The trials that didn't kill us...yet.

I haven't been on much. Obviously. A lack of time or shortage of patience has kept me from it I think. But finally I stand nearing the end of another school year and I am overjoyed. I can count the number of clinicals left this semester on 3 fingers. Yes, 3. And though that is bitter-sweet in its self, next semester I going to be where my heart is- pediatrics. This semester, however, I have had the opportunity to get to know 9 totally amazing nursing students who I now call friends. I have also been blessed by so many incredible patients who have done far more for me than I could ever do for them and I have found myself so in love with the patient care aspect of clinicals that I am blown away. Not only are they patients, they are also vets. Old and young, male and female, and it has been an honor to give back and a joy to hear their stories. But the beginning of the year got of to a rough start. We were hit with trials from all sides that we could have never seen coming. And we survived... To this point anyway. And as bad as it was or seemed, we were always able to see how things could have been so much worse and how we had really been spared. Several surgeries, 8 weeks with no work, a lost job, full time nursing school, and a new job later, we are still standing. Most of the questions we had about resources to keep us floating the ability to do what needed to be done have been answered. And who would have thought the entire process would place the job that Justin has been after for several years directly in his lap?... I was (once again) reminded of a few things that I believe 100%: Easy doesn’t = good. Things can change real quick. Stability is a mirage. Job security doesn't exist. People change. Often blessings are disguised in disappointment. Death, and life, often happen when you least expect it. Life is but a vapor; the impact of that life can span generations. Some of the best gifts you could ever possibly get are ones you thought you didn't want. Unanswered prayers actually aren't unanswered. Sometimes where you need to be resembles somewhere you don't want to go... until you get there. God is the only Constant. Anyway- I felt like I needed to post an update before my next post which will probably be later today if all goes as planned... :)