Dorcas

I was impressed by this passage yesterday - what a neat lady she must have been. She is one of my scripture envys, I admire her. What an impact both in life, and death, and life!

ACTS 9:36-40

In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas), who was always doing good and helping the poor. About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, "Please come at once!"

Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.

Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, "Tabitha, get up." she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widowns and presented her to them alive. This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.

Life, Death, and Travel

This past week my grandfather unexpectedly passed requiring some urgent travel to a certain northern state. While usually I anticipate trips and visits with family, this was one I was less certain about. Overall, things went very well. The death has been very hard on my Grandmother, but being the firm woman of faith that she is, she is leaning on His arms. This week most of the family will travel a bit west for the family reunion and it should be a good time of fellowship and comforting.

When I returned I expected my work inbox to be flooded and to have a few minor-crisis to attend to, but God is good. Things were so much calmer and controlled than I expected! I'm still loving being a PA, and truthfully it has only gotten better since the first year of school. I feel blessed to do the type of work that I do, despite the internal flurries that come with doubting one's experience in a field.

As a mini get-away, I'm planning on going to the beach this Saturday. Of course not for the sun aspect, but hopefully for some good photo-ops and time away from work and home responsibilities. Things really aren't that stressful, but it will still be good to disappear for a day!

Hello Goodbye

Conference was great. I don't mean 'great' as a I-don't-know-what-descriptive-word-to-use-at-the-moment, I mean G-reat!! I didn't realize how lecture-hungry I was. It was so good to reliterate known medicine, and to pick up some new stuff too. Oh and Kara. Kara is a hard-working, intelligent, and cheery fellow-Christian PA. We met initially during a leadership event and have hit it off ever since then. We are both new providers and it was so good to catch up, blabber about life, and bounce clinical ideas off each other. I will miss her so much!

Leadership activities were long, but productive. I have served in this position for two years, and while I am ready to move on, I am also sad to be leaving neat memories and friends. I have decided to take a year off before pursuing other leadership roles. Something about sanity and free time...

So the week's talley is looking good: conference, short week of work, seeing friends, and lots of sleep last night. However, one patient today at work made the week even better. This was the first time one of MY own patients got teary-eyed and thanked me and the Lord for the care provided. I got a hug at the end, and needless to say, I walked on air the rest of the day praising our GREAT Father - the only one who truely heals.

As for the picture, I just thought it was funny.

Inner Workings

Talking to a friend last night we reflected on seemingly unfair circumstances that were affecting our inner family. Now, while morbidity and mortality may not seem appropriate for a Friday night chat, I believe I have reached the period of my life where it is a frequent reality. Ironically, without knowing my thoughts, my dear friend echoed them perfectly.

We know that we serve a good, gracious, and omniscient Father. He is the only one who is faithful and abounding in love and kindness. I have no doubts about His greater plans and purposes.

However, the age old question arose that evening - why suffering? Why so much at one time? Why to those who have served so faithfully?

I do not have the answers, but I take comfort in knowing that we see only the bottom of a large loom tapestry - the tangled threads, knotted colors, and chaotic highway of fabric. I know that God sees the pattern and enduring design, one carefully planned for my good. I know that Romans 12:2 says "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will."

I wish I could be there right now and provide a physical presence of encouragement instead of distant support. I wish I could see the other side. Terry aptly and biblically encourages us to preserve with joy. His words, these circumstances, and the incredible witness of our loved ones has reminded me of this song countless times the past few months. I hope you take comfort in it as I do.

We're pilgrims on the journey
Of the narrow road
And those who've gone before us line the way
Cheering on the faithful, encouraging the weary
Their lives a stirring testament to God's sustaining grace

Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses
Let us run the race not only for the prize
But as those who've gone before us
Let us leave to those behind us
The heritage of faithfulness passed on through godly lives

Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave
Lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful

After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone
And our children sift though all we've left behind
May the clues that they discover and the memories they uncover
Become the light that leads them to the road we each must find

Find Us Faithful - Steve Green

The Newsies

So first, I must apologize for my long absence in the blogging world. To say I fell off the face of the earth would not be accurate, however I have seen much more of its surface since I last wrote. Let me touch on the major news:

(1) Finished PA school

(2) Traveled extensively following graduation

(3) Rachael and John are married

(4) More travel

(5) Will start new job on Monday. Bittersweet feelings about the location, but very excited about the staff and position. I will miss my central eastern friends!

Thanks to everyone for your prayers and patience. I am back.

Technology Conundrums

I absolutely love technology: love my gmail, my phone, my camera (!!!), and even my laptop and I were recently getting along well until the screen cracked.

Yup, somehow driving up to MI this summer, my laptop screen cracked. I'm not sure what happened, and no one in my family can quite figure it out either. Anyways, so while I would love to post pictures of VBS, beautiful MI, and the trip - I'm afraid these things will have to wait.

The new screen is in the mail. Next challenge: installing a lenovo LCD laptop screen.

Scrambled Botch

Sometimes I mess up. Really, really mess up.

You know that pit in the bottom of your stomach feeling when you know you’ve just done something that will take a lot of work to get out of – or for that matter be impossible to. And there’s the first problem…. My nature to go incognito, behind the scenes to become “Miss-Fix-It-Girl”. I loose sleep and hair, and gain ulcers and forehead wrinkles plotting my “way out”.

The top 3 things I hate about this self-made strategy? (1) That I can’t be honest up front and fix it when the problem arises – cutting the issue in the bud. (2) That I don’t go to God first when I start to find myself cornered, rather I start to fix…. Er, severely mess things up trying to touch-up myself. (3) That I hurt people in this process – I either alienate friends, myself, or lend incorrect impressions.

So you’re probably thinking – “She’s having a terrible day, what's the problem?” Yes, it’s not my best day, but it’s a learning one. I’m learning to step back, think about things before I speak, and to turn to God and very wise godly people for advice. Thank the Lord for Mothers!
Why can’t I learn the easy way?

Prodigy?

Here is a video of a precious little boy I get to see each week at church. He loves music and his parents graciously recorded this clip for me - enjoy!

Busy Weekends

Last weekend I took a quick trip out to one of TX's state parks where gators abound. A group from our church volunteered at the city's food bank earlier that morning, so it truly was a marathon Saturday! So fun!


This weekend I'm here with a friend in Dallas. It's such a beautiful city, lots of cute shops, older homes, parks, and trees. I'm staying with a classmate and her family who live here. They are a wonderful Christian family who are more than hospitable.

Home for Spring

I had a wonderful time at home last weekend. I was able to return to NC and surprise Dad and everyone else. I made sure to take lots of pics to send to Mom in Singapore.
This was such a wonderful break from clinicals, short though it was.

Labor

This has been quite the weekend! Just now I’m finding a few minutes to write down my Sunday night feelings, and I warn you – this is a spiritual post and an honest one.

Let me be honest. Some days I find it difficult to love. Some days it is difficult to keep bitterness at bay and to remain a gracious compassionate human on this decaying planet. As I get older and my life has been seasoned with wise friends, I have learned that often I make my own misery. I worry over things that would be better left unworried over. I try to focus on not worrying about them, and end up worrying more. I get tired and start to see faults I never had seen before in others around me – faults that only my tired glazed eyes could conjure. To make it all worse, I do not heed the advice of my friends , screaming at me to slow down, to take one hour to rest and be still. Instead, I push harder until I am weary of myself and others. I’m incapable of sequential thought.

At times like these, my mind is so far gone that not even prayer will focus me again. How is it that I am so convinced of my own better judgment? Did not God give us the gift of feelings to be used? He gave us tiredness to know when our bodies need rest. Thirst to know when to drink deeply. Laughter to cheer our spirits. And still, I push some of his most precious gifts away.

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28

Lord, I admit I push too hard on my own. I do not prioritize my body or my gifts best to serve you. Worst of all I am guilty of not listening to your promptings in my life. I ask that you would fill me with rest and the discernment of wisdom to do that which serves you best. Be with me now.

Surgeon's Eyed View

Wow, so much has happened this last week! Let me fill you in.



Monday started off with an early rushed morning. I was off to the OR at 5:30am, for once during my time as a PA student this operation was on me. Leaving out most of the details, let's just say that local skin excisions can be quite gruesome when you are awake. That was a strange, almost out-of-body experience. Not that I regret requesting local anesthesia, the recovery time was awesome! I left the hospital resistant to the steel chair that wheeled me out, and the forced promise made to the surgeon to take ONE pain pill.... can I say I'm stuborn???



Tuesday I was sick of being knocked out by the medication, so I didn't take any and headed to work. I saw some great patients until the staff sent me home to rest. Wed. was the same, until I was heading home and got pulled over for my first speeding ticket EVER and another ticket for "not surrendering an out-of-state liscence". Since when does the latter count when you are an out-of-state student??? I digress... and will be calling a friendly traffic attourney.



Wed. evening was Bible Study, and studying for my exams. It was also my last day of work, and I was sad to see my wonderful preceptors at my Internal Medicine clinic for the last time (or maybe not since they've requested my resume when I graduate :-)



Thursday was early morning classes, presentations, and advisor meetings. Did I mention more, more, more studying?? It was also the first day I could remove my bandages and it felt so good to finally completely shower and change them with the help of a sweet friend. That itself was enough motivation to study for another 2 hours.



Friday (today) was another early morning. I got up, studied some remaining bothersome topics, and then headed off to school where I just finished taking my Geriatrics and Internal Medicine exams. Wahoooo! So nice to be done with those.



Tomorrow I have a 10k that unfortunately I have been banned from running in, so I'm going to go cheer my friends on. Then our school's annual fundraising ball in the evening.



Did I mention how blessed I feel, and how God's love has been showered upon me this past month? In the word's of Mary, "My Soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior." Isn't he wonderful? Thanks for the prayers and encouragement.



Love and miss you all, everyone wear your sunscreen!

Recent and Not-So-Far Travels

Earlier this month I traveled to beautiful historic Alexandria to a national meeting, where for once we actually go there early enough to play a bit... the city is absolutely beautiful, and I greatly enjoyed my time there and the brevity and efficency of the meeting itself!

And for the not-so-far travels... here are a few pics from a recent shoot of the city skyline. Enjoy!

The Short of It

New Weekend... New Look!

Thirteen or so inches later, and I love it! Never thought I would like short hair, but here you have it.

New Look

[Everglades National Park]

The blog finally has an updated look!

I've been wanting to do something different for awhile... I have to confess I still miss the black but change is inevitable.

My break has been marvelous! I'm so far away from the sterile white-coat environment (mentally and physically) that I don't even feel like a medical student anymore. Let me list a few things I've done thus far....



(1) A few initially hectic days of doctor's appointments, hurried (but great!) friend visits, and PICKING THE PADRES UP from the airport!


(2) Some much needed therapeutic riding with a very dear friend...


(3) Playing for a childhood friend's wedding


(4) Spending lots of time outdoors - hiking!


(5) Trip to a nearby cutsy historic town


(6) Being "Aunt Joy" :-)



(7) FAMILY TIME!!

And did I mention my Camera?!?! Sigh... I love my camera... And Dad's new lenses. Tomorrow we head to the orange state to spend time with my grandmother. More stories and pictures to come!

Done!!!

Exams are over, all I have are a few lectures this afternoon and then I'll be on a plane tomorrow evening coming and seeing all of you.... So HAPPY :-D

Can I come wake all of you up around midnight to say "HI" on sat. night????