I am not cold
There is a heart, beating in this chest
Blood
Coursing
Unstoppable
Necessary
I won't apologize for your opinion of me
I refuse to feel belittled based on your
incorrect assumption of the character of my personality
You have no right to assume that you know what I am
thinking
Simply looking at my face and body language cannot
communicate to you my innermost thoughts and feelings
on whatever topic is being discussed
You don't know me
I am not heartless, and I am not sorry
And yet
I am
I do feel that I should...feel more
I can sense the empathy people ooze through their faces
and their posture as they physically communicate
their emotions
A skill which is foreign to me
One which I do not recognize
What is this language they express through eyes
bursting like a dam and lips quivering with the
promise of storm and strain?
I wish I knew
I wish I could understand
I crave the power that emotion can possess
I can cause these emotions
I can stir a person's heart strings into stew after plucking,
sometimes tenderly and sometimes ferociously from their
comfortable, protected home
But that would be intentional, not natural
Control of others is not enough
Power over others means nothing if the powerful
cannot control themselves
In that instance, chaos is all the more powerful
To me, emotion can often appear as the
elephant in the room
The topic which I do not desire to touch or even
acknowledge
I simply direct my eyes elsewhere, hoping, praying
that the circus from which the elephant came will
pass through without leaving so much as a kernel of
popcorn on the ground
Some purposely seek out this circus and even enjoy it
I am of the opposite opinion, although learning to tolerate it
would seem beneficial
Then perhaps I will gain common ground with others
I will see what they see
I will connect with their tender side
Instead of controlling their heart strings, I will
loosen the white-fisted grip I appear to have on my own
But letting go is vulnerability at its finest
What I must first explore is whether or not I can push myself
to face it
I am not cold
There is a heart, there is blood
The next step
is to share it
Wednesday, January 4, 2017
Monday, January 18, 2016
Watch and listen
Have you ever stopped to think about how many people have come into you life, for any amount of time, and then suddenly they weren't there? Looking back, it's amazing the number of people I've known, whether they be people I called "friend" or those that I simply knew the face of.
Does this bother any of you? Why don't we think "Man, I wonder what happened?" or "I didn't think life could move so quickly!" Giving it some reflection there are people that used to be by my side, some even everyday that now simply are not. And I'm sure there seems to be an easy answer to this question, but I still find myself asking it: in thinking about those people, do I care?
Sure, some friendships/relationships just plain don't end on a good note. There was no happy ending in the author's mind that time. These situations are comparable to a Shakespearean tragedy. Spoiler alert: everyone dies. But in this case the people breathe on, while the tie that bound them has been severed. In some cases this is a painful process packed with whirlwind emotions, but I want to think about those ties we lost at a point in time that we can't even name because we honestly don't know when it happened.
I want to think about those friends that you knew in grade-school or that neighbor kid you played with in your front yard. Where did those people go? Did life just come in with all it's unpredictable power and sweep them away? We had to have noticed...right? They may not have had a huge impact in our lives, but they were certainly people we treasured because we're human! We are social beings that live on acceptance and can only develop properly when we are exposed to the experiences that we observe others going through.
So really that little neighbor boy wasn't just a playmate or your first crush. You learned from him, just like you learned from the quiet girl in your 3rd grade class, and your funny cousin you saw at Christmas every year. You watched these people, even if you had no intention of doing it, and you learned from them. They helped socialize you without you even realizing what was going on.
And to these people, these seemingly unimportant people, I want to say thanks. Thank you not for simply letting me learn from you, but thank you for giving me a small portion of your life. While I didn't know this when I was growing up, time is a precious thing! Thank you for teaching me through your actions, whether they brought you joy or pain. Thanks for letting me be an "extra" in "that one scene" of your busy, exciting life.
I have one more thing to say to those people who I may not talk to anymore and I may never talk to again: I know we can't go back, but we can always move forward, together. Just because a person falls out of your life for a time doesn't mean there's a no re-acceptance rule. We can still be in the same group for that science project, we can always go play soccer again in the front yard.
Make no mistake though, I'm not asking to go back. We're always going to be moving forward. All I'm saying is we don't have to have this irrational fear of starting up a conversation. If you're thinking of someone you were once close to, maybe they'd appreciate a call, a text, a facebook message, something! I know I would. And there's nothing wrong with that. Why not strike up a conversation, maybe bond over old times or let someone look into your plans for your future. There's no harm in trying.
So here's my challenge, for myself and for you: reach out! Open up those gates of communication. You have a mouth, you know how to form sentences, why not start a conversation? Remember how you learned from those people you spent time with so long ago? That doesn't stop in adulthood. We can always learn more, see more, think more, and feel more. Think back to the last deep conversation you had with someone on a random topic. I remember talking about theatre with someone this last week, and you know what? It was very refreshing! Let's get that back. Let's talk and think and learn from each other, even if the knowledge we gain doesn't seem useful to our day-to-day lives it is still something gained.
I know it's hard to make yourself talk to people just for the sake of conversation. Trust me, as a busy nursing student, it sometimes seems like a waste of time. But don't let that be your excuse. Say hi to that old friend that you haven't seen in awhile. Strike up a conversation with the new neighbor you haven't met yet. You never know what may happen. You could be that encouraging light that they were in need of.
Does this bother any of you? Why don't we think "Man, I wonder what happened?" or "I didn't think life could move so quickly!" Giving it some reflection there are people that used to be by my side, some even everyday that now simply are not. And I'm sure there seems to be an easy answer to this question, but I still find myself asking it: in thinking about those people, do I care?
Sure, some friendships/relationships just plain don't end on a good note. There was no happy ending in the author's mind that time. These situations are comparable to a Shakespearean tragedy. Spoiler alert: everyone dies. But in this case the people breathe on, while the tie that bound them has been severed. In some cases this is a painful process packed with whirlwind emotions, but I want to think about those ties we lost at a point in time that we can't even name because we honestly don't know when it happened.
I want to think about those friends that you knew in grade-school or that neighbor kid you played with in your front yard. Where did those people go? Did life just come in with all it's unpredictable power and sweep them away? We had to have noticed...right? They may not have had a huge impact in our lives, but they were certainly people we treasured because we're human! We are social beings that live on acceptance and can only develop properly when we are exposed to the experiences that we observe others going through.
So really that little neighbor boy wasn't just a playmate or your first crush. You learned from him, just like you learned from the quiet girl in your 3rd grade class, and your funny cousin you saw at Christmas every year. You watched these people, even if you had no intention of doing it, and you learned from them. They helped socialize you without you even realizing what was going on.
And to these people, these seemingly unimportant people, I want to say thanks. Thank you not for simply letting me learn from you, but thank you for giving me a small portion of your life. While I didn't know this when I was growing up, time is a precious thing! Thank you for teaching me through your actions, whether they brought you joy or pain. Thanks for letting me be an "extra" in "that one scene" of your busy, exciting life.
I have one more thing to say to those people who I may not talk to anymore and I may never talk to again: I know we can't go back, but we can always move forward, together. Just because a person falls out of your life for a time doesn't mean there's a no re-acceptance rule. We can still be in the same group for that science project, we can always go play soccer again in the front yard.
Make no mistake though, I'm not asking to go back. We're always going to be moving forward. All I'm saying is we don't have to have this irrational fear of starting up a conversation. If you're thinking of someone you were once close to, maybe they'd appreciate a call, a text, a facebook message, something! I know I would. And there's nothing wrong with that. Why not strike up a conversation, maybe bond over old times or let someone look into your plans for your future. There's no harm in trying.
So here's my challenge, for myself and for you: reach out! Open up those gates of communication. You have a mouth, you know how to form sentences, why not start a conversation? Remember how you learned from those people you spent time with so long ago? That doesn't stop in adulthood. We can always learn more, see more, think more, and feel more. Think back to the last deep conversation you had with someone on a random topic. I remember talking about theatre with someone this last week, and you know what? It was very refreshing! Let's get that back. Let's talk and think and learn from each other, even if the knowledge we gain doesn't seem useful to our day-to-day lives it is still something gained.
I know it's hard to make yourself talk to people just for the sake of conversation. Trust me, as a busy nursing student, it sometimes seems like a waste of time. But don't let that be your excuse. Say hi to that old friend that you haven't seen in awhile. Strike up a conversation with the new neighbor you haven't met yet. You never know what may happen. You could be that encouraging light that they were in need of.
Monday, September 28, 2015
Rise up
Every journey we take is obviously characterized by it's unpredictable ups and downs, which are (hopefully) events that we will be able to conquer in order to climb the ladder of personal growth.
But we've all been where I'm feeling now. Scared. Apprehensive. Doubtful. Crushed. On the brink of defeat.
Been there? I thought so.
But it's amazing what sources of hope and perseverance God leads us to during these times. These springs of hope can be simple, complex, or somewhere in the vast space between.
Amidst the stress, chaos, frustration, and even sadness and anger of nursing school, I have been given one simple spark to calm my mind and ignite my hope.
Now don't laugh when I tell you about the source of my encouragement, I told you it could come from somewhere simple!
And these past couple of weeks it has come from a song.
Yes, a song.
And I want to share that song with you tonight because it has literally been my anthem!
Andra Day is an artist that I happened to stumble across, listen to, and fall in love with. Her voice is unique, her lyrics are real as real can get, and I just can't stop listening to her! Especially her song "Rise Up." Have a look at her lyrics, look up her song to have a listen, and who knows? Maybe you'll feel as inspired and uplifted as I did.
Rise Up, Andra Day
You’re broken down and tired
Of living life on a merry-go-round
And you can’t find the fighter
But I see it in you so we gonna walk it out
And move mountains
We gonna walk it out
And move mountains
And I’ll rise up
I'll rise like the day
I’ll rise up
I'll rise unafraid
I'll rise up
And I’ll do it a thousand times again
And I’ll rise up
High like the waves
I’ll rise up
In spite of the ache
I'll rise up
And I’ll do it a thousands times again
For you [x4]
When the silence isn’t quiet
And it feels like it’s getting hard to breathe
And I know you feel like dying
But I promise we’ll take the world to its feet
And move mountains
We gonna walk it out
And move mountains
And I’ll rise up
I'll rise like the day
I’ll rise up
I'll rise unafraid
I'll rise up
And I’ll do it a thousand times again
For you [x4]
All we need, all we need is hope
And for that we have each other
And for that we have each other
We will rise
We will rise
We’ll rise, ohh ohhh
We’ll rise
I’ll rise up
Rise like the day
I’ll rise up
In spite of the ache
I will rise a thousands times again
And we’ll rise up
Rise like the waves
We’ll rise up
In spite of the ache
We’ll rise up
And we'll do it a thousands times again
For you ohhhh ohhh ohh ohhh ohh [x3]
As always, thanks for reading! As you probably guessed, the delay in a blog post from me is of course due to the business of nursing school. But with the help of God (and a super great personal anthem), I can put my mind at ease, look myself in the mirror and say "Hey, it's awful now, but only so that the next chapter will be all the more fantastic."
Peace and God bless:)
But we've all been where I'm feeling now. Scared. Apprehensive. Doubtful. Crushed. On the brink of defeat.
Been there? I thought so.
But it's amazing what sources of hope and perseverance God leads us to during these times. These springs of hope can be simple, complex, or somewhere in the vast space between.
Amidst the stress, chaos, frustration, and even sadness and anger of nursing school, I have been given one simple spark to calm my mind and ignite my hope.
Now don't laugh when I tell you about the source of my encouragement, I told you it could come from somewhere simple!
And these past couple of weeks it has come from a song.
Yes, a song.
And I want to share that song with you tonight because it has literally been my anthem!
Andra Day is an artist that I happened to stumble across, listen to, and fall in love with. Her voice is unique, her lyrics are real as real can get, and I just can't stop listening to her! Especially her song "Rise Up." Have a look at her lyrics, look up her song to have a listen, and who knows? Maybe you'll feel as inspired and uplifted as I did.
Rise Up, Andra Day
You’re broken down and tired
Of living life on a merry-go-round
And you can’t find the fighter
But I see it in you so we gonna walk it out
And move mountains
We gonna walk it out
And move mountains
And I’ll rise up
I'll rise like the day
I’ll rise up
I'll rise unafraid
I'll rise up
And I’ll do it a thousand times again
And I’ll rise up
High like the waves
I’ll rise up
In spite of the ache
I'll rise up
And I’ll do it a thousands times again
For you [x4]
When the silence isn’t quiet
And it feels like it’s getting hard to breathe
And I know you feel like dying
But I promise we’ll take the world to its feet
And move mountains
We gonna walk it out
And move mountains
And I’ll rise up
I'll rise like the day
I’ll rise up
I'll rise unafraid
I'll rise up
And I’ll do it a thousand times again
For you [x4]
All we need, all we need is hope
And for that we have each other
And for that we have each other
We will rise
We will rise
We’ll rise, ohh ohhh
We’ll rise
I’ll rise up
Rise like the day
I’ll rise up
In spite of the ache
I will rise a thousands times again
And we’ll rise up
Rise like the waves
We’ll rise up
In spite of the ache
We’ll rise up
And we'll do it a thousands times again
For you ohhhh ohhh ohh ohhh ohh [x3]
As always, thanks for reading! As you probably guessed, the delay in a blog post from me is of course due to the business of nursing school. But with the help of God (and a super great personal anthem), I can put my mind at ease, look myself in the mirror and say "Hey, it's awful now, but only so that the next chapter will be all the more fantastic."
Peace and God bless:)
Friday, May 1, 2015
Loving the learning
I am so thankful to have shared some words in chapel today. The best kind of assignments are ones that don't feel like an assignment because they turn out to be an enjoyable process!
I love when the learning process steps from a task to complete to a passion we feed. I am incredibly thankful for this step because now I can tell that I enjoy learning in multiple study facets.
Frankly, I used to hate history, but now I'm thankful for what I'm learning and absorbing in my history class this semester.
I never would have guessed that I would enjoy and learn from a discussion in a philosophy class, but here I am, thankful for the confusing questions and demanding discussions.
A lot of people have asked me why in the world I go to a liberal arts college. They then proceed to tell me how they're sister-in-law became a nurse in just two years at such-and-such a school in such-and-such a place.
I think I get it now. I think I'm starting to see why liberal arts is so cool, and this is why: being "forced" to take classes in multiple disciplines causes us (or me at least) to not just appreciate the knowledge, but appreciate the learning. It's not a love for knowledge we're after, but a love of coming to that knowledge! We are being taught to love coming to knowing things, I would dare say even more than loving what we are actually being taught.
That doesn't mean the facts we learn are useless as long as we love the learning process, the facts are still applicable. If I walked through the nursing program loving learning, but not retaining the facts, there would be no possible way I'd be a nurse by the end. (Studying is basically a lifestyle for nursing students!) I'm saying the facts are even more meaningful when we are passionate about what we are learning. And once we fall in love with learning, it does not matter what article we're discussing or disease we're analyzing, we will love it all, for it all falls under the umbrella of learning.
It only took two years, but I think I finally understand the beauty of a liberal arts education.
Thanks, Trin!
Call it an "aha moment," I guess.
Peace
I love when the learning process steps from a task to complete to a passion we feed. I am incredibly thankful for this step because now I can tell that I enjoy learning in multiple study facets.
Frankly, I used to hate history, but now I'm thankful for what I'm learning and absorbing in my history class this semester.
I never would have guessed that I would enjoy and learn from a discussion in a philosophy class, but here I am, thankful for the confusing questions and demanding discussions.
A lot of people have asked me why in the world I go to a liberal arts college. They then proceed to tell me how they're sister-in-law became a nurse in just two years at such-and-such a school in such-and-such a place.
I think I get it now. I think I'm starting to see why liberal arts is so cool, and this is why: being "forced" to take classes in multiple disciplines causes us (or me at least) to not just appreciate the knowledge, but appreciate the learning. It's not a love for knowledge we're after, but a love of coming to that knowledge! We are being taught to love coming to knowing things, I would dare say even more than loving what we are actually being taught.
That doesn't mean the facts we learn are useless as long as we love the learning process, the facts are still applicable. If I walked through the nursing program loving learning, but not retaining the facts, there would be no possible way I'd be a nurse by the end. (Studying is basically a lifestyle for nursing students!) I'm saying the facts are even more meaningful when we are passionate about what we are learning. And once we fall in love with learning, it does not matter what article we're discussing or disease we're analyzing, we will love it all, for it all falls under the umbrella of learning.
It only took two years, but I think I finally understand the beauty of a liberal arts education.
Thanks, Trin!
Call it an "aha moment," I guess.
Peace
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Note to self
I discovered this video today, and its message is something that I think needs to be written on banners in the sky, shouted from rooftops, and shared with every person in this world. Have a look if you'd like:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKTZAsDVkzs
Whether we realize it or not, we are all subject to society's influences. I may not feel pressure to become society's "ideal" woman, but I can definitely see the ways society shoves the idea down our throats.
We all want to be seen as pretty, but what we don't realize is that each of us is beautiful.
And yes, there is a difference.
Beauty can be seen as a capsule containing so much more than just physical appearance.
Think of your family and closest friends.
What do you appreciate about them? What about them inspires you? What do you think makes them beautiful?
I am always impressed when my roommate's creative flair emerges. Her gifts in the realm of art are dazzling to me. Even pieces that she throws away are accomplishments that I know I could never reach.
That makes her beautiful.
My brother is out back fishing as I compile these thoughts. Every question I ask about poles, lines, and bait gets answered. The kid really knows what he's talking about!
That makes him beautiful.
I like working as a CNA and helping brighten my resident's days with a smile and a helping hand. I like asking about their lives and gleaning bits of wisdom from what they have to say.
That makes me beautiful.
Beauty is a person's passions, hobbies, quirks, gifts, and talents all rolled into one. But now that I've given a definition, I don't think beauty can be defined in this sort of blanket way. Each person is beautiful for different reasons.
So while we may not live up to external expectations of beauty, we gain hope knowing that we are all beautiful. Sometimes it's difficult to see this beauty, in ourselves or in others, but it's there. We need only take time to discover it.
So here's a little "note to self" for each of us: we are beautiful, no matter what anyone else says, for we were made in God's image, and He is truly beautiful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKTZAsDVkzs
Whether we realize it or not, we are all subject to society's influences. I may not feel pressure to become society's "ideal" woman, but I can definitely see the ways society shoves the idea down our throats.
We all want to be seen as pretty, but what we don't realize is that each of us is beautiful.
And yes, there is a difference.
Beauty can be seen as a capsule containing so much more than just physical appearance.
Think of your family and closest friends.
What do you appreciate about them? What about them inspires you? What do you think makes them beautiful?
I am always impressed when my roommate's creative flair emerges. Her gifts in the realm of art are dazzling to me. Even pieces that she throws away are accomplishments that I know I could never reach.
That makes her beautiful.
My brother is out back fishing as I compile these thoughts. Every question I ask about poles, lines, and bait gets answered. The kid really knows what he's talking about!
That makes him beautiful.
I like working as a CNA and helping brighten my resident's days with a smile and a helping hand. I like asking about their lives and gleaning bits of wisdom from what they have to say.
That makes me beautiful.
Beauty is a person's passions, hobbies, quirks, gifts, and talents all rolled into one. But now that I've given a definition, I don't think beauty can be defined in this sort of blanket way. Each person is beautiful for different reasons.
So while we may not live up to external expectations of beauty, we gain hope knowing that we are all beautiful. Sometimes it's difficult to see this beauty, in ourselves or in others, but it's there. We need only take time to discover it.
So here's a little "note to self" for each of us: we are beautiful, no matter what anyone else says, for we were made in God's image, and He is truly beautiful.
Monday, April 13, 2015
Defined
Hi my name is ________.
I am a _____ major.
I enjoy ______, ____________, and _______.
I have been involved in _______, __________, and ____________ in the past.
My dad is a _______.
My mom is a ___________.
I am __ feet ___ inches tall.
I weigh _____ pounds.
I am from ______________ and have lived there for ___ years.
My personality can be defined as ________, ______, and _____________.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I think you get the picture.
Knowing someone seems to start with this type of information. The sad part comes when knowing just this information is enough for a person to stop pursuing knowledge of another's life.
Why are we so quick to judge? Sure, not every person you meet will become your best friend, but when did we forget that every person is made in the image of God?
How about instead of defining someone by their past mistakes or things about them that irk us, let's accept every person for the beautiful creation God made them to be. Stop defining people by their appearances or downfalls. Our culture has us so caught up in these things that we forget who put us here and gave us our unique qualities.
Talk to her about her love of art. Talk to him about his interest in airplanes. Talk to that one friend about his thoughts on his future. Ask her how her family is doing. Ask about likes and dislikes and stories and habits, but don't forget to actually care about the person. Don't forget that they have a soul and a Creator who wants to see that soul in a new body in heaven someday.
Pray for that person. Pray for the friends, the third cousins, the enemies you may have.
Search for a way to better see people. Don't stop at the surface stuff. Humans are complex. Humans are deep. They have meaning. They have significance. Don't ever forget that.
We like to put people in little boxes and say "this is who you are to me," but what we far too often forget is what they are to God. Sometimes we even forget what we are to God!
Why do we do this?
Why do we let ourselves box people up? Why do we box God's creation?
Why do we box God?
Lately I've found myself defining people when really the only one who truly knows them is their Creator.
I've even attempted to define myself. But that's impossible. I don't know what changes are coming. I don't understand the most inner-workings of my brain. I don't know what I dream at night. I don't know where I'll end up. I don't know how to define myself, which, in turn, means I cannot successfully define other people.
The only thing I can do is look at a person and say "God, thank you for that life, that soul, that being that you made. You are awesome. You are wonderful and to be praised."
I can only look at myself and praise God for his love and protection. I can only look at myself and thank Him for saving me and making me His child.
Stop defining people. Stop shutting them out. Stop defining yourself. Stop defining God.
Thank Him for people. Thank Him for giving you life. Thank Him for being Himself and allowing us to get a glimpse of His love and power.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As always, I have no idea if any of that made any coherent sense, it is just my thoughts typed in a box on the internet.
Thanks for reading. And happy spring, folks!
I am a _____ major.
I enjoy ______, ____________, and _______.
I have been involved in _______, __________, and ____________ in the past.
My dad is a _______.
My mom is a ___________.
I am __ feet ___ inches tall.
I weigh _____ pounds.
I am from ______________ and have lived there for ___ years.
My personality can be defined as ________, ______, and _____________.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I think you get the picture.
Knowing someone seems to start with this type of information. The sad part comes when knowing just this information is enough for a person to stop pursuing knowledge of another's life.
Why are we so quick to judge? Sure, not every person you meet will become your best friend, but when did we forget that every person is made in the image of God?
How about instead of defining someone by their past mistakes or things about them that irk us, let's accept every person for the beautiful creation God made them to be. Stop defining people by their appearances or downfalls. Our culture has us so caught up in these things that we forget who put us here and gave us our unique qualities.
Talk to her about her love of art. Talk to him about his interest in airplanes. Talk to that one friend about his thoughts on his future. Ask her how her family is doing. Ask about likes and dislikes and stories and habits, but don't forget to actually care about the person. Don't forget that they have a soul and a Creator who wants to see that soul in a new body in heaven someday.
Pray for that person. Pray for the friends, the third cousins, the enemies you may have.
Search for a way to better see people. Don't stop at the surface stuff. Humans are complex. Humans are deep. They have meaning. They have significance. Don't ever forget that.
We like to put people in little boxes and say "this is who you are to me," but what we far too often forget is what they are to God. Sometimes we even forget what we are to God!
Why do we do this?
Why do we let ourselves box people up? Why do we box God's creation?
Why do we box God?
Lately I've found myself defining people when really the only one who truly knows them is their Creator.
I've even attempted to define myself. But that's impossible. I don't know what changes are coming. I don't understand the most inner-workings of my brain. I don't know what I dream at night. I don't know where I'll end up. I don't know how to define myself, which, in turn, means I cannot successfully define other people.
The only thing I can do is look at a person and say "God, thank you for that life, that soul, that being that you made. You are awesome. You are wonderful and to be praised."
I can only look at myself and praise God for his love and protection. I can only look at myself and thank Him for saving me and making me His child.
Stop defining people. Stop shutting them out. Stop defining yourself. Stop defining God.
Thank Him for people. Thank Him for giving you life. Thank Him for being Himself and allowing us to get a glimpse of His love and power.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As always, I have no idea if any of that made any coherent sense, it is just my thoughts typed in a box on the internet.
Thanks for reading. And happy spring, folks!
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Shifting our focus
Everywhere we turn we see ads, billboards, magazines, commercials and other stimuli that tell us how we need to change ourselves.
Lose the weight fast!
Buy these over-priced but name-brand jeans!
Find the guy of your dreams on our one-of-a-kind dating site!
Come visit this place just to say you did!
Gamble here just because you can!
But who are these things going to please? You? Your friends?
Sometimes it's tough to clearly see the calling God has for you. I know I want to be a nurse, but can I make the grade in the program I'm trying to get into? Why is it so difficult to get along with my family sometimes? Why does this whole moving thing seem so rocky and foreboding?
And then there's these silly distractions that we face everyday. The media is in our faces with everything from what cool new stuff to buy to what trouble the crazy Hollywood stars are getting into today.
It's hard to shut this stuff out.
None of it matters! Are we so caught up in our day-to-day lives that we can't pause and simply be thankful for what the Good Lord has given us?
Yes, there are things to be done. Life can get hectic fast, we often don't know how to react. But I have one question: who are we trying to please?
Are we doing good things for others because that's what God calls us to do?
Am I studying hard to be a nurse for myself or because God has called me to do this, and I want to praise Him with my life?
Are we buying the things we need, or the stuff we think we need to fill some sort of void?
Are we idolizing our favorite artists and stars?
Are we grumbling about our work because we feel mistreated?
God wants us to feel fulfilled through Him.
Did you know that Bible Gateway shares a verse of the day each day? Neither did I until I visited the site to find a verse for a paper I'm writing. Today's verse said this: "Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." -2 Peter 1:4
I'd like to share that verse again, combined with the verse before: "His divine power has given us everything we need for a Godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." -2 Peter 1:3-4
Where are your desires today? Are you living your life as a sacrifice to God? Are you living for yourself or for your Saviour? Be thankful for what you have, enjoy His beautiful creation, thank Him, and ask yourself: who are you trying to please?
"I urge you to live a life worthy of you calling." -Ephesians 4:1
Who called you? God.
So who should we live for? God!
As my dad likes to say as we dash out the door, "Live for the Lord!"
Thanks for reading. Peace:)
Lose the weight fast!
Buy these over-priced but name-brand jeans!
Find the guy of your dreams on our one-of-a-kind dating site!
Come visit this place just to say you did!
Gamble here just because you can!
But who are these things going to please? You? Your friends?
Sometimes it's tough to clearly see the calling God has for you. I know I want to be a nurse, but can I make the grade in the program I'm trying to get into? Why is it so difficult to get along with my family sometimes? Why does this whole moving thing seem so rocky and foreboding?
And then there's these silly distractions that we face everyday. The media is in our faces with everything from what cool new stuff to buy to what trouble the crazy Hollywood stars are getting into today.
It's hard to shut this stuff out.
None of it matters! Are we so caught up in our day-to-day lives that we can't pause and simply be thankful for what the Good Lord has given us?
Yes, there are things to be done. Life can get hectic fast, we often don't know how to react. But I have one question: who are we trying to please?
Are we doing good things for others because that's what God calls us to do?
Am I studying hard to be a nurse for myself or because God has called me to do this, and I want to praise Him with my life?
Are we buying the things we need, or the stuff we think we need to fill some sort of void?
Are we idolizing our favorite artists and stars?
Are we grumbling about our work because we feel mistreated?
God wants us to feel fulfilled through Him.
Did you know that Bible Gateway shares a verse of the day each day? Neither did I until I visited the site to find a verse for a paper I'm writing. Today's verse said this: "Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." -2 Peter 1:4
I'd like to share that verse again, combined with the verse before: "His divine power has given us everything we need for a Godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." -2 Peter 1:3-4
Where are your desires today? Are you living your life as a sacrifice to God? Are you living for yourself or for your Saviour? Be thankful for what you have, enjoy His beautiful creation, thank Him, and ask yourself: who are you trying to please?
"I urge you to live a life worthy of you calling." -Ephesians 4:1
Who called you? God.
So who should we live for? God!
As my dad likes to say as we dash out the door, "Live for the Lord!"
Thanks for reading. Peace:)
Thursday, November 20, 2014
*title goes here*
Today I needed to be broken down to be built up.
Why?
I am a worrier.
I struggle with letting go of the little things.
I want to be in control.
Throughout my life I have gotten extremely good about worrying and then suppressing those worries and never sharing them.
But do you know what happens when your cup of worries gets full and you try to cram more in?
You guessed it: it spills over in a sudden rush of helplessness, loneliness, pain, and frustration.
Tonight I had one of these "holy-breakdown-tears-everywhere" kind of moments during Outcry.
All the songs seemed to point right at my situation. It was like God was grabbing me by the shoulders and saying "Hey. This is for you. Are you listening?"
I hate crying in public, but this experience was such a blessing. I felt the beauty of a simple hug, a rub on the back, or an encouraging gesture.
I felt the love of Trinity.
I felt the love of Christ.
And that is simply amazing.
"Cast all your cares on the Lord, and He will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken." -Psalm 55:22
This was the message I felt tonight. We can't let worries, no matter how large or important, get in the way of our simple life mission: to serve Christ with our lives and become the person He wants us to be with the purpose He wants us to fulfill.
Why?
I am a worrier.
I struggle with letting go of the little things.
I want to be in control.
Throughout my life I have gotten extremely good about worrying and then suppressing those worries and never sharing them.
But do you know what happens when your cup of worries gets full and you try to cram more in?
You guessed it: it spills over in a sudden rush of helplessness, loneliness, pain, and frustration.
Tonight I had one of these "holy-breakdown-tears-everywhere" kind of moments during Outcry.
All the songs seemed to point right at my situation. It was like God was grabbing me by the shoulders and saying "Hey. This is for you. Are you listening?"
I hate crying in public, but this experience was such a blessing. I felt the beauty of a simple hug, a rub on the back, or an encouraging gesture.
I felt the love of Trinity.
I felt the love of Christ.
And that is simply amazing.
"Cast all your cares on the Lord, and He will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken." -Psalm 55:22
This was the message I felt tonight. We can't let worries, no matter how large or important, get in the way of our simple life mission: to serve Christ with our lives and become the person He wants us to be with the purpose He wants us to fulfill.
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Conquerors
I like to consider myself a determined person, but man is it difficult to makes one's dreams come true!
I have wanted to be a nurse for so long. You know when you're a kid, and everyone asks you all the time what you want to be when you grow up? I always changed my answer: an artist, astronaut, writer, vet. My answer changed, but my true dream didn't. Being a nurse was always the goal.
You know what stinks about conquering a mountain? There are innumerable obstacles to get past. You beat yourself up, get frustrated, and think it would be better if you just quit.
And in life, we aren't conquering one mountain at a time, but many. Becoming a nurse is an obvious one in my life, but others exist as well. Tomorrow night (actually, tonight, seeing as how I'm writing this at 1:42am) our play Richard III opens. Our cast, crew, and director have all worked our butts off to pull off this monster of a production. I'm so proud of everyone and can't wait until we can prove what Trinity theatre can do.
Another mountain to conquer is work. Frankly, paying for Christian college is awful, and I'm struggling to get past this part of the hike. But, like all obstacles, future success depends on whether or not I conquer this.
There are some little mountains that occasionally pop up. Lack of sleep is a biggy, especially this week with dress-rehearsals every night. It's also hard for me to keep my tired, snappy mouth shut during a frustrating day of classes or a particular professor is getting on my nerves. I feel so defeated by feelings of guilt when I fail myself and give in to that rude comment or not being the kind, helpful person I should strive to be.
Mountains are tall, rocky, dangerous, and difficult. And they are for a reason.
Right now I'm running on adrenaline, pumping myself with fake joy. But inside I feel exhausted, distraught, helpless, and anxious. I started this post with one idea in mind, but of course it changed as my fingers tapped the keys. The words they typed led my brain to think of the beautiful passage we are given in Romans 8:
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
Rocks are hide to climb. Without good footing and consistent strength, it seems impossible to conquer the mountain. This passage is what's getting me through. I don't know God's will, but I'm praying He helps me conquer this mountain.
I have wanted to be a nurse for so long. You know when you're a kid, and everyone asks you all the time what you want to be when you grow up? I always changed my answer: an artist, astronaut, writer, vet. My answer changed, but my true dream didn't. Being a nurse was always the goal.
You know what stinks about conquering a mountain? There are innumerable obstacles to get past. You beat yourself up, get frustrated, and think it would be better if you just quit.
And in life, we aren't conquering one mountain at a time, but many. Becoming a nurse is an obvious one in my life, but others exist as well. Tomorrow night (actually, tonight, seeing as how I'm writing this at 1:42am) our play Richard III opens. Our cast, crew, and director have all worked our butts off to pull off this monster of a production. I'm so proud of everyone and can't wait until we can prove what Trinity theatre can do.
Another mountain to conquer is work. Frankly, paying for Christian college is awful, and I'm struggling to get past this part of the hike. But, like all obstacles, future success depends on whether or not I conquer this.
There are some little mountains that occasionally pop up. Lack of sleep is a biggy, especially this week with dress-rehearsals every night. It's also hard for me to keep my tired, snappy mouth shut during a frustrating day of classes or a particular professor is getting on my nerves. I feel so defeated by feelings of guilt when I fail myself and give in to that rude comment or not being the kind, helpful person I should strive to be.
Mountains are tall, rocky, dangerous, and difficult. And they are for a reason.
Right now I'm running on adrenaline, pumping myself with fake joy. But inside I feel exhausted, distraught, helpless, and anxious. I started this post with one idea in mind, but of course it changed as my fingers tapped the keys. The words they typed led my brain to think of the beautiful passage we are given in Romans 8:
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Rocks are hide to climb. Without good footing and consistent strength, it seems impossible to conquer the mountain. This passage is what's getting me through. I don't know God's will, but I'm praying He helps me conquer this mountain.
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Coffee and anatomy and blogging and........
Growing up just plains stinks sometimes.
Suddenly we're hit with more responsibilities, to-do lists, and thoughts concerning the future.
We learned how to play nice when we were young, but now we have to respect people who might have characteristics we do not consider respectable.
We have to think about what we actually need because we don't receive a weekly allowance from mommy and daddy anymore. (which was never something I experienced anyway)
There are places to be, people to converse with, and many things, oh so many things, to learn!
Mom doesn't do the dishes anymore.
That shower full of four girls' hair? Yeah, that's all yours!
Conflict? Confrontation? Chaos? Yup, you have to be all over that.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Can I just go back to coloring? Sometimes this just drives me nuts!
What if I just want to binge on Netflix all evening? Technically there's no one to stop me.
But that's where the adult side of me lashes out and turns my conscience against me.
"What do you think you're doing? You need to study! How the heck are you going to be a nurse with a lazy attitude like that?!?"
This is where I'm at right now. It's 10:20pm. I have an Anatomy and Physiology exam tomorrow.
I also just made the mistake of drinking a very large coffee beverage. Caffeinated. Whoops.
There's drama here, dishes there, and so many distractions everywhere!
Soooo, that's why I'm blogging right now. I'm in my prime studying time, and I'm simply piddling around on my laptop.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's amazing how much a simple conflict can fill your mind.
I just love when I can't focus at the moments when focus is most necessary.
Hmm, maybe it's time for some yoga and devotions.....
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Random post, but thanks for the read:)
Suddenly we're hit with more responsibilities, to-do lists, and thoughts concerning the future.
We learned how to play nice when we were young, but now we have to respect people who might have characteristics we do not consider respectable.
We have to think about what we actually need because we don't receive a weekly allowance from mommy and daddy anymore. (which was never something I experienced anyway)
There are places to be, people to converse with, and many things, oh so many things, to learn!
Mom doesn't do the dishes anymore.
That shower full of four girls' hair? Yeah, that's all yours!
Conflict? Confrontation? Chaos? Yup, you have to be all over that.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Can I just go back to coloring? Sometimes this just drives me nuts!
What if I just want to binge on Netflix all evening? Technically there's no one to stop me.
But that's where the adult side of me lashes out and turns my conscience against me.
"What do you think you're doing? You need to study! How the heck are you going to be a nurse with a lazy attitude like that?!?"
This is where I'm at right now. It's 10:20pm. I have an Anatomy and Physiology exam tomorrow.
I also just made the mistake of drinking a very large coffee beverage. Caffeinated. Whoops.
There's drama here, dishes there, and so many distractions everywhere!
Soooo, that's why I'm blogging right now. I'm in my prime studying time, and I'm simply piddling around on my laptop.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's amazing how much a simple conflict can fill your mind.
I just love when I can't focus at the moments when focus is most necessary.
Hmm, maybe it's time for some yoga and devotions.....
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Random post, but thanks for the read:)
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Jumping in
16 years.
16 years have been spent here.
Growing.
Learning.
Exploring.
Living.
16 years in the DeMotte/Roselawn area.
That's a long time, people!
And now God is calling us elsewhere.
I guess it's time for an adventure.
------------------------------------------------------
Sure St. John isn't all that far from here, but still. To uproot ourselves from the place we've called home for so long is a pretty scary thing, and lots of prayers are needed.
First, I know I'll be praying for Community Church, which has been our home for so long. I pray that our leaving may not be seen as a stumbling block to them, but a chance to continue on the growth path they appear to going down. The church is a team. Losing one part of that team can't be the end of progress.
Second, I'm asking for prayers for Pathway Church, which we'll be joining in a few months. Pray that this church that has been wanting to sprout can finally have the leadership it needs to make that happen. I know it's intimidating to take on a new leadership role, but I hope that through the work of the congregation, in partnership with my dad, we can make something truly awesome happen.
Third, I would really appreciate prayers for my family. I was three when we moved to Roselawn, so my brothers and I have no idea what it's like to move. Pray that our family can work together well to be able to smoothly pull off this transition. Right now, I have no clue what's going to happen. Where will we live? Where are my mom and I going to work now? Can Caleb and Dylan still be as involved at school as they are now? Are we waiting to move until summer?
At this point, I have to remind myself to stop letting questions bog me down. With so much going on, so many thoughts to struggle with, it's difficult to be thankful for the opportunity my dad has in going to Pathway.
So I'm simply asking for prayer. For Community, for Pathway, and for our family.
It's time for some change. It's scary, but we might as well jump in!
Thanks for reading:)
16 years have been spent here.
Growing.
Learning.
Exploring.
Living.
16 years in the DeMotte/Roselawn area.
That's a long time, people!
And now God is calling us elsewhere.
I guess it's time for an adventure.
------------------------------------------------------
Sure St. John isn't all that far from here, but still. To uproot ourselves from the place we've called home for so long is a pretty scary thing, and lots of prayers are needed.
First, I know I'll be praying for Community Church, which has been our home for so long. I pray that our leaving may not be seen as a stumbling block to them, but a chance to continue on the growth path they appear to going down. The church is a team. Losing one part of that team can't be the end of progress.
Second, I'm asking for prayers for Pathway Church, which we'll be joining in a few months. Pray that this church that has been wanting to sprout can finally have the leadership it needs to make that happen. I know it's intimidating to take on a new leadership role, but I hope that through the work of the congregation, in partnership with my dad, we can make something truly awesome happen.
Third, I would really appreciate prayers for my family. I was three when we moved to Roselawn, so my brothers and I have no idea what it's like to move. Pray that our family can work together well to be able to smoothly pull off this transition. Right now, I have no clue what's going to happen. Where will we live? Where are my mom and I going to work now? Can Caleb and Dylan still be as involved at school as they are now? Are we waiting to move until summer?
At this point, I have to remind myself to stop letting questions bog me down. With so much going on, so many thoughts to struggle with, it's difficult to be thankful for the opportunity my dad has in going to Pathway.
So I'm simply asking for prayer. For Community, for Pathway, and for our family.
It's time for some change. It's scary, but we might as well jump in!
Thanks for reading:)
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Oh, micro...the things we can learn!
I feel that this is how school sometimes works: the classes that are the most interesting to you, also happen to be the most difficult.
Anyone else experience this?
Sciences are extremely fascinating to me, but are also the classes that require the most work. Today, I am studying for my third microbiology exam of the semester and also an anatomy and physiology lab practical over all the bones of the body. (Welcome to the life of a nursing major!)
It seems as though when my brain is feeling swollen, I am struck the with the sheer awe and power of the material. For instance, one chapter covered on our micro exam is on HIV and AIDS. You think you know a good bit about HIV and other diseases...that is, until you cover them in microbiology.
Some of this information is just so crazy, I had to share. If you don't feel like being depressed and bogged down by some shocking and scary scientific information that applies to so much of our population, feel free to browse the web elsewhere. If you feel brave enough to continue reading, go you:)
(By the way, I'm not taking credit for digging up this information. It's material we discussed in class.)
I hate to say of a virus that it is impressive, but when thinking about HIV, it really is! It's odd to start at the end of the equation, but I will anyway. To kill the HIV virus, it takes a specific cocktail of drugs. And these drugs are super complex and expensive. This is because, to kill HIV, it's not enough to just damage one part. You have to kill every part of HIV to kill it. This drug cocktail is referred to as HAART, Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy. These drugs include reverse transcriptase inhibitors, protease inhibitors, integrase inhibitors, and fusion inhibitors. With these drugs, HIV will not be able to fuse with our cells, make copies of its RNA, combine its genome into ours, or make functional proteins. Hitting HIV with one drug is nothing. HIV will simply evolve around it. That's amazing! Scary, but amazing.
Now that you see what we're dealing with, lets check out the order of symptoms and phases of infection.
Phase 1 lasts from the time of infection to 3 years (approximately). During this time, one can be asymptomatic (showing no symptoms) or experience what is called ARS, which is Acute Retroviral Syndrome. The symptoms of this can vary between flu-like symptoms, confusion, up to seizures. The scary thing about this phase is the fact that you can show no symptoms or experience symptoms that disappear after awhile before you hit phase two.
In phase 2, years 3-8, the amount of cells that work to kill viruses are steadily declining. The virus is reproducing aggressively, but can barely be traced in the blood, so it goes almost undetected, except through possible symptoms. The symptoms are termed LAS, which stands for Lymphadenopathy Syndrome. This is basically persistent enlargement of the lymph nodes.
Phase 3 lasts from year 8 until the death of the victim. The cells that kill viruses are basically wiped out. This is when the person acquires AIDS and AIDS Related Complex. The person is more prone to opportunistic infections because their immune system is so compromised. They may experience fever, weight loss, fatigue, diarrhea, even dementia before one of the infections takes their life.
Why am I sharing this? Sure it helps me study to talk through everything, but I also feel like people should know what an insanely devastating disease this is and how much of our world it affects.
According to the World Health Organization, there were over 7000 new HIV infections per day in 2010. About 97% of those infected were from low to middle income countries. About 1000 were children under 15 years of age. A good majority of the rest are young people between the ages of 15 and 24.
The main methods of transmission of HIV are through accidental needle sticks and blood transfusions. Some simple ways to prevent the transmission of this awful virus include safe sex (abstinence is even better!), not using IV drugs, using Anti-Retroviral Therapy on expectant mothers, and of course: not sharing needles.And while prices for the necessary drug cocktail have gone down some, it is still extremely expensive for people in areas most affected by HIV and AIDS, like Sub-Sahara Africa and India.
A modeling study from 2011 estimated that through a combination of HIV prevention methods and Anti-Retroviral therapy coverage for 80% of patients could reduce the number of people acquiring HIV from more than 3 million per year to 1.2 million by 2025. Read that sentence again. Isn't it astounding?
So what's our biggest obstacle? Cost and the fact that most infected people are in poor, underdeveloped countries with no possible access to the drugs necessary to kill HIV.
And there's the sad truth of it all.
We have ways of at least slowing down this disease, but the people who need to most help can't get it.
So is anyone doing anything? We can't stop there!
Thankfully the World Health Organization is moving us forward. According to them, since 2001, there has been a 24% reduction in the number of HIV infections in infants. That's so huge! However, 10 million people who are eligible for treatment still do not have access to it. And that's the driving factor here.
I greatly appreciate this quote from WHO (World Health Organization) Director, Dr. Margaret Chan:
"We know what needs to be done, and we have a new strategy to do it more efficiently......The vision for a new generation free from HIV/AIDS is within our reach. We must work together to enhance our response to HIVand achieve universal access to HIV services for all who need them."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Praise be to God!
Thanks for reading:)
Anyone else experience this?
Sciences are extremely fascinating to me, but are also the classes that require the most work. Today, I am studying for my third microbiology exam of the semester and also an anatomy and physiology lab practical over all the bones of the body. (Welcome to the life of a nursing major!)
It seems as though when my brain is feeling swollen, I am struck the with the sheer awe and power of the material. For instance, one chapter covered on our micro exam is on HIV and AIDS. You think you know a good bit about HIV and other diseases...that is, until you cover them in microbiology.
Some of this information is just so crazy, I had to share. If you don't feel like being depressed and bogged down by some shocking and scary scientific information that applies to so much of our population, feel free to browse the web elsewhere. If you feel brave enough to continue reading, go you:)
(By the way, I'm not taking credit for digging up this information. It's material we discussed in class.)
I hate to say of a virus that it is impressive, but when thinking about HIV, it really is! It's odd to start at the end of the equation, but I will anyway. To kill the HIV virus, it takes a specific cocktail of drugs. And these drugs are super complex and expensive. This is because, to kill HIV, it's not enough to just damage one part. You have to kill every part of HIV to kill it. This drug cocktail is referred to as HAART, Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy. These drugs include reverse transcriptase inhibitors, protease inhibitors, integrase inhibitors, and fusion inhibitors. With these drugs, HIV will not be able to fuse with our cells, make copies of its RNA, combine its genome into ours, or make functional proteins. Hitting HIV with one drug is nothing. HIV will simply evolve around it. That's amazing! Scary, but amazing.
Now that you see what we're dealing with, lets check out the order of symptoms and phases of infection.
Phase 1 lasts from the time of infection to 3 years (approximately). During this time, one can be asymptomatic (showing no symptoms) or experience what is called ARS, which is Acute Retroviral Syndrome. The symptoms of this can vary between flu-like symptoms, confusion, up to seizures. The scary thing about this phase is the fact that you can show no symptoms or experience symptoms that disappear after awhile before you hit phase two.
In phase 2, years 3-8, the amount of cells that work to kill viruses are steadily declining. The virus is reproducing aggressively, but can barely be traced in the blood, so it goes almost undetected, except through possible symptoms. The symptoms are termed LAS, which stands for Lymphadenopathy Syndrome. This is basically persistent enlargement of the lymph nodes.
Phase 3 lasts from year 8 until the death of the victim. The cells that kill viruses are basically wiped out. This is when the person acquires AIDS and AIDS Related Complex. The person is more prone to opportunistic infections because their immune system is so compromised. They may experience fever, weight loss, fatigue, diarrhea, even dementia before one of the infections takes their life.
Why am I sharing this? Sure it helps me study to talk through everything, but I also feel like people should know what an insanely devastating disease this is and how much of our world it affects.
According to the World Health Organization, there were over 7000 new HIV infections per day in 2010. About 97% of those infected were from low to middle income countries. About 1000 were children under 15 years of age. A good majority of the rest are young people between the ages of 15 and 24.
The main methods of transmission of HIV are through accidental needle sticks and blood transfusions. Some simple ways to prevent the transmission of this awful virus include safe sex (abstinence is even better!), not using IV drugs, using Anti-Retroviral Therapy on expectant mothers, and of course: not sharing needles.And while prices for the necessary drug cocktail have gone down some, it is still extremely expensive for people in areas most affected by HIV and AIDS, like Sub-Sahara Africa and India.
A modeling study from 2011 estimated that through a combination of HIV prevention methods and Anti-Retroviral therapy coverage for 80% of patients could reduce the number of people acquiring HIV from more than 3 million per year to 1.2 million by 2025. Read that sentence again. Isn't it astounding?
So what's our biggest obstacle? Cost and the fact that most infected people are in poor, underdeveloped countries with no possible access to the drugs necessary to kill HIV.
And there's the sad truth of it all.
We have ways of at least slowing down this disease, but the people who need to most help can't get it.
So is anyone doing anything? We can't stop there!
Thankfully the World Health Organization is moving us forward. According to them, since 2001, there has been a 24% reduction in the number of HIV infections in infants. That's so huge! However, 10 million people who are eligible for treatment still do not have access to it. And that's the driving factor here.
I greatly appreciate this quote from WHO (World Health Organization) Director, Dr. Margaret Chan:
"We know what needs to be done, and we have a new strategy to do it more efficiently......The vision for a new generation free from HIV/AIDS is within our reach. We must work together to enhance our response to HIVand achieve universal access to HIV services for all who need them."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Praise be to God!
Thanks for reading:)
Monday, September 29, 2014
I'm just existing
It just gets so lonely in here.
I'm not allowed to go anywhere, see anyone.
I don't even know where I am anymore.
How long have I been here?
Does anyone visit?
I hate being such a bother to you.
I wish I could just help myself.
Is there anything to do besides sit around or look out the window?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
This, folks, is stuff I hear far too often from my elderly residents. One of them even said to me: "It's not like I'm living anymore. I'm just existing." That hit me hard.
This is sad, people! I hate to rant, but sometimes this just gets me so frustrated. If you have a mom, dad, grandpa, grandma, or even great grandparents in a nursing home or assisted living, GO VISIT THEM.
It's not such a difficult thing to do, so why do so many family members forget it? I can list too many people who I love to help and talk to on a daily basis that never get visitors, and it's crushing them. And most people who do get visitors, sometimes only visit with them for 10 minutes, and then they're gone.
I'm living at school, trying to be productive, when sometimes all I can think about is how my residents are doing. I'm too scared to ask if anyone has passed away, even though I'll find out when I go in to work next anyway.
So far I've only met two residents who say they actually enjoy getting older. The rest either complain about it lightly or flat out hate getting old, wrinkly, and hard of hearing.
I think it would be great if we were a people with deeper respect and love for our aging relatives. Remember learning in 3rd grade that a whole Indian family, spanning up to four or five generations, would live in the same home? Wouldn't that be awesome if that's how our culture worked? I'm not saying move your grandparents in with you, but think about it.
I learn so much from my residents. Imagine what you could learn if you put a little more time or effort into relationships with the elderly.
Think about it. We're all just existing (until Jesus comes again!). So why not exist together?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
I know this was super random, but hey, sometimes that's how the human brain works.
Thanks for reading:)
I'm not allowed to go anywhere, see anyone.
I don't even know where I am anymore.
How long have I been here?
Does anyone visit?
I hate being such a bother to you.
I wish I could just help myself.
Is there anything to do besides sit around or look out the window?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
This, folks, is stuff I hear far too often from my elderly residents. One of them even said to me: "It's not like I'm living anymore. I'm just existing." That hit me hard.
This is sad, people! I hate to rant, but sometimes this just gets me so frustrated. If you have a mom, dad, grandpa, grandma, or even great grandparents in a nursing home or assisted living, GO VISIT THEM.
It's not such a difficult thing to do, so why do so many family members forget it? I can list too many people who I love to help and talk to on a daily basis that never get visitors, and it's crushing them. And most people who do get visitors, sometimes only visit with them for 10 minutes, and then they're gone.
I'm living at school, trying to be productive, when sometimes all I can think about is how my residents are doing. I'm too scared to ask if anyone has passed away, even though I'll find out when I go in to work next anyway.
So far I've only met two residents who say they actually enjoy getting older. The rest either complain about it lightly or flat out hate getting old, wrinkly, and hard of hearing.
I think it would be great if we were a people with deeper respect and love for our aging relatives. Remember learning in 3rd grade that a whole Indian family, spanning up to four or five generations, would live in the same home? Wouldn't that be awesome if that's how our culture worked? I'm not saying move your grandparents in with you, but think about it.
I learn so much from my residents. Imagine what you could learn if you put a little more time or effort into relationships with the elderly.
Think about it. We're all just existing (until Jesus comes again!). So why not exist together?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
I know this was super random, but hey, sometimes that's how the human brain works.
Thanks for reading:)
Monday, September 22, 2014
*vague title using words to do with clouds and mountains*.........?
How are you today?
Fine.
What are you up to?
Oh, nothing. Just homework.
How are you feeling?
Fine.
Anything cool going on in your life right now?
Not really.
I try to be a cheery person, but sometimes I fall into the sad pattern of giving vague, worthless answers to simple questions.
What's the source?
---------------------------------------------
My head is cloudy. That's all I can say.
I wake up, go to class, work, talk with friends, do homework. They call it the "daily grind."
And I've tripped right into a huge puddle of it.
I'm in God's word, I'm exercising, I'm practicing time-management.
I should feel like the mountain climber that finally reached the top!
And yet my head is cloudy.
Do I know why?
Maybe. But maybe not.
---------------------------------------------
Maybe I do know.
Have you ever discovered something or were told something, and it occupied your thoughts for days on end?
That's what I'm experiencing right now.
And I'm trying really hard not to believe this, but I think this is why my head is cloudy.
Yeah, that must be it.
That's why my head is cloudy.
I guess there are clouds even at the top of the mountain.
----------------------------------------------
And now to find a solution.....
Fine.
What are you up to?
Oh, nothing. Just homework.
How are you feeling?
Fine.
Anything cool going on in your life right now?
Not really.
I try to be a cheery person, but sometimes I fall into the sad pattern of giving vague, worthless answers to simple questions.
What's the source?
---------------------------------------------
My head is cloudy. That's all I can say.
I wake up, go to class, work, talk with friends, do homework. They call it the "daily grind."
And I've tripped right into a huge puddle of it.
I'm in God's word, I'm exercising, I'm practicing time-management.
I should feel like the mountain climber that finally reached the top!
And yet my head is cloudy.
Do I know why?
Maybe. But maybe not.
---------------------------------------------
Maybe I do know.
Have you ever discovered something or were told something, and it occupied your thoughts for days on end?
That's what I'm experiencing right now.
And I'm trying really hard not to believe this, but I think this is why my head is cloudy.
Yeah, that must be it.
That's why my head is cloudy.
I guess there are clouds even at the top of the mountain.
----------------------------------------------
And now to find a solution.....
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Needing some new air
Sometimes it's the simple things. A beautiful pink sunset, airplanes taking flight, homemade Indian food, making a friend's dad laugh, sitting on comfortable chairs in Best Buy, watching airplanes soar right above us on the highway, being exposed to Chinese flute music, and singing worship songs on the way home. This is what I call a retreat. Often it's not the planned retreats that give us the most benefit. Spontaneity is often what brings us back to where we need to be. Not necessarily in the present, but back to where we need to be. In appreciation of where God has placed us. Sometimes we need some new air.
This week has been a stressful one, and, upon examining my rather colorful schedule, it's only going to get more insane. It's moments like these, when I seem to be sinking into the quicksand of day-to-day life, that I unknowingly need to get away.
The most current installment of "I'm drowning, get me out of here" was solved by my beautiful roommate Alice. It took some convincing, but soon Alice, Anneliese, and I were on our way to Alice's house for some divine homemade Indian food and good old roommate conversation. It was nothing grand, yet it was the highlight of my week. Why? I think the answer is simply that we needed a break, and God provided a simple opportunity for us to get away and enjoy each other's company.
The best of times are always spent with the best of friends. I don't know what you think, but I feel that that's a quote floating around the internet said by some semi-famous person. No matter where it came from, I believe that it's true. An hour drive to and from a destination may at first seem annoying, especially since it wasn't a trip I needed to take. However, just because I was with friends I love, the drive was a blast, and I was actually sad when it ended.
It's amazing how the simplest, most spontaneous excursions are the most refreshing. It's like getting fresh air after being stuck inside all day.
But this trip was better than that.
It was better than fresh air.
It was like completely new air.
Which is I think what God wanted me to find.
New perspective.
New thoughts.
Completely new air.
This week has been a stressful one, and, upon examining my rather colorful schedule, it's only going to get more insane. It's moments like these, when I seem to be sinking into the quicksand of day-to-day life, that I unknowingly need to get away.
The most current installment of "I'm drowning, get me out of here" was solved by my beautiful roommate Alice. It took some convincing, but soon Alice, Anneliese, and I were on our way to Alice's house for some divine homemade Indian food and good old roommate conversation. It was nothing grand, yet it was the highlight of my week. Why? I think the answer is simply that we needed a break, and God provided a simple opportunity for us to get away and enjoy each other's company.
The best of times are always spent with the best of friends. I don't know what you think, but I feel that that's a quote floating around the internet said by some semi-famous person. No matter where it came from, I believe that it's true. An hour drive to and from a destination may at first seem annoying, especially since it wasn't a trip I needed to take. However, just because I was with friends I love, the drive was a blast, and I was actually sad when it ended.
It's amazing how the simplest, most spontaneous excursions are the most refreshing. It's like getting fresh air after being stuck inside all day.
But this trip was better than that.
It was better than fresh air.
It was like completely new air.
Which is I think what God wanted me to find.
New perspective.
New thoughts.
Completely new air.
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Thanks, Dad
People's reactions to my job often include a comment about all the death I see. Working in a nursing home, death does occur, but that doesn't mean it's a negative job. Actually, I love it!
One of the worst parts of my job is not death, it's the fact that people suffer and would prefer death over life. But what I am impressed with about suffering is seeing the strength that families of some of my residents exhibit when their strength is in the Lord.
These thoughts about death and faith were resurfaced as my dad was preaching this past Sunday. Almost every Christian has probably memorized Psalm 23 at some point in their life. But isn't it amazing when you read a familiar passage and something new jumps out at you?
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
One of the worst parts of my job is not death, it's the fact that people suffer and would prefer death over life. But what I am impressed with about suffering is seeing the strength that families of some of my residents exhibit when their strength is in the Lord.
These thoughts about death and faith were resurfaced as my dad was preaching this past Sunday. Almost every Christian has probably memorized Psalm 23 at some point in their life. But isn't it amazing when you read a familiar passage and something new jumps out at you?
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
This passage is truly incredible! But here's what my dad showed the congregation on Sunday. At first, David is talking about God in the third person, which is how you speak when that person isn't around.
But notice what happens in verse four: "I will fear no evil, for you are will me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Another translation says: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil". In verse four, David is now talking as if he is in the presence of God. It's as if, as David is passing through death, he now comes into the presence of God.
Looking at this passage in this new light makes me feel less sad about the death I see in my job. I can now imagine a passing resident, instead of being swallowed by death, simply lifted by God, right into His arms. Death is a scary place, but for Christians it also means that God is nearest to you than ever before.
I never really though of Psalm 23 as a psalm about death, but now that I understand, I see the beauty of it.
So thanks, Dad, for showing me a way to connect this passage to my life and even my work!
I guess parents really can be helpful sometimes;)
Thanks for reading!
Dedication
One more shift at work to get through.
A few more errands to run.
A lot more clothes to pack.
Soon a fresh school year shall commence.
I'm not usually one for New Year's resolutions because, as a student, I feel that the year begins at the end of August.
Therefore, I must now declare my "New Year's" (more like "school year's) resolutions.
This task is quite a simple one for me because it all falls under one word: dedication.
Classes this semester are no longer the simple blow-off gen-ed classes of freshmen year. It's time to get down to business. (*singing* Let's get down to business! To defeat....the Hunsssss)
I have two Biology classes and my first Nursing class to conquer, which in no way will be simple.
I also have a job on campus this summer, although it's not your typical on-campus job. It will require my CNA skills more than anything, which I love to use. It'll be time consuming, yet rewarding. I just need to keep reminding myself of the benefit and that I need to keep at it!
An area of my life that could definitely use some help in the dedication department is my physical health. I have been overweight since as long as I can remember, and did I ever like it? Absolutely not! And despite my efforts, it seems that my problem comes down to the fact that I am for some reason not displaying enough dedication to losing weight and becoming a more healthy human being. Last school year, I did well at working out often and eating healthier. I am proud to say that I lost the freshmen fifteen as opposed to gaining it! However, this summer, I have fallen back into old patterns and habits, which is simply no good. Time to hop on the band wagon and try again!
Another problem area is my faith. Well, not my faith exactly, my faith isn't what is faltering. Rather my devotional life is lacking in a steady rhythm. I mean, am I the only one who forgets to read the Bible everyday? Or is this a common struggle? If so, how in the world do I fix this problem? I know God is forgiving, but He has to get sick of forgiving me over and over for forgetting to read His word! I like reading my Bible, it's just that I forget! Simple as that. Something I've got to work on.
This year, I just want to be more dedicated to being a more well-rounded student. I want to exceed in my classes, but also be involved in social activities on campus. I want to reserve time for myself and my improvement, while also having an open door to friends and peers in need. I want to give time for my health: mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual. Overall, I want to be dedicated to maintaining the balance required in any person's life. I'm told that's what college is all about! Finding your balance, how you run things, and being able to maintain it.
Thanks for the read! :)
A few more errands to run.
A lot more clothes to pack.
Soon a fresh school year shall commence.
I'm not usually one for New Year's resolutions because, as a student, I feel that the year begins at the end of August.
Therefore, I must now declare my "New Year's" (more like "school year's) resolutions.
This task is quite a simple one for me because it all falls under one word: dedication.
Classes this semester are no longer the simple blow-off gen-ed classes of freshmen year. It's time to get down to business. (*singing* Let's get down to business! To defeat....the Hunsssss)
I have two Biology classes and my first Nursing class to conquer, which in no way will be simple.
I also have a job on campus this summer, although it's not your typical on-campus job. It will require my CNA skills more than anything, which I love to use. It'll be time consuming, yet rewarding. I just need to keep reminding myself of the benefit and that I need to keep at it!
An area of my life that could definitely use some help in the dedication department is my physical health. I have been overweight since as long as I can remember, and did I ever like it? Absolutely not! And despite my efforts, it seems that my problem comes down to the fact that I am for some reason not displaying enough dedication to losing weight and becoming a more healthy human being. Last school year, I did well at working out often and eating healthier. I am proud to say that I lost the freshmen fifteen as opposed to gaining it! However, this summer, I have fallen back into old patterns and habits, which is simply no good. Time to hop on the band wagon and try again!
Another problem area is my faith. Well, not my faith exactly, my faith isn't what is faltering. Rather my devotional life is lacking in a steady rhythm. I mean, am I the only one who forgets to read the Bible everyday? Or is this a common struggle? If so, how in the world do I fix this problem? I know God is forgiving, but He has to get sick of forgiving me over and over for forgetting to read His word! I like reading my Bible, it's just that I forget! Simple as that. Something I've got to work on.
This year, I just want to be more dedicated to being a more well-rounded student. I want to exceed in my classes, but also be involved in social activities on campus. I want to reserve time for myself and my improvement, while also having an open door to friends and peers in need. I want to give time for my health: mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual. Overall, I want to be dedicated to maintaining the balance required in any person's life. I'm told that's what college is all about! Finding your balance, how you run things, and being able to maintain it.
Thanks for the read! :)
Thursday, July 24, 2014
2 am thoughts
2 am. Upstairs. Assisted living. She's over 100 and still walking. 8 hours of being a lump on her couch. Bathroom trips for both when needed.
A ticking clock. Bible on the desk. A man praying on the wall.
What does one do while sitting up all night watching an elderly woman rest peacefully?
Poetry, based on my surroundings of course.
I am a fickle being; you are the sturdy vine
I am ever unfaithful; you love the runaway bride
I say the sun is mighty, while you are in control
I claim to be a saint, while mold spawns in my soul
Life seems so full, yet I feel empty inside
That's when you reach down, and I have nothing to hide
Before a thought has been birthed in my brain,
You know it completely, you feel all my pain
Because you know what we've been through, you've felt it before
You've seen how life beats us down and makes us so sore
I love you for that, only not every day
For I may be your child, but I tend to run away
So forgive me Father, please pull me back
For I need you here when I'm under attack
For the lion is lurking, and I am the prey
Protect me Father, under your wings I will stay
But don't ever forget me, for I could possibly stray
I am not proud of this, but that's simply the way
Christians sometimes are, which isn't right
So give us your strength as we fight the good fight
I'm not the greatest poet, but hey, when the Spirit moves you, you just have to write.
Thanks for reading, God bless:)
A ticking clock. Bible on the desk. A man praying on the wall.
What does one do while sitting up all night watching an elderly woman rest peacefully?
Poetry, based on my surroundings of course.
I am a fickle being; you are the sturdy vine
I am ever unfaithful; you love the runaway bride
I say the sun is mighty, while you are in control
I claim to be a saint, while mold spawns in my soul
Life seems so full, yet I feel empty inside
That's when you reach down, and I have nothing to hide
Before a thought has been birthed in my brain,
You know it completely, you feel all my pain
Because you know what we've been through, you've felt it before
You've seen how life beats us down and makes us so sore
I love you for that, only not every day
For I may be your child, but I tend to run away
So forgive me Father, please pull me back
For I need you here when I'm under attack
For the lion is lurking, and I am the prey
Protect me Father, under your wings I will stay
But don't ever forget me, for I could possibly stray
I am not proud of this, but that's simply the way
Christians sometimes are, which isn't right
So give us your strength as we fight the good fight
I'm not the greatest poet, but hey, when the Spirit moves you, you just have to write.
Thanks for reading, God bless:)
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Stained to be pure
I have mixed feelings about my dad's day off. Usually it entails him waking us earlier than usual and setting us on jobs in yardwork and housework.
Yesterday, despite the rain, was no different. I went outside to find Dylan scraping old paint off the porch and later priming and painting it yet again. Caleb was sent to work on the shed.
My task? Staining wood to be put in our kitchen where we knocked out a wall this winter.
I had never stained wood before, but it seemed pretty simple after Dad explained it and showed me what to do.
I jumped right in, honestly feeling like an artist even though I was simply smearing a dark, sticky substance onto a board with a rag.
Double and triple checking the edges and the evenness, I continued until all the boards were successful and beautifully stained.
Dad came into the garage to evaluate my work, said it was okay, and proceeded to show me how to put on the shiny, sealant stuff. (Nice terminology, huh?)
After one coat yesterday, and another today. Dad seemed disappointed. I was scrubbing my hands with baby oil to get the sticky stuff off when he came in and said the wood wasn't dark enough.
'Not dark enough?' I thought. 'You said it was fine yesterday.'
Staring at the not-quite-perfect wood, I started thinking about the similarities between me and this plank.
Just wait, it'll make sense in a minute!
We start off like a simple blank piece of wood. Sure, we are already sinful, but other outside influences haven't found us yet, stained us if you will.
See what I'm saying?
We are vulnerable to outside influences, and as Christians we have to choose to allow only good influences in, like God and His word.
We need to dive into God's word to allow it to stain us, change us. But one coat is not enough, even after double and triple checking. Every time we read the Bible, we can learn something new. Even pastors learn new things when they study the Word. If we allow good things to seep into our souls, we will be ready for the sealant at the end of our lives, which will hopefully mean heaven rather than the hell that we deserve. And it's no quick feat, it requires a lot of time and diligence.
Let good things influence you. Let the Word seep into you every single day, no matter how difficult. God wants to stain us, which will actually make us more pure in His eyes.
I don't know if this metaphor made any sense to you, but it just popped into my head and something told me to share it:)
Thanks for reading!
Yesterday, despite the rain, was no different. I went outside to find Dylan scraping old paint off the porch and later priming and painting it yet again. Caleb was sent to work on the shed.
My task? Staining wood to be put in our kitchen where we knocked out a wall this winter.
I had never stained wood before, but it seemed pretty simple after Dad explained it and showed me what to do.
I jumped right in, honestly feeling like an artist even though I was simply smearing a dark, sticky substance onto a board with a rag.
Double and triple checking the edges and the evenness, I continued until all the boards were successful and beautifully stained.
Dad came into the garage to evaluate my work, said it was okay, and proceeded to show me how to put on the shiny, sealant stuff. (Nice terminology, huh?)
After one coat yesterday, and another today. Dad seemed disappointed. I was scrubbing my hands with baby oil to get the sticky stuff off when he came in and said the wood wasn't dark enough.
'Not dark enough?' I thought. 'You said it was fine yesterday.'
Staring at the not-quite-perfect wood, I started thinking about the similarities between me and this plank.
Just wait, it'll make sense in a minute!
We start off like a simple blank piece of wood. Sure, we are already sinful, but other outside influences haven't found us yet, stained us if you will.
See what I'm saying?
We are vulnerable to outside influences, and as Christians we have to choose to allow only good influences in, like God and His word.
We need to dive into God's word to allow it to stain us, change us. But one coat is not enough, even after double and triple checking. Every time we read the Bible, we can learn something new. Even pastors learn new things when they study the Word. If we allow good things to seep into our souls, we will be ready for the sealant at the end of our lives, which will hopefully mean heaven rather than the hell that we deserve. And it's no quick feat, it requires a lot of time and diligence.
Let good things influence you. Let the Word seep into you every single day, no matter how difficult. God wants to stain us, which will actually make us more pure in His eyes.
I don't know if this metaphor made any sense to you, but it just popped into my head and something told me to share it:)
Thanks for reading!
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
I loved it once more
It's all coming back to me.
The breeze.
The clean, open air.
Boom, got the comfy seat.
Zing!
Watch out for Dad!
Okay, he got it.
Good deal.
Fish on, baby!
Who's turn is it?
Mikayla, take the rod!
Oh! Guess I'm up, huh?
Boy, am I rusty or what?
Okay, keep the rod steady.
Tip down, tip down.
Okay, backing up.
Tip steady.
Come on, Dad, just net it already!
Holy moly, that's a big fish right there!
That's a...steelhead? Brown trout?
Great, I forgot how to identify my fish!
That's embarrassing.
Whew, my arms hurt.
Is it weird that I like the smell of fresh caught fish?
Whatever, I'm a nursing major.
I'm supposed to like weird stuff like that, right?
Whoa, another fish on!
Caleb, ya gotta watch out for Dad.
Almost got thrown over there!
That would've been hilarious.
Okay, Dylan's turn.
Man, this kid talks a lot.
Yes, Dylan, we know reeling makes your arms hurt.
Sheesh, enough commentary, just get the fish in the box.
Mikayla, you're turning!
Yeah, I'm turning cause driving this boat is such a pain!
I lost my landmark.
Oh, the smoke stacks, right.
Okay, back on track I think.
Mikayla, now you're too far left!
Sheesh, I don't know what I'm doing!
Now I remember why I hate driving.
Crap, I have to pee.
No!
I am not peeing in that bucket!
Wish we were hunting.
Then I could just pee behind a tree.
That's pretty easy.
What time is it?
Only eleven.
We've been fishing for over five hours already.
It really is beautiful on the lake today.
And one foot waves, wow, that's like nothing!
Mikayla, take the rod!
Oh! Another fish for me, okay.
Yowza, there's a beast on the other end!
Wow, my arm is burning.
Wonder how mad Dad would be if I just let go of the pole...
Hmm, should I try it?
No, not unless I want to move out early!
Yeah, that would be a very bad idea.
Man, is this fish close yet?
Oh! There it is, it jumped.
Fly, little fishy, fly!
Alright, almost there.
Dad's got the net, okay.
Oh, Caleb's netting?
Great.
Three years later, ha!
Come on, Caleb.
Do your thing.
Net it, man, net it!
Ahh, thank you.
Wow, my hands hurt!
Back to driving?
Guess I'm okay with that.
Just a few more hours.
We can do this.
Ya know, sometimes fishing can get annoying.
But I really do love it.
I feel like I'm twelve again.
I guess fishing is part of my history.
My family's history.
I remember the breeze.
I remember the clean, open air.
I remember how I loved it.
And I love it once more.
The breeze.
The clean, open air.
Boom, got the comfy seat.
Zing!
Watch out for Dad!
Okay, he got it.
Good deal.
Fish on, baby!
Who's turn is it?
Mikayla, take the rod!
Oh! Guess I'm up, huh?
Boy, am I rusty or what?
Okay, keep the rod steady.
Tip down, tip down.
Okay, backing up.
Tip steady.
Come on, Dad, just net it already!
Holy moly, that's a big fish right there!
That's a...steelhead? Brown trout?
Great, I forgot how to identify my fish!
That's embarrassing.
Whew, my arms hurt.
Is it weird that I like the smell of fresh caught fish?
Whatever, I'm a nursing major.
I'm supposed to like weird stuff like that, right?
Whoa, another fish on!
Caleb, ya gotta watch out for Dad.
Almost got thrown over there!
That would've been hilarious.
Okay, Dylan's turn.
Man, this kid talks a lot.
Yes, Dylan, we know reeling makes your arms hurt.
Sheesh, enough commentary, just get the fish in the box.
Mikayla, you're turning!
Yeah, I'm turning cause driving this boat is such a pain!
I lost my landmark.
Oh, the smoke stacks, right.
Okay, back on track I think.
Mikayla, now you're too far left!
Sheesh, I don't know what I'm doing!
Now I remember why I hate driving.
Crap, I have to pee.
No!
I am not peeing in that bucket!
Wish we were hunting.
Then I could just pee behind a tree.
That's pretty easy.
What time is it?
Only eleven.
We've been fishing for over five hours already.
It really is beautiful on the lake today.
And one foot waves, wow, that's like nothing!
Mikayla, take the rod!
Oh! Another fish for me, okay.
Yowza, there's a beast on the other end!
Wow, my arm is burning.
Wonder how mad Dad would be if I just let go of the pole...
Hmm, should I try it?
No, not unless I want to move out early!
Yeah, that would be a very bad idea.
Man, is this fish close yet?
Oh! There it is, it jumped.
Fly, little fishy, fly!
Alright, almost there.
Dad's got the net, okay.
Oh, Caleb's netting?
Great.
Three years later, ha!
Come on, Caleb.
Do your thing.
Net it, man, net it!
Ahh, thank you.
Wow, my hands hurt!
Back to driving?
Guess I'm okay with that.
Just a few more hours.
We can do this.
Ya know, sometimes fishing can get annoying.
But I really do love it.
I feel like I'm twelve again.
I guess fishing is part of my history.
My family's history.
I remember the breeze.
I remember the clean, open air.
I remember how I loved it.
And I love it once more.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)