a BIG happy birthday. I hope it was wonderful.

      And thank you, thank you!!!!!! God is SO good. I’m so thankful this encouraged you. And you are always encouraging me big time! Also thank you for your support all along the process. It means so much. Have such a great weekend, Michael!

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    1. Thank you so much, Kalpana!!! I totally agree- every single field is truly noble- I hope it didn’t sound like I was discounting the others in this! Thank you for your sweet words <3 Have such a great weekend!

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  25. oh. my. GOODNESS. YAYAYAYAY!!! I am so thrilled for you dear! Congrats to you. I know you will do so well! The power of prayer is a very real and beautiful thing. XOX

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    1. EEEK!!!!!! Thank you for sharing in this excitement with me <3 Thank you for your sweet, sweet words and your encouragement from the very start!!! I think you were one of the few that have been there from the true start of the whole process. So thankful for you! <3

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  30. Congratulations Mackensie! The Lord moves in ways we don’t understand , He listened to your heart and granted you your dream job! Many blessings on you Dear, hugs, Terri xoxo 💖

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    1. Thank you, Terri!!!!!! God is SOOOO good! It blows me away the way He even knows us better than we know ourselves sometimes. Thank you, thank you for your sweet words and love <3 xoxo

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  38. OH MY GOSH THIS IS ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE NEWS!! I’m so happy for you and I knew you’d ace it. You’ve worked so hard and are such a genuine and caring person that anyone could see how perfect you’d be for the job! It’s such an exciting new chapter that you’re going to love!

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    1. THANK YOU, love!!!!!!! You have been AMAZING from the very beginning!!!! Ahhh- I can’t thank you enough for your sweet, sweet encouragement and believing in me truly more than I believed in myself. Thank YOU, and I hope the new job is going so well for you!

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  39. Wow that’s amazing!!! Congratulations! It’s amazing what God does when we allow him to work in our lives. I never thought we’d be able to afford a 2 bedroom in our current location and kind of gave up that dream. We LOVE where we live now but figured we would have to move come baby time. Well, God provided an apartment perfect for us within our price range in this area! I’m so happy for you–when do you start?!

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    1. THANK YOU, Heather!!!!! <3 WHAT a cool story for you guys too! It's so encouraging to see how God is working for others, overcoming these "impossible obstacles", and proving that we truly can just rest in Him! SOO happy for you guys too! And toward the end of March I start orientation 🙂 I start days for orienting, then shift to nights! It will be an adjustment, but I am so excited for it!

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  40. This is such great news – congrats!!! To be honest, ever since you have mentioned your dream job in your blog, I just KNEW you were going to get it. God has such great plans for you and you are perfect for the medical field with having such a compassionate heart. This post was so exciting and such a great example how God can work in unexpected ways. It reminds me of Ephesians 3:20 – To Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. It is so amazing seeing what God can do when you trust Him to guide your life. Congrats again, so happy for you!!

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    1. Oh no, I some how missed this comment! I’m so sorry! But Thank you so very much, Rebeckah <3 <3 Wow- you have been such an encouragement through all this. I truly can't thank you enough!!!!! Thank you for your sweet, sweet words! I LOVEEEE that verse in Ephesians! I'm so glad you mentioned it because I hadn't thought about that scripture specifically during this, but wow, pure TRUTH! Thank you again <3 I hope you have a beautiful weekend!

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  41. YAY JESUS!!! 😀 That is SO FRIGGEN AWESOME MACK!! He’s always been so darn excited to give you EVERYTHING your heart desires in such unmistakeable ways! Maaannnn…….. congratulations! 😀

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    1. YESSS! Isn’t is crazy the way He works?! I go through so much of life without giving things to Him to handle because I can’t see how He can change a “definitive” situation. He has proved to me over and over that time spent with Him, giving parts of life up to Him, and resting in Him will NEVER come back void. He is SO good. Thank you so much for sharing in this excitement, Carson!

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      2. I’ve just been thinking in regards to this news about Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians–‘Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think’ (Eph 3:20) I just can’t get over it, he’s such a good, good Father [= [=

      3. YESSS! So crazy- someone else just shared this verse with me here! It is SO applicable, but I didn’t think about it in the midst of this. I’m thankful you guys brought it to my attention: just TRUTH! Have a wonderful weekend, Carson!

  43. Oh MacKenzie, I LOVE this post!! I am so excited, and beyond thrilled for YOU!!! The dream job, YES!!!!! How wonderful and blessed. I love that you shared your heart and the background details in this post…Our GOD is a GREAT GOD!!! And yes…HE cares about even the smallest details and loves to give us the desires of our heart as we follow Him. I am so very happy for you sweetie!!! xo

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    1. Ahhhh! Thank you, Anna 🙂 I SO appreciate you sharing in this excitement with me!!!!!! Our God is SO good. Blows me away! You have been an immense encouragement along this long process. It means more than you know! Thank you, thank you <3 I hope you have a beautiful weekend!

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  44. So happy for you Mack!!! You did it!! I’m also going through my moment of change now, but I’m currently going through a dale, but I guess it can only go better from here! But as we say, each failure is a closed door, that opens a new door! xoxo Sarah

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    1. THANK YOUUUUUU, sweet Sarah!!!!! <3 And you are right, it WILL only get better from here! You have got the mindset entirely right. A lot of times we can't see the beauty in the journey until we are onto the next stage and see how it all works out. But like you said- each closed door is another open one. I'm excited to hear about the BIG, good things that come your way soon! XOXO

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  45. Oh my gosh Mack you win the blog post of the day! Or week! or even month! I am smiling so big for you! Huge huge HUGE congrats! I am so flipping excited and happy for you. This is so well deserved! You nailed it on the head when you said you can give love. That is the most important gift, trait, medicine, thing is the world to give. And I have no doubt your patients are going to be some of the luckiest in medicine to get to feel that from you. The world and God especially really does work in amazing (and as my mom says mysterious) ways. And even if you don’t always know or verbalize your hearts desire he does. Huge huge congrats beauty! And so much love to you <3

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    1. awwwww!!!!!!!!!! 💕💕💕💕 your comment made me tear up!!!!! You are the sweetest EVER! Thank you for your amazingly kind words and allllll your encouragement through the process!!!!! ❤❤❤❤

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      1. Aweee thank you! You are going to make me tear up! Huge hugs anytime sweets anytime! I only speak the truth! I am so proud of you and excited for what is ahead!😘😘💗💗

      2. Ahhhh you’re the best! I am so so behind on reading blogs and it’s giving me MEGA anxiety ! I need to know what my girlfriend K is up to! I will be stopping by soon 🤗 also- you know Rhiannon !!!!!! WHAT ! So cool! I didn’t put the two and two together !! Love that!

      3. Huge hugs. You will catch up! Awe you are so sweet! I have been behind as well posting! I can not wait to “see you” when you do😉 yes I do! She is another New England girl originally 💗😘

  47. …and now the mission begins. Looking forward to hearing how God uses nursing in your life to reveal more of His mystery, purpose and love! Let me know if you need the advice of an “old head” nurse (who’s still loving the adventure!)

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    1. Aww, this means THE WORLD! Thank you, thank you so much. I’m so excited to see how God works too! I’m sure I will be taking you up on that advice. I will need as much as I can get! I am a bit scared out of my mind, but I can’t wait to get started! It encourages me to hear that you have embraced this calling and love it as you do! Have a great rest of your week- and thank you SO much for the encouraging words!

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  48. I’m screaming, oh my gosh CONGRATULATIONS!!! God is so good!!! You are beyond blessed and to be able to work your dream job as a new grad– you are living the dream girl! You’ve always inspired me with your strong faith and I can’t wait to read more about your journey once you’re back out in the field and touching peoples lives on the daily (you already touch peoples lives through your blog but in a hospital setting now 😉 So so proud of you and I can’t contain how excited I am for you! You will make an amazing neurology nurse!!! I’ll be keeping you in my prayers as you embark on this new journey and I just can’t emphasize enough how thrilled I am! Lol keep us updated!! <3

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    1. Ahhh thank you, sweet girl, for sharing in this excitement with me!!!!!! 💕💕God is truly SO good. Always amazes me! Thank you for THE SWEETEST, most encouraging words. Wow.. this made my day! I hope you guys are doing amazing !!!! I send massive hugs! Xoxo

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  49. This is awesome news, Mack! I’m sorry I missed this! I haven’t been on as much lately. I’m so happy for you! I’m glad you got your dream job! Congratulations! I’m cheering for you! 💖🍹👍😊

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    1. Awwww thank you, Lisa!!!!! Sorry I’m so late responding to this! You have been there nearly from the start of the whole rollercoaster of taking my boards and what not, and I have SO appreciated your support more than I can say! ❤

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      1. No problem, Mack! I’m here to stay even if I’m not around as much. I’ve been working on some outside projects so that’s why I haven’t been around as much. Hope all is well for you! Hugs! 💖

  53. Ahhhh I’m sorry to have missed out on such a BIG EVENT in your life!! You totally deserved getting your DREAM job! You’ve worked so hard for it (working on all those behavioural questions every day.. You are like, the poster child for MOTIVATION)! I am so so so so happy for you! : ) Congratulations!!

    (PS I’m loving those black and white, ultra-classy photographs of you. : ) )

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    1. No problem!!!!! Thank you SOOOOOO much <3 <3 I am truly still in disbelief about it. I start at the end of March so I have some time to let that shock factor wear off, lol. Thank you for all your support from the beginning- you truly were one of the very first who read my journey from the start!!!!! <3

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  55. Holy moly badoli!!!!!! Mack, I am so happy for you, What you wrote is beautiful, and your faith and openness to the presence of peace and wisdom is profound. When do you start? So happy for you. God bless you and all that you touch with your beautiful service, caring and blessed talents. 🙂 🙂 🙂

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    1. Hehhe- THANK YOUUUUUU! You are just the sweetest, Debbie!!!!! Thank you for your kind, loving encouragement from way back to last summer! I start March 20th 🙂 Also- I made a trip to LA for a couple days over President’s Day weekend and thought of you!!!!! I LOVE it there! Maybe one day when we have more time I can meet up with you there for coffee or something!!! Such an exciting place:)

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      1. That would be GREAT! Just email me at weloveyou@forgivingconnects.com. Maybe you could come visit where I’m working right now – it’s called the Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens and has a lovely labyrinth, meditation space, and gardens …. it’s known as a Spiritual Oasis in LA! Anyway congrats again and you’ll be in my prayers Mack 🙂 Love, Debbie ps – do you like Mack or Mackenzie better? <3

      2. Wow that place sounds absolutely incredible!!!! And thank you- I will be reaching out if we head out there again in the near future :)!!!!! And I don’t particularly have a preference- a lot of people thought I was a guy so I changed Mack to Mackenzie for my name hehe. But whatever you prefer <3 You are sweet to ask!!! xoxo

    1. Aww thank you for reading and your sweet words!!!!! I truly appreciate the prayers!!! I am getting quite nervous so those mean everything!

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