Honing New Skills: Learning all the way.

     In my single days, cooking for only myself in my apartment was fun but it truly consisted of meals of simplicity (or you know, I just ate out... a lot.) Let's face it, what single girl will eat 3 servings of left overs before it goes bad... it just wouldn't happen.
    As Jon and I began dating and got engaged, I started becoming a frequenter of allrecipes.com and cook a good meal here and there. But after we got married (barring the E-Coli strike), I really delved deep into my cookbooks and have found a new form of love and relaxation.  Cooking has become a therapeutic end to my day. I'm sure other hygienists can relate out there (or any other profession where your hands are your livelihood) that the last thing you want to do when you get home, is use your hands even more! But, with that said, it has been a stress reliever.
     Jon made the comment to me a week or so ago and said "I feel bad that you are in there cooking and I'm just here watching the news." I thought about it a little bit and maybe single Melissa might have been annoyed at that but it is so not the case now. I have about a 5 minute commute home and while dental hygiene might seem like a "cush" career, it is actually a pretty monotonous and "heavy" job some days (but nonetheless a blessing). Think about it: you do the same thing day in and day out, yet luckily, no day or case is the same. But on top of the monotony, you hear about how an individual dislikes being there (of course, "nothing personal") and every bad experience they have had. Now to be honest, it does kind of get on my nerves after a while, but I understand... scraping enamel doesn't really send people dancing in the street (well maybe me but that is why I have a twisted love for dentistry). With the complaints, you do hear about a lot of heartbreaking things.... deaths of children, parents, spouses and illnesses... cancer and Lord, do I wish I had the right words for everything. So often, the dental chair ends up a place similar to a counselors couch where people just let go and to be honest, some people are just emotionally done.  Honestly, I do bring these heartbreaks home often time and think about what I could do, what I could say. Often now, I find myself during my cooking time... decompressing and loving just being there in "my space." I told Jon all of this and it seemed to just click and it's something that I feel like we have a learned understanding now. For example, his decompression times are his 30 minute drive home and the time he walks in the door (gives me a great hug and kiss, of course!) and goes and get comfortable for the evening. It is funny that even just a month in, you begin to respect and appreciate things like that.
     Now, although I'd like to say just all my meals are complex, they aren't. There are some nights where simplicity is still needed. But the question is: how can you quick and simple but still remain healthy? It is possible! There are tons of cookbooks and websites that specialize in such! My theory: if you can read... you can cook. Simple.
     This has become a favorite and quick meal for Jon and I. I shared the dish with my parents this weekend and I think they are about it too! I made Jon and I an asparagus soup with  Hummus wraps. For my parents, I substituted the asparagus soup with carrot soup. The great thing about the soup, it's extremely versatile and can be used with most any vegetable. Check it out...

For the soup (yields 5 servings, takes 15 min. to prep and about 20 to cook)
4 cups Chicken Broth, 1 1/2 lbs fresh asparagus cut into 1 inch pieces, 1/2 cup of whipping cream, 1tsp sugar

1.In a saucepan, bring broth and asparagus to a boil. Simmer for about 5-7 minutes or until really tender (from experience: make sure it is really tender or it will be "pulpy" even after you puree it.) Cool for 10 min.

 

2.  In a blender (I favor my NuWave... LOVE IT), cover and process soup in small batches until smooth (puree almost); return to pan. 

 

3. Stir in cream and sugar; heat through

Substitutions: Carrots: 4 large carrots; Broccoli: 3 cups chopped fresh broccoli; Cauliflower: 3 cups Cauliflowerets; or the Vegetable you wish to have!

1 cup of soup: 122 Calories

For the Hummus Wraps (2 Servings, Prep time is 10 min)
2 room temp flour tortillas (8 inches), 6 tablespoons hummus, 1/2 cup shredded carrots, 1 cup fresh baby spinach, 6 slices of tomato, 2 tablespoons of green goddess salad dressing

1. Spread the tortillas with hummus. Layer with carrots, spinach and tomato; drizzle with dressing. Roll tightly.

 

Total calories: 1 wrap appx 308 calories

Now, Jon and I have made a promise to really watch what we eat and stay active. We have no idea how many people  have  told us that you gain a "newlywed 20." So, we (for the most part) use organic and low fat/calorie/sodium products. In all recipes, we tend to substitute the usual products for healthier choices.

Here's the final products: 

 

To make the pretty designs in the middle that you often see in restaurants: simply add a tiny bit of cream and design with a toothpick! 

Next time, I'll go a little more complex... perhaps, when I crack into my slow cooker! 

Until next time, Live.Laugh. Love.

Melissa

A New Start and a Little Blogging Facelift!

Hey everyone! I seriously can't believe I haven't posted since January. It has been such a whirlwind year that can only be described as perfect. Isn't funny how the best things in life are the ones that are not apart of your plans. I think it is so true when they say that "You make plans and God laughs at them."

Through 2010, God took me through the most amazing journey. From teaching me how to trust and just "be," to graduating college and finding my first job; From meeting some really precious people and showing me Romania and what God has planned there, to beginning a relationship with my soul mate... my best friend... Jon.

As 2011 came, God has taken my heart and grown it in so many wonderful ways. In January, I found myself face to face with Jon and just knowing, he was it. God has blessed me with such an incredible person and on April 27, Jon asked me to be his wife. Finally, on October 8, I became a Roe. It was such a WONDERFUL day. I can honestly say (after so many wedding day horror stories!) our day was perfect for us. Yes, little things went array (like anything in life) but they were indeed little. Thank you to all who made our day so special.

So, now that I feel we are "updated" and I am sure I'll write more about the wedding day and share some photos from Kristina Eisenhower Photography... now to share some of her newlywed adventures.

The day after the wedding, I woke up with this headache and really wasn't feeling to great. Sadly, my "not feeling great" showed in the form of hugging the porcelain throne. That's all I'll say. Ha Ha. From getting sick while trying to get ready for our post-wedding day brunch at my parents and also on the way there, finally a sweet friend and her mother had the most wonderful thing ever... a Zoforan (anti-nausea pill). Luckily, I made it! We then honeymooned to the AMAZING Punta Cana, Dominican Republic Dreams Resort. (Highly recommend it to everyone!) Upon our arrival back home (plus 5 days), Jon came down with some really bad sickness. After a not so fun couple of days, doctor visit and finally an ER visit, we found out he had E-Coli. It was very scary but luckily, he is feeling much better.

I have made the joke to a lot of my patients, "We are testing our vows early." But what I have been told repeatedly, a marriage that is not the easiest in the beginning is going to be a great marriage. Based on the fun we have and just enjoying these days, I think they are right.

I know I didn't write of anything of much interest but more to come (as a promise to blog more!) Next time, you will learn about my new obsession but I'll post a clue:

http://www.evitaminstore.com/Juicing-for-Life-by-Cherie-Calbom-127797.html

But for now, it's bed time for this working girl.
Live. Laugh. Love.

Melissa

October 5, 2010

Hey Everyone! I am FINALLY getting around to blogging again! This past Sunday really got in me in gear to finish these journal entries. They talked a lot about missional life and it is a life that has become very dear to my heart. There will be a course having a lot to deal with missions and how we view to world... all the while delving deeper in God's word and what he says about our lives in his great plan. The course is called "Perspectives." I really felt God tugging at my heart the past couple of weeks at church to look into this. After doing the research, I know God wants me in this 15 week course. I really had no excuse not to do it! I will be attending the registration night tomorrow and I am SO excited about what God has in store for this course! Please be in prayer! God has already put a lot of things on my mind about missions in the world... Romania and here at home. It isn't by accident that I am set to write about October 5th from my trip. This is the day, I realized why God had me in Romania. It was by far the most emotionally taxing day but it really defines the fire I have for missions today. Enjoy...

"Eva. Eva will stay with me forever. Eva was the last patient of the day and originally she wasn't "mine" per-say. Jason and Beth worked on her for a great while. She caught my eye as they worked because she looked close to my age... mid twenties and Sandy was holding her head as they worked on her. I began to see them grow tired. I will admit I had to look away because the emotions began to well up inside me. I thought to myself: Why her? This beautiful girl doesn't deserve this. Why am I given the life I have? That could very easily be me. God, why does she have to endure that much? God was tugging at my heart so hard as I watched Jason and Beth grow tired as they worked. God intervened with me and I found myself working along side Garrett with Eva, to relieve Jason and Beth. I began to have a "self talk" and tell myself to not cry... to be strong for Eva, make her feel comfortable... to not let her see my hurt for her. As I stepped in, I truly saw the magnitude of the situation and realized she could be me. Her mouth was truly beyond repair and most everything needed to come out. Knowing we could not do so for her, we did what we could. In the end, with Eva, we pulled 11 teeth. She endured every bit of it. My mind was so jumbled between my self-talk and my questions to God as I held her hand and wiped her beautiful face of blood and tears... I tried to help Garrett. The tears began to run down my face and soak my mask. They blurred my vision and I kept on. Garrett looked up at me and asked if I was okay and in that moment I said, "This is what it is all about." He said "Yes, it is," and kept working. I knew in that very moment that I wasn't there to question why God gave Eva the circumstances she was in or to hide my heart from Eva. Eva is just like me. She is a woman who is looking for her purpose and who was I, to hide my heart of compassion for the Lord and for souls like Eva... from her. How often, in my own community do I hide my soul in fear of being exposed. As I cried, Eva and I would make eye contact and when I touched her hand she would squeeze hard and I would squeeze back. I felt so much compassion for her... I prayed for her and I knew she could read  my eyes. The conditions and situations were truly beyond imagination. When we were through, Sandy began to run through post-op instructions with her. Her one worry from the whole extraction event was not for herself but for her new baby she was nursing. She was completely selfess. I stood with her for a second and we hugged. I remember she hugged so tight. She grabbed a translator and with the sweetest voice... muffled through gauze uttered something. The translator looked at me and said "She said, She feels your compassion and God bless you." I am so glad that God placed Garrett, Jason, Beth, Sandy and myself to show her love and caring compassion that I know she might not think anyone holds for her.

God is so good. Even through a tough language barrier, we connected and God was shown to her. I've never had a hug pierce my soul that deep. Like I said to Garrett, "This is what it is all about."'

I weep even as I type that entry because God touched my soul so deeply through Eva. Eva was on my mind as they talked about the Perspectives course. A wonderful lady in my church, Missy, gave her testimony about what the course did for her and how it opened her eyes to her mission field at home. I began to think about how in that day with Eva... I went back to the mission house and thought about how God can use me in my office. I wrote down 1700. I see 9 patients a day for four days out of the work week. In the end, in one year I will see roughly 1700 patients. That is 1700 opportunities to share my heart... share my faith with someone. God has divine timing.

Thank you so much for reading this and I encourage you that if God is tugging at your heart for missions abroad or at home... step up and have a "1700" (or whatever your number may be) attitude.

Live. Laugh. Love.

Melissa

My version of "Redeemer"

Merry Christmas and Happy New Years from Melissa (2010)

2011!

Wow! 2011 rolled around way quick and I have been so behind on blogging and yes so behind on Romania posting and  pictures! Today was a snow day and I have made a little headway on my picture book to show people! It's so tough to pick out all the pictures that are important to you because truly all of them are! It's unbelievable that I still miss Romania just as much as I did the day I left!

2011 has already proved itself to be a phenomenal year! God is so wonderful to me! Last year, I remember posting... so broken hearted and confused as I tried to wrap my head around being as sick as I was. I am so blessed and happy to say this year... I am posting healthy and bad cell and cancer free. What a blessing?

As most of you have seen, I am counting down to a big event! A lot of you have sent me messages and I have politely answered you. The event has been kept away from Facebook for various reasons but if you must know... just ask me. What happened before we had Facebook to make everything public knowledge? I can assure you of this (and I can't believe I have even been asked!! You guys know me WAY better than that! haha)... NO! I am not with child nor will I be until I am a married woman, many years down the road. Thank you. Haha. Curiosity gets people a little too much, right?

I sent out a "Merry Christmas/New Years video to a lot of people just giving an update and somethings God has laid on my heart. Also, a little special addition was added in there as well! So, I will now post it on my blog... even though it's about 10 days past the new year! Enjoy!

I love you all! I will try to continue with my Romania journal within the next couple of days!

Live. Laugh. Love.

Melissa

October 4, 2010

This was our first day in Feldioara for clinic. I felt so excited yet so nervous! This was a moment I had really waited for for months as I prepared for the trip. I had never "assisted" really... so it was going to be new to me: instruments... everything.  I think this day I really described what I saw . Enjoy...

"I really didn't know what to expect today at Feldioara. But I truly love the people, they are precious. Some of them can be "drama queens." But isn't it like that here in the states? :) But in the end, these people know relief comes from just a little bit more pain of an extraction... so they do it. It's their only choice.

Our "operatory" is 3 stacked white plastic lawn chairs and a wooden table covered with bits of concrete and paint. You can tell it's been used for so many purposes. Who knew it'd be used to hold dental instruments, needles, gauze, blood, teeth and a lot of change for so many. The ambiance coming from the three windows into this dark dusty sanctuary room provides enough natural light to try and see to work. You could feel the coldness coming from the windows where you could look out and see the people pass and look in back at you.

Jason and I make a good team. 45 teeth pulled today on countless patients. 113 teeth total in all the teams today. I can only imagine what tomorrow will be like when word gets out. As fun as the numbers are to keep up with, it is nothing compared to the power and love of Christ that was represented today in all aspects of the clinic today. God is so good. The need is so great... but truly the workers are few... but God called me. It takes my breath away to think about it. God is my true provider.

To hear a Romanian say "Thank you" and "I love you" after being put through the pain of an extraction  is something that sticks with you and makes you reevaluate your own thankfulness in life. Jason and I did 2-4 extractions on one elderly lady . As we finished, Jason began to walk away and this lady grabs him by the arm to bring him back in. He looked so caught by surprise as she began to kiss his arms and hands. All I could do was watch and Jason nodded softly at her. We both stayed silent and looked at each other. I can only imagine that he felt humbled like I did. We did 11 extractions on a woman today. Most if not all the teeth were periodontally involved. She is now edentulous--meaning she has no more teeth in her mouth. We asked so many times if she was sure. But she stated over and over again that she was because she was in so much pain. When we finished... she smiled--a toothless smile-- that showed from ear to ear and said "Thank you" in Romanian. I'll never understand why the world has to be that way but I do know God helped me do something amazing today. He is so very good."

I have wondered time and time again since I have been home just why God isn't apparent in these people's lives like he is in America. But the thing I am learning... He is. If the world was a perfect place that didn't experience pain, heartbreak and poverty... we would not need him. If Romania was a place where all was sound, my life wouldn't have been changed. I really think that these people experience God on such a different level because they really don't have a lot. Thankfulness is something that is so outward in showing there when here in America we expect so many things to be given to us... as if we deserve every bit of it. There are people that lie in our own churches.... go every Sunday, volunteer for committees and get involved. That's great but where's the fire... where's the conviction that would make you stand in the middle of the busiest street in your town and scream at the top of your lungs how much you love Christ. These people have it and they have nothing hardly. But they have everything, in Christ. How desperately do I want to live my life like that daily. How about you?

Live. Laugh. Love.

Melissa