- a rather fascinating guest lecturer (he talked about the importance of empathy - particularly fascinating when you know his entire story, including the fact that he had a laryngectomy, and speaks using esophageal speech.)
- getting some necessary on campus errands accomplished at lunch
- half-way through the week now
- the generosity of my parents in helping to temporarily cover off some financial issues that came up last week
- curling up in bed early with plans for a really quiet, restful evening
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Daily 5 - Year 3, Day 179
Today's Daily 5:
Whimsical Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Today's Whimsical Wednesday is full of words that are speaking to my soul right now. As always, I'd love to hear if one of these images or quotes jumps out at you or speaks to your heart.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Daily 5 - Year 3, Day 178
Today's Daily 5:
- String cheese
- a friend who made sure that a group meeting didn't wallow in unproductivity
- still really loving turkey and cranberry sandwiches on Winnipeg Rye Bread
- at least a partial solution to one of the big problems that popped up last week
- the laughter that came with our first attempts to find heart rates and blood pressure readings. We're pretty sure we were all "dead" at quite a number of points, thanks to our lack of skills in locating those important indicators of life.
Tuesday Anticipations, February 14, 2012
I stare at my calendar as I write these posts each week, and take a moment to reflect on the things that are coming. Sometimes it is hard to find things to anticipate, and sometimes it's easier, but I've found taking a moment to pause and anticipate the coming joys and moments to be a discipline worth practicing, one that creates space in my heart.
And so, this week I am anticipating:
And so, this week I am anticipating:
- Beginning to learn to take vital signs later today in class. There is something about finally donning my stethoscope that makes this nursing adventure all the more real, and worth celebrating and basking in.
- Hearing the stories of how my married and dating friends and family celebrate the feast of St. Valentine. I love to hear the creative ways they find to let their partners know that they are deeply loved. I may not be much for the "Hallmark" style holidays, but I think that anything that takes a moment or two to celebrate the deep love two people share, whether that celebration is simple or extravagant, is worth participating in.
- The Thursday night house church gathering that happens once a month or so where the only thing on our agenda is to eat together. Sometimes we cook and have a potluck, but with two pregnant ladies in our midst, these days we show up and order pizza or chinese or something else entirely, and spend the evening laughing, talking, and sharing life together. We have the gift of eating at our house church - it's one of the things we do best, and I love the chance to gather around a table with these friends.
- The fruit of a day spent quietly on Monday. I embraced silence for much of the day - none of the usual background soundtrack - and the thoughts and prayers that surfaced were lovely. They showed me places that Jesus is at work, and spilled over into writing ideas. The fruit of that day will no doubt shape my week, and I look forward to it.
- A girls afternoon out for tea, with my sister-in-law, mom and sister-in-law to be. It was a Christmas present from my brother and his wife, this girl's afternoon together, and I am looking forward to spending the time with them.
- The arrival of reading break! Next week is reading break! No classes! Lots of time to move more slowly through my days, and catch up on some things that need doing.
- A zoo date with one of my best friends and her daughter. Nothing like some of my favorite people, combined with one of my favorite places.
What are you anticipating this week?
Monday, February 13, 2012
Daily 5 - Year 3, Day 177
Today's Daily 5:
- cozy slippers, lined with sheepskin. a gift from a dear friend, carried across an ocean at my request.
- waking up to a quick email from the same dear friend, detailing the beginning of her experiences as a "mature student" - an experience we will laughingly commiserate about, though an ocean separates our physical experience of it.
- a simple lunch of soup and crackers
- an hour spent in conversation about Jesus with a new friend
- embracing quiet for the day, recognizing that this was what my soul was longing for, and being able to meet that need
- candles lit all around my space, providing warmth, ambience and light
- texting with a collection of friends from school - questions about a quiz that comes early tomorrow, laughing, chatting about weekends, hoping for luck with registration and group assignments for the next semester
- emerging into the outside world at dusk, and walking through a gentle snowfall to the the grocery store
- listening to a new audiobook that immediately demanded my involvement in the life and words of the story-teller
- finishing the school demands for the day and week ahead before dinner, knowing that would give me an evening to rest, and separating the day from the evening with my walk in the snow
- Breaking the day's silence with the audiobook I already mentioned, and with the beginning of another trip through The West Wing on dvd.
- Remembering just how much I appreciated the intelligent, sarcastic wit of the writers on The West Wing
- Being thankful that when I cut my finger while washing out a container from lunch, it was a minor wound, easily staunched with a band-aid
- recognizing moments of grace when the tendency to hear the accusations and feel overwhelmed grew strong
- new thoughts emerging as I embraced silence today, whispers of Jesus speaking to parts of the journey that I am continually pondering, feeling words begin to form around those places in my heart
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