And life just rolls on...

Life has been fairly interesting recently. Nothing profound, really, but it has still been interesting. This week I had a good experience at clinicals... which is a nice change from last week. One of my patients was absolutely precious and totally brightened my day... huge smile, big hand shake, fake cell phone and all. My other patient was determined and confident, but calm and cooperative too... and totally understanding of the busyness of nursing, but knew when to stand up for himself (which is good too!).

Today I spent the day in the dialysis unit, where patients in kidney failure come to lay on a bed for 3-4 hours and have their blood "filtered" because their kidneys (or lack thereof) cannot filter the blood as in a healthy human body. Although it was different, and not busy or entirely enthralling all the time, I enjoyed the chance to learn more about the process of dialysis... especially since one of my grandpa's was on dialysis in the 70s... it's interesting to compare the systems, and to find out that they're actually still quite similar (at least in concept and major mechanical components). My instructor didn't believe me when I said that grandpa had dialysis in his home, but, just ask dad. It's true.

We have our research final on Friday. And I'm trying to not freak out about it. The topic of research does not come easily to me; it is often more abstract and gray than my little mind can handle... that's why I chose nursing: I like black and white! I also made the mistake of reading the graduation website... specifically the details about graduating with honors, high honors and highest honors... and, contrary to my previous thoughts, I could actually graduate with highest honors if I manage to do well in my classes again this year. According the website highest honors is for GPAs of 3.9 and higher, and that's me. Forget the 4.0. Psh. That was ruined first semester, freshman year in a one-credit introduction to nursing class that required much more work than a 1-credit class ever should. Don't even get me started on that. But, yeah, trying to not think about the excitement of graduating with highest honors. Who knows what this research final will do?? I just want to PASS!!! Ha!

I should close for now, I need to get to bed and get some good sleep before tomorrow, which will be a long study day!

Singles, recognize the great potential to waste your singleness:

- If you fail to see your singleness as designed by God: You will not serve, you will not walk in freedom, you will not walk in joy
- If you believe that your singleness is a curse and not a gift
- If you cherish marriage more than you cherish Jesus Christ; Satan's and God's designs for your singleness are not the same... Satan's desire is to destroy your love for Jesus Christ, but God's desire is that your singleness would deepen your love for Jesus Christ as you come to abide in Him and love Him and trust Him in this area of your life
- If you seek comfort from your odds, rather than from God
- If you let it drive you into solitude, instead of using it to deepen your relationship with God's people
- If you fail to use it as a witness to the truth and the glory of Jesus Christ---Show others that Jesus Christ is worth more than life


From a sermon, Singleness: Blessing or Curse?
Jim Riggle, Shawnee Hills Baptist Church