Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Status Quo Reject?

The gate is wide
The road is paved in moderation
The crowd is kind and quick to pull you in
Welcome to the middle ground
You're safe and sound and
Until now it's where I've been'

Cause it's been fear that ties me down to everything
But it's been love, Your love,
that cuts the strings

So long status quo
I think I just let go
You make me want to be brave
The way it always was
Is no longer good enough
You make me want to be brave
Brave, brave

I am small
And I speak when I'm spoken to
But I am willing to risk it all
I say Your name
Just Your name and I'm ready to jump
Even ready to fall...

Why did I take this vow of compromise?
Why did I try to keep it all inside?

So long status quo
I think I just let go
You make me want to be brave
The way it always was
Is no longer good enough
You make me want to be brave
Brave, brave

I've never known a fire that didn't begin with a flame
Every storm will start with just a drop of rain
But if you believe in me
That changes everything
So long, I'm gone

So long status quo
I think I just let go
You make me want to be brave
I wanna be brave
The way it always was
Is no longer good enough
You make me want to be brave
Brave, brave


Brave, Nichole Nordeman

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Giggles are Precious

Because I laugh every time I watch this:

The Wow Factor.

Can there really be only 7 days until I am finished with this semester? Somehow, it is true.

Somehow, it's also stunning to consider the fact that I only have 3 semesters left until I am free to waltz into the real world (and probably realize that I want to go back to the comforts of school). At this point life beyond school sounds lovely... I'm ready for another change in pace; but, 'tis true that I all-too-often find the grass greener on the other side of the fence, so that anticipation and wonder will probably fade quickly when I find bills, continuous work, and the lack of fall breaks, christmas breaks, summer breaks, etc. Yet, 3 semesters left is close enough to make me think about life after college. Sure, I'll be working; but what else will fill my time. Thankfully, I won't have to study for things like pharmacology during every waking hour... but what will I do?

As I've written before, last summer included lots of time for reading... which led to God reforming and molding my thoughts about what it really means to follow Christ. Incredible books challenged me to question my lifestyle, my choices, and my comforts---to see those areas that I can step out, change, strengthen or use more whole-heartedly in a fully Kingdom-glorifying way. I've also started to change my focus or my reasoning for other desires in life... I would love to work as a nurse, get married, have a family; but even those ordinary things are being remolded, in subtle yet huge ways.

Nursing. It's so much more than a job. It's a ministry and a mission. Who knows where I will actually land after college, but at this point, I'm thinking that I might end up in a trauma unit or an intensive care unit. Granted those dreams might change a bit when I walk into reality, but it's exciting to think about---something that is has a low nurse:patient ratio so that I can focus and pour into a few people's lives.

Marriage. I am, obviously, inexperienced in this area (duh). But over the last while I have been gathering gems from people all over the spectrum of life... the biggest lesson I am learning right now is that love, especially love in a marriage, is a choice. You might not always feel like loving them (come on, [most] people do not wake up looking gorgeous in the morning), but you have to choose to love them. Marriage is so much more than him and her and the fun of being married. Don't get me wrong---those things are good, great. It is so much more than just a pretty ring, a beautiful ceremony and, oh that's right, a whole lot of years with your best friend. It's two people brought together because they are stronger together (more of my thoughts on the idea here). There's a greater purpose; they are together to minister to others. Oh, goodness, that's just so exciting to think about. Living ordinary lives, but being hospitable, reaching out, and exhibiting Christ's redeeming love through the marriage, through living life with your best friend.

Kiddos. Whether biological or adopted kids, I am excited about starting, growing and loving a family. I don't foresee kids any time soon (again, duh) but, in due time, doing parent-y things like not allowing them to get french fries all the time, but getting the now available nutritious apple fries; putting a sign on the door, warning my husband about a crazy day and the loss of my sanity. And, of course, teaching them all the things that I have been learning. Teaching them to love God, follow Jesus and love others. Teaching them that Jesus was not only friends with the loveables, but the unloveables. Teachign them to live in simplicity to remind us of the abundant blessings in life and to use those blessings to bless others. Teaching them to pick a few things that they do well and using each for a ministry. Teaching them to encourage others.

Interesting musings I'm sure, and these are definitely not all of my thoughts on the subject. The best thing would be a chai, an overstuffed chair, and some good conversation. But, this is a good way to spend my in-between-phone-calls-moments at work.

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Break.

Back from one break.


8 days until another break. (and 5 tests in the meantime.)


195 days until an extremely exciting break. (Please pray that God will provide the funds quickly!!!)