Last day of May

Today is the last day of May, tomorrow is the start of a whole new month - June! How bizarre. It seems that time has been flying by lately. Josh is working at his internship, I get to start night-shifts in the admitting department. I'm nervous... scared... at least if I do H&W, allergies, meds on everybody I know I'll be somewhat safe. I just hope no-one slips through the cracks, and that I do a good job. I'm obsessed with doing a good job.... to oppease other people.. so I'm right and wrong at the same time. Yes, do a good job - to glorify God, not to make others happy. God is my final judgement, and he will provide if things don't work out here. Becca and Drew are a testament to that. I admire their faith and trust in God. It was such a blessing helping them move into their new apartment yesterday. I'm glad that we could be of help to them, and I pray that settling in for them would go smoothely. I'm so thankful for the sunshine - the beautiful weather outside. I have a lot on my list of things to do today, so hopefully I'll tire myself out enough that I'll be able to take a nap tonight. Maybe if it's slow tonight I can do jumping jacks and such to keep me awake. I have an inkling that the caf will be closed most of the night, which will be a good thing. I also have an inkling that work will be pretty steady. I really don't want to go to the floors to help out the first night, and I pray that they would be understanding about that. AH here I go getting myself all worked up. Just relax sara!! God, I pray that you would be with me, right now! and tonight. Calm my nerves, and help me to know that you are with me, and you are in control. I pray for my Dad too, Lord... comfort him, and I pray you would provide for him. Please Lord. Amen.

Love Sara

Happy Memorial Day!

It's a holiday, and I'm off! How exciting! Today we're going to help Becca and Drew move down to cambridge which will be bittersweet. I'm so excited for them to have an apartment of their own, but sad that they will be moving farther away from us. I'm thankful for the opportunity to serve them and help though. I'm thankful for the beautiful weather yesterday, and going for a run last night. I'm thankful that I'm down to 130 pounds, I just need to get below that and the rest will be smooth sailing. I'm thankful that I can work on my quilt a little bit today, and I"m thankful that we got an air conditioner from Joe and Diane yesterday - it was wonderful not waking up all sweaty this morning! I'm thankful for my morning ritual of sipping coffee and perusing facebook and such. I'm thankful for paychecks, and very thankful that the laundry is done, and the dishes. We got a lot accomplished last night! There's a parade going on right down the road - which is pretty cool! we've never had front-seat housing to a parade before! I'm thankful for it not raining today, and I pray that the rain and thunderstorms would hold off until we're all finished moving becca and drew in at least. Thank you Lord, for all these wonderful blessings, and thank you for all the men and women who have served in our military to keep us safe and protect us. I pray you would bless those still living, and the families of those no longer with us. Amen.

Love, Sara

In love with love

Just yesterday, Josh and I were sitting out on our little stoop in the back of our apartment with Rigby, soaking in the cool breezes after having exhausted ourselves at the gym. Rigby was playing around with a popsicle stick, and I just had that overwhelming rush of love - love for a dog? I know, I know... it's silly. I have that overwhelming rush for my husband too fairly often, and I love it. I love the feeling of being in love. And the coolest part? is that it grows every time. Every time I fall deeper in love with Josh, I feel more connected to him than anyone else in this world, and I feel like I would be a mess of tears and snot if he ever left. I'm so thankful for the feelings of love that I have for him, (and Rigby). I'm thankful that God is blessing our marriage day by day, and I'm thankful that we're holding strong to each other. In August we'll have been married a year - which doesn't seem like a long time at all, but it feels like a lifetime already (in a good way!). I'm also thankful for the beautiful weather, the warm sun, the leaves on the trees, the birds chirping. I used to love waking up to the sound of birds chirping outside my window at Pleasant Valley. I'm thankful for our apartment, and our incredibly nice landlords. I'm thankful for days off from work, and helping friends move into a new chapter of their lives. I'm so excited for Becca to finally have the apartment she's been waiting for. I know how it feels to want to be in a place of your own that you can have fun decorating and putting your own homey touch to it. Anyways, Lord, you are so so good to us time and time again. Whether we ask, or don't ask - you always have a gracious heart, and you shower us with grace and mercy. I pray that you would give us wisdom financially, and I pray that you would bless others as you have blessed us. Amen.

Love, Sara

admitting

I'm doing a short stent in the admitting department for the next 5 weeks and it's been interesting so far. I'll be working night shift, which will be even more interesting. I'll have to see what works and what doesn't work on my own - and I have to admit I'm nervous about it because I'm kinda new to the whole thing anyway. I'm thankful for the beautiful weather today, I'm thankful for wearing shorts, I'm thankful for my job despite the nervous feelings. I'm thankful for my husband. I'm thankful that despite all of these miscellaneous expenses we're still managing to stay afloat. I'm thankful that work went well today and it wasn't very stressful at all. I'm thankful that Josh is handling this whole car-bumping-into business. I feel so stupid that I backed into somebody, but things like that happen every now and then unfortunately, and it's just my bad luck that I made a 110$ mistake. But, I'm thankful for God constantly teaching me humility. I think that's all for this post.

It's been forever and a day...

I'm so sorry it's been so long since I posted last. I feel like this whole working full-time and having a life thing takes time to master, and I'm still working on it. I'd like to be able to work, have a life, enjoy time with my husband, read my bible, and another stimulating book, workout and remain in good shape, cook meals for dinner nearly every night and make healthy lunches for work. Now that I'm going to be working 40 hours a week 8 hour shifts, I just don't know how I'm going to fit everything in. Josh and I want to go home this month, and we really want Steven and Brandy to come up and visit. I pray for wisdom and guidance in this matter. We went to care-group last night, and it was awesome. Got to meet some new people that attend our church, and got to really chit-chat with people. Looking forward to spending time with the Woo's on Sunday, and really liking how things are going as far as meeting support people in this area. As I said, I'm still learning to juggle things, so it's no surprise that I barely talk to my friends back home anymore, the days slip away from me. I feel like I hated 12 hour shifts while I was working them, but now I'm thinking how hard it's going to be working 5 days a week. I know that's what everyone else in the world does, but I think I like having more days off after all. I pray for guidance with the job thing too. Josh thinks I should make myself known to the ED peeps, but I think I should wait and gather some more experience, make some new acquaintances, and give it time - although... I would really like a full-time job. I pray for money-wisdom as well... Josh and I need to straighten out our finances, and it's something that frightens me seeing as how loan payments start next month, and then evenutally tacking on a car payment to that.. will be astronomical. Lord, you've always taken care of us in good times and bad, and I have no reason to believe that you won't do the same this time, but I do pray Lord, that you would comfort us. Lay our worries to rest. Guide us. Amen.

Love, Sara

Owwie.

I've been working my butt off at the gym the past 2 days, after a pretty long hiatus, and I'm soooooore. haha. It makes me feel even more ridiculous because all that I've done to merit this lactic acid build-up was 20 push-ups, and about 50 squats, along with my regular gym routine. I'm in sad shape. But, thank heavens for warm comfy beds, and sheets that smell like husband, and hot showers to loosen the tight muscles. I'm thankful for books to read, and the sound of birds outside. I'm thankful for how green the streets are with spring in full bloom. There are many things in this world that I desire, and I need God's help to realize that I have more than all of that stuff, I have the love of God - and that can make me happier than any house, than any dress, than any pair of shoes. I have the love of a faithful and devoted husband. I'm very thankful for my situation and my circumstances. I'm thankful that we have dinner on our plates every night, and that we have a place to live, clothes to bundle up in... cars to get us to work, jobs that the Lord has provided for us. Thank you God, for your many many blessings - for your countless blessings, and for choosing such a wretch as me to shower your grace upon. I'm not worthy. Amen.

Love, Sara

Critters in the night

Josh and I discovered that little furry friends like to clean up after our suppers more often than not. And not only that but sneak into sara's work bag and finish off her apple from lunch. Needless to say the germ-a-phobe in me was SCREAMING. We set mouse traps last night and one went off, the other did not. I'm thankful that at least one of these little critters is no longer in our apartment. It's funny though, even though the little thing was making my kitchen hugely unsanitary, I felt so bad when I saw it's lifeless body. Hopefully there aren't anymore of them so I don't have to go through that again. I decided to start another diet. And I'm going to try my darndest to make it to the gym every day, as long as I work 8 hour shifts, it's not a problem. It's when I work 12's that it's impossible. So, I'm thankful that I will be able to make my own schedule in 8 weeks, I'm hopeful that another job might present itself. I'm thankful though that God has provided this job for me for the time being. I'm thankful that today is only wednesday and I have tomorrow, saturday and sunday to relax as well. I'm thankful that I'm still working away on my quilt, and I'm excited for when it's all finished. Lord, thank you for your many blessings. Thank you for my husband who works so hard for us, and for our puppy Rigby who provides much entertainment and comfort. Thank you for your blesings. Amen.

Love, Sara

I'm so thankful for my job. I'm thankful for my family - mom, brother, dad. I'm thankful that I have Rigby and Josh here all the time. I'm thankful that I get to see my husband every day, and cuddle with him at night. I'm so thankful that he's providing for our little family now too. I'm thankful that we have the means to go buy healthy food, and that we have the money to maintain a gym membership, which I would really get better at utilizing. I'm thankful for rainy days as well as sunny days. I'm thankful that Dana got a full-time job. She needs it more than I do to support her husband and baby boy. I pray that I would be able to start saving some money for our family though. I pray that we would be able to get our feet on the ground. I pray that you would provide for us Lord - I know I don't even have to ask because you will anyways. Thank you for your grace. Thank you for your mercy. Provide a job for me, Lord. I pray that you would provide for us. In your name. Amen.

Love, Sara

trial by fire

God never said that this life would be easy - in fact, he promised that it would not be easy. It's so much easier to relate to sinful lifestyles, envy...jealousy...gossip... than to be an example and connect with friends on a truly deep level if they are unsaved. Likewise, no one ever said that nursing would be easy. Quite the contrary, everyone... everyone told me that the first year especially would be hard - really really hard, and that nurses are notorious for eating their young. I don't know why I thought I would be the exception to both the first and the second of these. I was feeling lost, and hopeless, when I remembered that I'm not living for this world. I'm not living to make friends at work, I'm not living to be a nurse even... I'm living for God, and although it's hard, it's a trial by fire. God makes me stronger every day, he makes me wiser every day, and I know he will not quit - he will finish the good work that he has started in me. I am so thankful for a loving God. I'm thankful for a higher purpose. I'm thankful that I know God and have something after this life that will be better than anything in this world. God, grant me patience, grant me strength. Remind me always that the things of this world are not the answer, and place Godly people in my life. Thank you Lord, Amen.

Love, Sara

a day off is a good day

I'm thankful that I got to sleep in until 10 this morning. I'm thankful that I have a day off. I'm thankful that I get paid tomorrow. I'm thankful that it's not raining, although it would be nice if the sun was shining. I can't believe it's almost 11! I am going to make myself take Rigby for a walk, and clean up the apartment. During my lunch break I can watch Bones and work on my quilt. The circular square is going to take a long time, i didn't realize it would take that long. I'll be excited when I'm done with it, but I won't be able to spend some money for a while. I really need to trust God about our finances. I know that he always has taken care of us in the past, and this time will be no different. It just makes me nervous how I work so hard and can barely pay the rent and the credit-card bill and all this other stuff that we need as opposed to careless spending. Anyways, I'm thankful for the optomistic looking weather report, and I hope I get a couple of nice days while I'm off. Thank you God, for everything that you have done for us so far, and I know you will continue to take care of us. Amen.

Love, Sara

short, sweet, simple.

Today, I'm thankful that I only worked 8 hours, I'm thankful that I did better today than I did yesterday, even if my preceptor didn't say too much about it. I'm thankful that I got to use my EZpass thing this morning - what a neat little gadget! I'm grateful for patients who appreciate what I try to do for them. I'm grateful that Josh got his car fixed and that we had the resources (sort of) for that. I pray that God would please provide for us financially this month. I feel like we're barely scraping by and we have a lot more expenses to go before our cars are in working order and everything. I'm thankful that Josh and I are able to prioritize our spending and do so wisely, and I'm of course thankful that God has provided above and beyond our needs thus far, and I know He will continue to do so. I'm thankful for music, and warm showers, and fuzzy blankets, and my pillow-case project thing, and Bones, and ear phones so that I can watch Bones while my wonderful and hard-working husband can do homework. I'm thankful that I get to make dinner for my husband most nights, and that we once again have the finances for groceries and food. God, you are so good to us and we don't deserve a bit of your grace. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Amen!

Love, Sara

Reading the BIBLE...

You know, I always get pretty caught up in the plans that I make for myself. Reading the "Dug Down Deep" book by Joshua Harris I thought seemed like a great idea - and that would be my way to "connect" with God throughout the week too. But I learned this week, that nothing comes close to actually reading the word of God, the Bible. I struggled this weekend because Friday was a very hard day at work. I made some minor mistakes, but to me - they feel like the worlds biggest, (and stupidest) mistakes. I want to exceed expectations, I want to excell in my field. I want to be the exception - the extraordinary fast learning smart new girl! But really? I'm a human being full of sin. I'm a failure. I make stupid mistakes, and I get angry and frustrated and feel down about myself because, I'm a human. I thank God that Jesus gave his life on the cross for my sins - and there are many. I'm thankful that I started reading my bible again. I'm thankful that I felt convicted about not reading my bible every day. I'm thankful for every time I remember to pray to God. I am thankful that I've started going to the gym again, and I pray that I would continue to do that. I am thankful that I still have weeks of orientation left, and that I have had very nice, understanding preceptors so far. I'm thankful that I passed my boards and have gotten to this point period. I pray that God would protect my patients while I'm still learning. I pray that I would be able to follow you, God, everyday - read your word, pray to you, at least think about you. Thank you Lord. Amen.

Love, Sara

Blackberry Bold

Today, I went to the Verizon store, and upgraded my phone to a blackberry bold! yaaay! I won't be able to spend any money for a little while, but that's okay - because so far I like this phone very much. It's important for me to check myself though, because I have a tendency to get a little materialistic with things like phones, clothes etc. I don't feel that way yet about this phone because most people probably wouldn't envy this phone with the Droids and iphones out there. I like it though =]. I'm thankful that it wasn't raining all day today, I'm thankful that I only have tomorrow 12 hours and then I have Saturday and Sunday off. I'm thankful that the EZ pass thing is all done and all I have to do is wait for the little flicker jiggers to come in the mail. I'm thankful that I made myself go to the gym yesterday and will again today. I'm thankful that I got the grocery shopping done last night. I will charge myself to do the dishes tonight, and iron my scrubs for tomorrow. I will finish up the laundry on Saturday. I will sweep/dust/wash windows at some point this weekend. I need to take off my pink fingernail polish too. Lord, thank you for the many many blessings you've given to me, and I pray that I would be reminded of them continuously. Help me to remember all of the things that I do have, not the things that I do not have. Thank you for instructive resources such as Ann Voskamp's blog and Joshua Harris's book Dug Down Deep that I'm reading through. Continue to search me out, and convict me, change me. Thank you Lord. Amen.

Love, Sara

"Hump day"

It's hump day in more than one sense of the word - it's wednseday, and it's the middle of my 3 day stretch off. It's kind of sad, because I know that tomorrow's my last day to sleep in - well until Saturday, and Sunday. Haha. Ok. Maybe not so bad. I'm thankful for days off, I'm thankful for work. I'm thankful that today I can upgrade my phone. I'm thankful that I finally got us EZ-passes so I won't have to pay 2$ every day I go to work. I'm thankful that Josh starts work soon. I'm thankful that Rigby and I got to go for a nice walk this morning. I'm thankful that I get to watch the King's Speech tonight. I'm thankful that I got to start another sewing project, and I'm thankful that spring has finally come to stay at Concord NH. I pray that I would be able to use our money wisely in the coming month and that God would provide for us. I pray that I would be able to work well and that I would not make silly mistakes. I pray that I would be able to do well at my job, and I pray that the gracious and merciful God that he is would provide for us a full time position so that I can have health insurance again. I pray all of these things in the loving and glorious name of God the father almighty! Amen.

Love Sara

Dogs have personalities.

Rigby always knows that when you're putting on your shoes, it either means you're going for a walk, or you're leaving without her. She freaks out when Josh leaves, which she's doing currently. Rips back and forth from the window seat to the hallway, to the window seat to the hallway. It's amusing to say the least. I'm thankful for her ridiculous personality. I'm thankful for the way she whines and wants to play. I'm thankful for someone to keep me company when Josh's at school. The silly thing is that I would pick up some extra shifts in no time at all this week if I could, just because it's so lonely around here - and supposedly going to be a gloomy 3 days. I'll be glad when I go back to work on Friday. I'm thankful that I got an appointment to get my car inspected. I'm thankful that I have a quilting project to work on today, and I'm thankful that the house needs cleaned - which also gives me something to do. I'm thankful for Bones, to pass the time while I'm eating lunch and such, and I'm thankful that I got to sleep in till 11. I must've been really tired. I'm thankful that I made myself go to the gym last night, and I hope to do the same thing again tonight. Now that it's open 24/7 I really have no reason in the world not to go. I'm thankful/still in love with my bright pink fingernails. Lord, I pray that you would control my urge to spend money on myself, and help me to be conscientious of our finances. I pray that we would be able to put away money for our vehicle, and that I would be able to go get groceries without worrying that we're going to be cutting it close come credit-card payment time. Thank you God, for all the many many blessings. I pray that you would be with Josh during this time of finals. I pray that he would be able to focus on school work, and that he would learn all the things he needs to know for his finals. Thank you Lord. Amen.

The Lord listens to prayers

Last night, on Facebook (none the less)!! I asked that God grant me the strength to get through another round of 12 hour shifts, and today I came home with more energy than I've ever had in an 8 hour shift. I changed the license plates on my car, went to get a few groceries, went to the gym and now I'm waiting for my pink fingernails to dry. =] I was going to go as far as to straighten my hair for tomorrow, but decided against it. SO, all in all, I'm thankful that I had lots of energy today, I'm thankful that it was a good day at work. I'm thankful that I didn't stuff my face and felt good enough to go to the gym after I got home. I'm thankful that Josh is telling Rigby not to growl at people. haha... bizarre thing to be thankful for huh? I'm thankful that I was lucky yet again with my preceptor. I'm thankful that after tomorrow (which is only an 8 hour shift) I have 3 days off! I'm looking forward to being productive. Cleaning the house, getting my car inspected, yadda yadda yadda. Lord, Thank you so much for listening to me and my pathetic prayers, and more than that answering them, even if they do occur as a status on facebook. Thank you for being the merciful and gracious God that you are. Amen.

Love, Sara