Life is Good!

This post may (ok, it will be) scattered, but hang with me as there has been A LOT going on since I last posted in February. When the Lord placed the phrase "wherever He leads, I'll go!" as a prayer on my heart several months ago, I had no idea that He meant even here....right now! Slowly but surely, I'm learning to trust what the Lord with each little detail.

--------

This semester of nursing school has definitely NOT been an enjoyable one. I can't remember a time when I have disliked school as much as I have since January. It has been full of psych clinicals....Saturday at 6:30 am clinicals....lots of papers....even more busy work....ridiculous school policies...lack of help from faculty. You know, all things that can make the life of a nursing student pretty difficult. I do have to say that through it all, I have the best clinical group! I just love each and every one of them. I'm so thankful for the relationships that have been formed and the ways I have seen the Lord working inspite of the unfavorable circumstances.

Aren't we a good looking group?!?

You would trust us to be your nurses, right?!?

-------

I have been looking forward to the summer (not just to be finished with 2nd semester) because I thought I would beparticipating in a medical mission trip to Mexico. It was a trip where I would be able to sharpen my skills and gain confidence in my abilities as a nurse. Friday I received an email from my instructor saying the trip was cancelled due to the violence going on in Mexico. I was disappointed to say the least. If you know me well, you know I love to have things planned, and this definitely messed with my summer plans.

The awesome thing is that even though there is disappointment, there is even more of a peace about my summer. I trust that whatever happens this summer was already ordained by the Lord before time began....eventhough I am surprised, God isn't! I'm trusting HIM! Once again, if you know me well, you know that is a HUGE accomplishment. The need for control has LESS control over me! hehe

That being said...

I'll be living in San Antonio for the summer, and I am super excited about that. 小Katie....I AM GOING TO GA CAMP THIS SUMMER! Other than a week of GA camp, I will be working in Labor & Delivery as a PCA (patient care assistant). PCA is a program set up at University Hospital for nursing students to gain more experience/confidence in their skils. Wait a second....isn't that exactly what I wanted from Mexico?!?! God provides! The nurses seem to be really good to work with, and I will be able to work as much or as little as I am able. I'm excited!

-----

If you go to my sweet friend Cindy's blog, you can see a little story that has been awesome to be a part of the past couple of weeks. (skip to the last part about an Iraqi conversation) Then after you read that, read this one to see another part of the story. Oh, it's a good one! :D

I took "Lillie" to the store today to buy groceries. Well, I THOUGHT we were going to buy groceries, but really she just wanted to go shopping. While shopping, I attemped to teach her three year old son some English (because I found out today the only thing he REALLY says in English is "H-E-B"!). Through some role playing and translating by Lillie, her son learned "thank you". It was the sweetest thing to see him finally get it. His entire countenance changed and began smiling from ear to ear with a sense of pride and accomplishment in his beautiful brown eyes! For the next 15 minutes, he would say "thank you", and I would reply, "you're welcome"! He would laugh and smile even bigger. It was such a simple sweet reminder to me that even the youngest child wants to be heard and understood. What a difference one little phrase can make!

I point you to that blog and tell you that story to say....maybe this is my "Wherever He leads..." moment right now. There has never been a time in my life where I have been surrounded by so many people from different nations at one time. It truly brings a personal meaning to, "ask and I'll give the nations to you." He means it...they are right here! Within about a 5 mile radius of where I live, there are many nations represented with MANY needs. So each day I ask, "Lord, how can I be a part of what you are doing today?" The answer may be as simple as "take Lillie to the store". I pray my response will be, "I'll go...wherever you lead."

Life is good...even when it's difficult....because I serve a God who is REALLY GOOD!

I'll Stop Procrastinating...Later!

You would think that since I have a Chronic Test in 17 hours and have logged in a total of oh.....3 hours study time, I would be studying....WRONG! I decided to procrastinate even longer and post (just a couple) pictures from my birthday on Monday.

Six of the nursing school girls went to dinner on the River Walk on Monday night and then back to the apartment for dessert. Fun times! I love these girls so much. :)

We ALL should have been doing this....

...but instead, we did THIS! Much more fun!

Joan (my roomie!), me, and Julie

Ok...enough of that. I really should get back to reading about Diabetes and Circulation. Don't be too jealous. Only the evening of studying and ONE test in the morning separate me from my THREE DAY WEEKEND! What will I ever do with all of that free time?!?!

First Day of Psych Clinical

As the title says, today was the FIRST day of our Psych/Mental Health clinical. And let me just say...if today was any indication of the rest of the semester, it is going to be INTERESTING to say the least.

While we were touring one of the four units we will be rotating through, we went into the day room. Several patients were sitting around playing Scrabble, and out of the blue one guy said, "I'll be the first to volunteer for any physicals." We all just laughed it off in an "of course-you-would-say-something-like-that" kinda way and went on about our business. Our group walked out of the day room and stood in the hallway to continue the tour, and that same guy walked out of the day room "headed down to his room". Well, conveniently as he walked by he touched/tried to grab my rear! I was TOTALLY caught off guard and jumped. When I turned around, several of the girls were laughing and I am quite positive my face was COMPLETELY red. Seriously....was that REALLY neccessary?!?! I think not.

I have a feeling that won't be the last of stories like that. On another note...I love our clinical group. I'm pretty pumped about hanging out with them and getting to know them this semester!

Xin Nian Kaui Le!

Today is Chinese New Year AND it is the year of the OX. I'm pretty pumped about it because I was born in the year of the Ox. While I'm not EXACTLY sure what that means for me, one of my sweet friends in China told me I was supposed to be wearing red underwear. Is that just on New Year? or for the ENTIRE year? Who knows?!? It's supposed to bring me luck and good fortune.

Holidays, both Chinese and American, are always a fun time for me to reconnect with my students from the summers I taught there. We exchange pictures and traditions as well practice my very limited Mandarin skills and their INCREDIBLE English skills. I've asked all of them to send pictures of their celebration...if I get enough response from them, I will make a post about it.

This New Year I thought a lot about my students and friends in China. My heart began to ache not knowing if/when I will get to see them again. Some of them know the Lord...many of them don't. I pray for them and hope that one day they will know HIM. I decided to post my slideshow/video I made of Camp China 2007 for a couple of reasons: 1- so I would have it on this blog and 2-some people have asked to see it. So here it is!

XIN NIAN KUAI LE!

*that's Mandarin pin yin for Happy New Year!

New Blog...New Start!

You found me!

I started this new blog in hopes of posting more often. It was kinda weird to keep posting on China or Bust because my posts had NOTHING to do with China. China has played a huge role in my life, and I know in my heart that I will return at some point. But for now, there are no plans for that in the near future.

I figured that a more fitting title would be "Wherever He leads...I'll go!" I want to live my life in a way follows my Jesus wherever He leads me. Right now...it's nursing school in San Antonio. When I graduate...who knows!! Right now I am content knowing I am right where the Lord has led me. :)

Oh yes, and a big thank you to Jenn for the pointers on how to fix up my blog!