Prayers

I write tonight asking that many prayers are said in the next weeks for my Aunt Cindy as she and Uncle Kyle head out on a trip to the east coast searching for answers and relief from the chronic pain that Cindy has been experiencing for too long. It's so easy to take life for granted- the little things like attending worship with the body of Christ every week, attending sporting events, the ability to work and even the chance to just sit and play a game with those that you love the most. Perspective is such a huge thing, and it really needs to be a day to day reminder for all of us- not to forget to thank God for the little things.

~To Cindy- you are so loved, and you have an amazing support group of loved ones behind you every step of the way. There isn't a day that you are not in the thoughts and prayers of many of your brothers and sisters in Christ.
~To Kyle the wonderful husband and father- you amaze me in how strong you are, how organized and how incredibly loving. God truly knew what he was doing when he planned for you to be Cindy's husband forever. What an amazing father and role model you are to your children and to all those who are impacted by your loving support and leadership you show to your family every day.
~To the kids- Tanner, Kylie, Riley and Tara--we know this is hard, we know that you don't understand why your mom can't be free from the pain that she has, why she can't just get better. But God is good, and he hears the prayers of his people.
~To everyone else who loves you- keep the prayers coming- our God hears and answers those who call upon His glorious name.

*1 Kings 8:28 "Yet give attention to your servant’s prayer and his plea for mercy, LORD my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day" (NIV).

*Psalm 17:6 "I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer" (NIV).

*Psalm 54:2 "Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth" (NIV)

*Psalm 65 "Praise awaits you, our God, in Zion; to you our vows will be fulfilled. You who answer prayer, to you all people will come" (NIV).

*Psalm 66: 18-20 "If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!" (NIV) 

Life. Without school

It's strange really, finding myself bored enjoying my free time to spend doing what I like! Graduation came and went so quickly it almost doesn't seem real. It's taken nearly 2 weeks for it to all sink in- we're done, graduated, school's over, there is no homework for an entire summer, lovely. =]

We didn't think we were going to make it to the end....

My mom was my graduation day support =]
Thanks for sitting through such a long day for me!

....but we most definitely did!

I love having time to watch David play soccer! [He's on the left]

Our garden adventure:: Dad didn't want us tilling up his backyard,
so we meandered over to Jonathan's-just down the street,
and found the perfect garden spot!

We let dad do the hard work!

Painting the outline of the garden, so we knew where to cut the grass.

Sodding (?) the garden! Whatever it's
called to cut the sod for the garden ;]- [lets
not get too technical now]

Finished sodding (just go with it)....

Now to haul those heavy suckers to the truck! Thank goodness for brothers =]

He looks thrilled doesn't he? ;]

Ready to plant!!

I've even found time to spend with my little friends!

Love this little guy =]

Yup, he's got two older sisters ;]

 I just LOVE summer!

An End in Sight

Three years ago I was at Providence Christian College in California saying many tearful goodbyes. It was so hard to say goodbye to the amazing friends that God had given me during the amazing journey I was blessed to have while in California. I grew up so much, I learned so much and I changed while I was out there. God was working hard to show me who He wanted me to be, and He is still working. That day full of tears was such a hard day to accept- why have something so great that wasn't where God wanted me to be anymore? I was going to be a nurse? I don't know if I can make it through nursing school, is He sure He knows what He's doing? Trust. Not an easy concept for me, but three years ago I boarded that plane in California, and for the first time I was not looking for a return flight ticket in the fall. It was hard, but now, I understand.
I am 15 days away from graduating as a nurse- me? A nurse? God really did know what he was doing. I have loved every minute of becoming a nurse. The papers, the projects, the sleepless nights studying one body system after another for the past three years and now I am only 15 days away from the end. It's amazing. I remember when I started thinking about going into nursing and I was bound and determined to go to Dordt. God again had different plans. NCC became part of my life for the past 3 years and I remember thinking three more years? On top of the two that I had completed at Providence? Doesn't sound like something I want to do- who wants to be in school for 5 or more years? But it has all been in God's plan and has unfolded each day.
I'm going to be a nurse. I'm going to have the opportunity to show my love for caring for people. I'm going to be able to put the knowledge that has been stuffed into my head the past 3 years into action. I'm going to be advocates for those who are unable to speak for themselves. In God's timing and by His amazing will I am becoming the woman He intends for me to be.
What a comfort, I have no control over everything. Which is a good thing, because if it was in my control I would be such a mess. My comforting verse all through nursing school, the busy times, the stressful situations, the days that I didn't think I could get to the end is found in Matthew 6:24 which reminded me everyday-

""Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." 

One day at a time, one test at a time, one project at a time, one early morning at a time and I will get to the end- that is what I told myself everyday and now.... 15 days to go. God is good!

 The amazing thing is that God is just getting started with me, there is so much for me to learn, so many mistakes will be made, frustrations will confront me, hard times will be confronted but in all things God is in control. God. Not me. Amazing. I am not perfect, nor will I ever be. My prayer everyday is that God forgives me for each and every time I mess up- big or little. That is my prayer, this is my comfort- I know he does!


God, give me the strength and the endurance to make it to the end. In all I do, help me to glorify you, for you alone deserve all the glory, praise and honor.

Blessed

I can't believe that I am 23. Yikes- that number is getting closer to 25, and then 30 and then.... yup- you get the point. I had a great day, I was surprised with a big bouquet of flowers from my parents waiting for me in the morning- always a fun surprise! My brothers came home with a big bunch of balloons- which is pretty awesome from them!
And then there was my evening out with my friends. I love that we are getting so close to the end of the school year, and everything is winding down meaning I have more time to have a life and to see those and hang out with my family and friends that mean so much to me. I had never been to Chili's so that was where the group opted to go- and the guys convinced the poor waitress to sing "Happy Birthday" to me- which they never do at Chili's as a duet with one other waitress she somehow convinced to sing with her- I think she was more embarrassed than me!
Thanks to my friends- it was a fun night. =] I'm blessed to have you in my life.
Thanks to my family- for the love you give me everyday, not just my birthday!
And the fun doesn't stop- tonight we are going out to celebrate mine and David's birthday together- this time we are heading to Buffalo Wild wings, should be fun.

Looking back, I remember the fun times in California on my birthdays that were spent out there. I miss my friends there, its hard when life moves on and we are separated by hundreds of miles. Here's to you two- I miss you all the time.

                                                

 I miss you both- and everyone else. Looking at this pictures brings back so many memories and laughs.

What a random post! =] Hopefully the rain will stop soon and summer will be here quickly. According to my countdown, there are only 22 days until graduation- those better go fast! Can't wait for summer!

Study break

I knew I wasn't going to be very good at keeping up with this blogging thing, but I think that it is about time I update this page again- whether or not anyone actually reads it, it is kind of nice to just "speak" what is on my mind.

Here I am sitting in one of my favorite coffee shops in Orange City- De Koffiehoek & Bistro with my friend as we attempt to study for an OB nursing test that we have scheduled for 7:15 tomorrow morning. 7:15 am test means getting out of bed around 6am to have coffee in the travel mug and the car scraped off in time to scramble to class by 7:14- its going to be an early morning! Not to mention I've got this nasty cold and I'm going through a Kleenex box a day to try to keep up! Ugh. 
I love the atmosphere of this little coffee shop, the sun is shining in through the windows warming the room, the music is quiet in the background and the occasional typing from across the room reassures me that we are not the only ones in this place studying! However, I seem to find that between the coffee, the fireplace and the incredibly comfortable chairs, this is a much better environment for social hour than study hour.


I'm having a hard time focusing and staying motivated as this semester is rapidly coming to a close! Its already February 7th with Spring Break right around the corner! But there are OH so many things to be excited about and to look forward too! Let me share with you my list of excitments!
        1. Spring break is only a month away!
        2. BASEBALL SEASON is only 53 days away!!!
        3. I start my OB clinical rotation this week Thursday
        4. In May I graduate, and
        5. Jeremy and Becky (a VERY close friend) are getting married!!-- meaning myself and my GPS friend           "Richard" will be making the trek to Michigan in only a few short months
And that is just the beginning! With baseball on my mind I can only begin to dream about all the fun times this summer is going to bring, but then I am brought back to now and how I'm supposed to be studying for tomorrow's test.


Well here's to a great start to the week- Happy Monday! One day at a time and we will get to May...

# 1 Twins fan? Definitely

Oh my goodness,
A very dear friend just made me realize just how crazy I am about the twins. Let me share a post from facebook that I just recieved from her:
"I have learned a few things though....
1.) Bert is the announcer
2.) It's "The FREAKEN RO...YALS"
3.) They are gaurenteed post-season and are "suppose" to win the World's series.
4.)Bethany is marrying one of the Twin's players (I think it's between 2)
and
5.) The 7th inning stretch can occur at any point of the game...You just need someone to know the "Take me out to the ball game theme"
How did I do?! :) "


Sadly, she pretty well nailed that one on the head! 
Might I also point out that as the beautiful fall weather comes around and the excitement of another season change a very sad event takes place as well. Baseball season is coming to a close- meaning this girl can't watch the Twins for a whole 6 months! It is a very long winter without Joe Mauer and Danny Valencia and the rest of the crew!

I should be sleeping!

Oh man,
Talk about feeling like a fish out of water! Who ever invented this blog stuff is much more complicated than what my brain can handle at 11:43 at night! It's amazing, how I somehow think that I am going to have time to blog, me of all people, blogging? Well hold on, here we go!
What a long day! Nursing test then straight to work, and finally home! You know, I spent almost 45 minutes trying to figure out the "how-to" part of posting a blog, who knows if it will actually work!
I have people telling me that they never see me anymore, and they want to know what is going on in my life. So rather then trying to keep up with a social life that is non existent thanks to nursing school, we'll attempt to do this instead, see how it goes.... tomorrow... =]