The Grace of A Great God!

I'm done! I have successfully finished my first semester of nursing school, and hopefully the last semester of summer school in my college career! The Lord has been so gracious to uphold me with His steadfast love over the summer. It's been tough, but He has helped me through. Not only has He helped me complete the summer, but He has also given me the ability to keep my full tuition/books/fees scholarship. He is just so good!

I have now had a taste of what it is like to be a nurse... and I LOVE IT! I can hardly bring myself out of "nursing mode" and it seems like I am reminded of how I can prevent injury/infection in almost everything I do throughout my day. Just yesterday I was out to eat with some fellow students and thought to myself "This Mexican food is salty and it's hot outside. Better make sure we all drink plenty of water!" ...oh, my, how I've become a health nerd.

I have a couple weeks of break before I go back to school. I am hoping to accomplish quite a bit between now and then, and I am also taking a FL vacation for a few days! Thank you, God, for rest and relaxing, but I also thank you for work. I know for a fact that I wouldn't want to have time to be idle all of the time. I enjoy being productive not only physically, but also mentally, emotionally, and most of all, spiritually.

So, here's my end of the summer update. I know I haven't posted much this summer, but school has just been so crazy!
Paul and I are doing just fine in our relationship. He took a job earlier this summer that pays well and is in the field he enjoys (praise God)! It has been good for both of us that we've been busy this summer so that we could concentrate on others more than each other.
My family is fine... I think. I don't know, because I haven't seen much of them! Mom had a mini-vacation for a few weeks this summer while the kids visited grandparents. I am looking forward to spending time with them over my break.
I have felt completely socially deprived over the summer, but hey, that's nursing school! I just have to keep reminding myself that it won't be long until I'm out of school and can leave my room without possible consequences of failing a test.

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28, ESV).

God, you have fulfilled your promise in my life this summer (though I never had reason to doubt since you always keep Your word). You are a great and gracious God and I pray that you will continue to teach me to love You more. Make Yourself my focus every day and help me to cling to You always. Amen.

Beneath The Cross

Beneath the cross of Jesus,
I find a place to stand;
And wonder at such mercy,
That calls me as I am.

For hands that should discard me,
Have wounds which tell me "come."
Beneath the cross of Jesus,
My unworthy soul is won.

1 down, 1 to go!

Well, I've almost completed my first class of the summer. I have a final for it next week, but that's all. I started the second class of the summer a little over a week ago. I'm getting close to the halfway mark. I can hardly wait for a few weeks of vacation at the end of the summer!

Busy, but loving it!

I don't have much time to blog, because I need to be studying, but I just wanted to inform everyone about how much a LOOOOOOOVE nursing school! I am learning so much, and the teaching styles fit my learning styles. I've only been in school for a week and I feel like I've learned so much already!

Keep me in your prayers.

Striving After The Wind

This morning during my quiet time with God I was reading in Ecclesiastes. Solomon had so much wisdom as to what was lasting and what was fleeting. I was very convicted about how easy it is to hold on to material things and even abstract ideas that are worthless and perish in the end.
I love how Solomon always credits God for everything in this book. Consider the following verse:

"Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart" (Ecclesiastes 5:18-20, ESV).

He says that God is the one that gives us the power to enjoy what He has given to us. We cannot even enjoy the little blessings without God granting us the ability to do so! We are utterly and completely dependent on Him.

As you go about your day, remember to thank God for the gift of the ability to appreciate and enjoy the little things.

So much, but not much.

A lot has been happening around here lately, but it's just day to day events, not really "blogworthy."

I finished out finals strong and came out with 6 A's. I credit it all to the Lord, because without Him I would have never made it this far in my education and would not have been able to do so well in my classes. There were so many times this semester (and every other) when I was unable to concentrate, but God granted me the discipline to continue studying. There were also a lot of tests that had questions I didn't know the answers to, but He helped me choose the best answer. Prayer is one of the greatest blessings He has given us!

Lately, I have been enjoying the weather, organizing, and finishing some things that have to get done before nursing school starts. I have been relaxing, hanging out with friends and family, spending time with my Paul, watching movies, and reading books. I am so thankful for this break!

"Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment" (Ecclesiastes 7:9, ESV).

Five down, one to go!

I've almost made it through finals week. Just one more final tomorrow and I'll be finished. Lord, please give me strength to finish out the semester strong!