The Lord Knows

It's so amazing to me how the Lord encourages me at just the time I need it the most. I had been feeling so burned out at work and life. As I mentioned in the previous post, one of my friends from a small group really cheered me up. My apartmentmate, Sarah, also shared her thoughts and those of a friend on how love can be painful, especially when you love and seem to get nothing in return. Someone else from the small group shared how Much Afraid, in Hinds' Feet on High Places had two traveling companions for the beginning of her journey to the high places, Sorrow and Suffering. While they may seem unpleasant, they were actually there to help her on you way, to help her climb higher.

The time yesterday praying with one of my patients was very uplifting, even though he was in the middle of extreme pain. Yesterday evening, I was so blessed by Psalms 24 and 25.

Pslam 25

4Make me to know your ways,

O Lord;

teach me your paths.

5 Lead me in your truth and

teach me,

for you are the God of my salvation;

for you I wait all the day long.

10 All the paths of the Lord are

steadfast love and

faithfulness,

for those who keep his covenant

and his testimonies.

16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,

for I am lonely and afflicted.

17 The troubles of my heart are

enlarged;

bring me out of my distresses.

Sometimes it seems like all of our love and care accomplishes nothing. Some days I feel like I am just accomplishing a set of tasks. There are other days that I am able to provide very good nursing care. Back in December, I had such fun with an elderly gentleman and his wife. They had so many questions, and I was able to help them find the answers. They were farmers, and we had quite the farm conversations. The man, my patient, even asked me how long Daddy's combine header is. Sorry, Daddy, but I didn't know! Rarely do I exchange contact information with patients, but I really regretted that I didn't with these people. Today, a lady came around the corner and asked for an Amy Harris. I happened to be right there. She had a card, a package, and two hugs for me! The card was so sweat, and in it was a business card with their contact information and an invitation for me to stay at their house any time! The package was a basket full of Bath & body Works products! What could make my day more special! We do make a difference, friends. Many times we may never have the opportunity to know, but every once in a while, God knows we need some encouragement. Be steadfast. Keep loving and caring, even when it's hard.

The patients that are often the hardest to get to leave the hospital are those who don't want to, and those who don't want to often have no place to go or no one to care for them. I have had a few such patients recently. One was homeless and had been living with one "friend" after another, but he felt sure that none of them would be willing to care for him. On my drive to Ben and Tandalee's last week, I went through everyone I could think of and thanked God for each one. Some I counted twice! Then I thought of who would be willing to take care of me if I needed help. Wow! Did I ever feel blessed! You think about it!

Snow Times

Last week I visited Ben and Tandalee in Illinois...


There was snow on the ground all of the way. Once it snowed here a few weeks ago, it has stayed white because it is so cold. It snowed again today.

I did go skiing for the first time, and did I get sore! We spent about 8 hours at the ski place and had a wonderful time in the outdoors. It was so nice to feel far removed from the hospital and just be outside.


I've been a little burned out with work lately. It seems to be particularly hard when I work several consecutive days, because I have some of the same patients several days in a row. Sometimes I just want a change. However, a friend of mine from a small group that has been a nurse for 28 years gave me some words of encouragement. I can get so caught up in doing everything right and on time that I forget to take advantage of all of those special moments. Today I had a special moment praying with a patient who is afraid to die. Praying with patients is something that I don't offer to do often enough.

Words of wisdom: if you get drunk bad things can happen...really bad. We have had several alcohol related accidents, three of which were falls, that are rather dumb but very serious!
"A man sees in the world what he carries in his heart."
~Johann Wolfgang Van Gothe

Silver Lake

Yesterday I went walking with a couple of friends, Katie and Maurita, three if you count London, the yellow lab! We went to Silver Lake, which turned out to be more like goose lake. I took several photos, but they were not free, because my fingers nearly froze from being out of my gloves in the wind.

The day before, Sarah and I went for a walk in the snow. I've been enjoying my new, warm coat and gloves!

Help!

I'm looking for suggestions. What kind of job would allow me to travel all over the world working with people and learning about plants, animals, geology, and anthropology? I just had the best evening in a long time looking through 1001 Natural Wonders You Must See Before You Die by Michael Bright and talking about travel with a friend. Yes, I love nursing--it gives me a chance to interview people about their lives--but I like lots of other stuff too. Sigh...

PS I really do want YOUR suggestions! The wilder and more exotic the better! Names, organizations, people you know that have found a way and what they did...

Time

Wouldn't it be interesting if we could go back in time to an era when the concept of time was different? There was a time, believe it or not, when there were no beeping alarm clocks or watches. How did people do shift work, such as those who watched for enemies during the night from the city walls? When it was time for the next person to take over, did he just spontaneously wake up and show up at work? Did people with jobs just wake up at the right time when the city started to become active so they could go start work? How did they know when to go home, when to have meals prepared, when to go out and farm? After a particularly fatiguing day, did they sometimes sleep too long? Did they plan to meet someone when the sun was overhead or at the evening meal? Imagine what kind of chaos would ensue if we proclaimed a national day of timelessness--no watches, alarm clocks, computer clocks, cell phone clocks, car clocks, or sundials allowed. Well, I guess that's not possible, so just count how many times you look at a time machine in a 24 hours period. Wait, that's not possible either.

Well, my watch is ticking and my alarm clock is set...

The Challenge

The challenge: think of something for which I am thankful AND write it down every day.

On paper, I would look like the most blessed person with a life as near perfect as is possible. I have gotten nearly everything I could want in life: my family, friends, degree, job, residence, salvation. What more could I want? Why then am I not more thankful? Why do I complain in my heart under a façade of happiness? I've often pursued challenge and hard work, but deep down, I want a comfortable life. That's not the right focus, because an easy life doesn't lead to growth or happiness.

I just had a most thought provoking talk with a friend who encouraged me to write down special experiences. By thinking about and writing them down, my focus might turn more towards God and others than self. It's easy to think of the big things mentioned above, but what about the many small joys God drops in my lap each day? It might just be a look from a patient, a kind word from a coworker, the encouragment of a companion, a ray of sunshine. Pick up a pen and paper and write it down. It will do me good to review these from time to time and continue to find purpose in everyday life. I know this sounds very Pollyannaish, but Pollyanna had some things right!

Fun Times

Entering into an icy Texas panhandle... It was great to fly away from Rochester for a break with my family.

The girls and I had quite a time taking rides...and dumps...in the cart! I haven't laughed so hard in ages. Someone may protest some of the photos posted here, but you must agree there are some prize expressions!

My time there was so short, but I got to see my parents and all of my grandparents and siblings at one time or another. The long time traveling provided reading, visiting, and sleeping oportunities. I finished What's So Amazing about Grace and read a book by a flight nurse. While home, I got to do things like play the flute with Anna, Guess Who with Angela, chat and go on walks with everyone, and enjoy the feel of wind and the site of tumble weeds, sand colored grass, endless blue sky, and real sunshine!

The Texas Panhandle Song
The wind is blowing right along,
It’s the Texas Panhandle song.
While the wind jiggles the door latch,
The tumble weeds whirl and catch.
When I look through the window glass,
I see it bend and wave the grass.

It is blowing the clouds away

So the warm sun can shine today.

It blows the fall leaves off a tree.

When I go out it blows on me.

The wind's still blowing right along,

It's the Texas Panhandle song.

~Amy