Words of Encouragement during difficult times

Waiting, waiting, waiting.... That is the story of my recent existence.  It is difficult waiting for the unraveling of circumstances that may change our lives.  Through times like this, I am thankful for a God who knows perfectly what I need (and what I don't).  I have hope because He is in control of every step and decision.  Most of us are currently facing some sort of difficult or stressful circumstance, where our faith is challenged and hope seems dim.  Read the following words shared from Beth Moore in The Patriarchs:

“We often think receiving what we’ve been guaranteed ought to be a cakewalk, but Scripture shows the opposite is more often true.  The most profound things God promised were often fulfilled against the greatest odds and through the most difficult hardships.  To God, faith is often the point.  We may receive a hundred unexpected things from God with delightful ease while the fulfillment of some of the things we believe He promised us proves virtually impossible.  You see, the impossibility is what makes the fulfillment of the promise fall under the God category.  God makes promises man simply can’t keep.  God is gloriously faithful, Dear One, even if at times He seems distant.  When we walk with God, He affects our worlds, fulfills His promises, and births impossible Isaacs." 

She is speaking concerning the life of Abraham and the miraculous birth of Issac.  Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah was 90 years old when Isaac was born!  

It is so interesting to see the way that God works.  It seems to me that He is is most concerned with our hearts and growing to know Him more.

Building the muscles

Verses of the day:
"But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength."  Isaiah 40:31
"Fear not, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."  Isaiah 41:10
"God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places."  Habakkuk 3:19
"For you equipped me with strength for the battle."  Psalm 18:39

I am in a point in my life, where I feel as if I'm waiting.  I get discontent and weary of this wilderness waiting period.  I am trying to seek out what I am supposed to be learning in this holding pattern.  Today I came upon these verses.  Many of us have heard the first one SO many times (especially said by children in songs), but today it kind of came alive to me as I thought about how we get our strength and really what is the purpose of waiting.  I began to think what if the purpose of waiting is to be prepared for the battle ahead?  To secure our steps.  To come to know our God, who is our strength, more closely. I love the second verse that speaks of being dismayed.  I was not really sure what dismayed meant, so I looked it up.  Dismayed: feeling of discouragement or loss of courage.  Even in this holding pattern, where I feel as if I'm a plane aimlessly circling the airport, God is equipping me for the battle ahead and also confirming to me that when we are his, we should not lose courage because we are loved and he is with us.  So when we are in these waiting periods, let's look for the muscles we're building for the battle. This outlook gives me a completely different feeling about waiting.

Also, just another random thought.  I have the impression that many of our lakes are "man-made."  In Oklahoma, Eufaula Lake is man-made.  Weird!  Why do we not hear of any more huge lakes being developed?

God's nearness

Friends and family,  let me start off today saying that God is real and He wants to know each and every one of us.  He is bringing this message home to me, so clearly.  
This afternoon, I took a wild ride through the Bible, His word.  I was first led to the story of Noah.  I had not read the story of Noah in a long time.  The story of Noah starts out by mentioning the violence and intense moral corruption that were in his land.  Noah followed God’s instruction to build an ark even though it went against common sense.  He lived in a desert!  God’s word says that he walked with God and that He was blameless in his generation and a righteous man.  He spent about a full year in the ark after the 40 days of rain.  I love the verse that states, “And those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him.  And the LORD shut him in.” (emphasis mine) You know you are safe when the LORD shuts you in.  You’re exactly where you need to be. Genesis 6-9

Next I read in Psalm 16:7-11 which states,

 “I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.  I have set the LORD always before me, he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.  Therefore, my heart is glad and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.  For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol (wickedness), or let your holy one see corruption.  You make known to me the path of life;  in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”  

These verses reminded me of the way He led his people out of slavery in Egypt and through the wilderness.  So I went to Exodus 13:21-22 

“And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.  The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.” 

What do you think that pillar of cloud looked like?  Tornado?  Thunderstorm cloud?  Sometimes I wish for a pillar of cloud, or fire, or maybe even just an email sent from God to show me His way.  How neat it must have been to see these things.  These verses revealed to me how intimately and realistically God guides his people, especially on wilderness journeys.  He never leaves.  He is always present.  I correlated these verses with the ones from Psalms 16:  The LORD gives counsel, in the night the heart instructs, the LORD is always before me (like the pillars of cloud and fire)--- so I shall not be shaken, he makes known the path.  

Next, I began to wonder how these situations relate to New Testament / current times after the Holy Spirit came.  This took me to John 14:16 where Jesus is talking about sending the Holy Spirit.  He says the Holy Spirit will be a Helper (helping presence), to be with you forever, a Spirit of Truth (guiding disciples into all truth), but now it says “he dwells with you and will be IN you.” Jesus also speaks of the Holy Spirit teaching all things.  Then I read Romans 8:14 which states that: 

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  Then his word says in Galatians says to “walk by the Spirit.” (vs 5:16)  and in verse 18, “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law." 

This is just so much to take in.  I believe that the Holy Spirit is like our pillar of cloud and pillar of fire that guides us, helps us, teaches us, never leaves us or departs from us, when we belong to Him and are adopted sons or daughters of God.  He tell us to walk by the Spirit, just like his people that escaped slavery.  How amazing that his presence now is not only with us but IN us-- like the pillar of fire and pillar of cloud.  Take a moment to imagine this.  By His presence, we cannot be shaken.

Whirlwind of August

So much has happened in the past two weeks, really!  I took TWO MCATS (long story), Steven went to Madison, Wisconsin, one of my best friends had her first baby, I spent a week in Hattiesburg with the fam and celebrated mom's birthday, Nanny (Steven's grandma) turned 80 years old, I started Organic Chemistry 2, and great friends from Dallas are coming to visit this weekend.  What a whirlwind!  It has been a roller coaster of events and emotions.  I am so grateful for friends and family that have been there encouraging me and supporting me through this time in my life.  Let me just say, they all deserve medals.

My mom came to stay with me the week before I took my 2nd MCAT while Steven was in Wisconsin.  We had such a fun time getting pedicures, trying to figure out the meaning of life, shopping, and eating lots of good food.  I was not happy with my performance on the 2nd MCAT, so I quickly scheduled another one. The MCAT is my arch-nemesis.  I hate it.  It is just a means to an end.  Anyways...

I had a very relaxing week in Hattiesburg.  Woke up late, got in some good Bible study of The Patriarchs (by Beth Moore), got Marble Slab Chocolate Swiss Ice Cream with marshmallows with dad, watched movies and made bead necklaces with mom, ate tons of good food, and received much encouragement from my parents and Dr. Dean and Sharon (my parent's pastor and his wife).  I felt refreshed after my week in the trees.

I returned home for a weekend of partying with Steven's family as we celebrated Nanny's birthday.  Family had flown in from Colorado and California.  We rode a riverboat cruise on the Oklahoma River, ate lots of good food, and spent time talking and catching up.

I also got to meet my new "nephew" that came into the world on August 14.  We prayed for him so much and it was such a blessing to finally meet him.

I had to drive to Wichita Falls to take my 3rd (and final) MCAT.  I felt much better about this one.  We'll see how it goes.  I feel like I have done all I can do, and now the rest is in God's hands.
I can't wait to spend this weekend with great friends we haven't seen in a while!  I am thankful for God's provision and his grace to me during this time in my life.

Updates!

Wow!  It's now August.  I have really neglected my blog.  I cannot believe it's August.  Let me just say, this summer has been filled with heat, in more ways than just the weather!  I found out in the middle of June that I was going to need to retake the mcat.  I was so disappointed.  I truly felt that God was with me, especially on that day, and did not understand why my plans did not work out the way I thought they should.  HUGE life lesson!   The road will not always be easy and smooth, even when you feel like you are following God's direction.  During this time I was lead to the story of Paul when he was in a boat with 100+ people.  God had given him a message that they all would survive, but his boat would shipwreck.  In my own simple mind I thought, why couldn't they all just make it to their destination safely AND with their boat intact?  I compared it to my life, and thought (with pride) why couldn't I just glide through the mcat with an easy road to the med school of my dreams?  God is concerned with strengthening my faith and trust in him and allowing me to experience who He is and His power.  Ohhh.  That's truly a tough lesson to learn.
Throughout the summer I was also taking Organic Chemistry Lecture and Lab, which greatly added to the heat.  I finished the final exam Tuesday and came out so thankful to have that course behind me.
In June I submitted my applications.  We (I feel like Steven and I are both going to med school) applied to schools in Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas.  I am retaking the mcat next Friday, August 12.  I have been working with a tutor and I am encouraged by my recent practice tests.
The next six months are probably going to be a roller coaster.  Interviews (hopefully) and many many decisions.  I am thankful to be growing and recognizing more about the way God works.  Sometimes you are lead to take a step in faith without knowing where it will lead you.  It is sort of like walking on the beach at night time with a flash light, you can only see as far as your next step.

Rivers

"Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."  John 7:38
From Daily in His Presence: "What does one need to be able to experience the promise of the streams of living water?  Only one thing: an intimate clinging to Christ-- an undivided submission to Him and the assurance that His Spirit will do the work within you that you yourself cannot do.  You need faith which trusts Him from day to day to let the living water flow from you... Rivers of living water will flow from your heart, bringing life and blessing to others."  (by: Andrew Murray)

I am praising God today for his Holy Spirit that dwells in believers.  May we be like fresh flowing water to people we meet, bringing the true water that satisfies the soul for life (actually forever)!
MCAT is tomorrow.  I will feel so good (maybe bad too, we'll see) around 2:00pm.  My brain is full to the brim!  I lay it in His hands.

Battles

We are 10 days away and counting from MCAT day.  I have been on a rollercoaster.  I have had moments of faith, fear, joy, excitement, and doubting "Really God, did you bring me to this place?  Do you know that I am so incapable of all this?" I keep a prayer journal on my computer, and through this whole decision-making process I have documented what God has been showing me and teaching me.  

In August of 2009 He became teaching me to let go of my life and that it is good for me to place it in his hands.  He helped me take off the chains of fear and anxiety; although, I sometimes try to put them back on.  Steven and I learned a good lesson of blindly trusting in God with his job.  I learned that HE is faithful in all things.  He cares about the smallest details of our lives.  This was a lesson during the time Henry, our golden retriever, was so sick.  1Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.  In the beginning of 2010 the following is an excerpt of the prayer I prayed: "Help me as a therapist.  Make my role what you want it to be.  Where I can be effective.  If that’s not even as a therapist, show me.  I want to use my gifts and talents to teach others about who you are.  You have done wondrous things for me!!  So that I may know you and believe you.  Thank you for loving me and teaching me and showing me the way.  Continue to guide my steps.  I love you."  Then I began a lesson of decision making comparing the Old Testament and New.  I wanted SO badly at times to hear verbally like Moses and so many did from God, where the path was so clear.  God began teaching me that he gives us his Holy Spirit for counsel and wants us to use the wisdom that he gives.  In September 2010, I began to pray and wait for unmistakable guidance.  I prayed for a converging of circumstances and began to see God working and revealing his way.  

The following message is a huge part of my current and forever outlook on decision-making.

“Much is nothing if God is not in it.  If the projects are not vines planted by the Lord, they are worse than worthless.  Two ways to build a house: move ahead with plans based on one’s own knowledge, skill, and resources then ask God’s blessing on the completed structure.  The other is to wait until the LORD has given unmistakable guidance, then move ahead in conscious dependence on Him.  In the first case the project never rises above flesh and blood.  In the second, there is the thrill of seeing God working the marvelous provision of needed supplies, through the miraculous timing and sequence of events, and through the converging of circumstances that would never happen according to the laws of chance.   It makes all the difference in the world to be building with God."

In this time, I spoke with a physician assistant that was adamant that I choose to go to medical school versus being a PA.  He wanted to meet with me and my husband and discuss the decision.    I began treating a person that was in medical school.  I also treated a retired physician at this time.  When I first discussed with Steven the possibility of applying to PA school, he said, "Have you thought about going to medical school?"  I spoke with my family physician about going to PA school, he said, "I think you should go to medical school."  Steven and I both spoke separately with a family friend that is a doctor who encouraged me to apply to medical school.  

I made my mind up so many times to just apply to PA school, but each time I did, God would put something or someone in my path that encouraged me to apply to medical school.  

Medical School seemed (and seems) so LONG and HARD.  Way too much for me!  Very stressful and tough on a marriage.  God led me to the story of Moses and the burning bush.  Where Moses tried to convince God that he was not equipped to do what God had told him to do.  And he also led me to the story of Israel defeating Amalek (Exodus 17:8-16)  When Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand Amalek prevailed.  So his friends and family helped him hold up his hands.  To me, I recognized through these circumstances that as long as I gave up my life to God and offered him ALONE the glory and praise it would be well and that was my purpose.

Along this path I had a few people tell me, "It's just a job"  "It's too stressful for you" and "You're crazy."  All of that is true.  But I'm not going alone.  Pass or fail God is still God and has taught me so much through all this.  Verses from today: 1 Chron 32:8 But with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles. 1 Chron 32:20-23 (About King Hezekiah and how he prayed to God in his distress and God "provided for him on every side.")

Thank you family and friends who have encouraged me and helped me walk through this time.  I will continue to need you, especially for your reminders to lift up my hands.

MCAT mountain and things to ponder

Most times it is hard to see what God is doing, and actually, many times you do not ever see his plan.  Sometimes, after a season in your life you can look back and see the hand of God at work.  I feel right smack in the middle in the timeline of a lesson or season.  I can look back and see that God led me here to this point but I have NO clue of what he's doing with me here.  One of Steven's and my great friends posted this quote on facebook today: "What matters is that you keep your hand on the plow, you don't need to know what God will do through your work." It was a quote by John Piper based on Ecclesiastes 8:17.  I guess we just keep trudging.  Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled to be doing what I am doing; however, this season I am in right now requires day-in-day-out perseverance and faith that this is what God has led me to do.  Another quote I read today stated, "The true way to handle a matter wisely is to trust in the Lord"--by Charles Spurgeon.   I want to trust him in each step and act in wisdom, for he is the one that establishes our steps (Proverbs 16:9).
If I make it out of the MCAT with a proper score, it, seriously, will be a miracle.

Okay, new thoughts for today:
Did all the animals in the garden of Eden have the ability to speak prior to the sin of Adam and Eve?  If Oklahoma ever got another professional sports team, possibly NFL, wouldn't it be cool to call them something weather related... like lightning, etc.?  Then we would have Thunder and Lightning!

Bravery

Nanny (Steven's grandma) invited me to a wonderful dinner at Village Baptist Church for women called 'Spring Fling.'  The main speaker was a talented artist that paints pictures of Jesus' face and other important spiritual themes in her life.  She spoke on being brave and not to fear what God puts in our path, but to walk in trust.  She spoke on how the Lord God is our personal bravery and invincible army.  She quoted Habakkuk 3:19 from the amplified Bible.  I want to be brave and walk in faith.  Take courage!  Here are some beautiful examples of her work and pic of our table:

This morning I read from Psalm 46:1 and a devotional from Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon.  Psalm 46 states "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."  I find so much comfort in knowing that the God of the Universe that created our bodies and brains that work so meticulously is VERY PRESENT.  I'm studying biology right now and the more I learn about the body the more I just want to stand in awe of Him.  I find it hard to believe that one could study the inner workings of our cells, brain, muscles, the way plants provide oxygen through chemical mechanisms and sunlight, how amazing is it that ice as a solid floats on water to protect and insulate the seas when it's cold, and not recognize that it is not by chance.  There is a masterful creator behind it all.

I am nervous, excited, dumbfounded, overwhelmed, and a bit intimidated on what lies ahead of me.  I am learning to put all of it in God's trust.  Another wonderful quote by John Piper, "Let's set our minds on things that are above, love Christ more than this world, and be so radically freed for love and witness and courage in the cause of truth that nothing can intimidate us."  Amen!

Holding pattern

Our weekend full of family fun was fantastic!  (Pics to come soon)  My mom and I got to spend Friday together getting necessary errands completed, talking, eating Famous Joe's pizza and salad, and just spending quality time together.  Dad and Steven joined us and we saw the movie Water for Elephants.  We ate at Red Rock, Cheesecake Factory, Iron Star BBQ, and Charleston's.  On Easter Sunday, the rain finally came.  We got to church and the electricity was off!  So we started out the service with candlelight.  One of our pastor's, Jay, said a prayer to start off the service and in perfect timing... after the amen... the lights came back on and service went on as usual.  The service was a celebration of the Jesus' resurrection.  Victory is His and ours!  On that day he "disarmed the rulers and authorities (evil of the world) and put them to open shame" (Col 2:15).  Took their weapons right from them!  You know when you're worshipping or reading Scripture (or watching Carrie Underwood sing how great thou art) and you get the chills?  I wonder if the chills are just the Holy Spirit brushing by you.  Many times I think that's true.  Favorite hymn of Sunday:  "Because he lives, I can face tomorrow, because he lives all fear is gone, because I know who holds the future, my life is worth the living just because he lives."  After church we took my parents to the airport, then went to my sister-in-law's house for a WONDERFUL time of fellowship and food with Steven's side of the family!  Loved every minute.

So the MCAT is less than a month away!  It is getting R.E.A.L.  This is such an different/weird time in my life.    There is so much to do yet it also feels like I am waiting in a holding pattern.  Like planes that are told not to land yet, they circle the airport in a holding pattern till they get the okay to land.  There is so much left to fall into place.  MCAT score, application, interviews, what school and city we'll end up in, etc.  Steven and I and just waiting for each step to reveal itself.  Each one affects the next.
This morning I read from John 15.  Jesus says, "Abide in me, and I in you.  As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.  I am the vine; you are the branches.  Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
A branch cannot bear fruit by itself... apart from me you can do nothing...  I COMPLETELY realize that in all my life and especially with what I am facing right now, I cannot do any of it on my own and with my own power.  I am far from capable.  He goes on to say in John 15, "These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full."  I hope I abide in him so closely that my "ought to's" and "want to's" are one in the same.
I continue to hope and pray for his help.  I will try to abide in Him, always.

Family & Compassion

My parents are coming to see us today and hang out with us over the Easter weekend.  It seriously feels like sunshine when I get to see my parents in the flesh.  It has been over three years that we have lived in different states, and although we have come up with ways to cope with the distance, I still long SO much to live in the same city eventually.  I want to do the little things like eat lunch after church on Sundays, watch football, hit golf balls, cook out, go shopping, etc.  I definitely do not take for granted the times we get to spend together.  I know that God is using this distance to teach us all something that we wouldn't have learned otherwise.  I've gotta believe there is a purpose!

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I have often pondered what is the right amount of compassion I should have for patients/clients.  This sounds like a complacent and selfish thing to think about.  Don't judge so quickly.  Before I worked with people on a daily basis I would have said that we (individuals that have a job helping people) should give our compassion unceasingly and without reservation.  I have learned that, when I allow myself to hand over my emotions and heart to too many people, my heart becomes heavy and burdened.  Compassion to me is sharing similar emotions with another person, and also bearing burdens, carrying baggage, and longing for the well being of someone else (most of all by a relationship with Jesus).
If I shared my heart and such a deep compassion with 20 people per day, I would worry and have an empty emotional tank.  I would run out of "self" to give.  I would get home to the person I love most and have very little left to share.  I think that, yes, we should be compassionate, not indifferent, with our patients/clients.  We cannot effectively glorify God, by making him recognizable, without love.  Who wants to sound like a resounding gong or clanging symbol?  So what is the answer?  I think we must try to show compassion like Jesus.  Obviously, he was perfect at it and I will never be.  He wept with people, yet still kept his meek joy and foundation since he trusted in his Father and his sovereignty.  I do not think that we should allow others to burden us so much that it steals our joy/hope.  John Piper states, "If our joy is lost, Christ is belittled, and what then has love to offer to the beloved sinner?"  We can be totally angry and saddened by their life circumstances or wrongdoings, but realize that God is in control and still have hope.  I must learn to trust Him with my patients/clients.  John Piper also said, "Let us not be content with sins, let's be content with God in relation to sinners."
Show them God's love, but not worry endlessly over their issues.  I think worry is the opposite of courage.  Beth Moore said, "courage lives in a heart convinced that it's loved."   May God give us such a solid joy, knowing that we are loved by Him, that it may not be stolen when we must mourn over or with others.  May we trust him, not only with our own lives, but with the lives he places in our path.  Anyone have a trick to this complex balance of compassion and guarding your heart and emotions?

Fear

This is a little personal for my third day of having a blog.  But it's REAL life.
What is the thing in your life that holds you back from being effective, achieving your destiny, and living in the freedom given by Christ's forgiveness?  For me, it was fear.  I experienced so much psychological warfare about fear.  Fear of many things... sickness, death, someone I loved dying suddenly, not being on the right path, never being an effective follower of Christ, etc.  All fears that many of us have.  Let me tell you...  I dealt and struggled with fear for at least 6 years.  It has contributed to anxiety and inability to hear from God at times since I was so stuck on "cherishing" my fear.  Yep.  It was almost like fear sat on the throne in my life.  At first I tried to conceal it, even from the ones that love me most.  God has since shown me "happy masks" are not good for me; being honest and real is totally where freedom lies.  Many times, God led me through tough situations, even a close encounter with death (plane incident), and proved faithful to me. (On July 4, 2006?, my parents and my husband and I were flying in a 6-seater plane.  Dad was the pilot.  We got sent into a storm by air traffic control and many times saw the trees in our windshield.  I was never so happy to step on the ground of Louisiana that day).  Step by step God is cutting through the chains of fear.  I strive to not let fear make my decisions.  And something I have learned so clearly through this experience: when God is trying to refine you and encourage you to let something go, He will replace it with something much better.  For me, He is replacing it with trust in Him and awe/fear in Him alone.  I think it will be a life process.  Thank goodness it not about perfection, it is about the journey and our intent (a thought told to me by my wise husband).  I hope and pray that fear no longer will rule in my life.  I also hope that you will begin to see what negative thing it is in your life that holds you back from you being your best.  It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  Let go of the yoke of slavery!

Wise Words

Just a few verses from Proverbs 13 today to get me thinking...

vs 12  Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is the tree of life.
--I have seen this verse in full action in many of the lives of my close friends and in my own life.  It has related to pregnancy, careers, body image, health, etc.  I pray that God grants you your desires according to his will.  In my life, He has led me through things that bring me closer to Him.  Often times, I can only see that after the fact.

vs 14  The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life
--I hope I never take for granted the counsel of the wise people God has placed in my life.

vs. 7  One pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
--Interesting verse and a unique irony that exists everywhere.

vs. 11  Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.
--I think this verse speaks to diligence.  Another time in Proverbs I remember a reference to ants.   They do not give up and work with endurance.  I am struggling with endurance in studying right now.   I think about most lottery winners, they had no preparation for the circumstances.  I think this idea can relate to things other than monetary wealth.

vs. 20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

Welcome!

I have decided to join the blogging world.  You may ask "Why?"  Well, I enjoy getting my thoughts out on paper.  It helps me see milestones and signposts throughout my journey.  I also love keeping track of the events in my life, like a journal.  It encourages me when I see growth and can detect God's hand in the circumstances.  He is always speaking when I take time to listen.
My life has taken an interesting turn.  I am applying to medical school this year.  Crazy!  I never wanted to be a doctor, nor did I ever dream I could accomplish such a thing.  This is the supreme reason that this journey is going to be unique and a little messy (since anything I do is a little messy).  I will take the MCAT on May 21.  From now until then, I am studying... every day.  Today was the first day I really started to go crazy.  I can only fit so much knowledge in my head and I miss talking to people throughout my day!  As a physical therapist, I talked to people all day long.  Now I talk to Bailey and Henry (my dogs) at breaks.  Big change.
I'm excited about the upcoming year.  It is going to be an interesting time.  I hope you will share this journey with me.  Fasten your seat belts and enjoy the ride!

Some thoughts to consider (some things I think about and would love your commentary on):

1. How did trees get to the US?
2. Could Adam and Eve get injured or physically die before they ate the forbidden fruit?
3. Why do some birds stick around during winter?