I love fall; it is definitely my favorite season. The crisp, cool air; a welcome relief from the heat of summer; a tell of the winter that lies ahead. The leaves begin to turn from green to fire engine red, brown, yellow, orange, rust, burgandy, tan, maroon, and mocha. There is no end to God's color palate! Fall is especially beautiful at sunset when the sun is glistening over the trees. I feel as though God is showing us a glimpse of what is to come, of what His world looks like, of what He intended creation to look like. How could anyone look around and not see God?
North Carolina's beauty doesn't hold a candle to Alaska's, even in the fall. But even here God reminds me that there is beauty in change; that under God's plan there is a season for everything. How I wish my life was simpler right now! I long for my childhood days when I would bundle up and go outside to play and then warm up by the fire with a cup of hot cider or cocoa. I feel like most things I do lately are meaningless, a chasing after the wind (can you tell I've been reading in Ecclesiastes?) I clean the house, just for it to get dirty again, I study for a test, just to study for another one, I make dinner, just to need to make more tomorrow, I exercise, just to need to again tomorrow... I could go on and on and on!
Thank god that there are moments that don't seem meaningless! Such as the hour I spend with Sharon, a little girl with hemiplegia helping her do ballet. Or the moment when a friend tells me she feels like God put me in her life. Or the quiet moments I spend with my husband. Or the moments I spend on the phone catching up with friends and family. God gave us these moments to remind us of what is important. In rebellion of all the meaningless things I do, I'm goind to go make some hot cider and make banana bread. :)
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Moving right along...
It's that time again! Can you all believe that I've now been in school almost 8 weeks and that I'm already in my second module? I sure can't! It is amazing how quickly time flies by! There is so much I could tell you all and yet I'm having problems forming complete thoughts and sentences (probably the result of massive studying and brain overload) so bear with me!
Lucas & I are settling in here in Elon quite nicely. I have become fast friends with several of the girls in my class and Lucas with many of his coworkers and team mates on his hockey teams (he is now on 2 teams and was just asked to join a third). He comes home with a crazy story almost every day of all the fun things they do at work, he seems so happy and fulfilled in all that he is learning there. I was just thinking the other day how desperate we were for him to find a job in the beginning and how faithful God is to call us to wait for His timing; God knew that Lucas wouldn't have been nearly as happy at the other job as he is at this one. God is good!
The majority of my classmates are so nice and everyone has an attitude of genuine concern and helpfullness; everyone wants to see everyone succeed! I made a fast friend with another girl named Rachel (they are just abounding in my life!) who will hopefully be coming with me in June 2009 for a clinical rotation at the Alaska Native Hospital. It will probably be a long time before we know if we get to go, but we are hopeful! I was also nominated class activity coordinator (not sure what that means, but I think basically I get to plan class events, which should be fun!)
Classes themselves are really interesting and informative, my favorite being anatomy. The more I learn about the human body and the way God created us, the more I truly understand Luke 19 where Jesus tells the Pharisees that if His disciples don't share the word that the very stones will cry out. Every time I look at the inner workings of my donor I swear his systems cry out "I was made by a wonderful God!" How could anyone who has been given the gift of looking into the complexities of the human body not believe that there is a creator who made us? We are fearfully and wonderfully made... it is fascinating and I am constantly in awe!
Speaking of God and his awesomeness, Lucas and I have finally decided on a church. Believe it or not, it was the very first one we went to just a couple of blocks down the street. It's a relatively large church but not as large as Changepoint, which I think will actually be a good thing; it will be harder for us to get lost! In fact, we had our taxes done yesterday and the lady who did our taxes goes to our church! I am excited to get plugged in and belong to a church body again!
Well folks, I will close for now.... if anyone has time to write, I would love to hear from you all!
Lucas & I are settling in here in Elon quite nicely. I have become fast friends with several of the girls in my class and Lucas with many of his coworkers and team mates on his hockey teams (he is now on 2 teams and was just asked to join a third). He comes home with a crazy story almost every day of all the fun things they do at work, he seems so happy and fulfilled in all that he is learning there. I was just thinking the other day how desperate we were for him to find a job in the beginning and how faithful God is to call us to wait for His timing; God knew that Lucas wouldn't have been nearly as happy at the other job as he is at this one. God is good!
The majority of my classmates are so nice and everyone has an attitude of genuine concern and helpfullness; everyone wants to see everyone succeed! I made a fast friend with another girl named Rachel (they are just abounding in my life!) who will hopefully be coming with me in June 2009 for a clinical rotation at the Alaska Native Hospital. It will probably be a long time before we know if we get to go, but we are hopeful! I was also nominated class activity coordinator (not sure what that means, but I think basically I get to plan class events, which should be fun!)
Classes themselves are really interesting and informative, my favorite being anatomy. The more I learn about the human body and the way God created us, the more I truly understand Luke 19 where Jesus tells the Pharisees that if His disciples don't share the word that the very stones will cry out. Every time I look at the inner workings of my donor I swear his systems cry out "I was made by a wonderful God!" How could anyone who has been given the gift of looking into the complexities of the human body not believe that there is a creator who made us? We are fearfully and wonderfully made... it is fascinating and I am constantly in awe!
Speaking of God and his awesomeness, Lucas and I have finally decided on a church. Believe it or not, it was the very first one we went to just a couple of blocks down the street. It's a relatively large church but not as large as Changepoint, which I think will actually be a good thing; it will be harder for us to get lost! In fact, we had our taxes done yesterday and the lady who did our taxes goes to our church! I am excited to get plugged in and belong to a church body again!
Well folks, I will close for now.... if anyone has time to write, I would love to hear from you all!
Friday, January 11, 2008
Conclusion of week 1
Having completed my first week of physical therapy school I am overwhelmed with many thoughts, feelings, and emotions. I find myself already sleep deprived, loaded down with school work, and rediscovering my love for coffee. There is something, however, deeply satisfying and peaceful about knowing that you are in the right place; that God has brought you to this point for a purpose and that it is not some random mistake. I have already made many friends and I'm sure will continue to make more. Everyone in my class is extremely friendly and welcoming.
I am actually a mini celebrity here on campus, as I am the first student to have ever come from Alaska. It is really kind of bizarre; like being famous for having brown hair... just something that has always been a part of who I am. It is exciting though, because I get to bring a different perspective and experiences that many in my class, especially the "Southerners" don't have. Classes are engaging and thought provoking and all the teachers have a genuine interest in each student's success; I have never been on a campus that is so student focused. Another interesting and fun aspect of my class is that over 50% are married, all young, so hopefully that will make it easier for Lucas & I to find some couples we can connect with and get to know better.
In other news, Lucas has found a club hockey team to play on and has his first game tomorrow evening! We are excited! We have also found a church that we are going to try out for a couple of months to see how it fits. It is located in Greensboro, about 30 minutes away and has a very large "young married" crowd. Worship is kind of lacking in my opinion, and since I sing, that is something I think I may struggle with. However, they are searching for a new worship pastor so that may get better and they also have a choir, so I may get involved to meet that need.
As excited as I am to be here I do miss home. I miss the mountains, the snow, and the crisp clean air. I miss terminology such as "the lower 48", "snow machine", and "cart" instead of "buggy". And most of all, I miss all of you! We are so blessed to have so many friends and family, and we love and miss all of you dearly! Please know that I think of you often and that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love and warm wishes,
Rachel
I am actually a mini celebrity here on campus, as I am the first student to have ever come from Alaska. It is really kind of bizarre; like being famous for having brown hair... just something that has always been a part of who I am. It is exciting though, because I get to bring a different perspective and experiences that many in my class, especially the "Southerners" don't have. Classes are engaging and thought provoking and all the teachers have a genuine interest in each student's success; I have never been on a campus that is so student focused. Another interesting and fun aspect of my class is that over 50% are married, all young, so hopefully that will make it easier for Lucas & I to find some couples we can connect with and get to know better.
In other news, Lucas has found a club hockey team to play on and has his first game tomorrow evening! We are excited! We have also found a church that we are going to try out for a couple of months to see how it fits. It is located in Greensboro, about 30 minutes away and has a very large "young married" crowd. Worship is kind of lacking in my opinion, and since I sing, that is something I think I may struggle with. However, they are searching for a new worship pastor so that may get better and they also have a choir, so I may get involved to meet that need.
As excited as I am to be here I do miss home. I miss the mountains, the snow, and the crisp clean air. I miss terminology such as "the lower 48", "snow machine", and "cart" instead of "buggy". And most of all, I miss all of you! We are so blessed to have so many friends and family, and we love and miss all of you dearly! Please know that I think of you often and that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love and warm wishes,
Rachel
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