Meeting blog friends

I first began following a blog and praying for people I had never met through Luke's blog back in September 2004, shortly after his near-drowning accident. And in June of 2006, when Luke's family was vacationing in California at a campground about 30 minutes from where I live, I got to meet sweet Luke and his family. I still have fond memories of the afternoon I spent visiting with Luke and his family, and remember vividly holding him in my arms. Praying for his healing became even more tangible. Join me in following Luke's journey and praying for him!

Then this last fall I got to meet Bella's wonderful family: Tim & Angelique, and big sister Ali (4½). Anabella was born with a rare genetic skin disorder, Epidermolysis Bullosa, and underwent a bone marrow transplant during the summer. Bella died on October 11, at the age of 16 months. I had the privilege of attending her memorial service...her parents and big sister are truly amazing. Bella was a blessing to all during her life and continues to touch people through the legacy she left.

Then just yesterday, while home in Northern California for Christmas break, I was able to visit sweet Elijah's family: his mom, Marie, brother Josiah, 5, and baby sister Haliah, 8 months (Dad Steve was at work and big sister Kayla, 12, was at a sleepover). I have been following Elijah's blog since Marie's pregnancy with him in 2008, and this past year Marie and I have gotten to know each other through facebook and texts. Marie is a wonderful prayer warrior and has blessed me numerous times. And we got to know each other all because of precious Lijah's short life and the impact he has had on so many. It was fantastic getting to meet them and spend the day together yesterday.

One Last Christmas

Being Healthy

So yesterday, for whatever reason, I got really motivated to start exercising regularly, eating better, and losing weight. And I found this super fun (I think) website to keep track of everything (and it's free). http://www.fitday.com/ And the funniest part? Well, today I went to the gym for the first time in forever, so afterward I was logging my "activities" on the website and looking for "elliptical". I couldn't find it, so I was looking under every category trying to find something similar. And under "walking" one of the choices is "walking to and from an outhouse"! Yes, seriously. And according to the site, one minute of walking to an outhouse burns 2 calories. Definitely a type of exercise I'll have to consider in the future. lol

God's plan

"Just think, you're here not by chance, but by God's choosing.
His hand formed you and made you the person you are.
He compares you to no one else - you are one of a kind.
You lack nothing that His grace can't give you.
He has allowed you to be here at this time in history to

fulfill His special purpose for this generation."
-Roy Lessin

Things I am thankful for (in no particular order)

1. A God who loves me no matter what
2. Worship music
3. Amazing friends who always support me
4. A great church
5. My car (it is 12 years old and has seriously never broken down or left me stranded)
6. Butterscotch (cat one)
7. Caramel (cat two)
8. My condo
9. Coffee Bean
10. The opportunity to do med school again
11. My Bible
12. Journaling
13. Amazing parents
14. Wonderful sisters and brother
15. My digital camera
16. My laptop (even though it's huge it works)
17. My physician mentor
18. My iPod
19. My med school tutor
20. Prayer
21. My cell phone
22. Christ's death on the cross for ME!
23. Yoga
24. The joy of the Lord
25. Pictures
(more to come)

Please pray for Baby Ava

A friend and former coworker of mine has a 6.5 week old baby who is very sick. At one month old sweet Ava was discovered to have transposition of the great arteries (congenital heart defect) and due to her poor oxygen levels she has suffered severe brain damage. At this point heart surgery would be too risky because of the increased risk of more brain bleeds. The doctors have sent her home and told her parents to enjoy the time they have with her, but they are praying and believing God for a miracle for this precious baby. Please join me in prayer for Ava Rose.

"Let the little children come"

Ward Experience

So for the past two weeks I've gotten to do ward experience, my favorite part of first year. :) The first week I was on Plastics and last week I was on Cardio-thoracic surgery. Both were amazing experiences. On Plastics I got to see cleft lip repairs, ear reconstructions, cosmetic procedures, etc. On CT I got to scrub in on a number of heart surgeries, the last one being a heart transplant on a little baby. That was truly amazing. Getting to hold the tiny defective heart in my hands was a priceless moment.
Yesterday classes officially started. So far so good for the most part. I am feeling a little overwhelmed, but hopefully I'll get a good study routine established.

Medical School

Today I re-started medical school. It was a good day, just orientation and our white coat ceremony. Tomorrow is more orientation and then next week we start our ward experience, which should be really interesting and fun.

Please pray for Daisy Love

Sweet Daisy is a 6-year-old girl with neuroblastoma who just recently relapsed. Her father is the pastor at the church that I used to go to when I lived in Santa Barbara. They have given her a 30-50% cure rate with chemo. Please pray for this sweet girl. We serve a mighty God who is able to do anything!

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One month from today

One month from today I restart medical school. One month from today I will be sitting in orientation. August 5.

Being healthy

After thinking back over my day today, this is what I've eaten:
Breakfast - cereal with milk
Lunch - red licorice
Snack - a few crackers
1st dinner - Chocolate twist and an ice blended mocha from Coffee Bean
2nd dinner - Squash rice (which is really mostly just rice with very little squash in it)
And I wonder why I've gained 5 pounds in the last month or so...
On the brighter side, I did go to power yoga last night and I think I'll go again tomorrow.

Favorites (Last Foto Friday)

Today is the last photo challenge over at Rebecca's blog. Head on over to see some more great photos!

Paul Wesley Green

Sweet Paul went to be with Jesus this morning. Please pray for his family.

My Baptism ~ March 21, 2010, Centerpoint Church

Clouds (Foto Friday)

Look up at the heavens and see; gaze at the clouds so high above you.
-Job 35:5

Visit Rebecca's blog to see more clouds and sky!

Before the Morning

New babies

Two of my good friends have had new babies in the past couple weeks and I've enjoyed getting to meet both of them.

First, my good friend and physician mentor, Amy, had her third baby, William David "Will" on April 29. Her now 20-month-old twins , Grace and Faith, are the sweetest girls ever and are great big sisters to Baby Will.

Then my friend Robyn had her third baby, sweet Ellie Grace, on May 6. Ellie already has two great big sisters, Keira (3) and Claire (19 months).

Signs! (Foto Friday)

This one is from California Adventure (no I didn't take it this week)

I love this street sign because one of my kittens is named Butterscotch, and I call her Scotch or Scotchly for short. :)

To see more SIGNS, visit Rebecca's blog!

Red! (Foto Friday)

I haven't been feeling too creative or had much extra time lately, so this is the best I could do for red. :)

To participate in Foto Friday or see others' representations of RED, visit Rebecca's blog!

Blue! (Foto Friday)

Kittens on their bunkbed

Story-bookish house

To participate in Foto Friday, visit Rebecca's blog.

Lots of Lines (Foto Friday)

This week's photo challenge was "Lines". To participate in this week's Foto Friday and see others' photos of lines, visit Rebecca's blog!

Seize the Day

My hands were busy through the day
I didn't have much time to play
The little games you asked me to,
I didn't have much time for you.
I'd wash your clothes, I'd sew and cook,
But when you'd bring your picture book
And asked me please to share your fun,
I'd say,"A little later, Son."
I'd tuck you in all safe at night
And hear your prayers, turn out the light,
Then tiptoe softly to the door...
I wish I'd stayed a minute more.

For life is short, the years rush past...
A little boy grows up so fast.
No longer is he at your side,
His precious secrets to confide.
The picture books are put away,
There are no longer games to play,
No good-night kiss, no prayers to hear,
That all belongs to yesteryear.
My hands, once busy, now are still.
The days are long and hard to fill.
I wish I could go back and do
The little things you asked me to!

Random Survey

1. What time did you get up this morning? 5:30ish maybe? I couldn't sleep.

2. How do you like your steak? Very well done if I eat it at all.

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? New Moon maybe? I don't see a lot of theatre movies.

4. What is your favorite TV show? Grey's Anatomy. Or Bones.

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Here (Colton/Loma Linda). I don't like change.

6. What did you have for breakfast? Oatmeal. Plain.

7. What is your favorite cuisine? Honestly? American. But I do like Thai, Mexican, and Chinese.

8. What foods do you dislike? Any seafood/fish other than canned tuna and fish sticks

9. Favorite Place to Eat? I'm not sure...I'm always so indecisive.

10. Favorite dressing? Italian or ranch.

11.What kind of vehicle do you drive? 1999 Green Ford Escort and I love it.

12. What are your favorite clothes? Jeans and tennis shoes. Although sometimes I do like dressing up.

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? Canada, Europe, Hawaii

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? The cup usually isn't even half empty...it's completely empty!

15. Where would you want to retire? Here I guess. But I don't really feel like retiring right now.

16. Favorite time of day? Nap time?

17. Where were you born? At Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto, California.

18. What is your favorite sport to watch? Baseball.

19. Bird watcher? What? No, not except when I was taking a zoology class.

20. Are you a morning person or a night person? Neither.

21. Do you have any pets? Two cats and a fish.

22. What did you want to be when you were little? A mom.

23. What is your best childhood memory? Going fun places with my family and playing with my siblings.

24. Are you a cat or dog person? Cat.

25. Are you married? No.

26. Always wear your seat belt? Yes...me and anyone else who's in my car.

27. Been in a car accident? A few, but none of them were very major or my fault.

28. Any pet peeves? Spelling and grammatical errors. People who smoke.

29. Favorite Pizza Toppings? Cheese.

30. Favorite Flower? Anything pretty.

31. Favorite ice cream? Chocolate Chip

32. Favorite fast food restaurant? Subway

33. How many times did you fail your driver's test? Zero

34. From whom did you get your last email? Petsmart or facebook...

35. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? The idea of maxing out my credit card at any store is not very appealing.

36. Do anything spontaneous lately? I'm really more of a planner.

37. Like your job? Working with autistic kids? Yes, it's challenging but very rewarding. Babysitting? Of course, all I've ever wanted is a baby of my own.

38. Broccoli? Sure, if someone else fixes it for me.

39. What was your favorite vacation? Going to Yosemite with my family

40. Last person you went out to dinner with? The young adult group at my church

41. What are you listening to right now? Marvelous Light by Charlie Hall

42. What is your favorite color? Green

43. How many tattoos do you have? None

Loving (Foto Friday)

This week's photo challenge was "Loving". And what more perfect form of love is there than Christ's death on the cross for us! To participate in this and other Foto Fridays (and see some others' cool representations of "Loving"), check out Rebecca's blog.

Emma

2 Timothy 4:6-8
"For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."

A week ago sweet Emma finished her race and entered the presence of her Heavenly Father. She is whole and perfect and basking in the presence of Jesus Christ. Please pray for her family - while we rejoice for Emma, we grieve for those left behind to miss her.