Reform our ...

thinking.

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2009/07/22/the_list_the_world_s_worst_healthcare_reforms

Just a little FYI...
All things considered.

I still want my passport.

You never know when you might need to leave the country...or simply show a second form of identification.

I'm changing my new life quote to...

When the going gets tough, the tough get going!

=) Courtesy of Youtube...

Billy Ocean

He knows...

Ennui- dissatisfaction and restlessness resulting from boredom or apathy.

This word has come up in a couple things I have read this week. I feel like this word is alive and is trying to give me a subliminal message as my mind is easily distracted.

I was then given this sermon by a friend- who recently visited Piper's church this past Father's day.

My heart has been exposed and softened... because of this sermon.
I am a woman with a cavernous thirst.


The Tragic Cost of her Cavernous Thirst

I want to fear & love this God who knows.

Passportless...

The Department of State has taken away my passport...

I'm waiting for a new one.

I think this is the biggest blessing in my entire life.

I am so tempted to jump ship right now...and I totally cannot leave the country.

I am passportless.

=)

Grrrr...

Genuine Love

1 John 4:9-12
In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved,if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.


This past week I was shown genuine love in an unlikely circumstance.
For the sake of not disclosing too much information...but sharing in the graces shown to me...I will briefly give you the story.

I was recently asked out by a young fellow (smart, funny, handsome...) but upon the invitation there was a decline for not one particular reason.
I was expecting a slight awkwardness to follow- however just the opposite occurred.
This young man knows that I am new to the area. He also knows that I have been desiring to get plugged in. So instead of walking away from the entire encounter he took the initiative to e-mail a few people he thought I would enjoy.
As a result of this, I have been called, e-mailed and personally invited to join in fellowship with several people. Each effort of communication was either followed by "so & so gave me your name and thought it would be great if we met...or, _______ _______ encouraged me to give you a call..."
I have been overwhelmed with the demonstration of genuine love this brother in Christ has shown me. I have never felt so loved in my entire life. (Dad, and mom...parenting love is in another category)
What a beautiful thing it is to place pride aside. I have been encouraged and challenged in my own life. This man loves the Lord and it is no quiet matter.
I'm thankful for the men and women the Lord has placed in my life!

I love this hymn- and its been in my mind often this past week.
I hope this encourages you to love deeply and sincerely all in the name of Truth.

Here is Love

Here is love, vast as the ocean,
Lovingkindness as the flood,
When the Prince of Life, our Ransom,
Shed for us His precious blood.
Who His love will not remember?
Who can cease to sing His praise?
He can never be forgotten,
Throughout Heav’n’s eternal days.

On the mount of crucifixion,
Fountains opened deep and wide;
Through the floodgates of God’s mercy
Flowed a vast and gracious tide.
Grace and love, like mighty rivers,
Poured incessant from above,
And Heav’n’s peace and perfect justice
Kissed a guilty world in love.

Let me all Thy love accepting,
Love Thee, ever all my days;
Let me seek Thy kingdom only
And my life be to Thy praise;
Thou alone shalt be my glory,
Nothing in the world I see.
Thou hast cleansed and sanctified me,
Thou Thyself hast set me free.

In Thy truth Thou dost direct me
By Thy Spirit through Thy Word;
And Thy grace my need is meeting,
As I trust in Thee, my Lord.
Of Thy fullness Thou art pouring
Thy great love and power on me,
Without measure, full and boundless,
Drawing out my heart to Thee.
William Rees

TWIN CITIES 2009

Judson and I, along with our dear friend Molly Vesperman are running in the Twin Cities Marathon October 4th, 2009. As I am slowly but steadily gaining mileage for this big exciting day...I am realizing once again the importance of bringing my entire life under strict discipline. =) I need accountability and definitely encouragement. This morning I talked with Judson on the phone...the training seems to be no big deal for him. I think he could run the entire distance right now. Pray for us as we train. That we would be able to do and do it well.

Last October I ran in the Venice Marathon. I didn't do so hot- as was expected d/t lack of training. However I did learn something. TRAINING is essential in all areas of life. This morning I read from Spurgeon's Morning & Evening for June 15th . I want to be like Sarah...in all areas of my life. Because of what Christ has done in me- and continues to do I will run with joy in preparation for this blessed event. =)

Ask me how I'm doing in the training! And if you feel up to it- join me in a run.
=)

CE for RN's

Continuing Education is a great thing.
Great- if you know what you should continually educate yourself in.
If you are continually not educating yourself...well then- too bad.
If you are educating continuously...well, way to be.

Continuing education for registered nurses is endless.
In this day & age it seems to be unacceptable to remain as a bedside nurse.
The thought runs along the lines of working for a few years and then returning the academic arena to pursue a masters or doctorate.

I have had the opportunity to drive many hours this week- and as I was driving through good old Charlottseville, VA. home to Thomas Jefferson and his brilliant brain, I become instantaneously overwhelmed with the need to educate. Why is that?

Yesterday I had dinner with two good friends, both whom are nurses and I asked them about their goals in continuing education.

One of the girls is pursuing a masters in teaching- to hopefully be a professor of nursing. Way to be! (Seriously- teaching nursing is not an easy job)

The other girl is simply enjoying life and nursing. She said she didn't want to pursue any more education until she was sure she truly desired what she was in pursuit of. (I summarized and rephrased her words...) Essentially, she is being a wise woman.

Alas- this is where I am sitting. I am not going to pursue any more education until I know for sure that it is an area worth pursuing.
Kapeesh? Kapoosh.

Dad- this is specifically for you. =) This entire post is in honor of Father's day quickly approaching. Do you recognize this picture?
Love you.

Healthcare...

Canada's ObamaCare Precedent


I am not impressed with the U.S. health care system.
I do not believe socialized medicine is the answer- nor do I believe it would actually happen. (as I bite my lower lip...)
I do know that Our system of medicaid/health insurance/hmo... blah blah blah has gotten a little out of hand. (that is a large understatement...)

I found this article to be humorous and also deeply true. Humorous because its so pathetically true...

I don't have an answer- perhaps I should. I will work on formulating that now. =)

Drunken Men and little babies... =) Go Twins!

It all started with the Brewski's and Twinsters. What started you may ask?
America's past time...beer loving babies...I mean, baseball. =)

Of course- there is much beer to be had, and apparently in Minnesota- babies love the Dome Dogs that only can be served at the Hubert Humphrey Metrodome. It can't get better than this. Or can it!? I will leave that answer up to you.

It was truly an enjoyable evening with Patrick and Molly Vesperman. Judson and I were able to meet up with our friends and head down to Minneapolis for dinner and the game. The Twins took the game with Justin Morneau, Joe Mauer, and Joe Crede bringing in the runs. Couldn't complain about the seats- right above the Twins dugout...a couple rows up- thank you dad & Piper Jaffray.

Joe Mauer took a hit to the hand- check the video- this brought a little heat to the game. And right before he got up to bat a Milwaukee fan took the field- crazy guy- who was quickly escorted and ejected from the Dome.
Patrick- its ok that you like the Brewers...but seriously keep your fans under control.
Overall, a great night of baseball.

Check out the video of Mauer... not bad boy! =)
Joe Mauer

Power in the Word

Scripture.
The comfort it brings in times of sorrow
The beauty which makes eyes open to the truth of this world
The anger that arises from a Holy God in the response to sin
The joy it gives when others come to see the truth
Thank you Father for your written word.

Isaiah 55
"Come, everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;
and he who has no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.
Incline your ear, and come to me;
hear, that your soul may live;
and I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
my steadfast, sure love for David.
Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander for the peoples.
Behold, you shall call a nation that you
do not k now,
and a nation that did not know you
shall run to you,
because of the Lord your God, and of
the Holy One of Israel,
for he has glorified you.
"Seek the Lord while he may be found
call upon him while he is near;
let the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the Lord, that he may
have compassion on him,
and to our God, for hi will
abundantly pardon.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,
declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the
earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the
sower and bread to the eater,
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
For you shall go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
shall break forth into singing,
and all the trees of the fields shall clap their hands.
Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress;
instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle;
and it shall make a name for the Lord,
an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off."