Home Today

It is so nice to have a day off. My "work week" is wrapped up and although I have a lot of homework to do, I think I will actually have some time to settle into my new apartment and spend time in prayer. I have been consumed lately with keeping up with things at work and getting homework tasks done. Only 5 more weeks of this semester left...wow. I have registered for the second year of Anatomy and Physiology at EITC and I will take Psychology through the online program next semester. I am a bit behind in my online math class and I hope to get that caught up between semesters. It is my most challenging class so far.

Transcription and Translation

Up for Air

It has been an intense previous weekend and week studing for two back to back tests - the first of the semester. First tests are always fun because you really have no idea of the testing "flavor" of the particular instructor, so you have no idea what to really expect. I studied very hard and got an A- on both tests. I felt like I did better, but it is what it is. Since it was test week, both instuctors let us out of class right after the tests, so there was no assigned homework or chapters to study. I had planned to take the weekend and write a paper that is due in 3 weeks, however, between picking up a few extra weekend shift hours and just plain laziness, the paper is still unwritten. I do feel that I connected with family and friends and that is more important at this point anyway. The paper will wait for me.

Tonight, I calendered all my upcoming tests and assignment due dates, and it seem that I will not have anymore "free" time for the next 2 months. I guess it is good that I came up for some air before diving back into it over my head this week. My current house sold, and I have to be out on October 31st, so I will also have to moving the end of next month. Not fun when you are in the middle of a semester. Oh well. Time to strap it on...

13

Today was the first day of my 13th year of living in Blackfoot. I was just 18 when I moved here. Wow. I can't believe I'm still here...

Fascinated

Wow, what a whirlwind of a week. I can't believe it is late Friday night already. Sigh...

Classes have been great. Thanks to my gracious friends at work who covered me having to leave early, I arrived at class on time! This will have to continue for another 15weeks, however, so hopefully my schedule will continue to cooperate :-)

I get to play with real-live microscopes - Yeigh! I think I have waited my whole life to be in class where they teach you how to dissect things and look at them under magnification. I remember being home schooled and being jealous of my friends in public school who had biology classes and labs. I think I had to get by with a Fisher Price version. LOL. Not anymore man. I have the real deal. In both classes even!

I really like both instructors. My Micro teacher is pretty laid back and has a great sense of humor. He threatened to dance to any cell phone ringer tone that happened to go off in class. I might have to test that offer…He also combined all 16 Saturday labs into 4 all day Saturday labs, so now I have some free Saturdays that I didn’t expect to have. My A&P instructor is more serious, but she is an amazing lecturer and obviously has a thorough knowledge and passion in what she teaches. I suspect A & P will be a bit more challenging because of her testing style, but I think I will do well.

The human body is fascinating, even on a cellular level. I almost had tears come to my eyes while we were discussing the complexity of just the cellular wall! Indeed, we are fearfully and wonderfully made by a very imaginative Creator. I am pretty excited about these classes. I took a version of both Micro and A & P to get my LPN, but had to retake the "improved" version so they would apply to my RN. I don't regret either opportunity.

Math is going well. Working on slopes and y-intercepts. Not sure how that applies to anything in particular, but what the heck. It is kinda fun. I guess. When you really think about it…

Changes

So, I am going to try this again. Last night, Stephanie was like, "You never blog anymore."

"Yes I do!" I exclaimed.

"Well", she said, "last time you blogged was July 26, and it was a whole month the time before that."

So, here I am again. Hopefully I will follow through. Not that anybody reads this blog, but I do really like having an online journal. Facebook is fun for connecting, but not very good for writting much.

Microbiolgy and A&P classes start this week. I am already well into Intermediate Alegbra. I am praying that I have not bitten off more than I can chew. I know people work full time and go to school full time AND raise kids and run a household all the time. I know that I am not really trying to do anything extraordinary, but it is more than I have tried to take on before. I really want to maintain a 4.0 so I can get scholarships, but we will see how that works out. I am very excited about school. I love learning, and I especially like the subject matter of these courses.

Found out that the house I have been renting all summer sold, so I have to be out by October 31st. I am totally ok with that, I have expected this place to sell and I have been very blessed by being here for the past few months. It is in my heart to find a good room mate for this next season, but I wouldn't mind being on my own either. I would love to have my horse down here with me, but board these days is through the roof.

The Lord knows what I need and when I need it. I am trying to trust Him and not lean on my own understanding. He is good :-)

Brian Regan "Say Eight"

Transition - Part 3

For everyone that thinks that I dropped off the face of the earth, I am still here, LOL. I finally have a decent connection to the Internet, so now maybe I can keep posting on a regular basis. We'll see!

I never really posted what I had "in the works", but basically I was moving out of state, and I was going to be there by March / April. I had taken a trip there in January to check it out, and for a job interview. Rochester was amazing in many ways. Mayo Health Systems offered me a job in Owatanna but I really didn't feel right about moving there. There were several other possibilities in the Denver area but out of state tuition was outrageous. I was wrestling with the decision I had made to leave. I continued to pray and seek the Lord for clarity and direction.

One day while I was seeking the Lord, I saw myself in a dark room. I had just closed a door behind me. In this dark place, I saw three doors in a semi circle in front of me. One was to the right, one was to the left, and one was directly in front. The one directly in front of me was cracked open just enough for me to see light coming from it, but not open enough to see what was behind it. The doors to the right and to the left were both dark and closed, yet not uninviting. I decided to step forward and through the door that was exposing light. As I opened the door, a sign above it illuminated and I read the words, "This is the way, walk in it". As the door opened, I expected to see an unknown land, one that I hadn't experienced before. However, my eyes met the familiar place of Idaho, more specifically, the town I live in. But this expression of it was full of purpose and destiny. I saw much that my heart had been longing for being manifested here. At that moment, I experienced a peace and confidence that settled my seeking heart.

I told the Lord that I was willing to stay if He would turn my heart. I didn't want to stay by default, begrudgingly staying because I didn't know what else to do. I wanted to step into the adventure of faith and embrace staying here as fully as I would have embraced moving away. I am excited to continue on the adventure with Him.

So, on a more practical level - I am renting an older 2 bedroom house that is currently for sale. It is simple and has lots of character (in more ways than one) and I am blessed and deeply thankful for the provision. I am also currently taking an online college class and am registered for classes in the fall, which I am trying to coordinate with my more than full time job at the clinic.I should be able to complete my RN degree by fall 2012.

The Call Nashville - Praises Rise by Ramey Whalen

My voice is the sound of a thousand bells
Hear me nations, sing Israel
My song is the water of the purest well
Hear me heaven, fear me hell
My dance carries thunder from the throne of Yah
Look at me, and know He is GOD!

Let our praises rise like a weapon in Your hand
Let our praises rise O God
Let our praises rise like a weapon in Your hand
Let our praises rise O God

My hands hold the cure for every disease
They're covered in blood and oil and leaves
My laughter and tears create things unseen
Atmosphere changes, God released
My worship is armed with spirit and truth
Sacred, accepted, pleasing to You

God of eternity, wonders and majesty
God of creation, ancient, alive in me
God of all nations, uncharted galaxies
God who is Spirit, alive in me

SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND by Marsha Burns -- March 20, 2009

Because you are in a transitional period, it is imperative that you neither live in the past by dwelling on past events or live in the future by focusing your attention on the days ahead. You must focus your attention on what you are facing at this moment. Ask for wisdom to understand and deal with your current position so that you can make the most of your life now. Living in disappointment, regret or fantasy is a waste of your time and vitality. Release yourself from all rejection, says the Lord. You will only be aware of My guidance and direction when you quiet your mind and emotions. Be still and know that I am God.

Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.

SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND by Marsha Burns -- March 18, 2009

Beloved, persevere through your current dilemma or difficulty. It won't do for just any opportunity to present itself; it must be the right circumstance for this juncture that will be the impetus to bring positive change and lasting progress. I will go before you and open the way of breakthrough. Ask for wisdom and trust Me to open doors that no man can shut and to shut doors that no man can open, says the Lord. Be strong and resolute.
Isaiah 52:12 For you shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight; for the LORD will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard.