HE IS SO FAITHFUL....I KNEW IT ALL ALONG!!!

I have great news that I found out at 5pm today! I got a permanent job!!!!!

When Shane and I decided last month (August) that he would quit his job and go back to school, I had a term position that ends next friday. It was a little scarey, but we felt that we heard right and we went for it! Because we were resting in the fact that we felt we heard right and obeyed, we trusted that God would provide a job after my lovely .7 term ended. I've been applying for everything (minus one full time evenings position....because that would be AWEFUL) since the beginning of July. Multiple times I've thought that I'm going to get the position and people who I wouldn't think would want the position, would apply for it! They were coming out of the woodworks!

I can be a person that stresses out a little. It is a sucky part of my humanity that I'm often dealing with in my character. There were a few moments in the last 2-3 months where that stress wanted to slither its way in to make me worried about provision and whether or not we'd have any income coming in after September 30. But, amazingly, I've been really at peace about the whole thing. Each time I would apply, not hear back and know that someone else had got the position, I wouldn't feel that stressful feeling that can be so natural. I have felt a lot of peace throughout this process and really felt my heart resting in the fact that I knew that God would provide something. I just knew He would. And He did.

My unit manager called me today with 2 positions that I could choose from!!! One was a term and the other a permanent. So, I picked the permanent because that means it is mine until I quit! It doesn't run out and isn't only for a short while! It is mine!

So, I got a full time, day/night, 8 hour position on LDRP....where my present term is. It is going to be pretty crazy working so many days and nights...especially with lovely stretches of 7! But, God totally provided for us! And this is something that will provide income, allow me to work lots and get more comfortable in my first year of nursing, and provide for us an income that will get us through a few more years as a one-income, one-student family! Also, it leaves all my evenings open to continue to pursue the things I love along side my husband, such as tuesday prayer nights, housegroup, Encounter God Nights on sundays and friends and family! I am totally blessed.

What a praise report! And I knew it all along!

A little tip I've been learning....

Prior to leaving for a shift at the hospital, I can still get that nervous/dreading feeling about what my shift could hold. I've been told that that feeling often is present throughout the first year of working.

I love when things go right and it feels like you are competent and smooth sailing! I worked nights the last two nights and am a little wired from my last shift. So, I thought I'd blog and eat some cheerios before heading to bed for the day.

When I got on we had multiple patients in labor. I had seen the board and knew that my assignment was a first time mom that was 5 cm. Ok...that's not so bad. Well, after putting my lunch away and getting myself together, I heard loud screaming from a room down the hallway. I thought for sure that has to be the other patient that is almost fully dilated. BUT OF COURSE NOT! It is my lovely patient...absolutely freaking out (and adamantly not wanting an epidural). When they are out of control, it is hard for me to remain calm sometimes. I get a little frazzled inside!

So, I managed to remain incredibly calm despite the circumstances! After being with her for 20 minutes and seeing how out of control she was, the patient said she wanted an epidural. I noticed a strange sense of grunting/pushing while she was screaming through her contractions. I checked her and sure enough....from 5 cm to fully dilated in half an hour. No epidural there after all.

I thank the Lord that it was that quick, because that could have been a very intense situation for quite a while!

Then, another laboring patient was assigned to me at 5:45am. I'm thinking, she too is a first time mom, only 4cm and really calm. I should not be having another delivery on my shift at this rate. This patient remained that calm the entire time ( a little demerol had something to do with that....but not all). She just happened to mention to me that she felt a little like pushing the last few contractions. So, I checked her and lo and behold, she was fully dilated! So, I'm thinking, I'm off in the next 45-60 min. I probably won't get to meet this little one on my shift. Well, she was a fabulous pusher and my second delivery (the doctor made it to both!) of the night happened just as I was supposed to be leaving!

So, this is the little tip that has been helping me these days. When driving to work in the car, I pray prior to getting to the hospital. Part of my prayer asks God to keep me safe and my patients safe, well and alive. The other key part of my prayer is reciting the verse, "Nothing is impossible with God!". This focuses me to know that no matter what case I find myself in at work, God is right there with me and nothing is impossible with Him!!!! This has been my saving grace lately. Thank-you Lord for being with me in each situation and in each delivery! And He's making me feel more and more competent and comfortable in those situations! That feels nice!

A little bit from Revelation....

I've been reading the book of Revelation, while going through the book "When Jesus Returns" by David Pawson. I was doing a little more reading/studying again this afternoon. I ended a certain section and liked the last bit that Pawson ended with. Here it is.

"If the 'Big Trouble' only covers the last few years, it may be that we shall not have to face it in our lifetime. So, could it be a waste of time for all but the last generation of saints to prepare for it?

One answer is that the current trend and speed of world events makes it an increasing possibility in the near future.

But the main response to this kind of thinking must be the reminder that future events cast their shadows before them. In other words, what will one day be experienced by the whole church on a universal scale ('hated by all nations' Matt 24:9) is already happening in local and regional settings. Any Christian can go through much tribulation before all go through the 'Great Tribulation'. We must all be ready for the kind of troubles that reach a climax then, but can come now.

This section (Revelation 6-16) is therefore directly relevant to ALL BELIEVERS, whatever their contemporary situation. The church is already under pressure in the majority of countries and the number of those where this is not the case diminshes annually.

And beyond all this lies the return of the Lord Jesus Christ, for which EVERY BELIEVER needs to be ready. The main motive for preparing to be faithful under pressure is to be able to face him without shame. "

I myself stressed the all/every believer parts. I believe that this book isn't one that should be pushed to the side and forgotten about in the Bible. As it is warned at the end of Revelation, "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophesy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes away from this book of prophesy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book." (Revelation 22:18,19) Therefore, if we as believers disregard this book, we are taking away from this book in our own lives. By pretending that it doesn't exist in the Bible, never studying it or reading it, or disregarding the parts we don't understand or make us feel uncomfortable, we are taking away from the intention that God has for this book. He wouldn't have put it in the Bible or shown these things to John if they weren't important and to be included.

The main point is that we as believers need to be ready for the things ahead. We need to have a mindset that is looking ahead and prepared, both for eternity and for our futures here while still in this life. We could experience the things we read about in Revelation in our lifetime. Or, we may not. But, I don't want to be unprepared if we are that last generation. Regardless of our level of understanding or interpretation of the words written in Revelation, the fact remains that we need to be prepared and need to explore the words written in this book. The New Testament alone makes reference to Jesus' coming over 300 times. Clearly it is a crucial part of the story.

So, I challenge you, take a step toward the book of Revelation. Open it up, and read it. Front to back. Ask questions. This book was written for you and I, just as the other books of the Bible were.

I like the country!

I'm looking forward to the day when we can move out of the busy city and settle down in the country (or small town) somewhere. Life just seems slower when you leave the city limits.

I had the day off yesterday and I had a great day! I slept in, got to see my hubbie in the morning, walked him to the bus stop to send him off to school, went for a good workout at the Y, baked carrot cake, then baked banana bread, did some laundry, and got ready for the evening! Whew! It felt pretty productive! I know that I'm having a relaxing day at home when I have time to bake something. It has been a while....it always feels nice when there is something fresh, knowing I've made it, and the appartment smells nice!

Yesterday we went for supper and a bonfire at my dad's in Mitchell. Supper was yummy! Dad barbequed salmon and I brought the carrot cake. Mmmmm.... Around 9pm and later, friends came for the fire. It was sort of a belated celebration for Shane's 25th birthday last month....and sort of just a general bonfire. I just love the fact that people can get together and stare at a fire for hours and be content doing that for an evening. That is so great!

Needless to say, it was a really late night! So, I'm up after a sleeping-in kind of morning....Shane's still enjoying the zzzzzs.

What a day!

There are a number of special things about today. #1 - 5 years ago to the day Shane and I started dating...or whatever you want to call it. I started out calling it "friends with benefits" but that was before I realized what kind of benefits people would generally think I meant! Then I abandoned that phrase!

#2 - As I mentioned before, today is Shane's first day at school! That's special!

#3 - I DELIVERED MY FIRST BABY TODAY!!!!
Yes, you read right! Today was an insanely busy day for me! I had two of my laboring patients deliver, with fairly quick labors. For the second one, I ended up doing the delivery. Mom wasn't pushing so great, and so I thought it might be a little while before we would be having that baby. Well, once that magic push that moves baby's head around that pelvic bone happens, there is no turning back! Usually that means there is at least a little more pushing for a first time mom! Well, that wasn't so! I pulled the emergency light to get some help and quickly paged the doctor for delivery from the room. My unit manager (who does NOT do hands on work on the ward) and a grad nurse that was orientating to the unit responded. Usually it is the nurse with more experience who delivers...so I thought the unit manager would! Well, she was moving a little too slow for me! That baby was coming and someone had to deliver it, so I jumped in! I delivered the head only to find a tight nuchal cord (umbilical cord around the neck). Generally you can pull it gently over the baby's head. Well, this one was pretty tight. I didn't want to pull on it too much! There was no stopping this mom...and in the midst of getting that cord away from the neck, she pushed out the rest of the baby. I clamped the cord and gave the dad the honor of cutting it...amidst the craziness of the situation!

So, I am broken in officially with my first delivery. The new grad nurse that was present was a girl that was in school with me. She hasn't done labor and delivery yet....and was pretty excited about the whole thing. She gave me great feedback on how well I did the delivery and how calm I was! That was nice! I didn't know how my unit manager would react to me doing a delivery. She saw me at the end of the shift and gave me great affirmation about what a great job I did! That was great!

Now I'm pooped! With all that adrenalin pumping all day long, I'm totally exhausted this evening. I've also worked 10 out of the last 11 days...and some overtime on top of that! I have the next 3 days off! Yippee!!!!

Off to make tacos for supper with the husband! See ya!

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL TO MY HUBBIE!!!

Today is Shaner's first day of school for the year! I'm excited for him! He's been preparing, already reading textbooks!, and getting excited for this new life of studenthood! I'm happy for him!

It is going to be weird being the one without the homework! It is such role reversal for us! So, while he is studying away, I can read books for fun and study the Word! That part really rocks!

So, cheers to my dude and have a wonderful first day!

No thoughts to share these days....

Sorry people....no great things to share lately. Actually, nothing much to say at all. And not a whole lot of time that I feel like spending typing out the thoughts that are in my head as of late. I'd rather speak them to those around me.

Maybe tomorrow.....

Glowing....

You ever have one of those days when you feel like you are glowing? I just felt like my face was glowing today. Not with redness and sweat from working hard but with a softness and a smile that comes from inside. I don't know what made my face feel different than usual, but somehow it did. Today, while I worked with the pregnant patients and those who had just had their little ones, I felt that I was in on the "pregnant glow" without the pregnant part.

Now that the shift is over and I'm home and pretty tired, I feel more droopy than glowing! Whew! Number 6 in a row and I'm back tomorrow! Yikes! I'm thankful I turned down that overtime today...they seem to be asking every day! It is nice to know that work is available!

Baby steps of faith.....

So, Shane and I decide that he is going to go back to school and pray/study the Word at home. Shane hands in his 2 week notice on August 22. My term position that is supposed to be until October 1 goes up for grabs as a permanent position on August 26, with a start date of September 3 for whomever gets the position. This means that I could be out of a job as of saturday.

But, we choose not to stress and choose to trust that we heard right and rest in the fact that God is our Provider....not money or jobs.

I talked to my unit manager this morning after my night shift. (Yeah! I did 4 nights in a row and totally made it with no problems! I can handle the night!) Naturally, someone with more seniority got my great .7 position.

BUT, there is good news of God's faithfulness! She is letting me finish my term until September 30 (which was going to be my last day anyways). Instead of today being my last day, I get to have the whole month of September to work, roll in a little dough, and apply for more positions that come up! Thank-you Jesus for your provision! He is going to take care of us!

Speaking of last days of work......tomorrow is Shane's last day!!! And then he will welcome the world of long prayer times, time to listen to good teaching tapes, hiding away in the spare room, reading and studying the Word, and working hard at school! Does that tempt any of you?

Cheers to my Provider!

I love the end and the beginning!

I really like the idea that today is the last day of August and that as of tomorrow, we are starting a whole new month! I'm looking forward to the fall, even though I could handle a few more months of summer weather. There are good things happening in my life and I'm excited to learn more, experience more and grow more this next year.

I was reading in Revelation this evening. I really get awed/inspired/excited about that book. Today it felt as though I was reading it for the first time all over again.

"I saw the thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshipped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.)" Revelation 20:4,5

So, I pondered the thousand year reign for a bit. Wow! That is going to be pretty amazing! Those that know Jesus and follow him will reign with him for a thousand years! That means we will be reigning with people of the Bible like the 12 disciples, Queen Esther, Ruth, Paul.....I never thought of this before! It is going to be pretty interesting to see how God makes all things new as He promised (21:5) and what kinds of roles we will all play in this Kingdom on earth. I'm feeling the mystery and the awe of what is to come.....

Not much to say....

Not a lot of inspiration to blog lately. Enjoying life nonetheless.
-Had my bro over last week for 3 days (can't remember if I blogged that before or not)
-Attended a really nice wedding on friday night
-Had a hilarious dinner at Applebee's with Shane's grandpa and parents on saturday...grandpa is SO funny!
-Had Shane's parents over for chatting and a movie on saturday night! That was really nice!
-Enjoyed singing at Encounter God Night with Johan and Krista! I like working with them! Feeling a smidge less uncomfortable about being up there after last night....for now!
-Worked the night shift last night....leaving in the next 10 minutes for night shift #2 of 4 this week.

Adios, must comb my wet hair and brush my teeth before flying out the door! Hope it's a good one tonight!

IT DIDN'T FLOP!!!!

Just returned home from working the evening shift on L & D. I haven't been there since my senior practicum...as my job right now is on LDRP. I just picked up an extra shift tonight and they put me there! It was nice!

I realized something in the car on the ride out of the parkade this evening. I've been hearing other nurses say that some days are good and others are bad as you start out. It can take a good year before you don't get sick at the idea of coming in for a shift out of fear and apprehension!

I realized that I'm the kind of person that likes it black or white...not that I didn't know it before, but I realized it again. If something bad happens in the shift, it gets deemed bad. Even if the majority was good. I tend to sum up the evening far too quickly when things get a little crazy.

So, I'm proud to report that tonight was not a flop!
- I had 2 great couples to work with
- They thanked me for doing a great job! How nice!
- I did a pelvic exam...and totally felt the cervix and knew exactly what I was feeling! Didn't have to doubt myself or get a second opinion! Lately, I'm getting them more often..but it is an acquired art, that's for sure!
- Administered a certain medication through a pump that I haven't given since sometime in my practicum...and gave it safely!
- Transferred a patient and was with her on another ward for half an hour and everything went very smoothly!
- Set up/assisted/etc. an epidural and it went well! Last week was my first time doing the whole epidural process alone (without another nurse to help) and it totally flopped! I forgot SO many things and it was with one of the anesthesiologists that isn't the most friendly! That sucked! But tonight went well and the doc was awesome!
- Saw the CRN (head cheese) of the unit that I normally work on (hadn't seen her since my practicum) and she was super glad to see me around. She totally complimented and encouraged me by saying that I'm in the right place and to apply for everything that comes up job-wise! How sweet!
- I got my first pay check! It will be direct deposited into our account tomorrow! But, I got to look at the pay sub.....boy, they took 1/3 of my cheque away!!!! Deductions suck!

So, I'm deeming this night a success! Even though not everything goes smoothly, I'm going to try to give myself a few more pats on the back these days. So, good job!

And for our latest news.....

I didn't want to steal Shane's thunder...but now that some of you know of our latest plans, I can post them too!

Shane handed in his 2 weeks notice on monday! He is going back to school in two weeks from tomorrow! The schedule we managed to work out allows him to do full time university and part-time prayer/God time as his life for the next year! It is quite a nice schedule! And I'm totally excited to see Shane thrive and do something that he loves! He is planning on working towards getting into Athletic Therapy.

It has been a huge leap of faith for us at this point in our lives! We have been praying hard about this decision in the last month and a bit. Shane had wanted to go back to school, but we only got really serious about thinking about it with all the medical issues in the last 5-6 weeks. Now we are praying for a year term or a permanent position for me so that we have finances coming in. That's mostly why this is such a leap of faith at this time (finances).

I'm excited about a new season for us...and more specifically for Shane. I think it will have its tough moments, as normally happens when one spouse is a student, but I think it will be life-giving. I know, now from experience, that it really feels good to work hard at something like a university degree, and then complete it! And be able to have a career in what you love to do! I'm also totally pumped about what God wants to do with my hubbie in the next year! Now with more deliberate space and time to spend with God, I'm really excited to see what is going to come out of it!

Well, that's all the news for now!

Slacker....

I've been SUCH a slacker at going to the gym this summer....it has pretty much been nonexistant! That is so bad! Especially because they are giving us such a nice discount!

So, today I went for the first time in a LONG time! I went to my first ever aquafit class...and it was really fun! It was me with a group of middle-aged and senior women! They were great! And I enjoyed being the young one amongst nice older women =) Though, I just can't be quite as "free" as they are in the shower room after the class! Yikes! I'd rather be wrapped up in multiple towels with no skin showing...thank-you very much!

You may, or may not, have read my hubbie's blog this morning.....a new season is coming for us and it is pretty exciting and scarey! No, we are NOT having a baby! I'll wait to post it for a bit...so that his blog gets the first readers, as it is greatly his news to share!

Ahhhh Love.....

We got to attend my cousin's wedding yesterday and dance the night away in the evening! Bring out the ugly dancing, Steph!

I really enjoy going to weddings, and especially hearing the vows that people make to one another, in front of friends, family and God. It is really a special thing that has such mystery and awe in my heart. It is a glimpse of eternity.

The reception was pretty fun! It was held in a nice restaurant that is actually a renovated old barn! The food was amazing! And there was tons of it! And the dancing was fun! Steph can encourage just about anyone to dance with her...minus the boys in our family (Shane, dad). One guy said this was the first time anyone has gotten him to dance sober. We told him that anyone can do it because the rule is the uglier, the better! Therefore, anyone can! It was so fun to see people who normally wouldn't feel confident to even move at all in regular dancing settings, going for it with us! That made me feel nice!

Oooo..they had a bit of a surprise for the guests at the ceremony. When the pastor announced the couple at the very end, we found out that the groom had changed his name to the bride's last name! I haven't been to a wedding that has done that before! That was a big surprise! They are going to get lots of cheques with the wrong last name from the presentation!

Well, after that nice party and seeing as though I'm working the night shift tonight, Shane and I slept the morning away. It was wonderful. And I've got to use my vocal chords tonight at Encounter God Night and I'm nervous about that, on a side note! I've got the heart, and the desire, but only wish that God would impart the voice! Help! I need supernatural help! And a whole lot of strength added to my voice!

So, I will have some God time, some food and tidy up my messy house this afternoon. Enjoy the rest of the weekend and relax!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY FAVORITE MAN ON THIS EARTH!!!!!

Today is my Shaner's 25th birthday! Sounds like an exciting year.....25! I'm exciting to see what God is going to continue doing in my hubbie this year! I think there are really good things in store!

So, enjoy this day, babe! It's all about you today!......and really, when can you say that except on your birthday???!!!

One small factor that kinda sucks is that I'm working from 3:30-11:45pm today =( That means work people and Shane's family get to do all the celebrating today. That sucks, but oh well, we can celebrate other times! We went for an early birthday dinner just the two of us on wednesday to Moxie's. That was nice! And we get to sleep in as long as we want tomorrow, together! Yippeee!!! No work!!! Maybe I'll make my Shaner a special breakfast or something....and then we are off to a wedding for the afternoon/evening. You know what that means? I get to dance with the guy! Yeah!

So, adios! I'm off to see my mom and the babes in the mall for an hour! Ta ta for now!

Good morning.....well, actually good evening....

I am up from my night...while the rest of regular life goes on as I sleep the day away.

Thanks for prayers last night and today. The night went well. Shane felt a little sick but no seizures so I am very thankful! My shift was nice too. I recovered a patient who had just delivered an hour before my shift started and then got a laboring patient at 4am. I got her the epidural she wanted and succeeded in starting the IV! I haven't done one in a little while being off the past few weeks and all, so I was a little nervous when I couldn't see any veins! Well, I went by feeling and actually got it right away! Woo hoo!!

Tonight we pray! I'm looking forward to meeting some new people that are checking out prayer tonight! It is totally great how we are not advertising prayer night and yet somehow word spreads and people are starting to come that I've never met before! Only You, Lord, only You. Do Your Will in our home, during our prayer times and bring the ones that You want to our way! Have Your Will tonight and speak to us about what is on your heart!

I work again tonight. I hope that 7 hours of sleep today was enough to hold me through the evening and night! It's going to have to be!

Adios, I'm off to pick up my husband and clean my house before people arrive tonight!

A few concerns tonight....

1. My first night shift of my position starts in 40 minutes and is also the first one since all the stuff has happened with Shane....meaning Shane is home alone at night. That is making us a little nervous tonight as he is feeling funky on his meds lately and that is the time of day that is a little scarey for us. Please pray!

2. Yesterday was a pretty hard shift. Had a laboring patient. Out of control. Language barrier. Difficulty with the baby at delivery. Really freaked me out. In the end, left the room to have a big cry in the bathroom. Way too intense for a newby like me. I'm concerned about tonight's shift.

So, in general lately, there are good days and bad ones. Today is one of those bad ones and I would really appreciate some prayer!

Babies, babies....

So, last night was a little scarey, but a little empowering. I had my first shift as a real nurse working with a laboring mom. Can I say thank goodness for epidurals? It made my job so much easier last night! Boy was I scared when I got to work and saw that I was with a laboring patient! Yikes! I had a nurse help me out right at delivery and the doctor made it....but otherwise, I did it! I was THE nurse of the evening! And it wasn't so bad! That feels good!

We picked up our car this morning in Steinbach. It had to get work done on the handles from the break-in we had in July. Stinkin' deductible! Oh well...so goes life!

I'm off for another shift....still a scarey thing! But I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! I have to remind myself that I will never be alone....Jesus is always with me!

Have a great saturday!

Going to do it all over again......

I'm off to my second shift in just a little while. I haven't let myself think much about yesterday's shift so that I wouldn't get nervous about today. So, I'm still keeping that motto and not thinking about work much until I get there! So far, it seems to be working alright for me!

I'm working evenings all this weekend for a girl that wanted the weekend off. She switched me so that I could go to my cousin's wedding next weekend....and then asked me to switch a few more shifts so that she could spend more time with her husband. It worked out ok for me...I get to go to the wedding now and I get two weekends off out of the deal! That is nice! Also, it is good to be at work a lot at the beginning so that I can get into the flow of things. Big breaks in between shifts would make me a little more nervous!

I just returned from a nice "coffee" time with my lovely friend, Christina! It is so nice to both be starting out in our nursing careers and have each other to talk to about it. There is something about connecting with someone who is doing the same things as you....and it is special since we did a lot of our training/schooling together! Thanks for calling Chris!

Well, I'm off to relax a little until it is time to leave! Have a good weekend!