I Am Grateful to the LORD. . .

• for His unfailing promises, which I cling to when Satan hurls his venomous darts toward my soul
• for His death and Resurrection for me, chief of sinners!
  
• for my special times of Conversation with Him under the Gorgeous star-lit sky (providing there is no rain) ; )
• for the Holy Spirit's Leading and Persistence - I would even give up on me at times!
  
• for knitting me in my mother's womb (what a picture!)
• for my Beloved Mother - Best Friend and great Listener and Reprover
• for my precious Principe Seth - my comforting, tender-hearted boy who can stop the tears from falling with his gentle Love
  
• for my Handsome Jeshua - my ever grateful boy who is full of life and vigor and who can always put a Smile on my face
  
• for my Brave Soldier brother, Zach
• for my Father - great Provider for his family
• for His boundless Mercies, which are New every morning - heaven knows I need it!
  
• for His wonderful creation that Shouts out His Praises
• for getting me through college - a Miracle indeed!
  
• for a wonderful job - a true Blessing in this economy
• for my encouraging Friend and Mentor, Dena - always willing to listen to my struggles and give me godly advise
  
• for my family who loves me for being. . . Me
• for my loving family who believes in me even when I don't

And most of all I am grateful for the life in Christ that God has given me; that He called me out of darkness into the light of His glory. The thought of Him loving and caring for me in spite of knowing the deepest thoughts of my heart is truly amazing to me.

I live in the present and look to the future. I am also truly grateful for God's promises yet to be fulfilled = )

God reigns, life is beautiful.

Current thoughts. . .

So much has been happening it seems that it's been difficult to gather my thoughts in an organized fashion. . . So here's the best I can do.
I recently finished reading a book by Candice Watters called "Get Married: What Women Can Do to Help it Happen." It really turned my view of the road to marriage upside down (in a good way), and I would definitely recommend it anyone young lady with a desire for marriage (and more or less of marrying age). Previously I found myself feeling guilty for my desire for marriage, but after reading this book I've come to realize that it's ok, and most likely what God wants. He doesn't play with our emotions for fun. I believe He has given this desire for a purpose; He created marriage for His glory and gives His children the desire to fulfill it. There were also a lot of other topics that Candice talks about that were eye-opening for me. So if you're looking for a good book about a very interesting topic ; ) take a look at this one!

Also, I used to think that when I got married I'd continue working full time. After all that's why I went through Dental Hygiene school, to use my training, right? Well, now my perspective is changing. I started out working 5 days a week; then due to school I cut down to 4 days a week. Now I realize that I would be more than happy to work even 3 days a week. And after I have children I wouldn't mind working only 1-2 days a week . . . Even less : )
I honestly don't know the full reason the Lord brought me through DH school (is it missions??? Do I need to start some king of oral health program?????), but He has given me the desire to stay home with my children whenever He deems the time right for me to have children. I long to be a teacher, nurse, cook, etc. All of this to say I've come to learn that God has also given me these desires . I don't know what my life will look like in the future, but I am willing to follow God's leading wherever it takes me.
So we'll see what the future has in store. . .

Newgraditis

Some graduates aren't even affected by this illness, which is mainly psychological but may have physical complications as well. It a very interesting disease, as it comes and goes as it wishes, much like the common cold. . . except this does not involve any form of liquid emitting from your nose. It can, however, target the eyes, and force the emission of a salty liquid.
Enough of the physical manifestations of this illness; what does it do to a person psychologically? Well, it forces one to question whether or not one is capable of doing what one has been trained to do for the past two years or longer. This instability of the mind can then affect different actions one takes, or rather forgets to take. Whether it is forgetting to write in a patient's chart or having to look at the chart notes 10 times just to make sure that you anesthetize the right area in your patient's mouth, it seems to mostly target self-assurity.
You might ask, "How do you know about this illness?" Well, shocking as it may be, I am in the midst of this illness. Don't worry though, friends; it doesn't seem to be contagious. According to survivors of this disease it can last up to about 5 years after graduation; however, I am hoping for a more speedy recovery on my part. After all, I do have the medicinal balm of faith in Almighty God on my side. I find, though, that I don't use this comfort as much as I should. For I still often question my abilities even though I know that God has placed me where I am for a special purpose. This medicine must be "taken" daily if I am to be restored to psychological health. This, I believe, is the only way to conquer Newgraditis.

On the Subject Age, Needles, and God's Goodness

My career as a Dental Hygienist began this late summer when I was 19 years old. I've come to realize that age is very important to some patients, so I am very grateful that I am now 20.
Sometimes during my "small talk" with patients I mention something my little brothers, then they ask further questions and it comes out that I still live with my parents. "Well," they say, "you must not be very old yourself." At this point I usually hesitate, trying to decide if this is the sort of patient I can trust with the knowledge of my age - that is if consider me incompetent or not based on my age.
Then comes the question, "Did you have to go to school for this?" "Oh yes!" I reply, "Two years prerequisite work and two years in the Dental Hygiene program," but what I'm really thinking is, "No. I just had a needle in your mouth and it requires no education whatsoever." Gracious of me, I know. . .
And then there was the time that a patient came in and somehow knew my age. He asked everyone he saw, "Are you the 20 year old hygienist?" (it turns out my office manager told him) Then when I got in the room he quizzed me on my qualifications, and when he was satisfied with my answers opened his mouth and let me take periochart readings on him. Thankfully, he is now a devoted patient and says that he "won't see any other hygienist but" me.
Overall, however, there have been no negative experiences aside from a few patients doing a double take of me when I come into the room and say, "Hello, my name is Shaylee. I'm the hygienist here, and I'm just going to get you numb for doctor."

God has been very good to me. I am so grateful for His loving, merciful presence in my life, and for His abundant blessings. I take comfort "His mercies are new every morning." I know His grace goes with me every day I leave for work, and I only pray that I am a testimony of Him to all those I see during the day.

God's Grace Continues. . .

Well, you've probably read my first post telling of how God miraculously brought to me the point of going to Dental Hygiene school. Now, that episode in my life is over and a new one is begun.
I graduated from Clark's dental hygiene program June 2009, and I must say I enjoyed my time away from school! I was able to enjoy my summer while I waited for my Dental Hygiene license from the state.

I knew I would be starting the Dental Hygiene Bachelor's degree program through Eastern Washington University in September, and this meant one major thing: Tuition would be much more expensive. So after my vacation was over, I set hard at work looking for a job; not an easy task in this economy. I remember my dad and I praying in mid-July that I would get a job by the end of the month, so that as soon as my license came in I could start working and earning money, so I could pay for tuition instead of my parents. After dropping probably around 20 resumes off at various offices around town, an office interviewed me, and it was a pretty for sure job for one day a week. I'll bet you can't guess the date. . . It was July 30th. I was in awe of God's powerful answer to my prayer.

So I started the job one day a week, but I continued to take my resume out to other offices. I also signed up with a temp agency, hoping that perhaps an office I temped with would want to hire me full time. Between my paychecks from the temp agency and my one day-a-week office, I was able to pay for my tuition in full and on time. Yet another display of God's faithfulness.
As much as I was grateful for my temp job, however, I wasn't the biggest fan of being called at 7 in the morning and asked how soon I could be at a certain office. But they eventually sent me to a Bright Now! dental that is actually right down the road from our house. That was my first experience with double-booking (having two patients at the same time, sort of), but I had an assistant so that made everything go a little smoother. While I was there, I was talking to the Hygiene Assistant about looking everywhere for a job and dropping my resumes off, but "No one seems to be hiring." "We are," she replied. I couldn't believe it! I talked with the office manager and set up an interview. I was hoping, but I didn't want to get my hopes up too high. The location, though, was so convenient! It would only take me about 3 min. to get there each day (tops!), and I would be able to go home for lunch and see Mom and the boys! It seemed too good to be true. I kept praying about this opportunity because I wanted make sure I was in the Lord's will, job or no job.

I continued temping there a couple days a week. Several times the office manager would say things that would give me hope, but I just waited. One day in mid-September he came back to the clinic area and said, "Well, what do you think?" "I like it!" I said, "I really enjoy working here." He smiled and said, "Welcome to the team." I couldn't believe my ears! I was so excited! We set up my first official day on the job right then and there. Looking back I can see how the Lord orchestrated everything so that I would get this job, and I am so grateful to Him for not allowing it to happen too soon or too late.

You see, when I first started out taking my resume to offices, I became discouraged because several of my friends had already found jobs. I wondered, "Why isn't God providing me with a job? After all, I'm the one who followed His leading and pursued Dental Hygiene, and everyone else seems to be getting jobs except me." (My, the selfishness of that statement is so much clearer when written down!) Now I see that it was all part of God's plan. Of course I had to wait for the other hygienist at Bright Now! to go on maternity leave. Why should I be surprised? God has not, and never will, leave me or forsake me.

More Pics!

It was so cold!


We had a lot of fun with the frisbee
We went to Custer's Battlefield. It was so interesting! It is amazing to know that an actual battle took place on the very land where you stand.



Stopping off the road to enjoy the scenery.


We were able to go to the Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody, Wyoming. Seth and I really enjoyed it!

*sigh* Buffalo Bill himself.
They had a taxidermist doing a sort of exhibition. His work was absolutely amazing!

Seth and I with the partially decapitated Buffalo Bill.

Montana 2009!