:o)

Just thought I would say a friendly, "HELLO!"

:o)

I love kids. They are so innocent and amazing. And quite often they are so, so very honest.

Thus...my heart just melted when I was examining a little girl and she looked up at me and said, "You're pretty."

My finger's no longer naked!

I found my Baylor ring. I thought I had lost it forever. A friend of mine even offered to let me wear his Aggie ring, but it wouldn't have been the same.

It doesn't matter though...my ring is found and it is back in it's rightful place.

Odd...

When I'm sick, applesauce becomes my favorite food.

I caught her.

I caught Miss Kitty drinking from the toilet. Now I just wish I would have had my camera ready to go.

Again...

So I have a friend who I am relatively consistently a jerk around. More often than not, I'm self-centered and jealous. I'm not quite sure why these "qualities" seem to come to the surface more with this friend, but they do.

My friend usually says very little but simply allows me to realize the errors of my actions. Quite often, I'll admit, I realize them much later. Last night was different, I realized it almost immediately. I wasn't being affirming. I wasn't building my friend up. I wasn't acting out Ephesians 4:29 - "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers."

I did call and apologize, but it still doesn't erase the "icky" feeling I have that once again reminds me that I am still very much flesh. The amazing thing is that as soon as I realize and repent...Christ steps in with His mercy and grace...He steps in to say, "Go, and sin no more." And I am given the courage to change and accept the victory Christ has already won.

Sadness...

I've started drinking bad coffee.

Seriously!

When I started drinking coffee on that monumental day during July 2006, I vowed that I would only drink good...no make that fantastic coffee. I vowed that I would not become one to drink whatever coffee was available just because I needed coffee. Well...it's happened. Time and time again, I find myself drinking the free coffee at the hospital or in the clinics because I...because I "need" it.

Can anyone help me?

Hurricane Dean

It's funny...I breathed a sigh of relief when I found out that Hurricane Dean wasn't going to make landfall in Galveston. I know that I even said a prayer thanking God, but I didn't really think about the people he would hit.

Hurricane Dean's second hit in Mexico was the area where I did research in May 2006. The families depend on farming to live, and most of the banana farms have been severely damaged. They live in houses with bamboo walls, tin roofs, and dirt/cement floors. The farm animals come inside for the night...especially when it's cold. They do have electricity, but bathing and washing clothes occurs in the river. Money is sparse...but the view...the view was amazing. God's beauty was everywhere. The forests seemed almost untouched. And the people loved...their love for one another is really only something that I can equate to the love I felt when I was in Romania. To be able to love others like them...that's Christ.

Fortunately, Dean's death toll was minimal, but please pray for the people in the state of Vera Cruz. I can't imagine what they're going through.

Depraved

and sometimes the depravity of my own soul hits me square between the eyes...

All this is flashy rhetoric about loving you.
I never had a selfless thought since I was born.
I am mercenary and self-seeking through and through;
I want God, you, all friends, merely to serve my turn.

Peace, reassurance, pleasure, are the goals I seek,
I cannot crawl one inch outside my proper skin;
I talk of love - a scholar's parrot may talk Greek -
But, self-imprisoned, always end where I begin.

~ C.S. Lewis

I need ideas.

I'm still raising money with Team in Training for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, but I'm running out of ideas for fundraisers. Does anyone have any ideas?

Beauty

People are like stained glass windows --
the true beauty can be seen only when there is light from within.
The darker the night, the brighter the windows.
--Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

My dream came true...almost.

I love to sail. I love the feel of the wind against my face. I love the feel of a sailboat as you can hover close to capsizing while sailing close hauled. I love gliding through the water. Anyway, a couple of months ago I dreamt I bought a sailboat. Actually I bought a gigantic sailboat. The one in my dream had 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms...and a helicopter. All for $500.

Okay, so I didn't by a sailboat, but I did go sailing over the weekend. It was fantastic and just as wonderful as I remember it.

Ahhhh...the sun on my face...the wind in my hair...and porpoises swimming alongside...a little piece of heaven.

Running...

I've taken my running to a new level. No...I'm not running sub-six minute miles...at least not yet, but I have incorporated some new things into my routine. Or as one man I know would say...I've nerded it up.

I now know how much water I lose for every mile I run...8 ounces. That's about normal. Some people lose more. Some people lose less. I happen to be about normal. I can also tell you how many electrolytes I lose when I run. I'll spare you the details, but I'm now rehydrating with more than just water. Hydrating involves mixing and measuring and way more than just taking a swig from a water fountain. I've also calculated how many calories I burn per mile...definitely not enough to warrant the three times I had ice cream in the past two weeks...but ah...it was heavenly.

But nothing in this new level of running changes one of the main reasons I enjoy it. When I come back from a long run and am completely drenched with sweat, all the little hairs that have fallen out of my ponytail...all the little wispy hairs...are in ringlets. Yep, they are completely curly. Now, I'm fairly certain that no man would ever appreciate this...me being drenched with sweat or the fact that it makes my hair curly...but I'm going to continue running anyway.

I scream...You scream...We all scream for ice cream!

Today is National Ice Cream Day.
Go ahead and celebrate!

Good Night!

I have so much that I want to say, but I don't know how to say it. I've never been a fantastic communicator, but I don't even know where to begin. The last three weeks have been amazing. There have been mountain top experiences, and there have been difficult times. I have cried with patients, and I have rejoiced with patients. I am working long hours and not sleeping as much as I used to...and yet, I am filled with more joy and excitement than I could have ever imagined.

Right now though...it's 7:20 pm...and I'm going to take this opportunity to get a little extra sleep...so I'm going to bed.

As American as...

Happy 4th of July!

Things I've learned in the last week

1. Be careful with how much you put in your pockets...weighing down drawstring pants is not a good thing.
2. I learn best by seeing, hearing, and doing.
3. I love interacting with patients and their families.
4. If you go get coffee, be sure to ask your resident if he or she would like some...they usually need it more.
5. Danskos are my best friend.
6. Radiologists are super-helpful.
7. Stairs are faster than elevators.
8. Going to bed like I'm five is actually really nice.
9. Running is still one of my favorite activities.
10. If your resident or attending says you can go home for the day...don't argue.
11. Introduce yourself to everyone...most people respond well to smiles and handshakes.
12. I have a lot to learn...seriously...how do Mark and Sarah do it?!

Faithfulness and Grace

Over the past month...almost two...God has been teaching me more and more about His faithfulness and grace.

This morning I awoke with praise on my lips.

Great is Your faithfulness oh God
You wrestle with the sinner's heart
You lead us by still waters and to mercy
And nothing can keep us apart

So remember Your people
Remember Your children
Remember Your promise
Oh God

Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough for me

Great is Your love and justice God
You use the weak to lead the strong
You lead us in the song of Your salvation
And all Your people sing along

So remember Your people
Remember Your children
Remember Your promise
Oh God

Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough for me
- Matt Mayer

Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. - Hebrews 10:23

And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." - 2 Corinthians 12:9a

Pastor Gregg should be in marketing.

So Pastor Gregg mentioned Crystal Light Peach Iced Tea during his sermon on Sunday...and since then, I can't get it out of my head. I've had coffee, diet coke, regular tea...nothing's worked. Today I broke down and bought some.

Finally...refreshment.

Pecan Supreme

I had no idea that my favorite cookie said so much about me.

If your favorite cookie is Pecan Supreme you are curious, sincere and love being pampered in luxury.

People who are Pecan Supreme cookie eaters are health conscious and are drawn to clothes, homes and partners that are comfortable and elegant. They are refined and traditional, prefer low-key social gatherings with music and quiet discussions, but are never boring. Pecan Supreme cookie lovers are methodical and precise in business, and are careful about money, which allows them to invest and save wisely. They are shy and sometimes seem unfriendly, but are solid and reliable with high expectations of friends and family.

Great American Cookies