Finally Home for Christmas

With my final day at the hospital completed, I eagerly packed up some last minute items, and loaded my backpack into a friends van- destination Calgary. There was about 7 of us nursing students heading home for the Holidays, so it was really nice to spend our final time together Road Trip style, even if it was only an hour and a half drive. After dropping my roommate off at the airport, the rest of us catching later flights that weekend headed to Wendy's for dinner and then to the Chinook Mall where we would all get picked up and head our separate ways. While waiting for my friend Janelle to come get me, I stumbled across the Twilight novels in a bookstore, and eagerly picked up the first two novels to read in transit. I realize by doing this I am falling into line with the many other Twilight enthusiasts... and up to a few days prior I really thought the books sounded rediculous. But when, being extremely bored one night, I watched a blurry internet copy of the film version I found myself really getting into the story, and it was decided I HAD to get my hands on those books.



Since my flight was not until Saturday afternoon, I had planned to stay with my Discover friend, Janelle, in Calgary for the two nights prior. We were able to get some outdoor skating action in, eventhough the daily temperatures were in the -30's, but made sure to do lots of Hot Chocolate drinking, and knitting by a warm fire to thaw ourselves out afterwards. I am so glad I was able to spend that time with such an amazing friend. Definitely Cherished.





With my luck flying and travelling in general, I would have been a fool to think this trip would be any different then the others, however even with the amount of Cancelled flights in Toronto the day before, I was still hopefully went I got to the airport (but still checked in 3 hours ahead just to be safe). But of course, eventhough I was the first to be at the gate, the lady at the desk informed me that the flight i was on was overbooked by 7 or so people, and through a series of 'random factors' I was one of the lucky 7 to wait until the plane was completely borded until they started clearing us onto the flight. I still think the fact that I was young, travelling alone, and making no connecting flights might have had something to do with it, not to mention that I am permanently jinxed with travelling to the point where people don't want to travel with me! haha.
But I did make it on the flight and arrived on time and safe to Toronto, without my baggage, but I did make it.

I am excited to spend time with family and friends over the next few days as Christmas draws nearer. Hope Everyone has a Merry Christmas!

Let it Snow

I absolutely love the snow. Winter is my favourite season and Christmas my favourite holiday. And so this morning when I woke up early to get to the hospital, I was completely awestruck by the beauty when i stepped outside. Snow had just freshly fallen, the kind that looks light and fluffy, and glitters in the light. The moon was still brightly reflecting in the sky, and the snow beautifully captured that light and was glittering for all to see... all those that were awake and braving the -45C weather and not still comfortably snuggled in their beds that is. It was honestly like walking in a magical fairytale world. Definitely worth waking up for : )

In the past weeks, the snow has been falling regularly, and now we have a fairly decent amount of snow outside... but still not near as much as back home in Ontario, and so I am REALLY looking forward to being back there in a few days, and besides getting to see my lovely family and friends, getting to play in all that snow!


(P.S Alex and Jord- we need to start building a ramp in the snow in the backyard ASAP when i get back to mess around on the snowboards with! Can't wait to see you two soon!)

Here's some snowy pictures- Enjoy!

Christmas in WhoVille

This year for our school's annual Christmas Banquet, the theme was " A Who Christmas" (from the Grinch). The student council did a really great job planning and decorating.... all in all it was a huge hit. Here are some photos from the evening : )

Operation Christmas Child

For as long as I can remember, every Christmas my mom would get my sisters and I together and we would help her fill different shoe boxes with gifts that would be distributed to Children around the globe with a project called Operation Christmas Child. Many people have heard of Franklin Graham, Samaritan Purse's founder's project, and in fact has been promoted in Canada, the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Germany.

My friend Steph has had the awesome privilege of spending a day volunteering at one of the shoe box sorting days that take place in the larger cities for each of these countries, where the shoe boxes are sent once they have been packed to be checked before going to customs. While there last year she was able to see a direct result of a Christmas Shoe Box, as well as hear many other stories. A fellow volunteer working with her was actually a girl attending Calgary University, originally from Africa. She told Steph the story of how as a little girl she was given a shoe box filled with school supplies as well as other fun things. That gift inspired her to continue in school even when it was expensive for her family, and looked down upon in her community because she was female, and eventually she ended up studying medicine at U of C. She saw the impact that a small gift can make first hand, and how God can make miracles come in pretty little gift-wrapped boxes, and wanted to take her turn on the other side of that miracle.

Another story she told me was that of a young boy in South America. The gifts had been distributed to the group of children all gathered from the community, and all had opened their gifts except this boy. When asked by one of the distribution volunteers why he hadn't opened his gift yet, the boy looked up with tears in his eyes and said that the only thing he prayed for, for Christmas was a mom and a dad, and he knew that they could not fit into a box so small. The volunteer, heartbroken for the boy, encouraged him to open the box anyways and when he did, amongst the gifts inside was a letter and a photo of a couple. They had left their address and the volunteer encouraged the boy to write to them. Three years later the couple were able to finally adopt this boy and bring him to live with them in the states.

Final story I will share is of a mother who, with her three young children, ran to a distribution drop off center, hoping that she was not too late to let her children pick out a box. Sadly the volunteers replied that all the boxes had already been given out, all except one that had been damaged along the way. The mother assured them that she did not mind, as long as there was something for her kids to share. When they opened this seemingly worthless box, she discovered a hundred dollar bill in a crisp white envelope. She attempted to return it to the volunteers, they insisted she keep it, knowing that God had meant this gift to go to her family. Steph explained that part of their jobs while sorting was to remove anything with high value such as this from the gifts because people are warned these things cannot go into the gifts because it creates a risk of the distribution trucks being attacked by rebel groups thinking they hold great wealth. (Which has actually happened, people have died attempting to deliver these gifts in certain countries- just a little something O.C.C does not advertise)So for this envelope to make it through their sorting at the warehouse, and again through customs unnoticed was a God thing.

After listening to Steph's stories, one thing she said stuck out to me and inspired me to use my love for knitting to make something special for a child somewhere. She said that many people that fill the boxes don't realize that they also send them to places like Russia, Eastern European countries, etc. and that they actually specially mark boxes with warm clothing/ gifts inside to be sent specifically to those countries.

It was really fun continuing this Christmas tradition my mom started now that i'm on my own, especially after hearing some of the stories that show how God can work in something as simple as a shoe box.



I hope you find these stories as interesting and amazing as I did- and remember the 'reason for the season' as it begins!

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/Pack_A_Shoe_Box/

There's Just So Much to Love About...

KNITTING!

Knitting is more popular today than it has been in decades. Some call it, "the hot new hobby" and even "the new yoga." Modern knitters are rediscovering this age-old craft- sprinkling it with their own brand of individuality- and basking in the joy of making something beautiful with their hands. It has become one fun way to take time here and there to simply slow down, take a deep breath and relax, balancing out the usually fast-paced, ever-ending To-Do list lifestyle most individuals find themselves in.



I started knitting last year at school. It was a great way to clear your head before studying, as well as something that enhanced friendships. I can remember the countless nights that all the girls on my floor would gather all together with their current knitting projects as we talked and laughed late into the night. Now, being back at school this year I have found knitting to be one way I can just sit in quiet, or perhaps listening to some peaceful music, and relax from a stressful day in class or at the hospital which re-energizes me to complete the next task on 'The List'.


Here are some fun ideas on how to enhance that relaxing time while knitting!

1. Draw yourself a nice warm bubble bath, put on some soothing music and start knitting. (Sadly I have not been able to try this out yet... I don't the showers at school would allow for similar results, however I am anxiously awaiting Christmas vacation when I can go home and spend some time doing just this).

2. Put on a classic, and grab a cozy blanket. Some good films for knitting are:
Little Women (1994)
A Tale of Two Cities (1935)
Breakfast at Tiffanys (1961)
Devine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002)
Pride and Prejudice (2005/ 1995; the older one is really good but six hours long so maybe save that one for a lazy rainy day)
Sense and Sensibility (1995)


3. Make some home-made Hot Chocolate, sit by a nice warm fire and knit yourself some mitts or a scarf to fend off that cold weather outside.

Here's a good recipe:
(This recipe yields one serving, to make more simply multiply each quantity by the number of people you are serving).

1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, such as Hersey's European Style
1/2 tsp granulated sugar
Few grains of salt
2/3 cup 2-percent milk
1/4 cup chopped bittersweet chocolate
Dash of cognac (optional)

In a small bowl, combine the cocoa powder, sugar, and salt. Set aside. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, warm the milk until hot, but not boiling. Add about 1tbsp of the milk to the cocoa mixture, and stir to make paste. Add the paste and the chopped chocolate to the saucepan of hot milk, place back over medium-low heat, and cook, stirring continuously with a whisk, until the chocolate melts and the mixture is hot, but not boiling. Whisk the mixture until frothy, then pour into a preheated mug. Add cognac if desired. Enjoy!

White Chocolate Ginderbread Cafe Au Lait

When friends come to visit Kara and I in Three Hills, we sure know how to show them a good time... with a long overdue photo shoot session of course! This weekend our friends Janelle and Hannah, who were in Discover with us last year, made the trek back to lil' old Three Hills to surprise us. We excitedly decided that this was an opportunity we could not pass up to relive some key bonding experiences from last year in the form of photography. Last weekend while driving to Banff I noticed this old abandoned farm on the side of the road heading right out of town, and thought it would be a really neat place to take pictures... so off we went. It was a really fun afternoon with great friends... and it all began with a little Starbucks magic. Yum!

Here's some of yesterdays photos. (Click here if other link does not work)

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Lest We Forget

This day, November 11, marks the end of much suffering, mourning and tears. It was today in 1918 that WWI finally ended, and since has been a day to remember and commemorate the sacrifices of members of the armed forces, and civilians in all times of war.







Each November, over thirteen million poppies blossom in Canada. They blossom on the jackets, dresses and hats of nearly half the Canadian population and they have blossomed for almost 75 years, since 1921, when this tradition first began. The poppy is the symbol used to show that they remember those who were killed in the wars and peace keeping operations that Canada has been involved in.

The person responsible for the adoption of the poppy in Canada was a Canadian Medical Officer during WWI, Lt. Col. John McCrae of Guelph Ont, and his poem, In Flanders Fields (France) is still recited on this day in many schools, and memorial services occurring across the country.

In Canada, it is easy to take for granted our current way of life, our freedom to participate in cultural and political events, and our right to live under a government of our choice. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms in our constitution ensures that all Canadians enjoy protection under this law. Soldiers who went off to war went in the belief that such rights and freedoms were being threatened. They truly believed that "Without freedom there can be no ensuring peace and without peace no enduring freedom."

In remembering their service and their sacrifice, we recognize the tradition of freedom they fought to preserve. These men and women had faith in the future and by their acts gave us the will to preserve peace for all time. On Remembrance Day, we acknowledge the courage and gallantry of those who served their country.


And so on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, I invite you to join in with so many others in a moment of silence on this years REMEMBRANCE DAY.

In Flander's Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flander's fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, tho poppies grow
In Flander's fields.

Liet. -Col. John McCrae

A Part of Our Heritage- Flanders Fields Short Video Clip

Harvest Party

Last night for Halloween our school put on a Harvest party and we all dressed up for some mega fun. Check out some of the pictures... some of the costumes are pretty funny! Enjoy!

Left: Just after we finished getting ready, we've got some cowgirls, a Southern Belle, and me, straight from the 80's with bright blue eye shadow!


Right: Thugs, Richard Simmons want to bes, and Kara and I again

It was a really fun night; dressing up is always a good time, and we got to have some fun with our costumes!
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Stepping on the Floor

Today I stepped onto the floor for the first time! Im sure you all read that and said, "what the heck is she talking about?! She's been walking on floors for 19 years!" Well allow me to clarify. 'Stepping onto the floor' is simply what it is called when you start your shift at the Hospital. That's right! This morning at 0645h I started my first day of practicum working at the Three Hills Hospital! In the days preceding I was super nervous. I was worried I would forget everything I had learned so far, or not feel comfortable... so many things were just circulating in my head. But this morning when I started everything just fell into place, and I can safely say that i absolutely loved every minute of it. The people, the surroundings, smells, noises, everything just fit me in a strange way I cannot describe other then to say that I felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

We started out the morning getting to know where everything was located or kept, then started reading through the clients care plans, etc. to get a better understanding of each of their diagnosis's, and how to better care for each individuals specific needs. Then it was time for breakfast. Since we are starting out in Long-term care we were able to sit at the tables in the dinning rooms with the patients, assist them with feeding, and take the time to start getting to know them.

Right now we are just at the hospital 1-2 days a week for 8 hour shifts, but in a few weeks we will be working there 5 days a week, and having 4 of our own patients which is really exciting... but for now I am okay doing a bit more shadowing just to get more comfortable with how everything is run.

Thanks for all your prayers and support thus far on my Career-Adventure! God is definitely blessing me with amazing teachers, and a wonderful group of girls studying right along side me!

What is Sustaining Grace?

Sustaining Grace is...

NOT GRACE TO BAR WHAT IS NOT BLISS,
NOR FLIGHT FROM ALL DISTRESS, BUT THIS:
THE GRACE THAT ORDERS OUR TROUBLE AND PAIN
AND THEN, IN THE DARKNESS, IS TO SUSTAIN.

-JOHN PIPER
I know that in my life there has been an array of experiences I can think of where at the time I honestly struggled with the 'why would God allow this to happen in my life?" way of thinking. I know I am not the only one to experience trials and follow the same sort of thinking pattern. It doesn't even have to pertain to your life specifically either. Questions such as "Why if God is good does he allow bad things to happen, such as poverty, or diseases such as Cancer or HIV/AIDS?" that seem to effect
large populations of this world can also arise this way of thinking.

Sometimes after periods of time we are able to find a bit of solace in the rough times we had gone through, or even guilt we perhaps experience, through a variety of different ways. One of these ways could possibly be, for example, seeing some reason, big or small, for the experience- some good that can come from it.

I have done exactly this. And though a reason, or a bit of good is comfort for a while, it is never lasting, and the hurt continues to rise. All of this is cause to a lack of my understanding on the Sustaining Grace God offers to us- every single one of us.

A few days ago Kyle emailed me a link to this sermon by John Piper and when i finally had a chance today to sit down and listen to it without distraction, I experienced a remarkable freeing feeling from simply better understanding what Sustaining Grace is.
Re-read the poem John Piper wrote to better clarify this. Isn't that so true?

In his sermon he tells a story of a girl who was in a car crash when she was little, and how if God had not provided her with a doctor in the car behind, with the tools needed to save her life on hand she wouldn't have lived that day. Later on her wedding day, the pastor made a comment on the scars she still had on her neck from the accident and said that her scars were memorials of Gods Sustaining Grace! Reading that made me want to jump up and dance around the room! HOW EXCITING IS IT TO THINK IN THAT PERSPECTIVE?! Sure God could have chosen to stop an accident from even occuring if he could provide all the means for preserving her life-- and you can look on the scars of your life as a constant reminder of something horrible that occurred in your past. OR you can look upon those scars as a beautiful and cherished memory of how God's grace was sustaining. That is not something to feel sorry for yourself about, or guilty about... it is something to sing praises about, dance around your room about... celebrate without hesitation!

This is just a small amout of what John Piper talks about, there is so much exciting things he has to say about this topic, but this particular part was so impactful and exciting to me I just had to share my experience of it. PLEASE check out this sermon, you can read it, listen to it, or both (if you're like me, both helps me to concentrate on it better). Click HERE for the Link... ENJOY! and may God speak to your heart through it as He has done for me.

Bringing Home Baby...

*Our First Photo*

My new Nikon D80 that is : ) For as long as I can remember my two greatest passions have been Writing and Photography, and finally the long awaited day came where I had saved up enough pennies to buy this special treasure. Sadly, other then my Aunts wedding I haven't had much time to turn this bad boy on and go looking for shots, but I am taking advantage of every opportunity I can get my hands on.

In a more long term setting I am hoping to use this ability to make money that can go directly towards mission work, hopefully starting with my next scheduled overseas adventure to India in May on a medical mission trip. We are just beginning preparation for that now so please keep us in your prayers!

Hopefully My Nikon and I will have some new photos for your viewing enjoyment real soon!

What a Beautiful Day for a Wedding

Over Thanksgiving break i was able to return home to be at my Aunt's Wedding. What a Beautiful day! Apart from the perfect weather, decorations, etc. what made this day so special was two amazing people, and their story of how God brought them both through extremely hard trials in their lives, eventually blessing them with the love they now share for each other.

Read at the wedding was Jeremiah 29:11 "'For I know the plans I have for you', declares the Lord. 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope'". As was said at the Wedding, this verse has shown itself true in their relationship in such a unique and beautiful way. I have always loved this verse, perhaps for the hope that it does instill,and it was so refreshing to see God working in this way in the lives of two very special people.

Congratulations Dana and Rick! I am so happy for you, you both deserve the utmost happiness and love you have found in each other.

Just a few photos from the wedding here.

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The Beautiful Colours of Fall

I love this time of year, next to winter it has to be one of my favourites. The colours are so beautiful, especially back home. Lucky for me I was able to go home and spend it with family. Here's just a few photos...

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Wahoo for the Guzoo

Last weekend, Kara, Scott, Kyle and I got to visit the local Three Hills Zoo. If you have ever visited Three Hills, something you would not expect to find is a zoo, especially one with such a range of animals... Lions, Tigers and Bears, yes they have it all.After playing with the donkeys and Alpaca's in the petting zoo, we went to the guinea pig cage. You wouldn't think those little guys were hard to catch, but they proved to be just that. After Scott caught the King of the Pigs, we had to get a picture of him and his prize.A first for us all i think was holding a skunk... Flower, what a sweety. She was actually really gentle, and pretty cute : )

After we had all had a turn holding Flower, one of the owners of the Guzoo asked us if we would want to go into the cage where they held one of their lions, and a wolf. I think the general concensis when asked this question would be something like "This man must be insane", but the four of us looked at each other with big grins, and couldn't get Flower back into her cage fast enough. Sure a skunk is cool... but it was time for bigger and more life threatening things.

And of course when asked if we would like to have the lion sit on our lap... we couldn't help but say Heck yes!

The whole time spent there was a lot of fun... it is always a great day when you get the opportunity to do something that you have never done before.

+just a little side note; my computer is currently getting fixed, so posts might get a little behind, as this one did.

Just a Saturday Morning in Three Hills...

If you are ever passing through the small town of Three Hills around this time of year, and on a Saturday morning there is something you will not want to pass up if you enjoy 'doing as the locals do'. This semester, not long after arriving at school, Kyle and I found out what "Three Hillians" get excited about--- and I mean REALLY excited. Garage Salling. Yes that's right, every Saturday morning (and the occational Friday night for the real enthusiasts) there is an abundance of sellers and buyers alike setting their alarms a little extra early, and braving the morning chill in order to get rid of old junk, or find a treasure.

I remember as a kid loving waking up early on Saturday morning, loading into the car with Dad and going around to garage sales. It was so exciting to grab the newspaper, circle the garage sale ads that sounded like they would be good during a delicious early morning breakfast of Captain Crunch, or Pancakes (with Maple Syrup...yumm) and then drive around the country side like we were on some kind of wild treasure hunt, racing to be the first ones to the best deals.

This past Saturday morning Kyle and I got up early to do just this, not really knowing about many Garage Sales going on, but decided it would be fun anyways. We headed over to the Max's Gas Station, where there is a telephone pole many people put their Garage Sale ads on, and where it seems like is the first stop of the morning for most prospective buyers to fill up on gas, and jot down all the addresses. When we got there, we were a bit overwhelmed with the amount of sales going on. Looks like we've got a full morning in front of us...

About 5 hours of continuous walking later (yes that's right... and my legs were feeling it later, let me tell you) we slowly made our way to Kyle's place for some lunch. We were a little under half way there when I had myself convinced that I absolutely could not walk another step, and collapsed on the grass, refusing to move until I had just sat for a minute or two. It was a good thing that we had stumbled upon a garage sale with a whole "FREE ZONE" on their front lawn (much to Kyle's enthusiastic excitement) because Kyle decided to pick up a lawn chair for free, so he had something to sit on, and a Monster Truck Magazine to read while I lay dying on the grass.

It has been an awesome way to spend a Saturday morning- good exercise, company, setting out on a mission. I can't wait for my alarm to go off extra early again next Saturday : )


Some of our awesome finds include:

• A Moose photo mounted on a wooden plaque
• A Pyrex casserole dish
• A JELL-O Easter Egg mold
• A Lawn chair recliner, reinforced with seatbelts, making it completely indestructible (so Kyle says... we'll see, I bet I could figure out a way to break it haha)
• An 3-Pane IKEA picture frame, never opened
• Dictionary for Fishing and Hunting Terms
• 2 Wooden Spoons
• A Lamp
• Salt and Pepper Shakers
• etc

Total Spent: approx. 5 dollars