Little exerpts from my dreams of the night....

-"Shane don't be mad at me...I ate most of the hamburger for tacos! Opps!"

-Went to church....in a small little place...but Nathan Rieger was there so it might have been Vineyard. I asked where Kendra and the kids were. I guess the kids were gone for the week (not sure where) and Kendra was in the house (on the same property) sleeping in!! She needed the rest!

- Building our house....I think that we made the roof over the front porch too low! And we were conversing over where we should put the mailbox on the front side of the house...it was a long, brown house

- We were in a big building with multiple elevators. I wanted to get to one specific room that I knew certain adults didn't want me in. 5th floor I believe. These rooms required long, metal keys (old school kind) to get in. I finally got to the right elevator but it just didn't want to move...or if I press the floor that I wanted, it wouldn't go there..it would come back down. I finally got in but had to leave pretty quickly because there was someone outside the door. I wanted to go back in later to clean up a game that I had sloppily put back in a box...my grandma was there. We began to prepare for a potluck, by seperating vegetables from fruits in a platter. My grandma was being so annoying and watching us like a hawk. I finally snapped on her and started yelling at her. It felt quite intense.

-this next dream took place in a small community...perhaps northern. There was a girl and a boy...well, young adults they were. I guess the boy actually liked the girl, but he was quite abusive. We were in a store of some kind. I became the girl..or I just had the view of the dream from her eyes. She had a grip on one of his legs because he kept trying to kick her in the face with the other one. Realistically you can't walk, and kick with only one leg free...but that is a dream for you. He never ended up kicking her in the face because she covered her face against the floor. Suddenly he was caring and nice. Her friend or sister said that she was going to stay at home and he said that she wanted to go to his brother-in-law's wedding (which was taking place in short order). She (the girl) still wanted to go to the wedding. So, she went out and came back with a vest made for her for the wedding. It was pretty nasty looking, different colors and patterns, made of wool. Her dad took the vest from her...and instead lying across her bed was a beautiful dress! It was too made of knitted wool, but a beautiful pattern with beautiful colors...I just remember a cranberry color. Over the knitted wool was a see-through chiffon-type material. I don't know what it is called. ...

.......then the phone rang and I woke up to run and answer it......(for real)

Well, big news!!!!

SHANE HANDED IN HIS 2 WEEKS NOTICE TODAY! HE IS FINISHED ON AUGUST 27!!!Strangely, we both feel a lot of peace and a huge release, regardless of the fact that he doesn't have another job lined up at this point. We are going on faith and trusting that God will provide and has a hand-picked job for Shane at this time in our lives.

At a time where I could be the most stressed, I'm feeling excited. I don't know what Worker's comp will do for me, I don't know if I'll go back to work before summer is over, Shane could be jobless by the end of the month, school starts in a matter of weeks, we need quite a bit of funds before september....and our lives feel a little up in the air right now, but it feels good. It actually feels like we're in the best spot yet in our short married life...besides when you are on a honeymoon in Mexico without a care in the world about reality. It is a place in which I'm excited about what God will provide and what direction He will guide us in. It feels good to not feel in control sometimes....though usually I do feel the opposite.

Please pray for all these areas...especially the provision of an incredible job for Shane, back healing for me, approval by Worker's Comp, and the finances we need. Just pray that we hear God. Thanks all!

Another day at physio......

A positive experience though, because another healthcare professional affirmed that I do indeed have a back with wounds. The physiotherapist was a fill-in because the one I saw last week is away for the week. She said that my ROM (range of motion) in the back is pretty crappy. I am using my whole back to do things (I guess to compensate for the hurt areas). I told her that I have the 11 shifts still to work, depending on if the doc sends me back or not when I see her next tuesday. The physiotherapist said she didn't want to plant any seeds in my head but she can't see me returning for the last 2 weeks! I hope that that is true! I want to rest and recover fully and not strain it again for the last 11 shifts before I go back to school!

Jesus, please give me and my claim favor with worker's comp! I pray that this month or whatever it ends up being is covered by worker's comp and we get the money! If they approve it, we get 90% of what I would have made! That's pretty good! It should cover some books and tuition like it was supposed to!

On another note, if anyone is free or bored, I have some time on my hands and with my hubbie working quite a bit, and quite a few evenings, I need to fill some time! Call me (if you know my number...) or leave a comment! I spent this afternoon with my mom and the babies...though I feel quite useless when I can't help carry all the heavy loads of cuteness! But I do hold them when I'm sitting (not standing or walking)! They are so cute!

Anyways, I'm chatting with my dad on msn so I'm going to go and do that and then pick up my cute hubbie in a bit from work!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BRO!!!! 16 TODAY AND A WONDERFUL GUY!!!

Lord, bless him and totally impact him at youth week this week! Send your Spirit, your power and your reality to the youth there! Bless the socks off them!

I'm getting pretty good at this more regular blogging thing lately!!! I'm proud of myself. Well, it is actually because now I have way more time on my hands.

I went to the doctor's today to reassess the back situation. I thought for sure she would be getting me back to work by friday.......wrong! And happy to be! My doc actually listened and though I was prepared for friday, she doesn't want me to go back for the rest of the week. She is going to reassess me again next tuesday and we'll go from there!!! That means that I only have a maximum of 11 shifts left...maybe. She felt my back and had quite the reaction. She said my muscle is as hard as a rock...I guess the injury was real! Especially if you can feel a huge clump of a muscle a week later! I'm so thankful that she listened to me and is taking good care of me!

I scared the poor husband though! I wanted to share the good news that I have a week off again...in person. So, on the way home, I stopped in at his work. I usually just spill whatever is on my mind in the first few sentences that I see the person. Well, I walked into the office and said, "you want to know what the doctor said?" and handed him the paper she wrote for my employer saying that she will reassess in a week and no work until then. My poor husband almost stopped breathing for a bit there. I'm supposed to get my depo shot in a week and thought I might get it today instead. Before they give the shot, they always do a pregnancy test each time. This is the first test that it would actually be a possibility...you know, now that we are married. Well, Shane thought that I got the shot and the pregnancy test done today. The poor guy's heart pounded for a bit when I handed him a paper without a verbal explanation! I've been such a paranoid girl with every new body change that has happened in the last 2 months! The doctor assured me though that we are on the most secure form of birth control if we don't want to get pregnant. Though....it is always on my mind that God can have other plans in store!! Ahhhhh! That reminds me that I have a short story to tell about what someone said at Rock Lake over the weekend! I'll leave that to the next blog because this is getting long!

Good afternoon!
Well, my mom and I just got blessed! We went out for a bite at Bosten Pizza. I wasn't going to get anything because of the uncertainty of the finances in the next few weeks...so I was just going to pick off my mom's salad and cheese toast. Well, she also ended up getting a dessert for us to share. The manager there remembered my mom and my little foster brother from the last time we had coffee there (a month or two ago). She just fell in love with little Hessai (pronounced Essay) and has a soft heart for the work that my mom does with foster kids. So, a few minutes ago when we went up to pay....the manager said that the lunch was on her!!! She said that since my mom does work that blesses, she deserves to be blessed! What an incredible woman and manager!!! That totally spoke to my mom and I! And it was sure nice to have had a free lunch! Bless Katie back Lord!!

Another good piece of news is that Worker's Comp approved me for physio! This means that I don't have to pay out of my pocket! Thanks Lord! I don't know if it means anything else is approved (eg. prescription, time away from work, etc.), but at least I can go to physio with the peace that I don't have to cover the costs!!!

I called work this morning and said I wouldn't be able to do my tuesday or wednesday shifts because I have a doctor's appointment tuesday and the only time I can get into physio this week is wednesday evening. Also, I don't want to attempt work without another assessment at physio....because it sounded like physio said not to go back until they give the go-ahead. So, today this day-by-day approach has been working out quite well. I have thursday off with Shane so the next possible day for me to work is only on friday....which would mean only 3 weeks of my term position left! Lord, give me wisdom day-by-day.

All you praying people out there! We could use some!!

I spent the weekend at Rock Lake and Shane joined me...and surprised me...yesterday evening! I got to spend the weekend with my sister and then when Shane came, he joined us in a lodge room! I haven't had a sleepover with both my husband and sister before! ....boy, if I wasn't a Christian, this could sound pretty wrong! Anyways, it was nice to be out at Rock Lake because I love it there, it is like home. And it was nice to get away from home and the thoughts of back pain and the question mark of work.

That brings me to the things that are heavily weighing on my mind. I have a doctor's appointment scheduled for tuesday, but it is super close to my shift. I am thinking that at this point before I see the physiotherapist again and the doctor, I don't think I'll work that tuesday shift. See if the doc says, "no...don't resume work yet", then my poor employer only has maybe an hour to find a replacement and I don't think that that is very fair on my part. So, I'll probably call my employer tomorrow, give the heads up and say it is a no-go for tuesday and we'll see about wednesday. I'm just not sure what to do about the next 4 weeks. I have only 4 weeks as of yesterday left of shifts. Shane and I really could use that money for tuition...we were counting on it. To stay sane, I am trying to take a day-by-day approach with my back and work. I just don't want to do more damage. Another concern is that if I don't go back to work for the summer now, I have probably shot my casual job for the rest of the year out the door. I can't really pick up much this semester, except the one month (not sure which one) that I have some clinical days off. I had peace and felt some rest from this issue out at the lake, but now that I'm home, I feel the stress of it. It feels like a big decision that I have to make on my own, because I don't feel like the doc or physio is going to make decisions that are for me and my health long-term. I think they are on the side of worker's comp and throwing me back to the wolves. I'm scared and I don't trust their advice!!!!!

On another note, Shane is having a really hard time at work. I can't remember if I blogged about this a few weeks ago, but it is getting to breaking point. Life is not supposed to be hated. God has plans and gifts for us to enjoy and be taught by. I'm not saying that as soon as a situation gets tough or uncomfortable, run. I'm saying that in this case, Shane has been a very faithful employee and it is time that he enjoy work again. He used to love it and he would say to me "the day I don't enjoy going to work anymore is the day I quit". Well, that day happened a long time ago. But, the financial pressures of paying for a wedding, supporting a family now and knowing that we will be a one-income family in 4 weeks...or sooner...is pressure enough to rethink an automatic quit. Well, this unhappiness is not what God intended. Shane has given this job a million chances to get better and for him to enjoy it again. And everything seems to be on a steady decline.

Life-giving. I was thinking about our situation when driving home late one night this week. I passed a sign that said Suds....an advertisement. I think it may have been for a job. I felt God say..."life-giving". He has given us a world FULL of opportunities and possibilities. I felt that he was saying, "why stay in a place that is taking so much life away when I have created so many other opportunities that are life-giving". I felt that we are limiting ourselves and God by staying in a place that is causing so much unhappiness just because of the money. Money is not worth our happiness......it gets a little complicated though when you need the money to pay the bills. But regardless, MONEY IS NOT WORTH OUR HAPPINESS!!!! God is our provider. I have the smallest amount of faith that I know of....it is so hard for me to believe that everything will be ok. Yet, God has proven this to me time and time again. Still, I find it so hard to trust.

Please keep us in prayer. Many things are up in the air...or could be and we need guidance and direction from the Lord. We need to hear very clearly from him regarding decisions and timing alike.

I have a sore back. I screwed it up at work yesterday morning. Transferring a resident onto the toilet, my back felt sudden and severe pain. Left work and went to the walk-in. Stupid walk-in doctor didn't even listen to my story and made me feel like I was making it all up. He gave me a prescription (I don't like taking meds so I'm tempted to skip that part but I'm trying not to) and referred me to physio. Again stupid doc told me to try and give my work shift tomorrow a try! Stupid! So today I went to physio. I have a soft tissue sprain on my lower back by my sacrum. It hurts a bit and mostly on the left side. I have some pain on lifting and bending. I just don't want to do any permanent damage. Physio said definitely don't go to work tomorrow! So, I'm not sure what the next few weeks will look like. I don't like injury, but I don't like work. I am afraid that my job is ruining my body for good. I can't see how this won't continue to happen until Sept. 4 which is my last day before going back to University. I'm afraid to go back to work.

But I don't have to go back until next tuesday at the earliest. I hope that I can enjoy this time off with a golden ticket to relax. I have been told no vaccuuming, scrubbing, gardening, lifting certain things, etc. I hope that I don't get bored! So, I must relax. I might go out to the lake this weekend. I was supposed to go to help out the staff by cleaning, but that's out the window. Maybe I'll go for some relaxation and good teaching and ministry....my hubbie works all weekend anyways. We'll see what happens.

Please pray for my back. Pray that it is not a permanent injury or the beginning of anything progressive or chronic! Back pain sucks! Also, please pray for wisdom...I don't want to damage my back for only 4 more weeks of work. It just isn't worth it. I'm feeling a little consumed with this issue right now.

I'm bored. There has been quite a routine these last few days. Work, nap, eat supper, go to bed early with some fun stuff in the evenings. Shane and I had date night on friday and yesterday night we had my sibs over for supper and then went out bowling. But as for this evening, I am a little antsy! I think Shane and I are going to walk to 7-11 for some 5 cent candies, but he is battling a headache on the couch right now.

Switching gears a bit, I have to brag about my hubbie and tell you all how impressed I am today! I got home from work to a nice smelling appartment. Shane cleaned and cleaned hard! He was dusting and saw my list of what I wanted to get cleaned in the appartment.....so, he did it! He actually was doing most if not all of it before he even saw the list...but, my baby ended up washing our floors, vacuuming the entire appartment, dusting, washing the windows, making the bed and cleaning the bathroom to perfection! I am SO impressed. I feel appreciated by the fact that he helps out too and that we don't have to assume that because I'm the female that I will do everything. I am a lucky girl because Shane doesn't think that way and helps out around the appartment! I really appreciate him and I feel loved when he helps!

Well, I hope that the evening has a spark of excitement for me or I might have to take drastic measures like doing the dishes (which I will do anyways) or going for a run! No, not exercise!!!! (though it is much needed!)
Take care!

I love my girlfriends! Yesterday I threw together a girl's night at Earl's. I had a really nice time with some of the females in my life! There were 7 of us there and just talked, ate and I brought the wedding pictures for them to see. Afterwards, I got to see my old roomie's new house that she and her brother are in the process of moving into! Good-bye old appartment! I shall never see your insides again! Steph, Chris and I were going to see a movie at the cheapies, but we had a need to talk instead. We ended up parked in Movie Network's parking lot and talking in the car for quite a while before we decided to call it a night. I love my girlfriends! Such honesty can be shared with close friends and as Christina said, how come it is so easy to communicate and connect with your girlfriends and not always so easy with the opposite gender (paraphrased)?

Fortunately I have quite a good listener of a husband. Of course, naturally, some days we are on different pages in the connecting area, but I find that that isn't so frequent. I like that. I have definitely learnt a lot about communicating from Shane because over the almost 4 years of relationship he has really encouraged and challenged me to communicate fully and honestly. Sometimes I do need some time and other times I really don't know exactly what to say. It must drive him nuts but sometimes I finally hit the nail on the head and pinpoint exactly what I'm feeling after I've processed verbally for a while. All along he's thinking, "just get to the point woman!". But I really sometimes don't know what the point is until I hit it like a wall out of nowhere!

Tonight I am spending the evening with my wonderful husband! I'm really looking forward to it because we both worked evenings this week and this is our first evening together since sunday! I'm ready for some relaxing, quality time! ....I'm running only half full in the snuggle area! Unfortunately I tried to get someone to switch my weekend work shifts but no one could. This is Shane's one and only weekend off of August....and I'm working saturday through tuesday....bummer. Oh well, life goes on! At least we have tonight!

Well, it is my one day off out of 9 days and I'm going to spend the day at home! I'm going to clean, cook, bake, launder(?), read, bathe and shave! I will smell good and feel smoothe by the time my hubbie comes home! And I bought two new books about marriage at Blessings so I'm pretty pumped to relax and learn from them!

Have a great day!

Something inside of me sometimes longs for a conversation of substance, wisdom and spiritual stuff. I am feeling that way today after spending the weekend at Rock Lake! I have been focussing on working, cleaning my house and cooking meals. Can you believe it? Kristi...the one who never used to cook! Well, somehow it is coming naturally for me now and I am finding a lot of peace, relaxation and enjoyment in upkeeping our home! Thank-you Jesus, because that can only be supernatural!!!

But now I'm thinking that I don't want to swing too far both ways. See, I don't want to be the kind of person that is so "spiritualized" that they can't even live a normal life that inevitably includes bills, cleaning, cooking, relationships, conflict, love, etc. Because God made all these things to be included in the earthly life we live. These things are not just activities we must do but they can be life-giving and acts of worship as well. But, I can also see how it is easy to be side tracked by all these things and become soley focussed on these necessities of life. I want my life to be real. Including all these necessities, trials and joys....and be full of the presence and focus of God. I do want to have a new perspective and a new source of hope. I often feel like I have to do it all myself...that God isn't fast enough, or he's just not into doing what I want today. I know that my brain needs some new thought patterns, but that is sometimes how it works. I want to be able to trust that he will meet my needs and it doesn't mean in my timing. I just have to have faith and trust that he knows more than I do. I think I might have to get into the habit of surrendering all control each and every day. It is tiring when you feel like you have to make things happen.....

well, much is on my mind and heart today.....maybe I'll blog again in the next few days. I'm working evenings this week, so we'll see what kind of time I have! ....I think God is stirring some things up. I wonder what he's going to do and where we're going to end up..........

-very interested

What a nice weekend! We just got back from Rock Lake where we spent the weekend! The weather was pretty great...though I thought the water was cold so I spent my time on the beach instead of in the water!

My baby sister got baptized today! Yes, Loraleigh, it was this weekend and at Rock Lake, but I'm sure she'd take the prayer anytime! It was really great! My mom, brother, and dad came out, as well as some of Steph's girlfriends from high school! I thought that was super supportive of them! Good girlfriends rock! It was a very heart-warming time and I'm so proud of my sister! I'm so glad that she did it at the lake! A neat thing was that Alvina Peters (Bonnie's mom for those that know Bonnie) baptized me at Rock Lake when I was 8. We found out last night that there wasn't an appointed person to baptize Steph, so Alvina volunteered!! It was special because we absolutely love Alvina and now she's baptized both of us!

The speakers were pretty great too....it was a trio apostolic/prophetic team. Lots of good stuff! Shane and I were so tempted to quit our jobs today and stay out at Rock Lake for the rest of the summer. Our hearts are definitely there. Bummer that we need our jobs and money. If I wasn't in school.......it would have been tempting!

It was so fun to go to camp for the first time as a married couple! We got to stay in our own room and do our own thing as a family unit....even though we spent most of our time with people! I love my husband so much. As I told him before bed last night, I'm growing to love him more and more every day. I am so loving this thing of marriage!

Well, I have to pray for hope to survive 6 more weeks of work. I am hating it and it makes me feel a strong feeling of despair, but I don't really want to talk about that right now! The weekend was great and I'd rather enjoy that fact for now! Have a great night!

good morning. yes....a day off. time to clean the place up and bake some muffins again. apple cinnamon this time. grocery shopping with the sister is the plan for the evening and the husband is coming home for lunch this afternoon (working a split shift).  i need to recup today.
 
saw a great movie last night. The Notebook. there were many crying people in that theatre. very good and very sad. i never want to get old. the story line hit home a little closer due to the residents that i work with. a must see for females. very good. bring a girlfriend or multiple and some kleenex.
 
bye now

I just love the weather! Unfortunately during the day I've been working (last 3 days) but I've been able to enjoy the evenings! The evenings are so comfortable! We went to BDI for ice cream with our good friends of ours, Nat and Lance. It was wonderful to eat, laugh and watch the boaters and dogs playing in the water from the bridge. What a perfect night!
 
I'm really looking forward to tuesday and wednesday because it is my weekend! I've worked all weekend and with one more day shift to go, I'm excited for a day that I can sleep later than 5 or 6am! I'm not into those early mornings! Though, the world is quite beautiful and peaceful that early in the morning! I just hate being tired!
 
My sister is getting baptised a week from today! I'm excited for her and proud of her! She is such a super light in this world! I am amazed sometimes by her boldness and her ability to speak, act and pray so confidently. She'll talk to anybody about her Jesus! She teaches me things and challenges me by her boldness. To make the event even more exciting, we get to go to Rock Lake for the weekend! And my family will be there, including my pops! I really hope that the weather forcast is wrong and we have a great weekend ahead of us! But, I'm getting ahead of myself because I still have the week to live through! Still, I'm really looking forward to it!

So, today I'm a little bummed...I must admit. I don't like to admit this because then I feel like I'm not being positive. And when you are being positive, you can sometimes trick your being into thinking that you aren't bummed. I guess that sounds a little warped....but I hate feeling bummed.

I'm a little worried today. And I hate feeling that way too. I have a few things that I'm worrying about. I have a stupid grinding my teeth problem at night. I'm trying this new self-mold mouthguard, because the real ones are way too expensive! It is just not working. It is digging into the side of my gums and some of my teeth aren't even covered. It falls out too because it isn't molded right. So, sleep time, which is one of my favorite times of day, is sort of stressful for me because I feel like every night I'm doing permanent damage. That stresses me out. We just can't afford the mouthguard from the dentist because my benefits don't cover any of it and it is hundreds of dollars.

I'm a little stressed out about tuition and money. I'm just afraid that we won't have it by September. It makes me a little nervous. So, I'm feeling a little financial stress lately.

My job. I was honest with myself yesterday and finally said that I don't like it. I hate it that I'm working in a job that makes my back ache every day. I don't want to wreck my back for life at the age of 21. I don't like the management team, because everything is in the name of the budget and not for the employee. I'm so sick of politics and complaining, though I know that what people are complaining about is valid and true. I hate dreading work each day and having to go to bed so early so that I can get up far too early. I just am hating the despair that accompanies knowing that I have to work tomorrow and all weekend. I'm just bummed. The positive thing is that once I'm at work, besides the back pain, I'm fine. I do a great job and I don't mind it. It is when I go home and dread coming back the next day, that I feel crappy.

Boy, I hate sounding bummed and I hate complaining, but it sure does feel good to write out my feelings and be honest. Screw positivity at this moment. I'm bummed.

Hello fellow humans! It is finally a beautiful day in Manitoba!!! My sibs and I were thinking of beaching it today, but in the end are going to do that tomorrow with my hubbie and dad! It sounds like it will be pretty nice all weekend! Part of our decision was due to car issues. Please pray for our car because her ABS, service engine soon and trac off lights are on and won't turn off! Also as of two days ago, the head lights aren't going on automatically! That is really weird and our brakes are making squeaking noises! I think we really should get her checked out! Please pray that it is just a censor problem and not an actual one....something like this happened the week before the wedding and it was nothing! We really can't afford repairs!

So, I'm still hanging out in my sexy pj's.....I've become a sexy pj girl since graduating to "wife"! Soon my sibs and I will be heading to the mall...the bro needs pants and I need a big frying pan and some light bulbs!

Adios amigos!
kristi

Here I sit without my husband for the evening. I blessed him, while already missing him, to have an evening with a guy friend. So, here I sit at the computer and need to find an outlet. Here is a short story that was born out of my state.

Sisters
A short story for Stephanie

In the small town of Carmen, on a hot, sunny day, stood a tall cow in the middle of a yellow pasture. This cow had such a horrid look on her face that those that past stopped to look and ponder. The weather was odd that day in June and while staring at the old cow, people began to feel raindrops sprinkling on their bare shoulders and arms. See in Carmen in June it is summer weather and tang tops are a common article of clothing. An old woman had recently moved into the area to move in with her elderly sister. Both women were widows of a few years and both being alone had decided to become roommates. This warm weather was an adjustment for the elderly sister from Winnipeg because she was used to spontaneous snowstorms in June. See, the cow had brought the two sisters back together again. Years before the sisters had been visiting another state with their families and had spent an evening at the fair. A game that the two sisters had enjoyed as children was tipping cows in the pasture late at night, and trying not to get caught. Well, at the fair that one family day, there was a game with a cow. It involved soft balls, a heifer and stuffed animals for prizes. The sisters had such a blast that they vowed that every time one would see a cow for the rest of their lives, they would say a prayer for the other and call the other sometime that week. So, as the sisters aged, children moved on to start their own families and husbands were laid to rest, the sisters brainstormed about their futures. The two decided to merge households in Carmen, were the younger was located, and begin a cow farm. They had decided that if cows played a part in bonding them together over the years that they could give back to the cow family. So, as owners of a cow farm, the elderly sisters enjoy using their farm mostly as a petting zoo. This brings us back to the cow that day in the yellow pasture with the odd look. This cow was one of heifers from the sister farm that had misplaced her dear sister. The cow was going north and had stopped in her tracks when the breeze that the sisters normally felt while strolling together was felt blowing from the opposite direction than other days. The message of the missing sister was learned by all and news traveled fast through the small town of Carmen. The sister cow was found later that night, beside the pond, sharing with the frogs and toads about giving back to the community and how important sisters are.

So by now I am a married woman of over 3 weeks! I really like it!!

Today I finally have a day off! I worked quite a bit last week, but the killer part to my job is the physical labor of stretching, lifting, and bending and the killer early mornings! That early stuff is what gets me! I don't like getting up before 9:30am!!! Oh well, I just have to suck it up! At least with the early mornings of the day shift, I can see my husband in the evenings!

So, it is my day off and I am a little antsy....I really cannot think of how to spell that word right now! I want to see my wonderful friend that just started dating a boy that we have been talking about (for her) for months! I may go to the mall to check out if we can further the enjoyment of our home with anything...purchased with multiple gift certificates! Or I do have the chance to visit my mother and brother who are coming in to the city this afternoon! I just don't know!

Well, I think I'll start by getting rid of some old bananas and being a little domestic! I'm going to try to find a good recipe for banana muffins on the net because I usually just used Christina's (roommate), but now that is not in my house anymore!

Blah, blah, blah!
Talk to you later!
Kristi

Ohhhhh.....life is good. And I am a blessed woman. I had an incredible wedding, a fabulous honeymoon in the Mayan Riviera, Mexico and now am adjusting to regular life with a husband, whom I love like crazy! There were some glitches with the location of the ceremony...not due to rain but due to misquitos! But I adjusted very well to the new plans and enjoyed it incredibly anyways. What a fabulous day June 12th was for us! We were very relaxed, not nervous AT ALL (completely serious), and just had so much fun! I loved being the bride and wearing the whole garb....though my silly dress kept on falling down!!! I'd have to say that my favorite parts of the day would probably have to be the walk down the aisle and all the blessings we got from friends and family at the reception! You should have seen my hubbie as I walked down the aisle. He was priceless. Bawling like crazy and repeating "Wow...wow". It was an indescribable experience.

The honeymoon was so great and relaxing! We spent the first night in a theme room at the Clarion hotel! I love the jacuzzi in the room! That was the best feature! Then we went off to the Mayan Riviera in Mexico for a week! We spent 15 hours a day sleeping and the rest eating, drinking and beaching it! It was super relaxing and just what we needed! The weather was the highlight....reaching 44 and only dipping to 26 at night! I could live in that weather! I hope that we brought some of it with us....not so far since returning!

It is super fun to get into life and living at our appartment. Shane and I have been having so much fun and laughing ourselves silly many times as we enjoyed the home part of our honeymoon! My Shaner is an incredible catch, and though I knew that before I married him, I am getting the reality of that truth more now. He has been so thoughtful, kind and is always making me laugh! We are an incredible team! He contributes equally to cleaning up, doing the dishes and making food! I love marriage so far!

Unfortunately, today is resume work day. We are bummed. Both don't want to go back to work. So, that is our prayer request. Please pray that we both find peace and enjoyment regarding our jobs. I would much rather stay on a honeymoon for a few more weeks!

So, to those unmarried....if there are any unmarried readers that come here.....I would have to say that 2 weeks and 2 days into my marriage, I would completely recommend it! The piece of reality that I did discover was that marriage in the right time and with the right person can be incredible! I looked around at the other honeymooners on our trip and also realized more fully that marriage at the wrong time and/or with the wrong person could make your life miserable. So, relax, take your time and let God make things fall into place at the right time. Then it will be incredible!

Hello. This is Yvonne Parks. I'm a friend of Kristi's! Kristi is unable to blog because she's on her honeymoon! yay! Anyway, at the wedding, I took some photos, and she said i could post them on here for you all to see! So, Enjoy!


Beautiful Kristi


The Bride and Groom!


Shane and Kristi Kissing! whohooo!


The table setting at the reception was gorgeous!


So were the centrepieces!


The table numbers were photographs! Isn't that cute?


There were lanterns used everywhere. So beautiful!

Well, it is now 6 days to go! A week from now I will be on a plane going to the surprise destination of our honeymoon! Shane, my darling, has planned the whole thing, and I don't know where we are going! I don't want to know either until we are on our way! I like surprises (that I am aware are coming). See, I always thought I liked surprises in general, but I realized in the past few months that I like planned surprises. Like eg. I love it when Shane tells me we are going out on a date on friday but he doesn't tell me what we are doing! I absolutely love that! But, when I already have plans and they are cancelled for a surprise, I have a hard time adjusting to the surprise. I guess I sound a little freakish, but it is just how I react emotionally. It is just a reaction that naturally happens!

Anyways, things for the wedding are going very well. I spent the last week working like a mule at the personal care home and now I'm finally off!!!! Saturday was my last shift scheduled until I start my term position July 1!!!! That means potentially 3 and a half weeks off!!! But I will take shifts the week we both plan on going back to work (the 28th). So, I spent the rest of my time on friday and saturday making the favors!!! What a huge job that was! It took me FOREVER!!! Or so it felt! But it feels good that the job is done!

If you all think of me this week, please put me in your prayers! I just want to fully enjoy this last week of preparation and totally enjoy the wedding day. Pray for perfect weather, dry ground and no rain this week! Pray that I don't sweat the small stuff, but am just easy-going and relaxed!!! Oh, and for the vain side of me, pray these silly zits go away!!!

Thanks, see you later!!!!

So....two weeks from tomorrow!!! I'm getting so excited! I spent the day today doing little wedding things that still need to get done. My biggest stress......the music. Strange, hey? See...our wonderful Yvonne makes anything sound good, so I have full confidence in her. But picking the songs is my biggest bother right now. It has been a little frustrating! Anyways I think after today I have it under control. I was imagining what we would be doing at the time while listening to the song...to get the right feel. I feel like I already have had the wedding day!!!
I got a position at work!!! Up to now I've been casual (but getting a lot of hours). I applied for some term positions for the summer...and found out yesterday in my boss's office that I got one! And it is supposed to start this saturday, but instead I told her when I'd be back to work after the honeymoon and she is willing to let me start the position then!!! It is a .7 which is .3 away from full time! 3 shifts one week and 4 the next. I think it will be quite busy (day and evening shifts) but it will pay for a lot of stuff that Shane and I need to pay off!!! Yeah!!!!
We went to the bank this afternoon and added Shane to my account. As soon as we are back from the honeymoon we are going to move all our accounts to one! It is our first joint account! Boy oh boy!
Well, going to get going here! Enjoy the nice weather today!

3 weeks from tomorrow.....now that is exciting! Let's see my perception of loved ones reactions to the nearness of the wedding.

mom - super excited and not stressed at all. Telling strangers in the mall tonight!

dad - nervous that he doesn't have enough time to do the stuff around the house that he had wanted to before the wedding (eg. paint the house). It is hard for him to believe that the day is so close.

Steph (sister) - ....not exactly sure. I think that she is excited, but also, you know, the mixture of sadness. There is some loss involved for her because I won't be living down the hall anymore and I will have a husband. I still plan on seeing her frequently and calling her often! I will probably see her more when I am married because now it is just plain busy sometimes.

Shaun (brother; 15 year old)- Well, not sure what he's feeling about how close the wedding is. He doesn't talk "feels" very often, which is predictable for a 15 year old male. He is happy for us though, likes Shane and doesn't have worries about us.

Well, I'm just finding lately that I really don't have much to blog about except the wedding, and I assume that must bore people. Oh well, I have 22 more days to talk about it and then it will be over forever.

Shane has the honeymoon all arranged....and I don't know where we are going! I like it that way! Surprises!!!

I have to work at 6:30am tomorrow morning and then 6am on sunday!!! Ahhhhhh! All in the name of money! But once I'm at work, I enjoy it. It's just sometimes hard to drag my butt there!

I'm at Shaner's and he's a sick guy tonight...some sort of flu bug bit him pretty hard. Please pray that he gets better quickly because he is supposed to work tomorrow as well. And pray that I don't get it because my stomach has been quite sore today!

Good night

Well hello everyone that still comes and checks my blog! We are sitting at 24 days until I become a Farrow and a wife! I'm doing a bunch of wedding stuff today...well, actually there really is hardly anything to do but I'm trying to do what I can on my day off. This is my only day off of work in a stretch of 10! That is a lot for me and I'm thankful for the shifts, but sometimes I still dread working!
In general I have really enjoyed planning this wedding. On the whole it has been pretty relaxed and very organized. I just want to get a pet peeve off my chest.....BEING ORGANIZED DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE STRESSED OUT!!!!!! Thank-you to those who encourage us organized brides! The stress that I have felt about the wedding has to do with people calling us and asking to bring kids and boyfriends/girlfriends that aren't invited! Yes, I have just taken the role of "mother dog" because if someone calls it is an automatic "no". Shane and I made the rule together at the beginning of all of this and we aren't making exceptions! That is probably the most frustrating part of the whole wedding process.
But, wedding planning is definitely up my alley and if I wasn't going to be a nurse I just might become a professional wedding planner! I would thrive! I can't wait to help my sister out when she gets married.....though I don't plan on helping where she doesn't want me! I have enjoyed how relatively isolated this wedding planning has been for me. Due to Shane and I paying for our wedding, we got to make all our own decisions! It has been great! I hear horror stories of parents and in-laws that have major control issues because they contribute! Praise God that has not been an issue!!!!!
Well, I'll try to write again soon.....hopefully! I just don't have a lot of access to a computer now that I'm not at the University!
Ta ta for now!

38 days to go!!!! Oh my goodness!!!!!!! And there is really hardly anything to do right now!

I'm working as a Health Care Aide casually this summer. Unless I get a job that I applied for, which I will find out by friday. I sort of want it and sort of don't. It has great hours (monday to friday 8:30 -4:30pm) and would be a sure pay check. But, if I get the job we only get a 1 week honeymoon and if I don't we get two weeks together! So, I just want to know the verdict.

Thanks to all who came to our social and bought tickets! We were expecting to make a little figure and walked away after all our expenses with triple that amount!!! We get to go on a honeymoon!!!! Yipppeeeee!!!

Well, I'm at the U and my parking is going to run out soon so I gotta go!

I just found out the funniest thing!!! Do you remember reading about me going to a silly cheerleading tryout about a month ago...back in March? Well, I never saw who made it, and the website didn't post the roster like it was supposed to so I thought I never made it.....plus after being worked so hard that I almost cried the next two days because of being so sore (truth), I decided not to be apart of the team anyways!

Well, today I go to the website just to check for fun! They have a new layout and low and behold the roster is up.....AND I AM ON IT!!!! THAT IS ABSOLUTELY HILIARIOUS!!! The practices started a month ago and so I don't know if I would still be on it! But, I didn't know about it until today. I don't really care much if I become apart of the team but knowing that they picked me, MAKES ME FEEL PRETTY DARN GOOD RIGHT ABOUT NOW!!! I can say another accomplishment in my life....making the cheerleading team! Woo! Hooo!

As for other life updates:
Social stuff is at the peak! It is this thursday. Slowly the money is coming in! BUT WE NEED A LOT MORE PEOPLE!!!! If anyone is thinking of coming or just buying a ticket to support our effort for a honeymoon, PLEASE DO AND PLEASE NOTIFY ME!!!

I had a nice shower today thrown by Shane's mom and sister! It was really nice and boy does Tina (Shane's sister) know how to decorate and throw the greatest party. It totally touched the girlie side of me! I loved it! And boy do the colors of pink, white and black make for really pretty decorating!

Last sunday, Steph and Christina threw me a surprise shower and totally got me!! I had no idea! And I usually figure things out! I completely believed that Shane and I were going for engagement pictures, but nope! They all had a different plan! I got great stuff! And it was so great to see my friends all sitting there and I had no idea!

School is over for year 3 as of wednesday! I am finished! Nothing until September...boy does that feel so good!

Yesterday I had my wedding hair and make-up trial! Totally fun!

I will be getting married in 47 days!!!! Ohhhhh my goodness!!!!!!!! My heart it starting to pound now that it is getting closer! Partially out of total excitement and partially out of the reality of the nearness! It makes my heart skip a beat! But I'm not nervous about it.....I'm making the right decision!!!!

Talk to you all later!

Hey....I'm insulted! No one commented on the last post!!! Will any of you come????!!! Well, I don't blame you if you don't check up on this blogsite anymore. I haven't had any time to actually update it!

I have worked like a dog this last week. I hope I am slowly adjusting to 5am mornings (all semester I woke up at 9am, besides clinical days)! Yesterday I had to be at work for 6am, so I got up at 5am, but with the time change it was technically 4am!!! WAY TOO EARLY!!!! By 5:30pm, I was so tired that I had a little crying time and didn't know what to do with myself. I felt nauseous. I don't know how I will ever survive sleep deprivation that accompanies parenthood! What will I ever do?!!!!

Shane moved into our appartment this week!!! It is great! The landlords have been pretty great so far about fixing things! They gave us a brand new oven...never been used!!!! And gave us a new light fixture in the dinning room .....it was so ugly to me!! We got our brand new bedroom set all up! I got to make our beautiful bed for the first time....and love it! We bought the most comfortable mattress......grrrr.....my fiance is the one who gets to sleep on it for the next two months!....... We also got furniture! From Leons! Gorgeous brownish/tanish colored suede! I love our place already!....well, technically Shane's place until June.......

Well, I hope you all come to the social! It will be a really fun evening!

It has been a long time!! Here is the latest!

WE ARE HAVING A SOCIAL!!!! COME ONE! COME ALL!!!

It is on April 29, thursday night from 7-10pm at Galaxy Skateland! We are going to spend the first two hours rollar skating and having some games for each age group. The last hour we will turn the rollar rink into a dance floor and dance the night away....well, for an hour at least! And guess what...no alcohol, which means....kids are invited too!!!!! Anyone 7 years old and up are $10, children 3-6 are $8 and children 2 and under (assuming that they aren't skating) are free! Unfortunately I couldn't score a great deal for kids because they charge everyone the same regardless of age...so we tried to cut under 7 a deal to make it more affordable for families! I know it is hard for some to gather the money...the bright side is that you don't have to pay a babysitter, your kids will have a fun evening with you, and games and munchies are included!!! We will have one bigger silent auction prize and a 50/50 draw. We will be selling pop/juice cans for $1 each.....if drinks were free you know how kids would drink us dry!

PLEASE! SPREAD THE WORD!!! GATHER FRIENDS AND FAMILY! WE DON'T EVEN HAVE TO KNOW THEM!! JUST BRING THEM!

We will be selling tickets as soon as we can make them! So, stay tuned and think about supporting us!!!

I'm having a rough time today.... I'm driving myself crazy.

I wish I was the kind of person who could forget about things really easy and didn't get stuck on being hurt or mad. Well, unfortunately that is not the case. I have a tough time letting somethings go right away. I hate getting hurt and/or mad!!! Because I hate what it does to me for the next hours/days/whatever. I don't know how to get ahold of a solution that will allow me to get over conflict faster! Any ideas???? Have you seen any solution for this for sale anywhere? You see....apologies mean the world to me. If I get a heart-felt apology, the world is brighter for me, but not everyone in this world is about apologizing. So, because of this, I have to learn to forgive and move on faster without the catalyst of an apology. How?

I'm just plain sad lately. I don't know how to shake it! It is frustrating for me.....because it's an inside feeling problem, not something on the outside that I could just stop doing. I'm just sad.

So, it has been a while!

Since I have last written, we found super cute bridesmaids dresses (very cute!!!!), saw the Passion of the Christ (bawled through it, but really enjoyed it and recommend others to see it), and experienced the death of a close family friend. The accident that happened on wednesday outside of Mitchell, was my mom's best friends' son. My sister was "engaged" to him when they were four and they were inseperable. I was good friends with his older sister and the four of us and our moms did a lot together.

Now, he is gone. On the way home from work. Got rear-ended really hard while waiting to turn on his home road. And died instantly. The car was totalled and a life is over.

I saw my friend yesterday and am feeling oh so terrible for their family. The funeral is on tuesday and I'm sure that day will be the hardest for me. Please pray for the Porier family....they lost the youngest child of 5. He is in a much better place and it must have been his time because otherwise he wouldn't be gone, but it doesn't take the grief and sadness away.

Please pray.

I really want to go and see The Passion of the Christ!!!! I was killing some time just now on the internet and watched the trailer again! It looks so good and so intense! I really want to see if I can make it to the theatre in the next few days! And I'll have to bring along a wade or box of kleenex!!!

the exam went pretty well! I guess I'll probably find out at class tomorrow when we get the exams back! but I felt like I whipped through it! I know finally feel like I could have spring break.....but it's over!!! boo hoo!!!!
I went to a Royal bank presentation and scored free pizza! That's one of the highlights of my day so far! You can lure me just about anywhere with free food! I should mention that to the doctor tomorrow when I go for my second shot of BC!!!! Boy oh boy!
Well, just killing time before class! Maybe I should read a textbook.....nahhhhh!!!

good morning all! life is so good when you can get the right amount of sleep! I have been in bed with the lights off by 8:30 and 9:30pm the last two nights!!! I love that! I've been ready for bed before 8pm........I love my bed! I can't remember if I blogged about Shane and I buying a bedroom set.....but we did and it is waiting for us to pick it up!!!! I'm so excited! It's solid pine and really nice! I had really wanted a bedroom set for us before we got married....and it happened! And it is brand-new for us! Even more incredible!
I have to write a spanish exam in 50 minutes across campus and here I am blogging! Well, if you could pray I would appreciate that! My exam is at 9:30am.
I worked all weekend (and really early in the morning) so I didn't get to burst out of reading week with a party weekend....but that's a certain wad of cash that will be in the wedding fund that we didn't have before!
Have a great day!

Well, my wedding gown is officially ready for me to wear! I picked it up from the lady that was doing the alterations just this afternoon and now all it need is a steaming before I wear it on the big day! That's nice to have done and exciting!
Got to have lunch with my pops and bro in Mitchell when I went to pick up the dress! It was nice and relaxing!
I'm in desperate need of studying Spanish and I'm kinda depressed about working all weekend (very early!!!). Well, who knows what we'll do tonight.....though I think it will include an early bedtime and some spanish studying!
I can't believe we just had a week off and it felt more stressful that the rest of the year. I think that has to do with Ellen in the hospital and wedding plans!!! Boy, I want to go back to school just for a break! How ironic!

I had a nice day full of wedding errands in Steinbach today! I accomplished quite a bit and took a bridesmaid along with me! Chris was a great addition to the day and was so helpful (practically and emotionally!). It felt like I was finally not doing it all by myself! People can finally help out! That feels a lot better and a whole lot less stressful when there is someone to bounce things off of and to help you make so many (even if they are tiny) decisions! It is the smallest, really most trivial (in the large span of things) that can put your panties in a knot....like the dinnerware being a stupid pattern....instead of white like you want it! Yes, trivial, but something that does nonetheless bug me! But I will not pay for more on each guests dinnerware then their meals! That would be so silly! I am excited though that we are having wine goblets instead of plastic or styrofoam cups (yippeee!!!! only decided today!) and cloth napkins...(because when I use a cloth napkin I feel like I'm fine dining!).
Update on Ellen...she is doing a lot better. The doctors have said that the worst is over. We have been getting her walking on our visits and she is eating her meals for the most part now. She is getting bored in the hospital which is a good sign because it means she is getting better. She will be in the hospital for another week and then on a home IV program for 4-6 weeks and anti-coagulant therapy for probably about 3 months. We are relieved and pleased with how things are going at this point! Thanks for any prayers that you may have contributed! Much appreciated!

Happy belated Valentine's day. I took Shaner out for breakfast at the pancake house for our date. It was yummy. We had some QT and relaxed at his house before going to the hospital last night. The doctors and surgeons are impressed with how the surgery went and how Ellen is doing. I personally think that she is still a little confused. I mentioned it to Shane and his mom. They agreed and MJ was thinking that maybe only she was feeling that way. No, I do think that something is still a little off......please continue to pray. We went to see her this afternoon. She is now eating a little more, but still pretty much the same as the last few days. It is frustrating to not be able to do anything but wait. They were a little more concerned earlier today about the blood clots and so they increased the dose of her heparin (the medication to prevent more clotting).
I think I'll go and pray for the family at their church this evening and then run off home to cram for an exam that I have to write tomorrow. I had two exams to write this past week, but then all this hospital stuff happened. So, I have my reading week this week but have to go in tomorrow to write the exam I was supposed to write last wednesday. I think it should be fine. I know my stuff pretty good. My profs were really good about allowing me to write at another time, even though it says in the syllabus that if you don't write it went it is scheduled you fail. I get to write the other one on the day that we go back (next monday). So, it kinda sucks to start the week off with an exam, but I'm so glad that I was able to write it at another time! Thank-you Jesus.
We found someone to marry us. I went to their church this morning to hear him preach and it's going to work for us! They can even do premarital on the evening that actually works for us! It is my uncle that is going to do it! I think I like that idea!

Update: the surgeon just called and they are sewing Ellen up now. The pus and fluid were drained and the blood vessels in the area are looking good. It is looking to them that the blood clots may be dissolving on their own, but they will continue to administer Heparin for probably another 2 weeks and then another form of anticoagulants for the next 4 or 6 weeks. She is going to the recovery room and then either back to PICU or onto another children's ward. Please continue to pray.....but this news is pretty good news so far.

Shane's sister, Ellen, is in the children's hospital with meningitis. Meningitis is an infection of the meninges in the brain. Her brain is very irritated, and she has a headache, very stiff neck and back, photophobia (trouble with light), etc. She may have lost hearing in one ear and MJ (Shane's mom) noticed that one eye was going cross-eyed yesterday morning. Ellen went for a CT Scan yesterday morning and blood clots were found in her the back of her brain. She was transferred back to PICU and is on high doses of Heparin to prevent more clots from forming. This morning at 11am she is going in for neurological surgery. They will be drilling a hole into the mastoid process (bone behind her ear) to drain fluid and pus from the infection. Of course there is risk involved with brain surgery, so PLEASE PRAY!! The surgery will probably take 2 hours, plus her time in recovery where parents or family cannot go. Thanks for all the prayers!!!

I think I must have a big sign on my head that says, "please cancel on me or forget about the things I ask of you!". I have begun not to trust anyone if they say that they are planning on coming somewhere, meeting me or whatever. Until I see you there in person, I don't know if you'll show up! Again, a little wedding spin. I called the church to confirm (for the 3 or 4th time) for a rain location. This is not WCV....a different church in Steinbach. They called back today, only to tell me that they hadn't even written my name down for June 12, 2004!!!!!! For goodness sake, what does it take! 10 phone calls in one day? A stinkin' contract?????? Well, that totally pisses me off due to some other cancellations in the past few weeks! I'm a little sore in this area! Somewhat of the same thing happened last night about the lady that is doing the alterations on my dress!!!! I'm tired of all this crap!

We are pumped! On saturday after work, Shane and I went and purchased our very own, brand-new bedroom set! We are getting a solid pine set, which a queen-sized sleigh bed, two 3-drawer night tables, a 7-drawer dresser with flat mirror and a verticle 6-drawer dresser (the upright kind....I never know how to explain that one!). I'm so pumped and it is being made in B.C. now and will be here in the next 6-8 weeks!!!! Yippee! We might have our place by that time! That would be great!
We asked someone to marry us this morning and he's going to think about it and we are going to think about it. Hopefully we will jive together (we are going to another church on sunday to hear him preach). Then we can finally start this premartial thing!! Finally! And I'm excited to be able to do it with just Shane, I, a pastor and his wife. (bitterness speaking).....not in a stupid group!!!!!

I have been such a slacker with this blogging stuff lately! Everyone probably has given up on this site already! Well, I again don't have much time so only a quick update! I did end up getting to see open brain and spinal cord surgery this week! Very cool, but I am convinced that I do not want to be an OR nurse. I would really miss the patient interaction! They can make your day! Shane and I went to missions fest on friday night and I'm totally excited to see where God is going to lead and guide us throughout our lives! It is going to be pretty incredible! And it was really great to make some contacts and get some info! It was quite appropriate that Missions Fest was during the fast, because it really tied into what I was touching on individually for my fast. Today Shane's dad is getting baptized! We are going and it should be an awesome time! One good thing about the fast being over is that the baptism is having a dessert part and that was my fast! So, I get to participate in consuming some yummy things!! Yippeee!!!! Well, gotta go!

Well, first week of clinical down, 8 weeks to go! So, today was our first day on the ward and with a patient. My patient's story is so very sad! An incredibly young guy (my youngest patient ever), with a lifelong mental deficits due to a spontaneous brain tumor. So very very sad. He is pretty much in a state where I'm not sure if he completely understands and he can't speak verbally back to me. So, I spent much of the day being available to him and his father and being sensitive and chatting to the dad. What a sweet man. I didn't know if he was the brother or the father....and boy does he love his son. So, it's going to be pretty insane, but totally exciting. In two weeks I get to spend a day in the OR and most likely will be able to witness open brain surgery!!!! Isn't that incredible! So, I'm going to have to work my butt of in the next few weeks, but I'm going to learn SO much!

Hola all!!! Well, today is a new day, and a better one than yesterday! Thank-you Jesus! I got my mark this morning from that test that made me so mad last blog....I did great! I get my studying did help even though I felt so tricked! Another blessing!
I had to bus to the U because my ride had car problems this morning. Boy is it very cold out there!!!!! I almost lost the skin on my face....that was the only part of me that was showing to the world and I almost lost it!
On the weekend, I had a great saturday with all my bridal party girls! We went to the Wonderful Wedding Show...and I'm still hoping to hear that I've won something! I really wanted that free honeymoon but I guess someone else might have needed it more. It wasn't meant to be...booo hooo!!!!! After the show we all went for supper at Olive Garden!!! Yummmmmy!! Salad and bread sticks are the best!!! And their pasta rocks!!! Hey, if you have a sweet tooth and like refillable drinks, get the raspberry iced tea next time you go! It is so good!!!!! But that's coming from someone that loves sugar! We finished off the girly night with a chick flick and a new bridal magazine to look through! I love being female! We get to have so much fun!

I'm cranky right now. Downright unimpressed with the test I just wrote. Do some profs just try and trick you with the questions they ask? Well, these ones sure did! It felt like it didn't matter at all that I invested time into studying, because they just tricked me anyways. Boy does that make me a cranky lady. I was sitting in the front row and can't look down at my paper the whole time, so I'm sure they saw by my facial expression that I was NOT impression. I looked pretty pissed off! I just can't hide my feelings very well....and this time, I sure didn't try!
Anyways, thanks for listening to the vent!....Oooohhhhh, just had a craving for naco cheese chips! I wanted to let you all know about my praise report of the day. You know the financial bind of the student loan thing from last blog, and I got good news last night! I had worked a lot over Christmas and the final payday for the shifts I worked was on friday. I remembered yesterday night so I call the bank to check where my account was at! Yeah! The amount that work put in my account was $25 short of rent for February!!! Praise Jesus! I can now pay rent and have a bit to spare and a bunch of space on my Visa in case of emergency!!! Thank you Lord! Through this all, I am so thankful that I didn't have to borrow, but realized how much it had to do with pride. I'm so glad that I didn't have to learn the lesson though and borrow....in order to lower the pride thing. I think that it also had a tiny bit to do with being a little bitter....which I wasn't aware of. I get ticked off when I hear of students who have everything handed to them on a silver platter by mommy and daddy. It's stinkin' NOT FAIR!!! So, I realized that though I've been doing this for 3 years and 8 months already, I'm still sort of frustrated that I've never gotten any help from the parentals! I am thankful for this opportunity to see the emotions in me that I wasn't aware were there. Now I am aware of them and can deal with them....I sure don't want to hang on to frustration and bitterness.....and I absolutely love the parentals and know their situations.
Well, I suppose I am a little emotional today by the emotions that these frustrating topics are bringing up in me.I have to run to the most boring class in the world which starts in 5 minutes! But I'm planning on skipping as much of it as I can!
Next blog will be far more positive....thanks for listening.

Prayer request for me! OK tuition (meaning a big chunk of money) is due tomorrow! I have been waiting on the student loan to come so that I can live and pay tuition! Well, went to the mail box this morning before coming to the U and....still no envelope from Student Aid. So, frustrated me, called them. They informed me that they are two weeks behind assessment and are assessing my amount again before I get it. The lady said they will only assess it in two weeks.....nevermind what they decide, when they mail it, or when I will receive it!!!! So, had enough from last semester and working over Christmas to pay the whole chunk of tuition....THANK-YOU JESUS!! Did that this morning but now have a very small amount left to my name.....causes a little sadness for me. I need to buy groceries today, so I will. I still must eat. I have 3 social engagements already planned for the rest of the month that cost money. My day with my bridal party girls will not be cancelled, but the two others might have to be! My biggest concern is that I may only get my loan sometime in the middle or end of February! That's a long way away! So, as I started to say, my biggest concern is rent for next month. Hopefully I have something to my name then, but regardless, what I have to my name now doesn't cover rent...and it's only Januarty 15 without groceries bought yet! I have never yet had to ask anybody for financial help since moving out in June of 2000. I REALLY don't want to have to now. It is a bit of a pride thing, but I hope that something works out so that i can figure things out on my own. The only way is if miraculously my loan comes before the end of the month......very unlikely!...I just might have to cancell all weekend plans for the rest of the month and beg work to give me shifts.......
A part of me feels sad and a little stressed. The other part of me is fine and feeling strangely excited to see how things will work out and how God will provide. I've had these loan situations before and it has always worked out.....
So, please pray! I know that everything will be fine, but it does could some stress that I don't want! Thanks everyone!

For Erica's interest...and the rest of you all, supper was really nice on sunday! We all went to Applebee's and after an hour long wait...which resulted in complimentary chips and salsa, we had a great time! I made a little toast to my husband-to-be, had a nice meal and great conversation! It was nice to have both of our families together! Our parents have met on multiple times so they are comfortable with one another. We even surprised Shane's sisters with the surprise happy birthday song by the Applebee's staff (they both had birthdays within the week!). They thought that the staff were coming to sing for Shane and I!
Our great friends Beau and Heather, whom I last saw in Florida in August, gave us a surprise call on sunday morning. I realized before they broke the news that the call didn't have the long-distance ring! They are in Winnipeg for a week! Tonight we are all doing something so I'm looking forward to that! Christina, Heather and I went out on monday for coffee, but tonight the guys and girls are doing something! Otherwise school is going well....we are just on a break and are in the middle of a pretty interesting lecture on respiratory failure! The guest lecturer really gets and keeps your attention! I brought readings to do during the lecture, but it doesn't look like I'll do them because she is quite interesting and I'm learnign things that I didn't know before! I love that part about student life! Learning something new every day!!!! It is great! This semester rocks!

In the next half hour we are off to our family supper at Applebee's! I'm really looking forward to it! It should be fun!
Church rocked this morning! Worship was really great and it felt like something was buzzing that hasn't in a while (on a sunday mroning)! I loved it! And Brian, man, I love when he speaks! On the same church note, I would absolutely love to swing that Mexico trip! It sounds like so much fun! I leave it in God's hands!
Just got a bunch of great emails from El Salvador team members! One girl always emails great stories of med school that just make me crack up! She's hilarious! The other nursing student is actually now preparing for her MCAT (big test to get into medical school)....interesting how things can shift! It just all keeps me excited and anticipating the future! I am sometimes very thankful that we don't know how it will all turn out! It would take the surprise off of God's twists!
Went to my cousin's wedding yesterday. Great food but a bit like one of my own wedding nightmares! I sort of felt at certain parts that I was in one of my dreams! I do hope the best for them though! And seeing the bride in her dress reminded me that I have one! And that it is going to be SO fun to prance around in it all day! I'm excited!
Well, wish I could be at church tonight but I'm looking forward to the family supper at the same time! Gotta go! Take care all!

Yeah! It is the weekend! I just finished my last class of my first week back and it is only 10:30am! My earliest class all week.....so I now want to go back to bed, but at least we are finished so early! It sounds like it will be a great weekend! I get to see my Shaner EACH DAY! I'm excited! Tonight we are hanging out....not sure what we'll do! Tomorrow we have a wedding to go to and sunday is church and our family supper! Since getting engaged 3 months ago, we have wanted to go out with our immediate families altogether! Well the day is finally here! We are all going to Applebee's on sunday and I'm really looking forward to it!
So this week was interesting. It isn't so bad being back in school! I really should be thankful for an incredible semester and quite a bit of time! It is a real blessing! I also enjoyed girls movie night with my roomie and neighbors, the WCV girls night at Earl's and a great coffee and grand time at Walmart yesterday with a girlfriend from high school! I absolutely love Walmart! Everything for our wedding so far has been bought there except for my dress!!!! My wedding is going to be the Walmart wedding! Hey, I think they should sponser us and therefore give us everything for free as long as it is from their store! Wouldn't that be great!?!
So all is well! Found out that for nine weeks starting on the 21st I will be at Health Science Centre for my next clinical on Neuro surgery! I'm happy about that and a girl in my class had my CEF and said she's great!!!! And she gives awesome marks and doesn't grill you!!! So, God heard my fears over the past few weeks about clinical and has given me a pretty good deal so far!!!
Have great weekends!

So here we go again! Back to the routine of University! So far, not so bad. But kinda silly. In our first class, the profs were intent on figuring out each name so that they know us and know if we skip their classes. So we all (the entire class!) had to say something about themselves! I announced that we got great gifts including our pots off our bridal registry for Christmas! Oh and another friend from nursing got engaged over Christmas! How exciting! Last semester I kept asking her or checking out her finger after every weekend! It finally happened! And there wedding is only 2 weeks or so after ours! June 26th! So much fun and so much wedding stuff to talk about!
Well, school is here and I'm getting back into the books so there not a lot to say! Have a great day! Don't lose anything important in this weather (by means of freezing off!)!

Hello everyone!!! Soon I will be back in the blogger world regularly! I start University again on monday! Back to the grind......boy oh boy! As I may have mentioned already, I'm a little nervous about starting clinical up again! Ahhhhhhh......my blood pressure sky-rockets! Especially the night before! I have these awful fears of not waking up in time....though in all of my clinicals (well.....this will be number 4)...I haven't had the dreaded sleep in yet! Praise Jesus!!! Even when I work the day shift, as I did today, I have to set two different alarms (one across the room so that I can't turn it off) and still I sleep fairly miserably fearing sleeping in throughout the night! And to make things worse I have been having these ridiculous wedding nightmares! In the past three nights, I've fought with my photographer, premarital counselling hasn't worked out, we forgot to make programs for the ceremony, the flowers were totally wrong, I got down the aisle to find out that some guy we didn't know was going to marry us and had switched with our original pastor, my girls decided that other things were more important and didn't show at the rehearsal or at the arranged stuff the night or morning before the wedding (for which I beat them up!)....and on the saga goes! It's crazy!!! I'm not even stressed at all about the wedding and I'm having these crazy nightmares!!!!! Ahhhhhh!!!!
Well, my roomie is supposedly returning today! It will be nice to see her! And tonight I'm going out to a friend's house!
Soon I'll have a nice new layout on this site!!!! My nice friend, Yvonne, has been working on one for me! So stay tuned!!
Have a great night! Happy New Year!!!!

Happy Boxing Day everyone! I have to brag about the great wedding stuff Shane and I got for Christmas so far!!! I am SOOOOOO excited about it! It was SUPER smart (and my idea, might I add......) to get engaged before Christmas, and register before Christmas, so that you can have a "Christmas shower" (or so it feels like anyways!). We got our knife block, all our pans and bakeware (if that's a word!), two mugs, a clothing iron, OUR WAFFLE IRON (one of my very favorite items.....along with the blender we got earlier this winter), and the total incredibly generous gift from my siblings and dad.....OUR 10 PIECE SET OF GREAT POTS!!!!!!!! I am so pumped! Wow! What a great bunch of stuff! To me Christmas is definitely not about the gifts....I had hardly any for anyone this year, yet I was blown away by the gifts others bought us for our married life together! I am blessed! For so many years, I have tried to make my emotions stay away from getting too excited about the gifts I get at Christmas because I don't want to slip into thinking that that is the main reason for the season. Well, with these gifts, I could not help but be completely estatic!!!! It actually inspires me to learn more about the whole cooking thing! And hopefully these pots are as good as they claim to be.....since I'm probably the worst owner for them....due to my history of burning things! At least they're not plastic!
I've enjoyed my holidays so far...some fun Christmas parties over at our appartment, time with my family and Shane's family, a nice wad of cash from picking up quite a few shifts at The Home (as I've decided to start referring to work as.......) and a nice bunch of time to relax at my appartment and work on wedding planning. See, there really isn't much to do until about May, but I, the psycho planner, created this great binder! It is the mother binder of all wedding organization in the history of psycho brides! I have each new section tabbed with a different color! For examply some goodies from The Binder include a list of people from out of town to thank, the complete and total time line of W day and a seating plan for the reception! I don't think there is anything left for me to do! And I'm glad because going that hardcore for a few days has made me sick of wedding planning for now....though, I'm so proud that I'd love to show all of you my beautiful binder sometime!
Merry Christmas again and Happy New Year!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!!!

Just finished my last exam of 2003!!! Time to party!!!! Speaking of parties, we are having one tonight and on thursday at my appartment! I LOVE CHRISTMAS PARTIES!! They are tradition!!! I'm a sucker for good traditions!
Internet and computer use is still down at home.....due to an unknown reason. Fairly annoying! I've missed all the updates on the different blogs, but as Alexandra posted, most people seem occupied with other things! That's a good thing! Computers and there fun functions shouldn't take priority in life!
I've been working a lot lately and doing a tiny bit of studying (really, not much at all!). Did all you Survivor fans watch the finale on sunday? Sandra won. I'm ok with that...at least it wasn't Jon or Lil....though I was kinda hoping Darrah would win.
A resident at work passed away on my shift the other week. It was my first experience of being with someone when they died. I was sitting next to his bed and hold his hand with one of mine, while the other stroked his arm. I was alone with him so I sang some worship songs quietly to him and prayed over him aloud. It was an incredible experience, really. It is strange to see someone go from life to death in front of your eyes. It makes you very reflective.......I'm honored that I was the one that could be with him in the process.....at least he wasn't alone....that would have made me sad......
On another note.....have a very Merry Christmas everyone! Enjoy your friends and families!

I wrote this great blog the other day and of course, it disappeared! I hate when that happens! Our internet is down at home, so I haven't been able to blog, do my usual rounds or check my email! Yeah for the Univerisities computers and Shane's computer!
Can't blog long, but would love to update! I have a doctor's appointment in 20 minutes across campus to discuss birth control! Shaner was supposed to be coming with me, but we found out wednesday that he just can't get off work! That work is always coming in the way! Anyways, I understand and it is not crucial, it just would have been nice to go together! So, here I go! One preparation step closer to being a married woman! Oh my goodness!

So.......here I am again! I just got home from a neat banquet that Alexandra and I were honored to dance at....errr....I was honored....I shouldn't speak for Alexandra..... Anyways, it was a neat experience and it was refreshing to step outside the box and try something new. It was a pretty quickly choreographed dance, but I think it worked! I hope that the people at the banquet were blessed! And I sure hope that I get some more new and exciting opportunities to expand my little comfort zone! I'll do it in the strength and creativity of the Lord, but I in myself feel extremely limited. Alexandra, it was totally great to do the dance thing with you! I enjoyed "working" with you! Yeah for cheese!!! All the thanks goes to past tambouriners, cheerleaders and old school "church" movement!
On another note, church last night at Encounter God Night was great for me! In my weakness, God spoke and blessed me! At the end of the night I got some great prayer and some totally encouraging words and pictures from others! They were right on and I had some sequenced confirmations!! I love when God does that! I'm challenged again to expand the borders of my gifts. I am terrified with certain ideas, but am willing. Jesus, use whatever you want in me! Mouth, hands, feet, speaking, dancing, singing. I think I'll risk the vulnerablity of touching a little of what was going on last night. Many years ago, while visiting another church, I clearly heard God say, during the worship, "Stand and sing". It wasn't for that moment, but it was very clear. That situation has come to mind on many occasions. Last night's worship being one of them. During the worship, I had a song, with many words totally coming out of my heart, mind and mouth (very quietly....). I began to imagine me getting up and sharing it, and being totally terrified. I said to God, "I'm so relieved that you aren't calling me to do that!". Only to have Elisa and Jason both seperately touch on something about song/singing when praying for me at the end of the service! So, weird........ Then Jason got something about this being the time. The time is now and I have been processing that phrase. I think it means something about gifting. This has the potential to frighten me.....but if it involves any singing (other than in my house or to myself or babies), I am terrified. God will have to work a miracle in me....and my voice, if He wants anything regarding that! I'm not shutting the door, I am just expecting a lot from Him if singing is on the agenda! So, let it be known, I want to be open to anything from the Lord. I do not want fear to stand in the way and since God has a plan, I know that it is soveriegn and better than something that I can come up with!

Interesting......just went to check out the website of Dalhousie University in Halifax. I'm impressed. Strangely, I reacted in an emotional way. I began to read about the university, the med program and took the virtual tour, and almost cried (but the tears didn't fall....they just welled up in my eyes). There is some part of me that just must have always held on to my dream of being an MD throughout my childhood and teen years. On one hand I think maybe. On the other, I think probably not. I just don't know. I don't want to limit myself according to time, money and fear. Nursing at the U of M is totally manageable, but it still is tough at times and requires a lot of work. I get super frustrated with my brain. I have learnt the system. I can study the day or two before a huge exam and ace it.....not remembering any of the information the next day. That is so frustrating because I want to really know my stuff and be able to put all the pieces together! So, I feel that my marks say that I'm smart, but my actual amount of knowledge sucks. The idea of going through another 4 year program, that is even more intense, freaks me out a little. I know that I could do it, but being scared holds me back a little. It is interesting because I'm only 21 and somehow have this idea that I don't have enough time left to do another degree! What is that all about! I think it's about finishing nursing, letting Shane do his thing at University too (it is only fair!), and then eventually wanting kids. Boy, that's the biggest part to schedule in...children. Though, they don't always get "scheduled" in! We are just going to have to be super careful and rest in the fact that God has a supreme plan that is above ours! I also totally desire to do missions with my life. I know that nursing or medicine will open huge doors to help out in places around the world. It just getting to that place where that's possible that seems to take so long. I'll just have to steal away two weeks out of the year and help out somewhere....and take my hubbie with me! Well, that's all that's on my mind at this moment.....a lot to think about which totally wasn't on my mind half and hour ago before I decided to check out Dalhousie! And hey, another interesting fact....they only take 84 students per year and only 8 are from parts of Canada other than the Maritimes. That's not very many!
Well, now I'm going to switch gears and clean my room, paint my nails, eat, shower, do some wedding stuff and go to the mall to get the car and do some errands! I don't know what I can really do in the next month to plan for the wedding. Most of the big things are done...and the little stuff has to wait until we are closer to the big day! But, before I go back to the U January 5, I want to get a bunch done!
Have a great day all!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! I'm in a happy mood! Just finished my last class (kinda) of the year 2003. Just one more spanish class next week and 3 exams! I skipped the very end of the class this morning because it is SOOOOO BORRRRINGGGGG!!! And to my dismay, I found out a second ago that the course I transfered into this week, has the same prof!! I'm going to absolutely die!! Oh, well, I get a lot of homework done in her classes because it is so boring and dry!
Today is grocery shopping day! That's exciting because when the appartment has food it feels like Christmas! My mother is coming on over for supper! I'm going to make some yummy tacos!
It is also house cleaning day! I don't remember the last time that it was house cleaning day! We aren't letting any visitors in the appartment, because it's slightly embarassing! I just have zero motivation to work at a clean house and I really don't care when it is messy. How will I solve this problem??.......ahhh!!! Maid service! That would be perfect!
A bunch of us (Christina, some buds from nursing, and such) are going to a church service tonight. I'm looking forward to it, and to the potential of going out with peers afterwards! Boy, I'm pretty holy this week! (ha ha) 3 services in a matter of 4 days! That's a record!

Hello everyone! I'm happy today! I just got home from church....which I enjoyed! Not that that is unusual! I think I'll go again tonight! I love worship times....and I like to show up at the community meeting stuff, even though after 4 or 5 years of attending WCV I am not officially a member! I hope that God really provides for the finances that WCV is needing at this time! Jesus, please provide!
OK, on a totally different note....you know those kind of people, both male and female that give off a certain vibe? It is like a "sexual-tension"-type vibe (in the words of my dear Jeanetta and Ulmer!). Maybe they struggle with the opposite sex, are fairly desperate, or are just simply horney, but they give off a vibe. You know, I just gotta say, "Talk to the ring!". Boy, some emotional and spiritual things are extremely evident. I wonder what kind of things we all give off? I'm sure that some parts of our all of our personalities are visible. So, I wonder what people, especially the ones that don't know me, see in me......it is interesting to think about (without making it a fear of man thing). Just being aware that people in the world are watching and you really are representing Somebody. I sure hope that I'm doing a good job!

Friends are incredible. Don't you think? What would we do without them? My wonderful, Christina and I went out for supper at Pine Ridge Hollow yesterday night to celebrate our birthdays. Mine was in October and hers is in December, so we thought we'd celebrate in November. We got all dressed up! I looked like I was ready to go to a Christmas Ball! I wore a nice greenish Christmas dress, put my hair up all funky, put on make-up (which I extremely rarely do) and shaved my legs! We spent 2 and a half hours there! Just eating, drinking warm drinks and chatting about anything and everything. This season of life is tough but exciting. We are in that time where the options are unlimited and there are big question marks about direction.....since there are so many options. We love to dream and plan about the future! I'm so blessed in my friendships! My lovely roomie has become one of my very closest friends in the whole wide world! She knows me so well! I love her dearly and you know, when we have to part from the same household in June, I'm going to be really sad. I have loved this rooomate thing.......We pinky-swore last night that we have to stay forever friends and at least call each other every other week, from whereever we end up in this big world! That's a friendship that I definitely will not lose! She is far too precious!

Well, it is time to update! I wrote a blog the other day and it disappeared! Oh well! I had such a nice time with the gals from WCV at Earl's on wednesday! It would be great to do that monthly! I really enjoy getting to know you all better! You learn something new about someone every time! I'm blessed by the fact that regardless of where we all are in life, we can find a level to connect on. Many of you (that are reading this from WCV) are moms and wives. I'm not quite a wife...but almost!....and not mom, but a student, but we still can connect! I love it!
Caution: the next part may be hard for some of you.......re: cancer.
On thursday, I spent the day following the chemo nurse around. The first patient we talked to in the morning, had me crying. He was just verbally processing what he was going through, counting his blessings and expressing how sad he is. My heart just broke as he shared his story. He said "In july I was walking 4 miles 4 times a week and now, november, I can even get up....". He was saying what a wonderful marriage he has had and processing the plan of care up to the end. It is so sad to see what cancer steals. Another women I cared for this week is a 26 year old mother of three. She wants to get married at Christmas, but beyond a complete, supernatural miracle she may not even see next week. I have never seen death like I see it in her. She is hardly visible she is so malnourished and when I was finished washing her up, I had her hair all over my uniform because she is lossing all of it. I transfered her from the bed to a wheelchair so that she could take a walk with her mom and dad. I got her to give me a big hug so that I could lift her and pivot her from the bed to the chair. She was so fragile and she is to the point where it is even difficult for her to speak. That makes me so sad. I am thankful that my heart is still soft enough that I can feel and cry for these people. I hope that I never get so immune to pain and suffering that I can't see people for who they really are and see them through the eyes of Jesus. It is interesting because I really could see myself working in this area. Cancer is mysterious and strange to me. The people that I have gotten to work with throughout my clinical and those that I saw on thursday throughout the hospital, are incredible. Their journeys, their stories, their strength is amazing. I have learnt so much about life through these people. I am really looking forward to my palliative rotation next year. I think it might be the hardest emotionally, but the most rewarding and character-building.
Prayer request.....a friend of mine is needing a lot of prayer right now. She is having serious marital problems, and needs God's provision, comfort, healing and to know her invaluable worth. Thanks.

OK things are looking up. The storm has passed and things are getting better. Shane and I had coffee with a caterer in Steinbach last evening and it went so well! We are going to be getting a fabulous meal.....and cheesecake with fresh strawberries for dessert that I'm very excited about!......for an awesome price! Since we limited our guest list a bit and are getting an incredible price for plates, things are going to work out! Boy, that can take a lot of stress off! Talking and planning with someone other than just myself, or Shane, makes me excited and brings the reality of the wedding to life! Wow! It's actually going to happen for real! And just this past week we passed the 7 month mark! Wow baby! Thank-you for your prayers and please continue!

Yesterday night, I went with my baby sis to see Brian Doerksen's concert. It was great! I really really like that guy's music! In the midst of feeling overwhelmed and kinda afraid of the outcome of hard times, I was reminded intimately and personally again that God is faithful and his invitation to me is to trust. I felt God speaking to me and it caused me to cry throughtout parts of the evening. Again my heart was ruined for missions and the precious people in other places. Canadian Food for the Hungry is part of this tour and again they pulled on the strings of my heart that hold passion for others in this world. I want to go away again, SO BADLY!!!! I saw many pictures of children from Africa, and my desire to go to Africa remains strong. But you know, I never would have guessed it, but when God switched the trip from Kenya to El Salvador this summer, he, in the process, made me fall in love with Central America. I am ruined. As soon as we can afford it and have this wedding thing finished, I want to sponser a child with Shane! My sis did yesterday and her little guy is absolutely adorable!!!
So, God spoke to me again in his still small voice (and used Brian's!) to remind me that this life here on earth is a once in a lifetime thing. It is our one invitation to trust. It is our only chance to live and to risk. That really puts some things into perspective. It makes me want to plan certain things about my future a little differently. I want to spend my life on my Jesus.
So, I carried these thoughts with me to clinical today. I had a patient who is 97 years old and having a tough time with the reason that he is in the hospital. He's not doing so well. I had the priviledge of feeding him some breakfast this morning. As I stood beside his bed and slowly tried to encourage him to eat, I felt another eternal moment. I held his hand for a bit, gave his bald head a little rub and prayed over him. I prayed silently but I prayed that God would capture his heart and that this man would know the Lord. I prayed that God would take him at the right time, because he has lived a long life already and so at this point, leaving this world just might be ok. When I talked with him and held his hand, he began to cry. I think he was in some pain, but I think a little compassion is what brought those tears that specific time. I hope that his heart was ministered to, even though he may not have cognitively understood the things going on around him very well.

OK.....all you married people out there, some advice please! How do you manage financial stress, enjoying every moment of planning your wedding and conflicts that arise? I'm having a tough time enjoying myself these days because the $$$ for the wedding is so tight. It really brings such a burden on. I am totally thankful that Shaner is taking the financial load of it (otherwise a wedding would be impossible), but that creates stress as well. I can't be working all the time to make money to pay for the wedding, because school is really time and energy consuming. I hate feeling the way I do when I'm not in control of making my own money to pay for things. I don't want to be dependent on Shane's bank account to pay for the wedding......baaaa humbug. I'm trying not to cry because I'm in the computer lab at the University and would rather not burst out in tears in front of the computer. We have very many ideas and strategies to reduce the cost of the wedding, but something else has got to give in order for this to be fun and not entirely stressful! I get a miracle and a lot of prayer is what we need. Please pray for us!

AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! WEDDINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Jesus help me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Again I am forgetting to post at days at a time! That's ok though, because I don't want my life to revolve around the internet! Time away keeps me healthy!
I had a good weekend. Actually it was fairly full for feeling quite anti-social. I just was wanting to veg all weekend and didn't really have a lot to say to people. Regardless, I ended up hanging out with a wack-load of friends and my family. Shane and I went to see the carterer in Steinbach, so we are figuring out exactly what we want. I've also been playing with the idea of just doing the dessert thing, even though I really would like a full meal deal. See, we went to the Brick yesterday and found a bedroom set and living room set we absolutely adore! Now we weigh the goodies.....a bedroom or living room set that we would be happy with everyday and that would last us forever.....or feed our friends and family one meal? It seems ridiculous to spend the money on one meal! So, we continue to play with ideas! But, the caterer we chatted with would do a great job and she is trying to work within our budget.
We also got to finalize a photographer for the wedding! Our very own Jason Epp has taken up the challenge! It will be so fun! That little Epp family is becoming a big part of the wedding! Cherish and Judah are our flower girl and ring bear and my dear Loraleigh is doing the prayer of blessing for me! They all have a part! I'm happy!
I decided this weekend to stop dancing with XCo. I absolutely love the team, the workout and the new forms of dance that I was starting to learn, but the timing and season is just too busy! You know when you make a hard decision that makes you sad, yet relieved? I'm feeling that. I still want to be apart of the team and get the exercise, but fridays and sundays are usually the days that Shane and I can see each other and get wedding appointments done, so a 2 and a half practice every sunday afternoon, was really conflicting. It's sad but it's the right thing right now. Just because I'm not being trained in a class, doesn't mean I can't dance up a storm at home or at church! I will survive!
Chris and I have a coffee/study date tonight! I'm looking forward to that and so will go now, and finish some of my readings for my next class!
Have a great day all!