Sunrises and Much Needed Reminders

I should be studying for the midterm I'll be taking in a few hours, but I had something on my mind so I thought I'd share. Yesterday I had a vacation day from school, so of course I used that free time to work.:o) I am so thankful that the Lord provided this job!!! I am continually amazed at the blessing that my job at UCLA is, and the amount I'm learning while there. I really enjoyed my shift yesterday. It was by far the toughest patient load I've had yet, but SO rewarding. My patients were awesome, and they're families were so great. I did a million things I'd never done before (sometimes making it up as I went along...:o) and ran around like a crazy person. At one point I went to cover for another CNA who was monitoring a confused patient, so that she could take her lunch. He was pretty quiet when I got there, so I pulled out my note cards to study for the nursing midterm I have today. The patient's wife saw me studying and immediately asked, "Can I quiz you?" So for the next hour, she taught me all about heart dysrhythmias and kept me laughing at her fun pronounciations and declarations that nursing school was "ridiculous." At the end of the shift (which of course went overtime), she told me I was wonderful and gave me a big hug. And they pay me to work there!:o)

Anyway, after I got off work I ran into Coffee Bean to get one of the free holiday drinks they were giving away and headed to the next hospital to pick out my patient for clinical today. Of course they were low on patients, so I hung out waiting for a few hours and then frantically attempted to piece together a newly admitted patient's chart. (Everything you've ever heard about doctor's handwriting is true!) By the time I got home it was 10-something, and I still needed to do the entire write up, I hadn't had dinner, and I needed to be up in about five hours. Admittedly, when I ran into my uncle in the living room after getting home, my mind was not exactly engaged in thinking about the grace of God and the incredible opportunities that my day had held. Instead I proceeded to detail for him how long my 12 hour shift was and how difficult it had been to pick out a patient for clinical. In the course of the conversation about work, he casually mentioned that they had had some excitement at the school where he works because one of their students had come to the office complaining of chest pain. He said she's in 10th grade, and near the top of the list for a heart transplant. Now I know my uncle was just adding to a conversation about medical things, but as soon as he said that I couldn't help but just stop talking. I stopped whining, stopped having a pity party for Emily, and just thanked God for my heart. I can't imagine simultaneously worrying about high school geometry and whether or not my heart will continue working long enough to find a donor!

I know this has gotten lengthy, but it was such an amazing reminder that I wanted to share it with you all. It turns out, working a 12 hour shift and going to clinical and taking a midterm the next day doesn't equal the end of the world. God is sovereign. He will provide for me both in the easy and tough days, and I can trust Him for that. You could try to count up just the blessings I remembered and included up above, but it would take you a while. And you know something? On top of all of the blessings the Lord has already lavished upon me, the sunrise this morning was incredible. How could you possibly feel tired or stressed with this on the horizon?:o)

Lamentations 3:21-26

21 Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:

22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.

23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him."

25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;

26 it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD.

Sore Wrists and Caramel Apples

Today has been a day of studying and homework, so I am taking a much needed break to simultaneously blog and procrastinate. Isn't multi-tasking wonderful?:o) Yesterday I had the incredible privilege of spending time with some of my favorite people in the world. The Brown and Hall children got together for a "Sibling Day" in Santa Clarita. We went to Sam's Club, made taco bowls and caramel apples, and then went bowling. So much fun!!! (My athletically challenged body is admittedly a little sore. After bowling. It's ok. You can laugh.) I'm so thankful that Becky married into such an awesome family of people who love the Lord and enjoy spending time with us.:o) I eagerly anticipate many more sibling days in the years to come, but for now (since I have a huge midterm on Wednesday) it's back to the world of heart dysrhythmias. (Or maybe I'll go make some hot chocolate.:o)

Bowl, Becky, bowl!

Steph and I perfected the gutter ball...

Sisters.<3

I bundled up and spent some time studying outside this afternoon. The sky was gorgeous!

Studying in style.:o)

"Your One Beauty"

Last night Kate came over after her soccer game, and we watched the movie Little Women together. Becky and Justin got it for me for my birthday, and it had been quite a while since we had watched it. We got a good laugh over how several of the characters and situations correspond to our own lives, as we also grew up with four girls. (Of course we always point out that although Kate has a sweet disposition like Beth, she is neither fragile nor planning on dying anytime soon!:o) After the movie was over we were sitting in my room, and I mentioned to Katie that she's been planning to trim my hair for a while but hasn't had an opportunity to do so. And then it happened. This "crazy" haircut idea I've had for quite a while popped into my mind and I went with it! Kate was totally behind the idea, and I think possibly even more excited than I was. She graciously agreed to cut my hair, and we went into my bathroom to do it. A lot of laughs and a few shrieks (from both of us...) later, I emerged with a new hairstyle and a great deal of excitement. She did a terrific job if I do say so myself, and I'm so excited to have finally gotten up the courage to do it. I think it will be a fun and easy hairstyle to have during nursing school. After we had finished, I suddenly realized that the second daughter in Little Women actually cuts her hair really short at one point in the movie. Life imitating art perhaps?:o) I also remembered that after she cut it the youngest sister says, "Jo! How could you? Your one beauty!" So, now I'm hoping I didn't just cut off my one beauty...

Before (with my amazing hair stylist!)

And after.

Attempting to pull it up...

I promised my mom a pic of the back.:o)

Love at First Sip

It has rained here in LA for a few days and the leaves are starting to fall from the trees, but to me the most significant indicator that fall is in full swing is Starbuck’s reintroduction of the Peppermint Mocha. For my birthday my aunt and uncle generously gave me a Starbucks card, or as my mother cleverly refers to it, chose to support my “habit.” (I of course like to remind her that there are far worse “habits” I could have.:o) As soon as I walked into the store and saw it on the menu, I felt the holiday spirit welling up in me. It signaled the coming of Thanksgiving and Christmas, and therefore the end of the quarter. The end of the quarter?!? I have some serious homework and studying to do! Late nights, early mornings, hours in front of my computer… Looks like Starbucks has brought back the Peppermint Mocha just in time.:o)

The Miracle of Life

This week I had the incredible and humbling privilege of watching a baby enter the world, take her first breath, and lay contentedly in her mother's arms for the first time. I had wanted to blog about it earlier, but had a pretty full week of fun opportunities. So, to capture some of the enthusiasm I had immediately following the surgery, I have decided to include an excerpt from an e-mail I sent someone about it. I don't think they read my blog, and if they do I'm sure they'll understand...:o)

"This morning for my clinical I was observing in the OR [operating room], and I was really hoping to see a C-section. I had observed one before I started nursing school, and had decided then that it was my favorite kind of surgery since you end up with a baby at the end.:o) Anyway...when I went to check in at the front desk for surgery, the guy (without me saying anything) pointed out a C-section at 7:30 am, and suggested I go to it! To make a long, long, long story short, my day ended up being pretty rough and a lot of other things happened, but I couldn't stop smiling all day over the miracle I witnessed this morning. I got to watch a baby being born, and got to spend the first several seconds and minutes of her life praying for her and her family. I got to watch her take her first breath, and see the look on her parents' faces the first time they saw her. It was kind of interesting to see the nurses (who have seen this quite a few times before), as they scored how healthy she was and counted her fingers and toes as if babies are born every day.;o) I, on the other hand, couldn't stop being in awe of our Creator and marveling over the miracle of human life. I think that perhaps the entire abortion argument could be put to rest if those who call themselves pro-choice could have stood where I was standing this morning."

It truly was an awesome opportunity, and I'm so thankful that the Lord allowed me to have a front row seat! Along the same lines, twenty-one years ago today the Lord sovereignly chose to give me life, and I'm certainly glad He did!!! This weekend was terrific. I got to go to work on Friday, and had a rather frantic but great day. On Saturday I was able to spend several hours hanging out with one of my most favorite people in the whole universe, and there are few things that can top that. Becky and I had a wonderful day of hanging out, making fall sugar cookies (which turned out pretty cute if I do say so myself), and even managed to squeeze in a movie and some errands. It was SO nice to be able to relax and be encouraged by her sweet spirit and wonderful older, wiser sisterly attitude. Today Becky, Justin, and Kate came over after church to celebrate with my aunt, uncle, and I. We had some good food and fellowship, and I was so thankful for all of them. My gifts were wonderful, but the thoughts behind all of the presents, calls, and e-mails were even more precious. I'm so thankful for the last 21 years of life, and I pray that God would enable me glorify and honor Him with every year I have left!

I was laughing with my uncle about how young I look for a 21-year-old, and decided to look back over some old pictures. I found this one from my 18th birthday, and was excited by the realization that I definitely look at least a little older... (Not to mention I had a good laugh over this picture.:o)

The wonderful siblings who came to help me celebrate.

Becky was sweet enough to make me cupcakes with the "good icing." 21 years old. Pretty cool...:o)

The Problem with my "To Do" List

On Friday evening as I was driving home from a day of work at UCLA (and by driving I mean sitting in traffic), I suddenly felt extremely tired and like I really just wanted to curl up somewhere and hibernate for the next few months. As I began to think through everything that needed to be accomplished between then and the next time I would be making that drive (which is next Friday), I suddenly realized how overwhelming it all was. I came away from that car ride having learned two valuable lessons. First, don't think about your "to do" list when you can't do anything about it. Second, when you very first start thinking that your list might be more than you can handle, realize that that is absolutely an accurate assessment, and start praying that God will give you the strength you need to accomplish everything He has planned for you. Unfortunately, like a lot of my lessons, this one was learned in retrospect. I'm so thankful that God is continually teaching me and allowing me to learn the lessons He has for me. Truthfully I didn't learn these lessons until I was sitting in church this morning, and literally cried as I confessed to God that once again I had attempted to strike out on my own rather than relying on Him. I've decided the verse I want to memorize during my drives this week is I Thessalonians 5:16-18, in which Paul says, "Rejoice always; praying without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." I especially like how it's not sometimes or in some things, but always and in everything. What an incredible and necessary reminder.:o)

On another note, I had another wonderful weekend with my parents who had come down for Kate's last Saturday home game. We made some fun memories and had a terrific time together. I've included some photos from the last two weekends below. I would also really appreciate all of your prayers for this week. I have three midterms in addition to my usual clinical and work schedule, so it's a good thing that I can trust that God will provide my strength. Lots of studying, reading, memorizing, and perhaps a little sleeping to do, so I don't anticipate posting again until next weekend. I hope you are all having a wonderful and blessed Sunday, and Lord-willing I will be able to catch up with some of you once my first round of midterms are behind me.

Kate warming up before the game.

Hanging out with our very own soccer star after the game.

The hospital where I work.

My dad and I in the obligatory sign picture.

My mom and I in front of the main entrance.

Celebrating my 21st birthday early with my parents. (They gave me some clothes, a camera card reader, and "Let the Nations Be Glad" a book about world missions by John Piper (admittedly my favorite gift:o)).

Answered Prayers

I finally got around to doing a little organization of my desk the other day, and ran across a post-it note on which I had listed several prayer requests that others had given me. I smiled and took a moment to think about each of them. It was a fairly old list, so of course there had been new developments in each of them. My mom's health was on the list, and as many of you know she has since had a procedure done and is no longer experiencing any of the symptoms she had been having. Katie's adjustment to college had been answered with many new friends and some adventures of our own. A friend's difficulty with a class in school was answered with her not only passing the class, but graduating as well! Another friend had been having some health issues, and is now starting to feel better and able to do more of the things she loves. One friend had asked for prayer for a pamphlet they were working on, and have since finished it and blessed and encouraged more people than I think even they hoped it would.

So after reading these and seeing how God had chosen to answer each of the requests, I realized that although not all of them had been answered exactly the way I thought they should, they had all been answered. Some of the answers might not have been what I would have thought of, but they all exceeded my expectations and reminded me of how thankful I am that God is sovereign and I am not. He answered each request in a manner that is according to His plans and for His glory. The more time I spend in prayer, the more thankful I am that I can go to Him at anytime and for any reason. The God of the universe desires that I talk to Him. This struck me as I was reading in Psalms yesterday and read 18:6 where David says, "In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears." Pretty incredible, huh?

Time with family at Souplantation last weekend.

Sibling time...some of us were pretty excited about the kid cones...:o)