Update with Dusty and School

I apologize to those reading this that have not heard from Dusty and I in awhile. Life gets busy and it seems theres not enough time to update the blog like I so desire to do. Some of us stay in touch from seeing each other at our jobs, others of us stay connected through texting and emails, others we haven't seen since Cayman or Baltimore, and some of you reading this are in the same boat as Dusty.....about to take your Board exams. Most all of you though have been our backbone through this entire medical school journey! You have been the ones praying for us and being patient with us through the confusion and lack of communication on our part. We have been discussing lately with friends (and some of my coworkers) just how much God has guided this entire process. Though every step hasn't been easy and Dusty has spent many sleepless nights staring through books and the computer screen, there have been many days and many moments with Jesus, being reassured that this is HIS calling for Dusty and that HE would not have continued to bring us to this step if He did not have some sort of plan to finish what He has started in and through Dusty. My prayer is that we don't take one day for granted or hesitate to hit our knees and thank Him for his guidance when most days it seems like we don't deserve even half of it. He is good. He is faithful. He is gracious. He is our Provider. And, He is the Ultimate Healer. Dusty will just be an earthly vessel that demonstrates that love and healing.

Dusty takes his Step 2 CK exam tomorrow (Friday, 10/1/10) here in Birmingham. This exam confirms his graduation in December which will then lead us to the Match in March 2011. This is where he will get placed for Residency ( which will then start in June ). His exam starts at 8:00 a.m. and will last for 9 hours.

Like I have always said, I understand that we are all busy and have our own individual prayer requests and concerns. If you get even just a moment to lift him up tomorrow, I would be so honored. I know our Creator hears the prayers of his children. My prayer will be that he combines all these wonderful things he has been studying and experiencing in the hospitals and that they would come rushing back to him as he sees them on this test; that he would be confident, well rested, and stress-free :-).

Thank you from the fullness of my heart! You are the people that make us who we are and that we are so so incredibly thankful for!!

Humbly,

Leigh-Anne

P.S. God has ALWAYS provided for me along this journey as well. I am teaching 2nd grade in Birmingham and am loving it!! I am inspired more and more as I work with this staff because they truly care about these kids. I am blessed to have such a rewarding profession!

Camden Yards

Our first trip to Camden Yards to see the Baltimore Orioles play! It is a beautiful stadium!! We are hooked on going downtown to watch them play!
April 2009

New Update!

So....I am very behind in updating our journey here in Baltimore. The last update was of the snow, and well it is definitely past the snow season! Ha!
As I have always blogged, Dusty and I are continuing to flow in the blessings of God! Although being away from home doesn't get necessarily easier, God ALWAYS provides amazing friends, connections, and times together while away! I don't know how to explain how He provides, but He does! We believe more than ever that our God is Jehovah-Jireh, God our Provider! He increases our faith when we rely on Him and trust, against all odds, that He will prepare a way, that He will open doors, that even when our ways don't plan out, His is always better!

I realize that trying to explain every step in Dusty's School can be confusing, but realize that in this time of clinical rotations, it is possible for them to send you all over the nation to complete the different required rotations (ex. Chicago, Orlands, New York, Baltimore, etc.). There are 6 Core Rotations that have to be set up with the school. Then there are 7 electives that Dusty gets to choose of his own desire, that can be completed wherever he likes as long as it is a teaching hospital. We have been beyond blessed to be kept here in Baltimore for 4 of the 6 core rotations. (In between, Dusty has been allowed to work on elective rotations) The other two are not offered here and we will figure that out as we go. Dusty started here in January in Internal Medicine. From there, he completed and Infectious Disease Elective. Then he completed an OB/GYN rotation. After that was completed was where we got a little nervous of what was next. They offered to send us to Orlando once and Chicago once. We declined while praying another rotation would open up soon. ( The sooner we complete the cores, the sooner we come home). We prayed for the Surgery Core Rotation to open up because it is a 3 month rotation and seems to be the most demanding of them all. Just as Dusty was finishing OB/GYN, he got a call from his advisor. She didn't understand how this could happen, but a last minute spot opened up for a Surgery Rotation here in Baltimore. And guess who got to fill the spot....! Amazing provision!
Dusty is still currently in his Surgery Rotation, and yes, it is very demanding. He works abnormal long shifts that start at 5:00 in the morning and is on 24 hour call at least once a week. From here, he will complete a Cardiology and Radiology elective. In December he will begin his Psychiatry Core Rotation. That is all we have planned so far.

I am sorry for rambling, but maybe that is a little clearer picture of what is going on in regard to Dusty's school. I will post random pictures of our time here, our family visiting, and our new friends we have met!

Our First SNOW in Baltimore

Ok well the weather has predicted snow SO many times since we have been here, but we have yet to get any! So today, Dusty left for work and at about 9:30 I look outside, and it is pouring snow!! I actually got all giddy like a little kid. I dressed Kyleigh and myself up and went outside!! I couldn't drive anywhere though because the roads were covered and I am not used to driving a car in the snow. Dusty sent me a message around noon and said it was doing the same thing downtown! It is just beautiful!! So, here are some pictures that I took today (which by the way it is still snowing...pouring snow to be exact!). I had to take them myself because Dusty wasn't here. Enjoy, but do pray that Dusty gets to and from work safe when it snows. The hospitals don't close around here for snow ;-).
The entrance to where we live :-)


Yes, that is our little car down there all covered in snow. We have one covered parking spot and then one uncovered. But we can look right out to this spot. This picture is actually taken from our balcony.
Little different sight than Kyleigh swimming in the Caribbean waters :-)
Outside, around the complex where we live here in Columbia.

Baltimore, Maryland

Well as most of you know by now, Dusty and I are living in Baltimore, Maryland. We had originally mentioned staying in Alabama for this, but God had bigger plans. Dusty found out in early December that he was placed in Baltimore to begin his clinical rotations, starting in Internal Medicine. It all happened so quick and we needed to find a place to live. We headed up here during the second week in December. Yes, an 11 hour or so road trip! While here, we met with a friend of the family who showed us around the area and taught us different things about Baltimore (major interstates,etc.) After leaving Mrs. Velleggia, Dusty and I were in a horrible car accident. Neither of us saw it coming. I, to this day, don't remember anything except leaving the trama unit in a hospital gown. I say all of this to say, that yes, we are ok, but it did change us forever. We found a wonderful place to live through the whole thing and are enjoying it so much right now! We went back home for Christmas and officially moved up here on the 30th of Decemeber. My parents came with us and helped us move in. We will only be here for about 9 months to a year, unless of course God has something else in store. We will keep you updated on our journey here in Baltimore as Dusty continues with his career in medicine! I will upload more photos as we take them :-)

Mama and I cooking our first meal in our new apartment.
Downtown Baltimore- Baltimore Harbor

It was beyond freezing!
Eating at McCormick and Schmitt in Baltimore Harbor

Christmas 2008

Here are some pictures from this past Christmas. As I was doing this I realized that somewhere along the way, I accidentally deleted some pictures. That really bothers me, but oh well, here are some great ones anyway! These include visiting my Granny in Atlanta, and my family in Chattanooga. We also went to Gatlinburg with my family this Christmas!

Fun Times with The Duke's during Christmas!

We adore our friends Chris and LeeAnn and their precious babies, Ethan and Anna. They moved to Huntsville recently and we were able to go and visit them a couple of times. We went to Santa's Village in Huntsville and The Polar Express in Chattanooga! I miss hanging out with them so much already!All of us at The Polar Express
Anna with her jingle bell
Ethan talking to Santa
Precious! Santa was about to board the train!

The Adorable Duke Family!
The Polar Express- Chattanooga, TN

Sweet Anna Banana!!

All of us at Santa's Village
Yes, Dusty did one too :-)
Ethan and Anna writing their notes to Santa.

The Duke Family
The two LeeAnne/Leigh-Anne's :-)