Obeying God

Yesterday I was thinking about how God has not given us a clear answer about where to go to church yet. I picked up my In Touch magazine and started to read the daily devotionals and then read some in my Bible. I prayed last night, again, for God to give us an answer we would see. This morning we were watching Faith Center on TV, and then Charles Stanley came on and talked about anger, and how it doesn't matter what someone does to us, we must let go and forgive. Then he told a story about a man that stayed out of church for 5 years over something that Charles Stanley said that made him angry.

I felt so convicted, like God was telling me that in order for me to be forgiven for letting my anger keep me out of my church, I needed to apologize to someone, even though I feel they should apologize to me. I know I have said and done things that have hurt them, and so how can I expect them to do the right thing if I don't? It doesn't matter if they do the right thing or not, I have to do what God says regardless.

I don't know if this means we go back to our church for good, I know the kids really like Pathway, and if it gets them to listen and get fired up for God, than that's fine, but I don't feel like Pathway is home to me. And we have been less involved in church since leaving our home church.

Anyway, I have deleted all of the posts that I made that could have been hurtful to the person I need to apologize to, and if I see more, I will delete them too. I guess I was fooled into thinking that it was OK as long as I didn't mention names, but God knew who I was talking about... I have been very emotional all day since watching Charles Stanley, and even everything that Pastor Mike said seemed to enforce what Charles Stanley said, even though he wasn't saying anything even close ... so I know God is wanting this. Now I just have to swallow my pride, humble myself, and do the right thing ... and that is the hardest part. Please pray for me!

3 Semesters Down, 1 To Go!

Well today was my last day of nursing 203. We had a potluck dinner and it was delicious! Everyone passed this semester, no one failed, THANK GOD! These people are like family, we spend more time with each other than we do our own family's, and so when we lose one it's hard ... but we didn't, so that's great!

I still have Medical Microbiology until May 11th, May 12th Austen gets his insulin pump installed, then May 14th is my birthday, and then the 15th I have CPR renewal. But after that I am done until August 17th, so I can relax and study 2-4 hours a week to keep up on everything.

I am tired, no I'm beyond tired, I'm suffering from severe information overload. I'm going to go take a nap and then head to the gym ... I haven't been able to workout all week, and I'm ready to burn off some stress!

Why I Hate Mondays

We have a 2003 Ford Windstar. Yesterday we were on our way to Wal-Mart to buy groceries when all of a sudden the RPM's went up and the van would not go. We pulled off the side of the road, and then it started going again. Apparently it will go as long as you keep the speed below 40 mph.

Stanley called his dad and asked him if he would sell us his 2003 Taurus and let us pay for it with income taxes next year, otherwise we would be without a vehicle and I would have no way to school. We are still plan on fixing the van, as it has a great motor, it doesn't use a drop of oil, but times are hard right now and we do not have the funds to put another transmission in.

We stopped by his parents house to get the car, and I went in to check on my mother-in-law. She had a stroke two weeks ago and her blood pressure has been running high. I checked mine to be able to gage how accurate her monitor was. My BP usually runs 100-110/60-70 so when it said mine was 110/78 I knew it was pretty accurate. She checked hers and it was 201/100, I immediately told her how dangerous it was for her BP to be that high. She said it had been higher than that and nothing happened ... my father-in-law had tried to get her to go to the hospital over the weekend and she wouldn't go.

I told her she was a ticking time bomb waiting for something to happen, and she needed to call her doctor or go to the hospital, I pleaded with her. I called her doctors answering service and they said to go to the emergency room, so my father-in-law took her, and she is still there this morning, but she may get to come home today. They got her BP down to 170 over something, that's better, but it is still way too high.

Please pray for my MIL, pray that God will direct her doctors to make some good changes to her BP meds and it will start keeping her in a normal range, otherwise she could have another stroke, or even a heart attack.

Hip Hip Hooray!

Austen's insulin pump was delivered via UPS today ... PRAISE THE LORD! Talk about an answer to prayer, and a 5 year prayer at that. It just goes to show you that it is all in HIS time and not ours.

The box was huge and contained everything we could possible need for a while. It even has a device that inserts the IV cannula into his belly fast so that he doesn't have to do it manually. AND it came with a blood sugar monitor that sends the readings to the pump, is that cool or what?

They calculate that he will use 20% less insulin with the pump, and he will definitely get better control. We just have to be diligent about keeping snacks on hand and a Glucagon kit in case he goes too low. But WOW! After 5 years, he finally has the pump!!!! I'm so EXCITED!!!! We just have to wait to use it until we go to the dietitian and get taught how to use it and she has to set it up for him.

I'm amazed at God's mercy and grace, His love is awesome!

Counting It Down

We have two exams left in the next week of nursing school, and then we are out for the summer. Medical micro will continue thanks to our lovely professor who always changes things on us. Our last lab exam is now on May 11th ... PFFFT!

The pump people called yesterday and they are shipping out Austen's insulin pump. It sure took them long enough!!! It should be here in a few days and then we have to go see the dietitian for her to set it up.

Now ... it's my bedtime, I have worked out for a total of 2 hours and 50 minutes and I'm dog tired :) Have a blessed sleep!

Busy Couple Of Weeks Ahead

The next couiple of weeks are going to be crazy. I have set up mobile blogging so that I can do it from my phone, but I'm not sure how much time I will have. This is what the next couple of weeks looks like for me. Your prayers would be appreciated, THANKS!!!

Monday April 20, 3009

Medical Microbiology @ 7:45-9:30
Nursing Exam #5 @ 3:30

Wednesday April 22, 2009

Medical Microbiology Lab Exam @ 7:45-9:30
Comprehensive Pharmacology Quiz @ 3:30-4:30

Friday April 24, 2009

All Meds Publishing Campus Labs are Due

Monday April 27, 2009

Disaster Lab

Tuesday April 28, 2009

Nursing Exam #6 @ 2:15-4:00 Anderson Technical Building

Wednesday April 29, 2009

OFF FOR STUDY DAY

Thursday April 30, 2009

HESI Nursing FINAL EXAM @ 2:15-5:15 Anderson Technical Building

Friday May 1, 2009

HESI SCORE REVIEW
Class Potluck

May 4, 2009

Medical Microbiology Final Exam @ 10:00 Waller Hall (LAST DAY OF CLASS)

UPDATES

Stanley's mom is doing better. I stayed the night with her last night so that my father-in-law could get some sleep. I slept pretty good, and so did Lura, but Stanley can't sleep without me at home, so he didn't sleep well at all.

Her right carotid artery is stopped up and so they did a CT angiogram this morning to see how bad it was. They don't know the results as of yet, but I think surgery is in her near future.

Austen's insulin pump should be here in the next week or two! A lot of bad stuff is going on, but God continues to show us His presence and that He is still working in our lives! Going to Pathway again on Sunday.

When It Rains It Pours

Please pray for Stanley's mom. She had a stroke in her sleep Tuesday night, woke up Wednesday morning not feeling well, had a headache and blurred vision, but did not let anyone know. Stanley's dad came home from work Wednesday afternoon and noticed her acting funny, checked her blood pressure and it was very high, so they took her to Western Baptist. She is now on the 5th floor awaiting tests to see why she had the stroke. (probably the high blood pressure).

The stroke was in the back of the brain in the area that controls vision. She still is having vision problems, and has a hard time thinking about things. She does know who she is, where she is, and what happened though, so that is good. Praise God it isn't any worse than it is.

If you have a stroke, you have a 3 hour window in which to reverse the damage. She was well past that window, so God must have been looking out for her.

PRAISE THE LORD!!!

Well we took Tanner to see Dr. Swain in Murray. He said that the lump was not anything serious. It is a hormonal thing, like male boobs, that should go away on it's own, but he is still going to monitor it to be safe. He said that he could remove it if it became bothersome or embarrassing for Tanner, but that it was harmless. I am so very thankful for this news because the radiologist made it sound like it was really bad. I know many of our friends at our old church have been praying for him, the family has been praying, and a lot of my school friends, so I am so thankful that God heard these prayers and everything is fine. God is so good!

Thank you God for hearing the many prayers on Tanner's behalf. Thank you for protecting him and thank you for the peace you gave me last week ... I knew it was going to be a good outcome, and it was all because of YOU! You are a great and glorious God and I don't deserve the favor you have shown to me and my family. THANK YOU! In Jesus' name I pray, Amen!

On This Day ...

On this day 17 years ago, Stanley and I got married. We did not get married in a church either time we got married. (we divorced in 1997 and lived together and then we remarried in 2003) We have been talking about renewing our vowels this fall in the church. My original plan was to have the pastor that saved (meaning, walked me to the Lord) and then baptized me and baptized all of our kids, to perform the service. I don't know what we will do now. But I really think it is important for us to renew our vowels in a church, since we both rededicated our lives to Christ after we got married the second time, and since we never had that church wedding.

It would be nice to have pictures and family and friends there ... It saddens me how my plans have been shot down. Yeah I'm feeling sorry for myself. You picture your kids getting married in the church you have known most of your life, and BAM, it ain't going to happen, and it upsets me!

Happy original Anniversary Stanley ... I love you more now than I did then, you are an amazing husband, friend, lover, and father. I am so happy God kept us together!

Catching Up

Last night I was texting my BFF, and she was worried that I was going to be worrying all weekend about Tanner's lump since we don't see the surgeon until Monday. I told her that it is what it is and me worrying isn't going to change that. I think he will be fine. I did not know that at church last night that the kids in TeamKid prayed for him. It could be the reason why I am feeling better about things. I'm sure of it actually because I know that God answers prayer, especially when more than one person is praying for the same thing while believing the prayer will be answered. God is so good!

We have 3 1/2 weeks of school left for this semester ... I can't believe it!!! It seems like I just started the first semester and now I have just a little over a semester left! December will come fast after school starts back in the fall. Especially since we will only have class for two months and then our Preceptor the following two months. Then I will take my Boards sometime in January and I could be working as an official RN sometime after that! My dream is almost a reality, and I can only thank God for it ... and my husband of course, for doing most of the chores to allow me to study.

I have a paper to write today for school, two actually, but one is due on Friday. I also have some studying to do and some note cards to write for medical micro. I am so happy that our micro professor changed the date of our final exam. We have our last unit exam in nursing on the 28th, then we were supposed to have our micro final on the 29th, and then our nursing final on the 30th. He felt sorry for us and moved the micro final to the 4th ... THANK GOD! That was too much! The last two weeks of nursing and micro are bad enough as we have 6 tests! Can we say OVERLOAD? Thank God summer break is almost here, and I can study at my own pace with no pressure to stay on top of everything for my comprehensive nursing final in the fall that covers everything we have learned so far from every semester.

Well I am off to study and do some laundry. have a great, glorious, and blessed day!

Surgical Consult

We have a surgical consult about Tanner's lump on Monday at 3:00 PM with Dr. Swain in Murray. Your continued prayers over this scary situation will be highly appreciated. Thank you.

Prayer Request

I finally got the call from the doctors office this morning. Tanner's lump is 1.8cm and is oval in shape with undefined edges (not good), and they said it was an inflammatory lesion and it needed to come out. So they are setting us up with a surgical consult. I am so worried, but he hasn't had this lump for very long, so hopefully whatever it is, it will be ok once we get it out.

Our insurance has changed so we will be paying for this surgery out of our own pockets pretty much, but we got to do what we got to do. Please pray that this is nothing serious!

My Feelings Set To Music

I heard this song and it touched me. It totally describes what I'm feeling right now.

The Climb by Miley Cyrus

I can almost see it
That dream I'm dreaming but
There's a voice inside my head sayin,
You'll never reach it,
Every step I'm taking,
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking but I
Got to keep trying
Got to keep my head held high

There's always going to be another mountain
I'm always going to want to make it move
Always going to be an uphill battle,
Sometimes I'm gonna to have to lose,
Ain't about how fast I get there,
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

The struggles I'm facing,
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down but
No I'm not breaking
I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I'm going to remember most yeah
Just got to keep going
And I, I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on, cause

There's always going to be another mountain
I'm always going to want to make it move
Always going to be an uphill battle,
Sometimes I'm gonna to have to lose,
Ain't about how fast I get there,
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb (yeah)

There's always going to be another mountain
I'm always going to want to make it move
Always going to be an uphill battle,
Sometimes you going to have to lose,
Ain't about how fast I get there,
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb (yeah yeah ea ea)

Keep on moving
Keep climbing
Keep the faith baby
It's all about
It's all about
The climb
Keep the faith
Keep your faith

If you want to hear the song or watch the video, you can right HERE.

Thoughts Of The Day 3-26-09

My Sunday School teacher always gives me a Bible verse that is fitting for any given situation. This morning I was looking at one of my favorite websites, God's Yellow Pages, and found some really good verses that seem to fit with my life right now.

Under the heading of COURAGE:

Psalm 27:14
Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

Under the heading ANXIOUS:

Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Under the heading NEEDING GUIDANCE:

Psalm 32:8
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.

Under the heading SICK-IN PAIN:

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Under the heading PRAYERFUL:

1 John 5:14-15
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

And finally ... Under the heading FORGIVENESS:

Mark 11:25-26
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."

Forgiveness is a hard thing sometimes, but we must learn to forgive in order to be forgiven ... I'm really trying.

I am definitely in prayer about a lot of things. I know I need God to do some work on me, and I know I need God to get me through some things that are going on. I just have to learn to be patient, which is the hardest part.

Have a great, glorious, and blessed day!

Confused

I really don't know what to do this Sunday about Church. I love the people at my Church and would really like to go there, but at the same time I want to see if maybe another Church is better suited for us. I guess I just have to continue to pray about it.

We missed last Sunday because Stanley said he had a hard time going to our Church, and then I missed because I didn't get up in time. (my best friend and I had stayed up and painted Friday night and slept from 8AM to 1PM and then we started painting again, and I went to bed Saturday night after midnight, so I was exhausted).

Stanley and I want to go, but we think some things need to be settled first. It is hard to worship God in a place where things are going on, and people are treating you different or wrong. I know God wants it settled, but I don't know how to do that when decisions are still up in the air, feelings are hurt, and NO ONE wants to admit they are wrong.

I am also confused as to why people have to leave anonymous comments on my blog, and continue to look at comments on another post, but use something to block the ISP they are using. I am so sick of deceit, really I am. I am glad that I am an honest person who doesn't care what others think. Sneaking around looking for trouble isn't my thing. I mean the way I see it is this ... if you think I am wrong, or don't like what I have to say, then you shouldn't be on my blog. Seems to me that continuing to come back is just as bad as you think or say that I am.

I don't care for anyone reading my blog, I am an open book, really. Have a question? Just ask. But when I have increased traffic on one post, and then when we bust them out and then I start seeing "Unknown" on my blog stats, but they are still looking at the same post ... HELLO ... I might be blonde, but I assure you, I am not stupid. Why would you keep coming back? Are you wanting me to say something? If not, please go away.

Update On Pump

Austen has to go to the hospital in the morning to have more bloodwork drawn. He has to have a C- Peptide, which tells the doctor if his pancreas produces any insulin at all. The insurance company is requesting it, as well as 60 days worth of blood sugar logs (that we can pull off the monitor). But from the way I understand it, they are going to pay most, if not all of the cost of the pump (if they agree). The insurance company still has not decided if he can have one yet, that is why we have to do all of this. The doctor and pump company are all on board, but the insurance company is the final say, but I can understand that because those supplies for the pump are extremely expensive.

But I have faith that he will get the insulin pump ... God has protected him thus far, and the pump will ensure he stays healthy for a lot longer. Some people think that if he did everything just perfectly that he would be fine without it, but I don't know anybody who does everything just perfect ... except for Jesus of course :-)

TGIF

This has been the longest week to me. I guess because I had two clinicals this week and because of that, had to miss Church Wednesday. I am so happy it is Friday, even though this weekend looks pretty busy too, since ...

I need to unwind, sleep in, and finish painting the trim in the living room.
I need to do more research on local Churches.
I need to spend time and cuddle up with my husband.
I need to get into God's word.

Next week I also have two clinicals, both of which are on Tuesday, but at least I get my usual Thursday off next week. Not having a day off when you have papers to write, quizzes to take, and research to do is CRAZY!

Tuesday I have Management of Care Day @ Western Baptist & Angel's Clinic. I am looking forward to the first one, but not so much the last one. But just a few more clinicals left, and three more tests and this semester is O-V-E-R! Then summer break ... I can't wait!

Also, please pray for us (or continue) as we have many decisions to make in the near future and we want to make the right ones. Thanks so much and have a great, glorious, and blessed day!

Just So You Know

If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck ... it's a duck. I'm just saying.

Thought Of The Day 3-18-09

Proverbs 28:13

He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

Great Day

Today I was with Hospice for my clinical. A great experience, I truly admire the work they do. I had the privilege of working with them when I took care of a very sweet lady who had cancer. I would actually love to work with Hospice, but I have to have 3 years experience first.

Tonight my baby girl is singing at school. She is in the "Talent Spotlight", she does it every year. She is going to sing Beautiful by Christina Aguilera ... I haven't heard her sing it yet, so I am going to be pleasantly surprised. I cannot wait!

Now I think I am off to take a nap. I want to be well rested to hear my baby girl sing. She sings like an angel, and uses it for God's glory ... God will do amazing things through her.

Thought Of The Day 3-17-09

2 Timothy 4:16-18

At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

My New Dining Room

Thank God it is finally finished! I love it! This was originally the living room and had a wall closing it off from the room I am taking the picture in. We knocked down the wall and decided to turn it into a dining room since we only have the bar to eat at, and no room in the kitchen for a table. I think it looks great, so warm and inviting!

Thoughts Of The Day 2-12-09

Ephesians 5:11

Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

2 Corinthians 10:12

We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.

Feeling Blessed & Confused

A lot of people did without power, heat, hot water, cable and phone during the ice storm here in Western Ky. We had heat and hot water, and got power back after 5 days. The interesting and most blessed thing that came out of it was that during this stressful week (on most people), I was fairly relaxed playing cards with my kids and my family that stayed with us after the storm.

My kids learned how to play spades and rummy, and it was really cool to spend that quality time with them. They really seemed to enjoy it too, and I am hoping we can do more of it once things go back to normal and we all get back into our normal routines.

God is good all the time, and it is when you do without that you realize how truly blessed you really are.

******************************************************************

During the storm I was a bit taken back by someone coming to my house asking me if they could buy drugs off of me (my pain pills from my recent hysterectomy). I was so shocked by this that all I could do was lie and say I had flushed them, when I probably should have called the police instead. This is someone with whom I am fairly aquainted with, and who should know better. I have decided that I need to keep my distance from this person but pray that they get the help they need.

If you know me at all then you know that this goes against my beliefs, morals, and values. Look up the word anti-drug and you will see my picture. I'm still very upset by this and clueless of what to do.

Thoughts Of The Day 1/27/09

In a world where you can be anything, be yourself.

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than be loved for who I'm not.

Those who are poor, smile at what they have, yet those who have good fortune, frown at what they do not have.

When you judge someone else, It doesn't define who they are, It defines who you are.

Life is too short to be distracted by the opinions of others.

Stand up for what you believe in, even if you are standing alone.

Thought Of The Day 1-20-09

Dependence upon God makes heroes of ordinary people like you and me. - Bruce Wilkinson

Thought Of The Day 1-19-09

If you begin to live life looking for the God that is all around you, every moment becomes a prayer. - Frank Bianco

Learning About Myself

1. I have come to realize that I may be too outspoken. I realized I had this problem when I was a teenager, but then somehow I grew out of it, and then now that I am back in Church, I am back to be being outspoken again. I am the type of person that I don't care who you are, if I think you have done me wrong or my family wrong, I will be the first one to tell you about it. I am usually nice about it unless you ignore me or defend your behavior, and then I might not be so nice. Some people cannot handle this about me, and so I don't make friends very easily. Once people see that I am not this way just to be mean, then they get to know me and like me, but it takes some time for people to get that close.
2. I have come to realize that I am not the type of person who searches for or longs for a leadership role. Not to say that I wouldn't want a leadership role if the position were right, I just don't "need" it in order to feel like somebody important. I may not be important to anyone but my family, but that is OK with me. I see a lot of people look for leadership roles just to say "Look at me!", "Look what I am doing." I don't want to ever be that way because then it isn't for God's glory, it's for mine, and that would be wrong.
3. I get annoyed with advice that comes from people who have not been in my situation, and because of that, I try not to give advice to people if I have not been there myself. We all think we know all the answers and it is real easy to tell someone else what to do, but not as easy when you are standing in the situation.
4. I am a lot tougher than I thought I was, and I know I owe it ALL to God. He has given me more strength than I thought was possible over the past several years. God is truly amazing!
5. I am so happy to be happily married. I go to school with a bunch of young girls and overhear them talk about dating ... I could not do that again. I LOVE stability. I love knowing that I have someone who loves me and only me. I love it that there are many predictable things in my life (I don't like surprises), and I love it that at the end of the day I have a soft place to fall and I will always be caught by my husband's loving arms.
6. I do not like confrontation, and express myself better in writing. I don't mind talking face to face, but I am more apt to becoming emotional or upset and do not like others to see me cry.
7. Sci-Fi movies are NOT for me ... give me a good romantic comedy and I am good to go!

I have learned a lot about myself over the past few years in school. I know I will continue to learn more as I grow older and continue to change. I am looking forward to the adventure.

Drugs or Jesus

I have been having a hard time dealing with some things lately. Lord knows I have prayed and prayed but I still don't know what to do or what to say. I will try not to go into too much detail, but one problem I have is that I feel, and my kids feel, like they are treated differently than other kids in a couple of different environments. I don't know why this is, and no reason can justify it in my mind, but it happens regardless.

I am the type of person that believes that all people should be treated equally and fairly. I realize there are people that have their favorite kids, I do too, but that does not mean that you nag, be mean to, or be unfair to other kids. It isn't right and is sin no matter how you look at it.

I also have a problem (in general) with the amount of people who are addicted to or take prescription drugs for no reason. These people are all around us; on the roads, in the shopping malls, and for some reason they think because they are legal drugs, that it is OK. It is NOT OK. An addiction is an addiction and not to say these people are bad people, but I don't want that mess around my kids.

Prescription drugs have become the new "street drug", and these people will try to sell these drugs to your kids, or they will even give them away to help get them started or addicted. I have seen good people ruin their lives from abusing prescription drugs. It is mainly pain pills or anti-depressants that are being abused. It is very scary to me because I know how easily doctors just hand them out like candy.

No good doctor should keep writing prescriptions for pain killers without testing the drug level in the person, and without trying alternative methods of pain relief. The doctor that writes those prescriptions every month without checking things out and making sure the client is in real pain and not just addicted, should lose their license in my opinion. They are part of the problem when they need to be part of the solution. Prayer is needed for sure!

That was my soap box for the day ... It could be continued :)

Feeling Great

Well it has been one month and a day since my surgery and I feel wonderful. That is a blessing for sure! It took a week and half before I did not regret the surgery due to the massive pain I was having, but all is good now ... Thank you GOD!

We have started painting the house. We have lived here for two years and we have only done minor work on it due to me being in school. I felt so good this past weekend that I had to start working on it, and so far it is looking great! I didn't even answer the phone in fear that I would stop painting.

We spent Saturday night at a friend's house playing Rockband (one of the coolest games on the planet if you like music). We ordered out for pizza and sat around talking and catching up, and then I took turns singing and playing the guitar while Stanley did not feel very musically inclined, so he just watched and listened to us. We had a great time! I think we are going to buy Rockband and Guitar Hero World Tour Band so we can jam at home :)

School started back yesterday and so far I think 203 is going to be awesome! Our professors are a hoot let me tell you. I also liked my Medical Micro professor and think this semester is going to be one of the best so far.

Now we just got to plan out devotionals for our family and get closer to God and all things will be great in the Stevenson household!

Seven Weird Or Random Facts

My sister tagged me, so I guess I am it :) Here are seven weird or random things about me.

1. One of my nicknames is Miss Chin. My daddy called me that from the time I can remember, even as an adult he called me that or just "Chin". I really miss my daddy :(

2. My husband and I started dating in July of 1991, we got married in April of 1992, got a divorce in April of 1997, continued to live together, and got remarried in August of 2003. God did an amazing work on the both of us!

3. I was out of church for over 20 years, and I am so thankful that God got a hold of me again and pulled me out of the life I was living. To find true happiness, all one needs is God.

4. I can touch my nose with my tongue.

5. I have to drink coffee the first thing every morning or I get a bad headache that will not go away.

6. I had my first three kids by c-section and then the fourth was born natural, something that is very rare and most doctors will not allow anymore due to the serious risk of death for both mother and baby.

7. When I was 9 years old I got strep-throat and the infection went to the tubes of my kidneys causing post-strepococcal glumerulonephritis, which caused my kidneys to shut-down and I ended up in a coma for 5 days out of my two week stay at Lourdes Hospital in Paducah, Ky. If it had not been for the prayers and genius of my doctor, Dr. Shumaker, I probably would have died or ended up on dialysis or had to have a kidney transplant.

If you are reading this, you are tagged ... so get busy!

God's Gift

Little baby on the hay,

soon there'll be another day

when nails shall pierce YOUR hands

and feet as YOU provide our sin's defeat.

Risen Jesus on the throne,

we lift our praise to YOU alone-

for YOU'RE gift that we receive

the moment that our hearts believe.

-Roy Lessin

As I grow older and get closer to God. I think about how Jesus must be so disappointed with us for turning his birth and ressurection into a big LIE. We tell our kids that Santa Claus comes and brings them gifts at Christmas. We tell them the Easter Bunny comes and brings them baskets full of eggs on HIS ressurection. How can that make HIM happy?

If we had started from day one making Christmas about HIS birth, we wouldn't have to be fighting to say MERRY CHRISTMAS now. If we had told our kids that Christmas was about a GIFT that God gave to US that would ultimately give US eternal life in HEAVEN with HIM, imagine how things would be today? Makes you think and wonder doesn't it?

Christians are usually good about standing up for their beliefs, but this is one thing that I think we really messed up with. How can any lie that takes away from our savior's birth and ressurection be pleasing to God? How can ANY lie be pleasing to God for that matter?

We always hear about how as Christians we are to be different. We should not watch ungodly things, we should not listen to ungodly music, we should always be careful to tame our tongues. We should be careful of the company we keep. BUT THEN we support this HUGE LIE every single year! Even if we don't have young kids, we ask "What is Santa bringing you?" ... We support the commercialism of HIS birth buy going into DEBT to SPOIL our children. We show just how ungodly we are by getting into fights with other people over that "special" toy for our kids.

Non Christians celebrate Christmas the exact same way we do.

Yeah I am very sure that the reason we are fighting to put Christ back in Christmas, is because Christmas IS NOT about Christ anymore, and it hasn't been for a very long time. We say it is, and we may watch movies like the Nativity Story, and read from the Bible ... but it is all about buying our kids those things they are just dying to have. It's all about impressing the people we don't even like. It's all about how much money we can spend ... and I don't care what anybody says, our God, our Jesus, would not be happy about any of that!!!

Put CHRIST back in YOUR Christmas. Celebrate YOUR savior's birth the way it should be celebrated. Don't continue to commercialize Christmas, don't continue to make a mockery out of HIS birth. I dare YOU to be different.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

It Is Depressing

It is very sad that the economy is as bad as it is. People all across this country are struggling to make ends meet and buy Christmas for their families. It is sad that people are losing their jobs during this crisis. That is why it is so important that people not live beyond their means.

If you have credit cards, cut them up! If you have charge accounts, stop! You don't need a fancy car and the nicest furniture and clothing. You only need what you can afford. Stop trying to impress the people you don't even like with your treasures here on earth.

Now is not the time to be buying things you don't need, or charging thousands of dollars on credit cards to buy Christmas for your family. Your family should be able to understand that you can't afford to spend money you don't have.

It just blows my mind to overhear people saying they can't pay their bills, but then they charge tons of money on credit cards. People are losing their jobs, or at risk for losing their jobs. This is not the time to go into debt, think about your families. I am sure they would much rather have a house to live in than an iPod or a laptop.

More Of This & That

Well school is out for Christmas break. I made it to the third semester of nursing ... YAY me! I had my hysterectomy and right side salpingo-oophorectomy (tube and ovary) removed on the 12th. I have had severe pain and swelling, which (hopefully and prayerfully) is going away.

My belly-button is really swollen and I still cannot stand for anything to touch my belly. This has been the worst surgery so far. I had sinus surgery and went to school the next day and had zero pain. I have had three C-Sections where I was up walking like nothing had happened the very next day. But this surgery, this one was very different. I woke up in recovery in horrible pain, and after enough medicine to sedate a horse, I still complained and hit the side rails in agony. Yes, it was that bad.

After crying for a few days in severe pain, the doctor basically put me in a drug induced coma (very strong pain pills), that allowed me to rest. Today I have not taken any of those pills, and only took one of my darvocets for some moderate pain this afternoon. I hate taking pills and will try to prevent from taking them if at all possible. I feel a lot better today ... Thank you GOD!

Then to top all of that off, I overhear something being said to my daughter that is not true. My daughter has been telling me things for a while that someone is saying to her. It struck a nerve when I overheard it myself, and so I made sure that the person saying it knew that it was not true. It really makes me want to get out of the situation we are in because we are doing this out of the kindness of our hearts, and we have gotten nothing but grief for it from day one.

I am trying to keep my anger from controlling how I handle this situation, but it seems like every time I turn around they are doing something to cause me more grief. I may have to call S.S. and tell them I am done. I am trying real hard not to do that, but they are leaving me no other choice if this keeps up.

It's Almost Over ...

I've been studying NCLEX review questions since Friday to prepare for my final exam in nursing on Wednesday. So far I have answered over 500 study questions. The Hesi is only 110 questions, so hopefully by the time I am finished, I will have covered the majority of questions that could be on this exam. I will continue to study until late this afternoon, and then I am just going to relax and get myself mentally prepared.

Today I have to stop by the church and pick up a letter that says I work in TeamKid on Wednesday night, so that next semester the school doesn't put me in a Thursday clinical. If I have Thursday clinical, I can't attend church on Wednesday's because of the amount of paperwork patient care requires. Then I have to take it to the school, and then go to WBH for my pre-op stuff.

Wednesday is my HESI final and then church. I will be glad to be finished for the semester ... my brain cannot handle any new information right now. Its processor is fairly slow these days and I am worried the system will crash :)

Thursday is my surgery! I am not looking forward to the surgery itself, but I am looking forward to a pain-free life afterward (after I heal of course). I have to stay overnight :( ... but I look at it as a vacation from the 5 kids in the house. I love them all with all of my heart, but I will not miss the noise! Have you tried to study in a house with three teenage boys and two pre-teen girls? It isn't easy let me tell you!

I am looking forward to being a couch potato for the rest of the week, I haven't watched anything but ER in a long time.

Well please pray that I do well on my nursing final, and please pray that I have a quick recovery from my surgery! Thank you so much, and have a great, glorious, and blessed day & rest of the week!

SOS - Someone Help Me

I have a bit of a dilemma, and so I am seeking all of your advice. Yesterday I had my interview for nurse extern. They asked me where I wanted to be, I told them ICU. They were thrilled, they needed a student with a year to go to be in ICU because of the heavy training it requires. The catch is that I would need to get some things accomplished this month before school starts in January. Dec. 16th I would have to have an all day phlebotomy class where I would have to get 50 visible sticks, I would have to have several orientations and EKG training, and I would need to work every other Wed. on a midnight shift to get my packet (a check off on all my skills) finished before January. My surgery is on Dec. 11th., and we have tried every way we can to see if I could get all of this done, and I would not be able to because Dr. Hodges will not release me to do all of these things before January.

So I am just sick. I really wanted to be in ICU, and after being in there a year, I would have the training to stay there, and would get so much experience just as a student. She said if I applied for it in May, I might could get in ICU, but she couldn't guarantee that I would stay in ICU after graduation. But she could guarantee that I would get a med-surg floor.

If I weigh the pros and cons, I should go ahead with my surgery, reapply in May, and just pray that I get ICU after graduation. I told mom I was going to have to pray about it, but that I needed my answer by today so that I can call them back and let them know I want the position. God does not work that fast, usually. She said if I go by the Bible, I already have my answer because we are to take care of the temple (our bodies). I could wait for a year for my surgery, but I would have to suffer in order to do that. I really-really want this position, but I also really-really want this surgery so that I can have a normal life again.

What do you think? I haven't had time to do much thinking, I have two tests today. Any words of wisdom to help me not regret either decision?

Let The Stress Begin

This is what my next couple of weeks look like ...

• Dec 1st. 9:05-12:35 Lecture - 1:00 PM Physical Therapy Lab - 3:00 PM Survey @ WBH - 3:30 PM Interview @ WBH
• Dec. 2nd 8:00-12:00 Lecture - 12:30 Proctored Medical Terminology Test
• Dec. 3rd 9:05-12:35 Lecture - 6:30 PM Church
• Dec. 4th Off for study
• Dec. 5th 8:30 AM Court - 10:15 AM Last Chapter Exam (Nursing)
• Dec. 9th 12:15 Lab Work for Surgery & Final Exam (Medical Terminology) May have this changed to Dec. 2nd after other exam.
• Dec. 10th 10:30 AM Final Exam (Nursing)
• Dec. 11th 9:30 AM Surgery
• Dec. 12th Get out of Hospital sometime that morning. - 6:00 PM Husband's Company Christmas Dinner (If I am up to it ... doubtful being 1st day post-op)

Now tell me that these next two weeks are not going to make me crazy, cause I think they will, but I really want to be wrong!!!

Thank God I have 5 days of holiday break (the rest of this week and weekend), to study and relax to prepare me for what is to come. Please pray for me that I accomplish all of my goals with God's help and direction.

Thank you, and have a great Thanksgiving holiday!

It Breaks My Heart

I found myself a bit upset today. Upset because some people I adore are not really being treated very well by others, and it has caused them to not feel welcome at our church. I know there will be some that will say it shouldn't matter what others think, it's about God.

Well God would not treat these people this way. God would be supporting them, showing them love. Not whispering behind their backs or judging them for the mistakes they have made. We ALL make mistakes. No ONE person is better than another, no matter what you may think.

It upsets me, it really does. Especially when it comes from people that should know better. Especially from Christians. I know what I have done in my past, and though I have never murdered anyone, I have broken the Ten Commandments (just like everyone else has), and that is just as bad in God's eyes.

Anyway, we all need support and need to be lifted up when we mess up, not kicked while we are down. It upsets me more just thinking about it. Have a great week.

The Fight Against Abortion

A worried woman went to her gynecologist and said:

'Doctor, I have a serious problem and desperately need your help! My baby is not even 1 yr. old and I'm pregnant again. I don't want kids so close together.'

So the doctor said: 'Ok and what do you want me to do?'

She said: 'I want you to end my pregnancy, and I'm counting on your help with this.'

The doctor thought for a little, and after some silence he said to the lady: 'I think I have a better solution for your problem. It's less dangerous for you too.'

She smiled, thinking that the doctor was going to accept her request.

Then he continued: 'You see, in order for you not to have to take care of 2 babies at the same time, let's kill the one in your arms. This way, you could rest some before the other one is born. If we're going to kill one of them, it doesn't matter which one it is. There would be no risk for your body if you chose the one in your arms.

The lady was horrified and said: 'No doctor! How terrible! It's a crime to kill a child!

'I agree', the doctor replied. 'But you seemed to be ok with it, so I thought maybe that was the best solution. The doctor smiled, realizing that he had made his point.

He convinced the mom that there is no difference in killing a child that's already been born and one that's still in the womb. The crime is the same!

Amen!

UPDATE

Sorry I forget to update for those of you who read my blog. I waited from 9:30 until 11:30 to be called (missed my whole class), and then all that happened was they told me since I could not be at court on the 21st, they would have to reschedule for December 5th. Then they set up visitation with the mother and the man she calls daddy. They get to see her unsupervised (the man supervises with the mother) on Monday from 4-7 and on Saturday 10-3. This keeps them out of my hair everyday, so I am thankful for that. My husband is going off of her bond on Monday, and the man is going on it instead. That too will relieve some added stress.

On December 5th, I think it is the judication hearing where witnesses are present and that is when they may turn it from a neglect situation to a dependency situation. It's basically to prove why there was a need to take the girl from the mother. I don't know if they will let the man have her then or not, social services didn't seem very nice to him yeterday, and they are the ones who tell the judge what their recommendations are, so I don't know ... it is all in God's hands. I am trying very hard to get my will to match His, but it is very difficult sometimes.

I don't know if we will have her for Christmas or not, so I have done a few things just in case. Please continue to pray for us! We want to be in perfect alignment with God's will. Thanks so much!

Court Tomorrow

Tomorrow is court over this girl. The man she calls daddy is supposed to try and get custody of her tomorrow. I don't know if they will let him have her or not because he is living with her mother. That would defeat the purpose of taking her away if she is going to be with her mother anyway.

On one hand I hope he does get her, but I want that for selfish reasons: I am tired of dealing with the mother. On the other hand, I don't want her to go with him because I worry about the what-if's if left with her mother.

The girl has been good for the most part. She has lied to me about a couple of things, but her behavior other than that has been wonderful. She is a sweet girl, she just has been around so much that I am afraid she will end up making some really bad choices in her life. All I can do is pray that God protects her and keeps her safe from what the world has to offer her.

I don't know what God's plan is tomorrow, but whatever it is I am willing to do what HE wants. Even if that means I have to deal with things I don't want to deal with. I'm praying for God's will, not mine. All I can do is just trust God. Please keep us in your prayers. Thank you.

Oh, and I cannot go to the next court date on the 21st. I found out for sure that I will not be allowed to make up the test if I miss it, and that will cause me to fail nursing. Luckily, I have a letter from my instructor asking the judge to change the time.

Dreading The Holidays

The more I look at the extra bills I have for the next few months (county & city property tax, & house insurance ... over $1000 thankyouverymuch), and the more I think about the unknown (whether or not we will have my friend's kid over the holidays, or permanent???), the more I am dreading Christmas.

The economy just stinks, everything costs an arm and a leg, and maybe even a kidney... and so it looks like Christmas will be slim this year. At least we love each other and have a place to live. Some people don't even have a home or family to be with, so I am thankful that I have that.

Once I become a nurse and start contributing financially to this family, I will feel a lot better about the holidays. School costs us about $100 a week, and have you tried to feed three teenage boys? My goodness! Not to mention the two picky girls in the house. Feeding 5 kids on one income is definitely challenging. God does provide, and I thank HIM for that everyday!

At least my sister is cooking Christmas dinner, with my surgery, I don't need to be trying to do that this year. I may try to cook Thanksgiving though if I have time with all the testing I have for this month! Thank God there is just one more month of classes for this year!

INSTALLING A HUSBAND

This is funny!

Dear Tech Support,

Last year I upgraded from Boyfriend 5.0 to Husband 1.0 and noticed a distinct slow down in overall system performance, particularly in the flower and jewelry applications, which operated flawlessly under Boyfriend 5.0.

In addition, Husband 1.0 uninstalled many other valuable programs, such as Romance 9.5 and Personal Attention 6.5, and then installed undesirable programs such as:

- NBA 5.0
- NFL 3.0
- Golf Clubs 4.1.

Conversation 8.0 no longer runs, and Housecleaning 2.6 simply crashes the system. Please note that I have tried running Nagging 5.3 to fix these problems, but to no avail. What can I do?

Signed,
0A Desperate.


DEAR DESPERATE,

First, keep in mind,Boyfriend 5.0 is an Entertainment Package, while Husband 1.0 is an operating system. Please enter command: ithoughtyoulovedme.html and try to download Tears 6.2 and do not forget to install the Guilt 3.0 update.

If that application works as designed, Husband 1.0 should then automatically run the applications Jewelry 2.0 and Flowers 3.5. However, remember, overuse of the above application can cause Husband 1.0 to default to Grumpy Silence 2.5, Happy Hour 7.0 or Beer 6.1.

Please note that Beer 6.1 is a very bad program that will download the Farting and Snoring Loudly Beta.

Whatever you do, DO NOT under any circumstances install Mother-In-Law 1.0 (it runs a virus in the background that will eventually seize control of all your system resources< /SPAN>.)

0A, In addition, please do not attempt to reinstall the Boyfriend 5.0 program. These are unsupported applications and will crash Husband 1.0.

In summary, Husband 1.0 is a great program, but it does have limited memory and cannot learn new applications quickly. You might consider buying additional software to improve memory and performance. We recommend Cooking 3.0 and Hot Lingerie 7.7.

Tech Support

This, That, & The Other

Today was one crazy day. It started off with driving to school this morning. I was running late but my gas light was on. I thought I could make it so I drove on. I started running out of gas on I 24 near exit 11. The car died I am guessing about 1/4 mile from exit 11, and somehow coasted off exit 11 to the Exxon station ... It had to have been God getting me there, that was a long way to coast.

Then I went to my Gynecologist this afternoon. I have been having a lot of pain and bleeding when I'm not supposed to be (sorry if that is too much information), and I have a cyst on my right ovary, so I get to have a hysterectomy and my right ovary and tube removed on Dec. 11th. I am thankful for that though, because with all of my issues, I just know that once it's gone, my pain and troubles will be gone too. I know it will take some time to recover from, but it is well worth it if it means that I can be normal again, and enjoy loving on my husband again.

I still have my friend's daughter. I go back to court on the 14th of Nov. I don't see it changing unless the girls daddy gets her. I am OK with keeping her though. I thought it would stress me out but it doesn't. My friend is stressing me out a little bit, but I can fix that.

Just please continue to pray for me/us right now. We have a lot on our plate right now. I have a test Friday that is over a lot of content. I need to study tomorrow, but the girl I am keeping is running a fever, and I may need to take her to the doctor. It's a virus because all of us have had it, so there probably isn't much they can do about it, but I probably still need to take her. I am praying she will feel better by the morning.

God is good, he does provide all of our needs, and he sustains us and carries us when we feel like we can't go on. I thank Him for that, and I praise Him for whatever it is He is doing in our lives. have a great, glorious, and blessed evening!

Needing More Time On My Knees

A lot is going on that I really don't want to "air" in public, but I have got to talk to God, and I ask that you continue to pray for us and the situation we are currently in (previous posts). Thank you.

It's All In God's Hands

I was reading my In Touch magazine devotional this morning, and yesterday too. Isn't it funny how devotionals fit what is going on in your life? Well, anyway, it said that most people want the best most qualified person for a job, whereas, God usually chooses the weaker person because they are usually more dependent on him. And through their weakness, HE is strong.

I can't help but believe that I am not the person most people would choose to take care of a child. I don't think I am a bad mother, but I sure haven't received any mother of the year awards either. Some will say I have too much patience, I don't think I have enough sometimes. But who knows what God could be doing in this situation.

I have left it completely up to God. If HE wants us to take care of this girl, HE will fix it to where the judge says she can stay here. If HE doesn't want us to take of her, the judge will say he wants her somewhere else.

The social worker came by yesterday and checked things out, making sure we had the room for her to be here. She also talked with the girl to see what she wanted. My wish is that the man she calls daddy (not her biological father) could take her and care for her.

I will do whatever God wants me to do. I really don't think I need the added stress with going to nursing school, but I know that God does not give us more than we can handle, and HE will provide and make me strong enough to endure. It is all up to HIM now. Just pray for God's will to be done on Friday morning regarding this situation. Thank you!

Ok God - What Do I Do?

If it wasn't enough that I am finding little time to study, I feel like I am coming down with something, and I have a party Friday I am not ready for ... well now I have emergency custody of a friend's child that I may or may not get to keep, or may have to keep for no telling how long. If I didn't take her she was going to end up in foster care, and I really didn't want to see that happen.

I just know that I am stressed beyond belief right now, and have no clue what to do. I am just going to get on my knees and pray for guidance, direction, and answers. I know if this is meant to be, God will provide, I just don't know how to deal with the added stress ... just lean on HIM I guess. Please continue to pray for me.

Thank you!

Feeling Rushed/Bad

I need to be studying, my daughter and best friend's daughter are having a joint early Halloween/birthday party that I am not even close to being ready for, and I feel ill, I think I am coming down with something.

I need prayer. I need to be able to study, study, study, and I don't need to get sick right now. My grades ARE NOT where they need to be and I really need help to get all of this content into my brain so I can do well on the next 4 tests.

I Need A Boost

I am seriously overloaded. I feel like all I do is read and sit through lectures. I think my brain is going to explode! You might even hear about it on the news ... "Breaking news, a nursing student's brain exploded from information overload today, full story at 10."

Then I hear about all of this election BULL, and get all the nasty emails and people telling me if I am a Christian I must vote for McCain, which just makes me want to vomit. I cannot vote for another 8 years of this mess, REALLY! I want Bill back!!!!

I agree with my BIL (brother-in-law). I think Obama will do more to help the abortion issue than McCain will. At least he voted for programs that gave teens education and contraceptives to reduce teen pregnancies. I mean really, lets think about this for a second--You can't fix the abortion issue if you don't offer alternatives. Abstinence is a great message, but it is not a message everyone will buy into.

The truth is that the world has a stronger hold on our teenagers than God does, and so we have to offer alternatives that fit into their way of thinking, we can't push our beliefs onto other people all the time. It isn't realistic. It's great that we try, but it doesn't resolve the situation!

I am exhausted and I have another sinus infection. I am thinking of buying the Netty Pot, I have been hearing about it for a few years now, and I think it will do me some good. The medicine I need to take for my allergies is about $200 a month ... not including allergy shots. Then they make me tired or agitated, so it isn't worth it to me. I'd rather be stuffy and have a few headaches then be tired all of the time and ticked off.

I really need to sit down and have a long converstation with God today. I have got to forgive some things and work on some things.

Have a great, glorious, and blessed day!

It's Not Happening

My prayer was not answered, I am very sad and depressed, and wish that I had never gotten myself involved because now I am hurt too.

Thank You Lord - I Praise Your Name

I cannot say what is going on ... only because I don't know if the parties involved want me spreading it around just yet ... but I have prayed, and prayed, and prayed, and prayed, and prayed, and prayed ... and prayed some more for God to intervene in a situation that is very close to my heart, and guess what? HE IS WORKING!!! ... actually HE has been working the whole time, it is just the people involved have been in HIS way, not listening, and not doing what they should have been doing. BUT, now they are trying to let GOD fix things, and so I am still praying, and will continue to pray until I know God has fixed it completely. Please pray with me, pray that God will continue to heal this situation, guide this situation, and work through and in the people involved!

THANK YOU GOD FOR ANSWERING THIS PRAYER! I KNOW THIS IS YOUR WILL! I KNOW THAT YOU ARE MIGHTY, WONDERFUL, GRACIOUS, PATIENT, AND FORGIVING! THANK YOU LORD!!!! THANK YOU!!!

I AM ...

#1. A big pain in the butt, and I am totally aware of it, and totally ok with it. I have to be stubborn in many ways in order to do God's work. I have to be honest because I am a bad liar, and lying stinks anyway! I know, I was lied to all of my life! I have to try and help people even if they really don't want my help, because that is me, that is who I am. I like to help people!

#2. Extremely tired, worn out, and emotionally drained from all the studying I do that barely makes the grade. I keep telling myself "ONE MORE YEAR!"

#3. Excited because this semester is half over already!

#4. Upset because I only get one day off for fall break, the kids get the whole week!

#5. A servant! I am totally ok with always being a helper in VBS, a helper in KidsFest, or just a member of the church. I don't have to be in a leadership role because a true servant wants to serve, not be the leader to get attention or to brag. It's about God, it is NOT about me!

The Irony - Studying = Student & Dying Put Together

Seems like studying is all that I do. Today is no different, I have a test tomorrow and so I will be out of pocket most of the day to STUDY-STUDY-STUDY, then I will DIE from serious brain overload!

I hope YOU have a stress free day!

One Word ... Interesting

Thanks to my sister, I have been reading a very interesting site. Click HERE to read what I am reading.

You can check out THIS for more falsehood's on both sides.

But the AFA says THIS.

Snopes.com says THIS.

I am amazed how we call ourselves Christian but promote lies on people just to score votes. POLITICS AS USUAL I SUPPOSE!

Better In Time - By Leona Lewis

Click HERE for video.

It's been the longest winter without you
I didn't know where to turn to
See, somehow I can't forget you
After all that we've been through

Going, coming
Thought I heard a knock
Who's there? No one
Thinking that I deserved it
Now I realize that I really didn't know
If you didn't notice, you mean everything
Quickly I'm learning, to love again
All I know is, Imma be okay

Thought I couldnt live without you
It's gonna hurt when it heals too (oh yeah)
It'll all get better in time
Even though I really love you
I'm gonna smile 'cause I deserve to (ooh ooh)
It'll all get better in time

I couldn't turn on the TV
without something there to remind me
It wasn't all that easy
to just put aside your feelings

If I'm dreaming
Don't wanna laugh, hurt my feelings
But that's the path, I believe in
And I know that, time will heal it
If you didn't notice, boy you mean everything
Quickly I'm learning, to love again
All I know is, I'm gon' be okay

Thought I couldn't live without you
It's gonna hurt when it heals too (oh yeah)
It'll all get better in time
Even though I really love you
I'm gonna smile 'cause I deserve to (ooh ooh)
It'll all get better in time

Since there's no more you and me (no more you and me)
It's time I let you go so I can be free
And live my life how it should be
No matter how hard it is, I'll be fine without you
Yes, I will

Thought I couldn't live without you
It's gonna hurt when it heals too (oh oh oh)
It'll all get better in time (oh oh ooh)
Even though I really love you (you)
I'm gonna smile 'cause I deserve to (yes, I do)
It'll all get better in time (oh oh yeah)

Thought I couldn't live without you
It's gonna hurt when it heals too (yeah ah yeah)
It'll all get better in time (ooh ooh oh)
Even though I really love you
I'm gonna smile 'cause I deserve to (ooh ooh, yes)
It'll all get better in time.

The Love Dare

I DARE you to go see Fireproof with your spouse or fiance. Even if you are divorced or going through a divorce, this movie can turn it all around! It was the best investment we have made in a long time. We took the kids to see it with us, and we all really enjoyed it. It made Stanley and I cry because we could see ourselves in this movie. I will definitely buy the movie when it comes out!

Ater watching Fireproof, I decided to buy the book that Caleb uses in the movie. I cannot wait to get it! The Love Dare is a book of things that you do to your spouse everyday to show love, and strengthen your marriage. I also suggest buying the book!

On The Issues

I love >THIS< website. It is the only place I have found where you can see what each candidate has voted on and their explanation for that vote.

Here is Obama's record on abortion. It is interesting that he votes for $100M for education programs to prevent unwanted pregnancies, and therefore preventing abortions.

CLICK HERE FOR OBAMA'S RECORD ON ABORTION

A Yes vote would:

Increase funding and access to family planning services
Funds legislation that requires equitable prescription coverage for contraceptives under health plans
Funds legislation that would create and expand teen pregnancy prevention programs and education programs concerning emergency contraceptives.

Mc Cain voted no on that issue. But voted to ban partial-birth abortions.

CLICK HERE FOR MCCAIN'S RECORD ON ABORTION

You can look at Biden and Palin's records on this website as well, and on all the issues, not just abortion.

James Dobson is against McCain, I did not know that. I cannot believe the president of the AFA would be against McCain.

All I know is that I am not happy with either of these candidates. I don't want to vote. If I vote my conscious, I guarantee it won't be McCain that I vote for.

You can CLICK HERE and HERE to see a few interesting posts over at my sister's blog.

Fireproof Your Marriage

If your married or thinking about getting married, or if you are getting a divorce or thinking about getting a divorce ... YOU NEED TO WATCH THIS MOVIE!!!! I have my tickets! I just wish it would have come out sooner, it might have helped some of my friends!

STRESS

I have a HUGE test on Monday. It is EIGHT (8) CHAPTERS LONG!!! I am studying a little everyday, but today I am really studying, and will study all the rest of the week and weekend. I just had to take a break long enough to eat and clear my brain. GEESH! I just keep telling myself "ONE MORE YEAR!"

Clinicals - Day 3

Yesterday I was in the ER for clinicals, it was really interesting. I performed a quick cath for a sterile urine sample, and I removed 2 IV's and discontinued the IV line from an IID. I could have put in an IV, but I was nervous about the veins of the person being so small, and the RN I was with all day missed twice and that shot my confidence down. I need to just jump in there and not worry about it I suppose, but I don't want to hurt anyone if I can keep from it :)

Sweet Sixteen

Today my oldest son turned 16! I cannot even believe he is now old enough to drive ... time has really flown by! I think he has had a pretty good day, he has his x-box 360, and that is really all he cares about. A few friends and family came by to wish him a happy birthday.

I remember when I turned 16, it was really cool, but I wanted to get my permit and be able to drive ASAP, Austen doesn't seem to really care about getting his license ... I guess I will thank God for that!

New Look - Feeling Blessed

Well I kind of got bored with the solid blue and decided to change things up a bit. I like it but I don't, so I will give it a few days before I change it and see if it grows on me. I hope it is pleasing to your eyes.

I am feeling very blessed today. I have a nice size house, it may need a little cosmetic work done, but it is big enough and structurally sound, so that is good. I have 4 great kids - we joke sometimes about having 4 "terrors" but they are really good kids. They are very open and "mouthy" at times, and that gets them in trouble, but I love it that they all feel like they can tell me how they feel. I also love it that my son who will be 16 years old tomorrow, is more concerned with an x-box 360 than cars and girls. I also love it that my kids are sensitive and willing to help others.

I have a wonderful husband who always thinks of the kids and I before himself. He works hard everyday to provide for us, and he tells us and shows us how much he loves us all the time. I have a great family that I adore and love.

I am able to go to school and follow my dream and God's calling on my life. I am blessed with the best friends anyone could ask for. I know I could call several of them day or night and they would help me in any way that they could.

I just feel really blessed today!

My Day

Today I got to give a TB skin test, change the dressing on a central line, and give another sub-q injection. I was going to do an IV push through an IID (Intermittent Infusion Device - or IV with no tubes attached to it) but the AdminRx had problems with it so I wasn't able to give it, but I did flush the IID with saline.

I have studied for my IV competency test that is tomorrow at 1:15 PM. I will have a little more time to study before the comp. I have been working on organizing and printing things I need to study for my next exam. It is sure hard to study in a house with 4 kids ... I'm thinking the library needs to stay open 24/7 just so I can study in quiet. I don't see that happening though.

I talked to 3 of my friends in text messages today. I don't know what I would do without my friends, besides my husband, they are my biggest support and source of encouragement!

I hope you have a great, glorious, and blessed week!

God Is Up To Something

God really worked on me last night. I have been trying very hard to make time to read my Bible before I go to bed, and when I do that, I can hear the voice of God so much better. He wanted me to reach out to some of my friends today, and so I did. I just pray that they will have an open mind, and a soft heart, and really listen to what God is saying, not what I said, but what HE said.

Please God I beg you to work in this situation. I know you have tried over and over again, and I praise you for that, and I know that they keep getting in your way. Lord I pray that they will get out of your way so that you can do your will in their lives. In Jesus name I pray, Amen!

Oh Crappy Day

Today was a bad day for me. Today I said all the wrong things, did all the wrong things, and seemed to make everybody mad. I did not intend to do this, but I did it none the less. Seems like I just have those days where I open my mouth and insert my foot. It takes a lot of water to get that foot down too, let me tell ya.

I did somehow manage to squeeze in some homework and take an online test in Medical Terminology and make a 98 on it ... YAY ME! But I am feeling really bad that I hurt a friend. I apologized, but I'm not sure it did any good.

An Interesting Day

Today in clinical I had a blast ... no really, I was so scared but my teacher was there to help me with everything, and when I went to another department, the nurse there walked us through everything we did.

I gave two sub-Q shots in the belly. I de-accessed two central venous ports, and flushed one with normal saline and heparinized saline. I stopped an IV pump, I took two blood pressures, and I documented it all using the Admin RX system and the computer.

I watched people getting their chemotherapy, and that was the two ports I de-accessed. I watched a new needle and tubing get put into a central venous port. I had a really good day!

Then as I was coming home, my husband informed me that my son's glucose monitor was stolen at school, along with his books and homework, and he spent half the day looking for it and trying to get a new monitor. I just pray that the boy that broke his nose did have anything to do with its disappearance, because he was close by when it went missing. I can't believe anyone would be so mean as to steal a diabetics monitor, that is his lifeline literally, it had all of his insulin in it that he needs everyday. Now I am out a bottle of insulin. That stuff isn't cheap!

I just pray that whoever got it, got it by accident and will return it. He was able to get a new monitor, but still, I hope someone did not deliberately take it to cause my son harm.

WOW!

Tonight we heard a service about complaining. It was REALLY good. I know I needed to hear it. Not sure who has been complaining about their Sunday school class ... My Sunday school class is AWESOME, and we have awesome Deacons, Teachers, and Ministers at my church.

I know I drink the Cherry Limeade a lot ... (It was in the sermon ... had to be there). And sometimes we get tired of drinking the cherry limeade and are human and complain about it. Luckily we have forgiveness from our Father in Heaven, and hopefully from our Brothers and Sisters in Christ too.

Have a great, glorious, and blessed evening!

Blog Soup

Tonight's service was awesome, we got into small groups and prayed for our church leaders and for our government leaders. I love prayer services, I am very big on praying for others. I believe that is when God moves the most is when we are praying for people other than ourselves.

I got to thinking ... Ever notice how we all like to point out other people's sins and somehow try to say they are worse than our own? For example, say someone commits adultery, you will hear people gasp and oooh and awww and say how bad that is, but then they totally dismiss their own sins as though they are "better" because it wasn't adultery ... and I'm just using that as an example. It could be lying or judging another, or any sin for that matter.


I don't know why we do that, I suppose due to the guilt of our own sins, we have to find someone "worse" than ourselves to make us feel better. This is one area I am going to try and work on in myself because God says if we break one commandment, we break them all, and all sin is detestable to him regardless if it is murder, adultery, or stealing a dime from your momma'a purse. We need to remember that we are all saved from the same blood of Jesus Christ. He died for my sins just like he died for yours.

I have been having a lot on my heart and mind lately. I have friends that have gone through a lot and in need of prayer and support. Another couple we are friends with are about to be seperated beyond their control and will need lots of prayer and support. I feel like as a church family we need to stay on top of the needs of our people and give them as much love and support as we can because each person is part of the body of Christ, and each person is important.

God is moving and I want to be where HE is doing HIS work. I pray that you will have a great, glorious, and blessed week.

Find Out Who Your Friends Are

This is one of my favorite songs. Matter of fact, it is the ringtone for when my best friend calls me because even if it is just a text message, I know she is there and I know she would help me any way she could. You can think you have a lot of friends, but you figure out real quick who is a friend and who isn't just by going through some hard times. This song says it all.

Run your car off the side of the road
Get stuck in a ditch way out in the middle of nowhere
Or get yourself in a bind lose the shirt off your back
Need a floor, need a couch, need a bus fare
This is where the rubber meets the road
This is where the cream is gonna rise
This is what you really didn't know
This is where the truth don't lie

{Chorus}You find out who your friends are
Somebody's gonna drop everything
Run out and crank up their car
Hit the gas, get there fast
Never stop to think 'what's in it for me?'
or it's way too far'
They just show on up with their big old heart
You find out who your friends are

Everybody wants to slap your back
wants to shake your hand
when you're up on top of that mountain
But let one of those rocks give way
then you slide back down look up and see who's around then
This ain't where the road comes to an end
This ain't where the bandwagon stops
This is just one of those times when
A lot of folks jump off

{Chorus}

When the water's high
When the weather's not so fair
When the well runs dry
Who's gonna be there?

{Chorus}

You find out who your friends are(yeah, yeah)You find out who your friends are

Run your car off the side of the road
Get stuck in a ditch way out in the middle of nowhere
(Well man, I've been there)
Or get yourself in a bind lose the shirt off your back
Need a floor, need a couch, need a bus fare
(Man, I've been there)Man, I've been there
Oooh yeah.

Praise The Lord

After a couple of years worrying about my multi-nodular goiter, my ultrasound shows that the nodules have gotten smaller, so for now I have escaped having to have a biopsy ... Praise God!

So Far So Good

God has already answered two of my prayers this week, both on Monday. I released everything to him and now that I am out of the way, he is working on it. I may have a third answered prayer by the end of the week!!!!

I am still waiting to hear about my thyroid ultrasound. I am really not wanting to have a needle stuck in my neck ... haven't you heard that nurses and doctors make the worse patients? Yeah, that's me, a nurse in training and I am the WORST patient. I want vercet if they do the biopsy, that's the only way to go ... to Lala land, Ha ha!

I am busy-busy-busy this week with school. We are learning how to do IV's very first thing ... It's exciting but a bit scary at the same time. I have had bad experiences with IV's myself, and you have to "practice" in order to get good, but I don't want to practice on a real person :-(

I probably won't post as often as I did over the summer due to my busy schedule, but I will update as soon as God moves my mountain! Have a great, glorious, and blessed week!

Prayer Requests

• I am having a thyroid ultrasound this afternoon to check on the multi-nodular goiter that I have. I am asking for prayer because if any part of that goiter is over 1.5 cm then I have to have a biopsy guided by another ultrasound.
• We may have to uproot our family to another town, to another church, and my husband may have to get another job to escape what we are dealing with. Please pray that God will lead us where he wants us, or heal the situation so that we can stay where we are.
• Today is my first day back to college. Please pray that I can hold on to the information I read and hear, and that I won't be overly stressed.
• Please pray that I can keep my eyes on God during this trying time, and not let Satan destroy my faith.

Thank you so much, and have a great, glorious, and blessed day.

For Your Information (Update)

This is my blog. It is like an online prayer journal. I can go back and look and see how God got me through the things that happen in my life, and yes, so can any body else. It may bother some that I am very honest on my blog, but all I can say is that if it bothers you more what I put on here, then it does for what someone is actually doing to hurt me and my family, then you probably have your priorities all messed up.

Those that are lost need to know that Christians are not perfect either. Even though we are saved, we make mistakes everyday. Deleting my blog would be like erasing my testimony, and I refuse to do that.

Our Battle With Satan

We always hear that we cannot argue with the Bible. If it is in the Bible, we must believe it. You cannot believe part of the Bible, you must believe the WHOLE Bible. So therfore ...

The Bible tells us in Matthew 18:15-17

A Brother Who Sins Against You

15 "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector."

So for those that disagree with us, I am sorry, but it is in black and white right there in your Bible.

Discouragement Has Set In

It has been 4 days since my son got beat up by the majors nephew, and the boy is still not charged with anything. If it had been the other way around, my son would have already been picked up ... yeah I know how it is around here. The ----- family gets away with EVERYTHING!!!!

I can tell you now that if something is not done, my husband and I will be finding some way to get something done about this. If that means we have to call the news and make a big fuss, we will. I am TIRED of this family harassing us and NO ONE will help us. We have begged and pleaded for someone to help us with this family, and everyone turns their back and tells us this isn't their problem. So they better stay out of it when matters are taken into our own hands.

I'm Still Looking Up

Yesterday I sent an email to the principal at school that was with my son at the middle school last year. I sent him a picture of Austen's face and told him what happened. He called me and asked me where it happened, and why, and then told me to pursue charges. When I told him that the boy's uncle was major and that I had filed a report with the City Police, but I was afraid they would sweep it under a rug (so to speak), he told me that a week was too long for them to arrest the boy, and that he would work on it for me and try to get something done about it today.

He loves Austen, and has been very good to us. But he said since it started at school and then they fought in Calvert, that the school could handle it. PRAISE GOD!!! I just hope God is smiling down on us for dealing with this the right way, and that this boy stops getting away with things just because of his family name.

He gets into fights all the time, and his dad brags about it. The boy boxes, there is video of him boxing on Facebook. I seen it last night right before I removed him from my son's friends list.

I went to the Church about some of the things this family has done to us, but they felt it wasn't a church problem. I disagreed, but what can I do? Now it has resolved to fighting ... so hopefully God will deal with it, even if no one else wants to.

Just please pray for our family at this time. Once the boy is charged, I have a bad feeling things will get worse as far as harassment from this family goes. It says in the Bible not to sue a brother, but everyone has left us no choice.

When It Rains, It Pours!

My son got beat up pretty bad yesterday. He had hernia surgery about 3 weeks ago, and did not need to be fighting. The boy that beat him up knew he had just had surgery ... we know the boy and his father. Both of them have harrassed our family for a long time now.

The boy kicked him where he had surgery, and then grabbed his head and slammed my son's face into his knee and broke his nose. It looks pretty bad. He also has a chipped a tooth. All I have to say is that I hope they are ready for some doctor bills. We had the ER visit with a cat scan, he has to go see the ENT to make sure his nose doesn't need surgical correction, he has to see a dentist, and he will have to be checked out by the surgeon that did his hernia repair to make sure it didn't mess it up.

The boy is being charged (we hope). The boy is related to the major here, so we may request the case be moved to county, the Sheriff told us we could if we feel it isn't handled appropriately. This family tends to get away with everything, so we may request the move. Austen asked him to stop several times and he kept on going, and then Austen even turned his back and the boy kept hitting him. My husband works with the boys father, and my son rides the same bus as this boy does, so things are probably going to get ugly. I am praying that everyone keeps their cool and that God handles this for us.

I had to keep my son home from school today, he is still in a lot of pain.

What To Do?

God has been dealing with me over many things lately. Some of them are things I do, and some are what others do. I have been really having a hard time dealing with things that are going on at church lately that I totally disagree with. I have actually thought about changing churches, but that won't help what is going on, but it don't do a bit of good to talk to anyone about it either. Besides, I love so many people at my church!

I keep praying, and then someone else tells me things that have been said or have been done, and it just gets me upset all over again. I'm thinking God wants us to try to help, but I don't know where to begin. I'm gonna keep praying because I know God will deal with all of it in HIS time.

To My Loving Husband - Happy Anniversary Baby!

Dear Stanley,

I just wanted to tell you how much I have enjoyed the 17 years we've been together! I know we have been through some tough times, we've made a lot of mistakes, and we've broken each others hearts ... but I would not trade it for anything in the world. Matter of fact, I would do it all again because I am so happy and so in love with you!

I know we have many songs ... but this is a song that is a great description of how I feel about you.

No One
By Alicia Keys

I just want you close
Where you can stay forever
You can be sure
That it will only get better
You and me together
Through the days and nights
I don't worry 'cuz
Everythings gonna be alright
People keep talking
They can say what they like
But all I know is everything's gonna be alright

No one no one no one
Can get in the way of what I'm feeling
No one no one no one
Can get in the way of what I feel for you
You you
Can get in the way of what I feel for you

When the rain is pouring down
And my heart is hurting
You will always be around
This I know for certain
You and me together
Through the days and nights
I don't worry cause
Everythings gonna be alright
People keep talking
They can say what they like
But all I know is everything's gonna be alright
No one no one no one
Can get in the way of what I'm feeling
No one no one no one
Can get in the way of what I feel for you
You you
Can get in the way of what I feel

I know some people search the world
To find something like what we have
I know people will try
Try to divide
Something so real
So till the end of time
I'm telling you there is no one
No one no one no one
Can get in the way of what I'm feeling
No one no one no one
Can get in the way of what I feel for you
Oh oh oh...

You can watch the video or just listen to the song by clicking HERE

I love you baby, and I'm sorry I have to work tonight, but tomorrow is my last day, and so tomorrow night I am looking forward to just us going out and celebrating our many years together ... It gets better every year!

All my love,
Cindy

I Am Blessed!

As my wedding anniversary approaches, I am thinking about how far Stanley and I have come, and how much in love with him I still am after 17 years together. We still hold hands, sit by each other on the couch and snuggle (or as Noah Short says, "nuggle"). We hold hands when we pray, we say "I love you" all the time, we kiss each other everyday, everynight, and several times in bewteen. We truly love each other and WORK at our marriage. I often PRAISE GOD for the husband I have. I KNOW FOR A FACT that he is the man GOD intended me to be with. I am so fortunate to have a husband who loves the LORD, his family, and works so hard to provide for us.

If I were to give marriage advice, this is what I would say.

1. PUT GOD FIRST, then your SPOUSE, then your kids, then your extended family, and then your friends. IT WILL NOT WORK IF YOU PUT ANYONE EXCEPT GOD BEFORE YOUR SPOUSE!!!!

2. "Date" your spouse as often as you can. Flirt with your spouse everyday!

3. TALK about your problems calmly and as soon as they arrise (a lesson it took me a long time to learn), letting it stir is bad and no one wants to talk to someone who is yelling!

4. ADMIT WHEN YOUR WRONG, and APOLOGIZE!!!!

5. Don't criticize or call names, just explain what is wrong and ask that they stop.

6. Last but not LEAST -- Pray for your marriage! Pray for God to strengthen it and draw you closer to each other. Pray for your spouse and for yourself too!

It is sad when people start having problems in their marriage, and they turn away from God instead of toward God. It is more sad when Church family turns their back on couples who need spiritual guidance and support!!!! We should not be judgmental, we should reach out and offer help! I am praying for several couples who need the church, and have tried to help in any way I could ... but like our guest preacher said Sunday ... divorce affects everyone, not just the couple. I don't want to see the people I love seperate, not just for my sake, but for their kids and family's sake. And because I know that GOD IS AGAINST DIVORCE!

Well I am off to think about my loving husband, and to brainstorm a great place for us to go out to eat this Saturday (anniversary is on Friday, but have to work :( ) ... we want to start a tradition so I want it to be a good place, but I also like my favorite place (LOS AMIGOS)! Any suggestions?

Questions

Why do we as Christians say the most horrible things in front of lost people?

Why do people like drugs? Are they an escape from God? Why do people want to do drugs?

Have you ever had someone look at you in a way that you knew they were judging you or thinking that they were so much better than you? Me too, I wonder what makes people do that? I may not agree with some people, but I don't think I'm better than they are. Sometimes I just want to say "What, am I not good enough to be in your presence?"

Have you ever wondered why pizza comes in a square box? Doesn't a round box make more sense, or how about a square pizza?

Why do people wonder what beggars do with the money you give them? Doesn't God just require us to help others? Do you think he's setting up in Heaven saying "Now make sure they buy food and not beer." ? I mean really, we worry way to much about what others do and don't pay near enough attention to what we, ourselves, do. Do they some how think that if that person buys beer or cigarettes that they will have to suffer the consequences or pay for another person's sin????

Why do you only hear crickets at night?

Please answer any of these that you may know the answers to.