The past couple weeks...

The past couple weeks have been pretty good out here in MI. The weather has been getting warmer, more sunny (with the exception of some rain and T-storms), and spring is finally developing! :) Now THAT is my kind of weather!

School continues to be busy with projects here and there. My clinical is going well; however, I'm getting ready to be done with the community work we're doing and get back into the hospital. Last weekend, my community nursing class worked at a clean up day at the community center. (Pictures below) Most of us worked on bringing mulch to all of the planters and into the garden with wheel barrels and then spreading it all out. It was a beautiful day! Unfortunately, while taking the last trip up the stairs, lifting wheel barrel, my back was tweaked somehow. I've been having back spasms ever since, and within the last few days I've been having some numbness/tingling in my legs. It gets better with movement, but as soon as I calm down again, it tightens up again and seems to be pinching a nerve. Since it's only been getting worse and the ibuprofen doesn't seem to do much anymore, I'm heading to health services in the afternoon tomorrow (hopefully) so I can get a prescription for an anti-spasmotic or a referral of some sorts. Please pray that the pain is relieved soon so I can sleep better and continue to be active outside. I hate having to avoid activity... especially when it's so nice out!

(L-R: Me, Laura, Professor Beth Gordon, Christi, Sara, & Valerie)

Last Sunday, I got to hang out with Kate and Ryan for the day. We went to church, out to lunch, and then vegged all day. It was nice to have some quality time with them for a day. :)


One of my housemates, Jessica, had a wedding shower today. It was so fun to be with all the girls and to celebrate all together. Her mom and a couple of her sisters came out from Saginaw, MI, so it was nice to see them as well.

This week, I have academic advising on Tuesday and Wednesday, so it will be a nice break from clinical in the middle of the week. I have a couple presentations tomorrow, but the rest of the week should be a breeze! :)

Graduation was 4 weeks away as of yesterday... we're all getting so excited, but we're also getting very sentimental and wanting to spend good quality time with each other. It'll be nice to be done with school, but strange to start something new all over again!

For now,
Emily

Update on Alaina

I got an e-mail from Steph today saying...

"Just an update- Alaina has Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia which is the most common type of leukemia in kids, so that's good because it's treatable and lots of studies have been done on it! She's starting chemo today so a few specific prayer requests:

- that her body will respond well and that all those bad cells will die quickly
- that Alaina will have peace- she's pretty scared and it's hard for her to understand whats happening.
-for her family"

Please keep praying!!

Alaina

I got news today from my friend, Stephanie, that her best friend's niece possibly has Leukemia. Her friend is very upset and it's hitting close to home for Steph too, but they are asking for prayers from anyone and everyone. The little girl's name is Alaina-- she is 3 years old. Please pray for her family and anyone else who is struggling with the news. The doctors think she'll be a fighter because she seems to be a feisty little girl, but pray that the Lord's will be done in Alaina's life.

One of my favorite songs that we sing at my church out here in Michigan is called, "Mighty to Save." Here are the lyrics:

"MIGHTY TO SAVE"

Everyone needs compassion,
Love that's never failing;
Let mercy fall on me.

Everyone needs forgiveness,
The kindness of a Savior;
The Hope of nations.

Savior, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.

So take me as You find me,
All my fears and failures,
Fill my life again.

I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in,
Now I surrender.

My Savior, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.

Shine your light and let the whole world see,
We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus (x2)

My Savior, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.

My Savior, you can move the mountains,
You are mighty to save,
You are mighty to save.
Forever, Author of Salvation,
You rose and conquered the grave,
Yes you conquered the grave

The words are so powerful. The family is very fearful of what might be in the future, but I want to ask for prayer that they will feel God's presence during this difficult time. I'll try to keep you all posted as I get more news.

Thanks for your prayers!

Remembering Tyler

Today at Bethany, my church in CA, there is a blood drive hosted in honor of this little man, Tyler Verkaik. He passed away Sept. 6, 2007 due to an infection after receiving a bone marrow transplant the previous June. Please remember his family (both his biological and his family in Christ) as they remember his life today- he would have been 4 years old!

HURRY!!

I just read one of the blogs I've been following for over a year now. The author is the wife of the lead singer in the singing group, Selah. Her name is Angie. She is an amazing writer and their family's story is amazing. They lost their daughter a year ago this coming Tuesday. As she's been going through her grieving, she has been updating all of her blog readers about her experience. She just posted an update and included a new song that will be coming out by Selah this August. It is AMAZING!!! Please go and visit as soon as possible-- it will only be up for 3 days!! Don't miss out on the preview! :) You can either click on the blog button on the right side of this page (Bring the Rain) or click this link: Angie Smith's Blog

ENJOY!

Busy week.

This week has been pretty busy with new classes beginning, research critiques due, and a test to study for that will be tomorrow morning. I'm also the primary nurse in my simulation lab tomorrow, which is just another thing to add on to the "to do" list. Through it all, I've been able to spend some good quality time with both my housemates and some of my good friends in the evenings. Overall, it's been a wonderful first week back.

I've also been able to fit in a couple trips to the new gym at Calvin with one of my roommates, Michelle. It's been fun spending that time with her and laughing our way through squats, lunges, and pull-ups. She pushes me, which makes it hard, but very worthwhile. All I have to say is... I'm very sore today, but in a good way. :)

I just finished my cleaning job and have realized how much I love going over there, even though it's to clean. The couple's house that I go to is just the sweetest couple and they feed me lunch! (A plus in a college student's mind!) It's nice to spend a couple hours with them on Thursdays since I don't have class.

I have plans to go with my friend, Stephanie, to her sister's house and we get to take care of her 2 nephews and 1 foster nephew. I can't wait to spend time with her on our trip and also with those kiddos. Hopefully I'll be able to figure out posting some pictures after I get back.

Now... I'm off to spend some time preparing for my lab tomorrow and studying for my test.