When Perseverance Pays Off.

The last several weeks I have been battling some kind of respiratory bug (that's my medically-correct terminology coming out ; ) ). The first two weeks a cold settled into my chest and caused hacking coughs for two weeks. Ugh. Then I had a few days of peace and wellness until---whamo! a sore throat, a sniffles that quickly turned into a head cold. Double ugh. Finally that cold is on it's way out... I'm down to only a few sniffles each day!

But, because life is so demanding, busy, and fast-paced right now I have no option except hang onto the ride for dear life clutching homework in one hand and a tissue box in the other hand. It has been difficult to not be able to take the time to "lay low" and re-energize. Yet, once again, God's faithfulness becomes evident in each day.

I can't do this on my own. It's been one of the biggest realizations this semester. I can do my part, but without God's guidance, strength and forgiveness, I simply will not make it to the end of nursing school. He alone is the solid Rock on which I will push through these next two years.

The last several weeks have been difficult and even discouraging as I realized that the standards I previously put on myself simply wouldn't been attainable this semester. Despite hard work, the results weren't good. But, this week I saw God's hand in so many things: amazing power naps that re-energized me after clinicals; that extra boost of energy to study for several hours despite "working" a full day at clinicals; time management and prioritizing that I didn't know I had in me; feeling like I understood material "inside and out." And He chose to show His power through the great results He enabled me to get this week. It was a welcome encouragement; hey, I can do this after all. It will take work and maybe not match up to my standards of previous years, but that's okay. He's helping me to conquer (and learn!) this information.

I'm learning that perseverance doesn't mean getting the perfect score, the best grade, the highest praise. Perseverance means doing what we can, with what we have, where we are, with a attitude that brings glory to Christ. Too many times I become focused on what I can't do instead of what I can do and how I can do it. Perseverance means being faithful to do our part, while relying on His strength and trusting that He will bring to completion what He has started. He has a reason for me to be here; He has a purpose for me to be spending four years doing this.

Perseverance means giving the glory back to God as He enables us and strengthens us.

Power Outage Perseverance

God provided an extra ounce of refreshment this week, an extra boost to tired spirits and overwhelmed brains. When the power went out last Sunday, we were forced to take a break: no email, no internet, no movies. . . just people and conversations, books and time with Jesus. Actually, this week I only had two days of classes---which was a huge blessing! This coming week I have two huge tests that are looming over my head, so the extra time last week was an added bonus: more time to study and relax.

This week I realized the importance of peace and quiet in the midst of a stressful and daunting semester. I often don't have time to relax for very long because of the never-ending to-do list of this semester. It's not that I'm trying to hide behind my books. . . it's that I almost don't have any other option. Thankfully, studying with other people is essential for learning this type and volume of information, so the social end of things isn't necessarily lacking. Plus, it's been fun to get to know some people I only knew on a first-name-basis before!

Also, because of the lighter schedule this week, I was able to find some time to encourage several friends who needed it. Again, it was through notes of encouragement and assuring them of my prayers. It's easy for me to forget that even though I can't offer someone time, I can still pray for them throughout my day. Often, my mind begins running in overdrive as soon as the alarm clock goes off and I am immediately submerged in all of my own problems, responsibilities and cares. But, this week the Lord gently reminded me of the power of prayer. . . the power of prayer in healing, in encouragement and in strength.

He is always faithful, always lavishing blessings upon us. . . even lavishing power outages to emphasize those blessings! : )

I Want to Be Like You

It's not about me. It's about You.

It's not about us. It's about You reaching them, through us, Your vessels.

Thank You for this change in focus.


I Want to Be Like You, FFH

When I'm down, You are up for me
When I frown, You have a smile for me
And when I'm weak, You are strong for me
You are there for me
You're always there for me

When I fall, You will catch me
When I call, You're quick to answer me
And when I weep, You will weep with me
You are there for me
You're always there for me


(And I want to be like You)
Take my cross and follow after You
(I want to be like You)
Speak the truth in everything I do
(I want to be like You)
Leave the many to go and find the few
(I want to be like You)
I want to be like You


When I thirst, You will quench me
When I hunger, You are the bread for me
When I kneel, you already heard me
You are there for me
You're always there for me

Chorus

When I cried, You were there, You heard my call
When I fell, You were there, You saw it all
On my knees, You came and rescued me
And now in everything I say and do
I want to be just like you

Chorus

Perseverance: Anything Left to Give?

This week has been absolutely draining in so many ways. Constant responsibilities. . . huge demands of time, effort and emotions. . . tasks, test, or projects that seem practically impossible. No end in sight to this constant requirement of energy, during which you're still supposed to have time to "relax and have fun." We are feeling like we are being stretched as thin as possible. It has been difficult to limit the complaining, squelch the bitterness, and let go of the human desire to have to do everything on my own.

I can't do it by myself.

I reached that point late this week. The complete and utter realization that I simply will not survive this semester if I try to do this on my own. I'm going to have to do my part, but recognize God's strength and His control of the outcomes. Although it can be hard for me to remember, He is even in control of tests that may ruin GPAs and make the scholarships disappear, hence meaning even more loans---something that is not cool think about right now. The standards I place on myself will have to flex this semester, possibly this whole year. I'm just going to have to do what I can, and be satisfied with that. And having satisfaction in grades that are lower than what I like to see will require perseverance.

In the midst of this absolute insanity though it's been refreshing to be able to encourage several people. Last Sunday and this week I was able to write several notes to people. It can be difficult to sacrifice some of my time to pour into someone else's life. . . but it is so refreshing too! Trust me, I know that it would be easier to stay focused on my to-do list---I am still trying to catch up on reading, so why in the world would I sacrifice a few moments to minister to someone else? Encouragement, a part of the servant lifestyle that I am still learning about, has an incredible knack for shifting your focus from yourself and your mountain of problems to someone else and their needs. Even if you can't meet their needs immediately (or ever) or tangibly, a bit of encouragement, a little note, a smile can truly brighten a day or give that extra boost that is needed.

We must allow God to use us as vessels of His love. . . even when we ourselves feel like we are barely managing to keep up.

Plodding Along.... is that perseverance?

This past week held an interesting course of events. Throughout the week my mind was also pulled in many different directions. I needed to contact some people before my parents and I could make a decision about my possible trip to Peru and Paraguay next summer. This week I felt like I was juggling too many plates, and trying not to let any of them fall. School is extremely demanding right now, but the debate between an externship and the Peru trip was also a big decision hanging over me. Thankfully, the hard work put into the Pharmacology test paid off and that test is now behind me.

It has still be difficult to find time to look to other people's needs in the midst of my own life's craziness. But, I am trying to make that time---to find that one person that might need a bit of extra encouragement in their week---even though I have things to do. There will always be things to do though, so I can't always say "when I have time..."

However, in the midst of all of the work, I have been trying to diligently use my time to get things (specifically homework) accomplished in adequate time. So far this year, I have been able to get my homework done by Sunday, so that I can truly rest on Sundays. And, that has been wonderful! It takes a lot of commitment throughout the earlier part of the week, and especially on Friday nights and Saturdays when other people are doing things that sound much more fun than books and papers. But, when Sunday rolls around and there is nothing academic on my to-do list, it's an amazing feeling!

In church last Sunday, the message was about loving people out of Christ's love, with a love like His. It reminded me of perseverance because the pastor challenged us that genuine love isn't what it means to love someone who is easy to get along with; genuine love is when we love someone who is difficult to love. He said that the very person we do not want to show love towards is the very person God wants us to love.

That takes perseverance, doesn't it? Intentional love. Just a bonus thought. : )

Finally, an update!! After doing our research and talking to several people, my parents and I decided that I will move forward with plans to go to Peru and Paraguay next summer! I am tremendously excited about the trip, and I am looking forward to seeing God's faithfulness and provision in the next several months as people support me financially----that's a huge prayer request!!