Christmas Preparations

I love putting our Christmas tree up and carefully arranging all the lights and decorations on it! We did this today while we watched one of the Christmas Classics, It's a Wonderful Life.
Christmas is in the air, and I am reminded of our Savior's perfect gift to us.

The End Is In Sight

I feel like I'm in the last leg of a long race. And it feels wonderful! After December 9th I'll only have two quarters left : ) I dare say, it is rather a frightening thought that I am supposed to be a competent Dental Hygienist at the end of 7 months. . . Oh well, the Lord has seen me through this far, and my Dental Hygiene journey is just begining when I get out into "the real world" and start working.
And this quarter is practically over (thank goodness). . . I technically have three weeks left, but they are only 2 days, then 4 days, then 2 days, and then I'm done for this year!

I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

At times I even feel like I'm on Cloud 9 : )

Relationships

Why do relationships hurt so much?
I am beginning to see that perhaps I became too selfish in my relationships. Perhaps I expected too much. . . I had this idea in my head that my relationships were invincible. . . But that is far from the truth.
I wish that I would learn the first time so I didn't have to go through a similar situation, but I guess I'm too hard-headed.
Sometimes I just feel like I don't have enough energy to pour into any new relationships with other people because I'm afraid they will suffer the same fate as previous relationships, and I don't want to go through the same pain again.

One good thing comes when my relationships hurt the most: I have no other place to go but to Him whose relationship is stronger to me than any other can be.
I recognized this concept early on, but accepting it was harder than I at first thought. Why can I not accept that God is the only relationship that I need?
So I can only trust that God is listening to my cries and hurts, and cling to the promise that all things work together for good for those who love God.

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!