Weblog

Friday, 13 November 2009

  • This week was not as relaxing as I thought it would be: I arrived back at work/my internship on Monday, reassuring the patients that no, I did not leave, but was just sick/had a big test/was in Florida. It was good to get back "home" - back to the usual grind. Well, Monday afternoon Mike announced that I was going to be observing down in Kreider the rest of the week. Kreider is the physical therapy clinic in the hospital; we'd talked about me observing there just to get an idea of what they do & their intern, Cody, was up in cardiac rehab for a week observing, so we know him. It was a good experience and I got a lot of homework done due to the low volume of patients, but it was just different. SO, all to say that I am looking forward to next week when I'm back in CR and back to "normal."

    I had a realization this week while observing: I always assume people aren't Christians until they tell me so. Cody, who I know little of, and his supervisor, Vic, were the ones I hung out with most of the time. When I first arrived, one of the PTs, who goes to my church, was telling Cody how we just had a youth retreat and yadda yadda. So then, over the next few days, Cody and Vic start talking about this book, Crazy Love, and when it gets really dead, we watch these videos online about God and etc. It was just so surprising to me that I ALWAYS assume everyone is a non-Christian. I don't even see the good in them, if at all, I just assume they're not. I assume the I'M the different one. But what joy there is in finding your family!

Sunday, 08 November 2009

  • Home & more thoughts on motherhood

    Last week I realized a great metaphor for how we are separated and are reunited with God. Last Monday, my brother and SIL left in the morning for their church staff retreat/cruise. Monday night when Austen woke up from her nap, she had a little fit because she realized that her mommy and papa were not there. My mom held her tight and rocked her so she could feel safe, but I couldn't watch: it broke my heart to see the pain she was going through. Throughout the week, she would have moments every now and then, when her eyes would get all glassy and her lower lip would come out a little bit, and she would say softly, "Mommy?" But then within a few minutes we could calm her down. As her caretaker, I was eagerly awaiting Friday morning when her parents would return, not necessarily for my sake (I loved hanging out with her!), but for hers. I wanted to see the reunion and feel how what was broken would be restored. And it WAS awesome. Smiles and tears all around.

    Then I thought how much like our relationship with God is to what Austen went through last week. We used to walk with God (well, Adam and Eve did) in the garden, but then we were separated from Him. I always wonder if Adam and Eve felt that pain of separation. Every once in awhile, in our lives, we feel that pain - Romans 8:23 says this: "Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies." I have read that verse several times and felt, yes! I am so WEARY of this world, get me out! But the beautiful thing is in my role as a caretaker, I had knowledge that Austen would be restored to her parents; and we as Christians have knowledge that God will give us new bodies and will create a new Earth. AWESOME!

    Friday morning, we were having breakfast, and my mom made a motion for us to pray. Austen had already started eating her yogurt, so we just put our hands on each side of her high chair. A few seconds into the prayer, I felt squishy fingers closing around my own hand, and I looked up: Austen was praying with us! I was so overcome by awe I probably could have teared up. She understood what we were doing and I hope she continues to model after her parents in their pursuit of Christ!

    Friday evening, after we flew back to KC, I went directly to the church for our youth retreat. It was pretty awesome - I'm beginning to see how mature my girls have become and REALLY enjoying their discussions, questions, and views on their lives. And I also realized we need to have a "boy night" to talk. But anyways, after a long, but fun, weekend, I am now HOME and RESTED. I haven't been home for 10 days, and it feels good. I just hope I can get back into the groove of work/internship again! :)

    And here's a few pics from the week, all of 'em are on facebook:

    100_3254
    Singing in the bathtub

    100_3271
    Swinging at the park!


Wednesday, 04 November 2009

  • Motherhood

    Ha! Gotcha with the title! No, I'm not planning on being a mother soon, so don't worry. I simply have been one for the past 2 days and think it's AMAZING.

    I probably mentioned this before, but I'm babysitting my 17-month-old niece this week because her parents are on a cruise/church staff retreat. It's been a really good experience, and I've had such a huge glimpse into what mothers do and how they do it (or fail, as in my case).

    First of all, my own mother is here helping as well, and I really have no idea how I would do it alone. I have no idea how Meaghan does it. To go to the beach, for instance, (which we do every morning! hello!), you have to dress the baby, load the car, dress yourself, and make sure you have enough snacks and drinks for the morning, not really in that order. My mom and I have learned different roles: Austen responds to me well because I'm about Meaghan's age, and my mom is the helper, per se, cooking meals and playing at random points.

    Second of all, it can get pretty boring. We scheduled a lot the first day and a half her parents were gone so she would be a bit distracted and tired. Now we're just at home, playing. Austen entertains herself pretty well, so that leaves me with some free time. It's odd, as well, not knowing more than 3 other people on the island, and can get lonely. I wonder if these observations are true for most mothers?

    One thing I do know, though, is that the feeling of Austen taking her bottle at night and falling asleep in my arms is absolutely wonderful. Her little arms and legs relax, and the weight of her head falls fully in my arms. I feel she trusts me, and THAT is a great feeling.

Saturday, 31 October 2009

Wednesday, 28 October 2009

  • MASTER'S COMPREHENSIVE EXAM IS OVER!!!! Phew, had to get that out. Studying for my comps was not very much fun while also trying to recover from bronchitis. In addition, the last two days at the hospital I've been taking a class on EKGs, so needless to say my BRAIN IS FRIED. Like those eggs that gets scrambled in the old anti-drug commercials. "This is your brain on drugs" - how about my brain on to much studying?

    So, I can fully allow myself to get excited about Florida. I've been dutifully self-controlling getting too excited until my exams were over. Little things like checking the weather forecast and making a packing list - nope! I waited! And now I have all the time in the world to do so. Nice.

    As a parting gift, I'll let you see my Halloween present to my family:

    Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Top Tags - Weblog

[no tags]