I'm still here!

No, I have not fallen off the face of the earth, died of some strange disease or been abducted by aliens, I promise!  Between School, Thanksgiving and Christmas, Clay coming home for the holidays, an interesting trip to the doctor's and catering a wedding reception for a friend, I've been concentrating on keeping my feet under me and my focus on what is right before me.

Obviously, it wasn't the blog.
Here is a quick update on what it was :)

School: Yes, I've finally finished!!!  My official graduation date was January 2nd, though I cannot take the national exam until May.  I am so glad to have all that over with!

Doctor's appointment: After a couple years of worsening fatigue I finally went to see a trusted functional medicine doctor near us.  He put me on the infamous "Candida diet" (otherwise knows as the canteatit diet) due to, among other things, adrenal fatigue, digestive issues and gluten intolerance.  (Gluten? REALLY?!?!?! Of all things, it had to be gluten, didn't it?) It has been an interesting journey through the land of rice cakes and almond butter, not to mention French fry and ice cream cravings, but I have learned much about myself and my health through it.  ...and lost a few pounds in the process.

Christmas: Yes, on the Candida diet.  (wasn't as bad as it sounds.  I'm thankful for that healthy dose of creativity I have!) Mom made me some buckeye type cookies (with alteration) that I could eat, which made my day, and, Clay was home!  That made for some happy times, to be sure.  And I have to add, I think he looks real good with a goatee!

Wedding Reception: Before Christmas a friend asked if I would coordinate the reception at his wedding in Travers City.  I agreed, and spent the next few weeks making lists, comparing prices, making phone calls, baking cookies, and learning all sorts of interesting things.  (For instance, did you know there are about 30 cherry tomatoes in one pound?) I am happy to say that the wedding was beautiful, the reception went well and no one left hungry! (sorry, no pictures, I was kinda busy...)

Now: Now? I'm job hunting, attacking my enormous sewing pile, preparing for a new four legged addition to the family (more information coming soon!), and learning to rest in more ways than one.  But, more about that later.

...That is, if I don't fall off the face of the earth, die of some strange disease or am abducted by aliens...

Season By Season, Day By Day, Moment By Moment

I am starting to live for Wednesdays.  It sounds funny, but Wednesdays are my new Friday.  On Wednesdays lunch at work (er... clinical) is catered, (which means I don't have to wake up early enough to rummage for scraps in the fridge) The day after Wednesday is Thursday on which the office is closed.  After said day follows the ever blessed Friday which, of course, is precursor to the WEEKEND!  On which I only have to work a half day every other Saturday.  Are you seeing a theme here? 

I'm tired of getting laughed at (good naturedly, of course) when well meaning friends and acquaintances ask how work is and I tell them that is going fine, but I am looking forward to clinicals being over so I never have to work as an MA again! This statement from me is usually followed by 'Well then, what are you going to do after you finish?' 'I don't know.' Is my steady, straight-faced reply.  (and also where I get laughed at... good naturedly, of course.) 

Yes, I went to school for this.  I still am, actually.  (Don't remind me)  I work with a good group of people and learn a lot every day.  But this is not me.  I cannot picture myself spending any prolonged period of time dragging my self out of bed, dreading spending a day behind four walls, navigating office politics, taking vital signs and poking people with needles.  (Though I do, actually, enjoy the poking people with needles part, as terrible as that may sound.)  But honestly, it is not the most fulfilling type of work.  That statement automatically leads to the question, what exactly do I want to do with myself for the rest of my life?  What do I enjoy doing?  What is my passion? Where is the elusive fulfillment I know is out there somewhere?  When will I be able to stop trying things, hoping I'll like them, and be able to simply live my life?

I ask myself those questions repeatedly and inevitably they are followed by a circular, mental conversation with myself ending with a pity party, closely followed by self-chastisement for being so selfish, because as soon as they enter my mind, I know in my heart I'm asking the wrong things.  The correct question is not "what do I want to do for the rest of my life?'
but,

What does God want me to do for the rest of my life?

Actually, that's not true.

It should be,

What does God want me to do now?

Right now, in this moment, am I living my life where He wants me?  Am I living in His presence? Am I, as John Piper so aptly put it, glorifying God by enjoying Him right where He has put me?  Or as Eric Ludy says, trusting God to let Him write my life story?  Am I completely trusting Him where I am even though I know I've made mistakes and, at times, manipulated my self out of His will?

I feel trapped and backed into a corner.  Blindfolded in a sense.  Will I panic and struggle for my way? Or will the confusion and lack of sight cause me to strain for the sound of His voice?

All He is asking me to do is trust Him for the next step.  Because when it is time for me to move, He will tell me.  It will be unmistakably clear, like the pillar of fire in the wilderness.  In the mean time, it is my job to be content, and listen.

Easier said than done.
But,
For this season, I will trust Him.
For this day, I will trust Him.
For the next step, I will trust Him.
In this moment, I will trust Him.

I don't need to know where I will end up, I just need to know that I am right where he wants me.

In His will is the grace to complete the task He has commissioned. 
In His will, is conformation into His image. 
In His will is ultimate fulfillment. 
All is found in the center of His will.

Little Big Things.....

My first week of clinicals is done and the next has begun!  Life certainly keeps one busy.  Between working, studying, and all the mundane, necessary pieces of life there is little time for much else.  However, being so busy has helped me start to notice, savor, and appreciate what I really love and enjoy in life!  At first I thought I would miss the "big things," but when it comes down to it, it really is the "little things" that I look forward to the most. For instance...

Baking

Time to write

Savoring cup of hot tea

Quiet time with God at the end of a busy day

Big, snuggly, over sized hoodies

Whimsical earrings (like sprakley green frogs :)

A smidge of time to play the piano

Taking the long way home just to enjoy the scenery

Time with friends

A chance to wear my cowboy (girl) boots

Wintergreen frost mints

I'm grateful for the business.  It has helped me refocus my priorities and rediscover the "little things" which are not so little after all!

What are some of your "little big things?"

Doughnuts!

Nothing tastes better on a cool day than a mug full of steaming apple cider and a warm doughnut!  And actually, doughnuts are not that difficult to make!

First, you make the dough, and let it rise till its light and airy

Then roll it out smooth

Cut it into circles with a biscuit cutter 

Then cut little circles in the middle of them. 

The only thing I have that is small enough is a tiny heart cookie cutter.

Lay them on a cookie sheet and let them rise again

Wait for the oil to heat (It takes forever! But mostly because at this point you can start to taste the doughnuts in apprehension of their yummy goodness!)

Now for the fun part!  When the oil is finally ready, carefully drop the dough into the hot oil and watch it bubble :)

Don't forget to flip them over as they brown!

Roll them in spiced sugar

And enjoy the finished product!

You can see the recipe I use here, however I add a bit of vanilla and nutmeg or cloves to the dough to make them that much better.  I would love to hear how yours turn out!

The Full Gospel

The Gospel is not simply being saved from the punishment of our sin.

The full gospel encompasses the purpose and the reason The Savior saved us.

We know what He has saved us from, but what has He saved us to?

Monday Meditation

A thought, verse, or quote to meditate on through the week...

"Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading."

 

~Oswald Chambers

 

 

Life In General These Days.....

Clay worked the rappelling
tower and rock climbing wall

Yes, that is me!

Wow. It seems like all summer has consisted of is being home for a week, then leaving the next! Today Mom and I returned from visiting Clay in Texas for two weeks. (yes, almost as soon as I published the post titled 'home again' I wasn't!) Mom and I had fun working in the kitchen with a great group of girls during family camp, but as you can see from the pictures, we found time to have fun outside of the kitchen as well! The highlight of the week for me, (aside from visiting with Clay) was seeing Lew Sterrett for the first time! The way he draws life lessons from horses and applies them to our life makes you look at life with a completely different perspective. I could not help but buy one of his books, Life Lessons From a Horse Whisperer. In one chapter he tells of a horse he trained that knew him so well he could blind fold the horse and direct him with without a bridle. The horse was solely directed by his master's voice and promptings. It made me think. When I don't know where I am going, when I'm seemingly 'blindfolded,' do I get frightened because I cannot see, or does it cause me to listen all the more closely to the master?



Yep! That's me too :)

Now that I'm home, life promises to keep me busy! I have finished all my classes for medical assisting and start the two month clinical portion of my training bright and early on Monday morning. I appreciate your prayers as I step completely out of my comfort zone!

So, because it has been so long since I've posted anything substantial and it promises to be that way for the next couple of months at least, here is a link to a blog article that has blessed me!

The One Purpose Behind All Our Passions

Be Blessed!