Firefighting

Things to Be Thankful For

 
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Season started in Arizona and I'm on week 3.  Lots of training, exhaustion, frustration, and pain in these weeks as we get ready to go, go, GO all summer.  When things get really rough in life it's easy to wallow and be bummed out and lose the pumped up attitude. When performances aren't what we'd hoped or the direction you're going might need to change, or you learn a new limitation you have...well...it's the pits.  ​

When you know that quitting is the worst failure but you just can't imagine going on...how do you get your mind set to persevere? How do you keep from whining? How do you put one bloody and bruised foot in front of the other?​

Here's what I do. 

I think over the joys in my life. What am I thankful for? What have I got to look forward to? ​

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My List

1. My Jesus and His Mercy to me. Without Him I'm literally just dust blowing in the wind.

2. My Mom and Dad who pep talk me when I call home. After all it's their fault I'm as stubborn as I am! 

3. The skin that is still on my feet after a massive PT hike. {So that's what feet without skin look like}

4. Essential oils for healing and soothing my sore bod. Natural healing at its best.

5. My body that can heal from the beating it takes at work. {I won't limp forever right?}

6. Getting to stand up in my bestfriend's  wedding. The sweetest human alive got married. 

7. A sweet housemate who is sharing her ultra feminine home with me for a few month. With pretty doilies on the table!

8.  A wonderful library just down the road. #booksfordays

7. A solid church with a night service so I can attend. Hallelujah!

8. Shania Twain who sings me to work and back. { "That Don't Impress Me Much" anybody?!}

9. he joy of being artsy and learning hand lettering. Oh it's fun to create pretty words!

10. My electric blanket. 'Nuff said.

 

 

What is on your list? What reminds you to not wallow and whine?

 

A Tough Start

My job with the Forest Service starts on Monday.  I'm a Forestry Technician and Wildland Firefighter on a helicopter module of 8 people.  This is my second year on helitack and I'm glad to be back.

If you've missed in the news, there have been two Forest Service helicopter crashes with fatalities in the last month.  One occurred in Texas and the other in Mississippi.

As a part of a helicopter crew, these tragedies lend a solemn beginning to fire season.  Not just for me, but for all fire personnel.  

We know the risks.  

We provide for safety at every level, but risk will never be eliminated.  

We are well trained.  

We are proficient in our field.

We know that the worst could happen, yet we keep going and keep serving.

Please pray for the men and women in the fire service to have a safe season as we mourn the loss of the fallen.