Through Thick and Thin

I have recently been convicted of my attitude during rough, stressful, tiring times. . . especially when those rough times are a part of school, which is all the time because school is my life for the present. Whenever something goes well (passing an anesthetic proficiency or getting a whole quad done on a class IV!), I praise and thank God. All that's very well, however when situations are not in my favor (I can't find a patient until the very last minute, I'm behind in my amalgam fillings, I only get 2 teeth checked out on a patient, need I continue?) then my mood heads south and am full of self-pity. I get edgy as I allow the high level of stress get to me. I have found that there is a link between my taking my eyes off the Lord and His sovereign plan, and becoming overwhelmed by the various cares and worries that accompany this vigorous DH program. My poor family, I tell ya.
Anyways, my new resolution: Have a positive attitude when it's easy and when it's not. This doesn't mean that I have to love school, because I don't. But I can have a good attitude about it while I'm in the midst of it. I will give glory to God through thick and thin, and know that He is in control of everything.

The Lord's Provision Continues

I am constantly amazed at how the Lord chooses to bless His children. . . Even when I do not have complete faith in Him, He chooses to bless me.
Within the past several months I have been praying that the Lord would provide me with a car when I graduate because I will obviously need to get to work, and well, I will be broke when I get out of school.
So. . .
His latest series of provisions include a new car (well, new to me), insurance, and new tires. My Grandpa (on my Mom's side) recently sold his house and bought a new car. So he gave me his 1999 Saturn. I am so grateful for his kindness!
The next "trial" to overcome was the cost of insurance + gas. . . It was only costing me $40 a month to carpool with a fellow classmate, and well, insurance alone would cost slightly more than that. At the beginning of this quarter I found out that it would be much more convenient for me to drive than to carpool with my classmate, for we are there from 7 or 8 in the morning until at least 5:30 each night, and waiting for each other to get done with various projects would rather tiring. So what would happen next? My other Grandpa offered to pay for my car insurance until I get out of school and start working! And if that wasn't enough, he also paid for new tires for my car!
Thank you Lord for your provision. Forgive my lack of faith, and thank you for these reminders of your faithfulness to me.

Time Flies When You're In School

I cannot believe that three weeks of the quarter have already gone by. . . How exciting!
I must say that I was expecting this quarter to be easier since we are just building on skills that we have already learned. . . and I guess it is kind of like that, but I wasn't expecting school to be so time consuming!!! It really makes me appreciate the time that I am able to relax and spend with my family.
Thank you Lord for bringing me thus far. . . I look forward to seeing how You will work in the future.

Three Quarters Left!!!

I start school back up tomorrow. I'm actually kind of looking forward to it. . . I know, that is a shock to all those who have heard me talk about school.
I have complained far too much about school. I make it sound like the most terrible thing that has ever happened to me, when in all actuality it is one of the greatest things that has happened to me because it is God's will and it has forced me to depend on Him daily.

It has been a hard road, but this experience is helping shape me into the person that God wants me to be.

I am so excited to get into the "real world" and start working and making a living!
I am so excited to be able to come home from work and not have to study!
I am so excited to have the weekend to spend with my family and not be interrupted by assignments!
I am so excited to use my new skill to serve the LORD!
I am so excited about Life!

William Wilberforce: A Leader of Leaders

I am currently reading "Statesman and Saint" on the life of William Wilberforce. I am constantly amazed at this gentleman's character, values, and convictions.

He inherited much wealth, yet after his conversion he used his position to help the poor, both by giving material possessions (including shelter) and fighting for the bettering of their working conditions.

He was a firm believer in reaching the lost. He kept a "Friends Paper" in his Bible which he would write various ways to turn regular daily conversation into a witnessing opportunity with his unsaved friends. He would often pray for hours for these friends.

He lived a life of integrity and was constantly looking for ways he could "improve" himself. He kept a journal in which he would examine himself daily. On Sunday he would spend much time in prayer evaluating his "spiritual and moral condition."

During his many years in parliament, he was exposed to much reproof and criticism. Did he retaliate? No. He looked at reproof as a means in helping him make himself a better person. Therefore, he took reproof from even his severest critics most seriously. In at least one account he even sent his "reproover" a letter expressing his thanks for showing him how he could improve.

Once he knew God's will, he wasted no time in getting to it. A rather amusing example of this is his marriage to a Miss Barbara Spooner. The two were married after knowing each other only ten days. Talk about a whirlwind romance!

Mr. Wilberforce did not possess the best of health. He was almost constantly plagued by what physicians thought to be ulcerative colitis. He did not, however, allow this to get in the way of what God had called him to. I'm sure he has many riches in heaven for his faithfulness here on earth.

This is most definitely one gentleman whose character I would like to emulate.

Are YOU a Little Teapot

Family Camp 2009

This year's family camp was very encouraging (and rather convicting) to me. The speaker focused mainly on witnessing to the lost. He told how so many lost souls know Christians, but the Christians never once ask if the lost soul would like to receive Christ as their Savior. This was very convicting to me since I am with unbelievers every day, and I even carpool with one every day.
Here are some of the memories made a Family Camp: