Thursday, October 22, 2009

on receiving a scholarship

I write with a happy heart tonight as I just found out that I am the recipient of a scholarship from Banner Health.  I applied for this scholarship back in September, was called in for an interview and then had to wait a couple weeks before they told us who they were going to choose.  I was hanging out with my family tonight when I got the email saying I was chosen.  It was wonderful being able to share my news with all of them!  And the amazing thing about this scholarship is that it's not just tuition reimbursement but it ALSO means that I "owe" them once I graduate by working for them for 3 years, in other words--a guaranteed job when I graduate.  How awesome is that?! I am so happy and I still can't believe that I got it! I feel so deeply blessed and I am truly grateful to God for all He has given me.  I can't wait to be a nurse and now I have assurance that I will have a job when I graduate!!! For those of you who knew about this while I was in the process of the application, thank you for praying on my behalf!

Sunday, October 18, 2009

recycle OR self-compost

Ok I think ASU has taken this whole "go green" thing a little too far.  At the downtown campus, there are hardly any regular trash cans.  Everywhere you look there are recycle bins that have special compartments for paper, plastic, glass, or aluminum.  But you have to seriously search out the whole building just to find a regular trash can!!  It's like, "well if you're trash doesn't fall into one of these categories than you shouldn't be throwing it away and we'll just let you hold onto it"...or at least that's what I imagine them saying (haha)!  I've even found myself stashing my trash into my backpack and having to walk around with it because I know it's not worthy of being thrown away.  But at least it's provided a topic for conversation and sometimes a few jokes amongst us students, so I guess I shouldn't be complaining after all. =)

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Pray for Kate



Kate McRae is a precious 5-year old girl who is courageously battling a rare brain tumor.  Her family attends Cornerstone and her dad is actually one of the pastors there.  They discovered her tumor back in July and ever since then have been journeying through the awful world of "life with cancer."  Kate underwent brain surgery initially and now she is on round 4 of her chemotherapy.  I think the most amazing part of this whole thing is that people all around the world have heard about Kate and her story - people that her family has never met and probably never will.  Because people understand the power of prayer and the power of supporting others when they can't do it on their own.  I know that God is doing incredible things through little Kate's life and I believe that this is only the beginning.  We pray for complete healing from this brain tumor but also that the rest of her body wouldn't be harmed by possible side effects of the chemo.  I ask that you join along in praying for Kate and her family.  Her mom keeps a blog and you can read it to keep track of Kate's progress and specific prayer requests as they come up.  I firmly believe that God never wastes pain.  He uses all of our weaknesses and trials for His glory and He promises to not give us more than we can bear.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Downtown

I was walking to my car today after class and I walked through something that changed my whole day.  I go to school at the ASU downtown campus and I have to walk about 7 blocks to get to my car from my classes.  I often walk through the Arizona Center, which has lots of restaurants, business offices and a nicely landscaped courtyard area.  It's usually pretty quiet with not much going on but today it was really crowded.  As I was walking through all of the commotion and looking around at all of the people, I suddenly felt happy.  There were people laughing and eating lunch together on the restaurant patios, people reading books on benches, a grandma playing with her grandson, several guys throwing a football back and forth, and other people just sitting and enjoying the nice weather we've been blessed with.  I felt like I was walking through a movie or a postcard where everyone looks so happy and everyone gets along with each other and you feel like the world is at peace.  It was so cool because I was in the middle of downtown, with cars driving by and the whole city busy at work, and yet everything seemed so calm and safe.  I think there is so much negativity in our lives and it becomes too easy to look past the beauty of each day and to celebrate each day for what it is.  If I had been focused on what all I needed to get done today or too busy thinking about other things, I might have missed the beauty of that moment.  Walking through the Arizona Center made me happy because I saw people, some probably strangers to each other, getting along and enjoying life together.  I think we have to create hope and happiness in our lives and encourage others when they're feeling down.  I thank God for each day that He gives me...I don't want to ever take my life for granted.  In the words of Shauna Niequist (author of Cold Tangerines - great book!!!), "I want my everyday to make God belly laugh, glad that he gave life to someone who loves the gift, who will use it up and wring it out and drag it around like a favorite sweater."  Being joyful is contagious...have you spread any around today?