Preparation

I truly believe that Heavenly Father sends people in and out of our lives for reasons and seasons. I am finishing the third week of my first clinical rotation and have 4 clinical instructors where most people have 1 or 2. This can be a blessing and a curse as no two days or instructors are the same.

I get along well with 3 out of 4 of my instructors. One has a hard personality that I am having trouble warming up to. But I am learning.

I have learned that I must take time out every night to think about each individual child I am to see and try to come up with exciting activities for treatment. I am learning that table top activities are not my forte and that I am not comfortable using the same activities as other clinicians.

The purpose of this post is that one of my CI's is older and more experienced than the rest. She is my cheerleader and I am very very blessed to have her helping me. If you know me you will agree that I get along better with people that are older than me or at least more mature than their age group. This lady 'gets' me and I think that she was put in my path (or me in hers) so that I can succeed.

Darrel gave me a priesthood blessing before I began this rotation and I was promised that this would be successful. And it is...but it isn't immediately a success.

I have also realized that I am much harder on myself than I should be. I have been praying lately that I would be able to understand what I am supposed to be doing and it has comforted me insomuch that I now know I have to do things my way. Mistakes are to be used as learning lessons. Just as I am an individual I know that I cannot take one activity and apply it to all of my clients. They are individuals as well and deserve individualized care.

I have learned that when I take the time to prepare for the next day that I am more relaxed and able to listen to the Holy Spirit. I procrastinate naturally, but am learning slowly that through thought and preparation I am a better person for my family and my clients.

And so...it is now time for me to prepare...and take responsibility both temporally and spiritually.

Birthday Week & Weekend

Ok so I celebrated my 27th birthday better than my 26th. Last weekend we went home and I was able to spend time with all my family (Darrel's & my own). I enjoyed it so much that I didn't want to leave.

On the day of my birthday I felt bittersweet because it marks one year since my miscarriage. I don't like to dwell...so I'll focus on the best parts! I was called more times in one day from people who wished me a great day and new year! I was able to play with some wonderful babies and come home early.

Last night my husband arranged for a babysitter and we had a wonderful dinner just the two of us. It reminded me of when we were dating. And we had so much fun just being together and talking about things that weren't stressful or important. We kept talking and laughing.

I am learning more and more about how much family means to me. I am grateful for a loving husband and a sweet little girl. I'm even more amazed that Heavenly Father loves me so much that He sacrificed His son so that I may live. And moreso than that...I know that He has made a way for me to come back to Him. My Heavenly Father Loves me and is helping prepare me for His cause so that I can do His work.

I know more than anyone that I have faults and shortcomings. I know how much I have to work to do my part in this great work which is to be done. I am grateful for this new year and what will come as I journey along my path. For this I owe all that I have because there is no gift more precious than life eternal.

The meaning of busy

For some time I did not understand when I would see people always ask the busiest people they knew to do something for them. One would always say that the busiest people will always get things done. I can somewhat relate to that now that I am unofficially working for a living. When I come home from the clinic I get Sara from school, get dinner on to cook, clean dishes from the previous day, wash a couple of loads of laundry, finish writing notes for patients, eat, take a shower, give Sara a shower, and get ready for the next day.

When all I had to worry about was going to class, I couldn't manage to get all of this completed in one day. Now I have the energy and moreso the need to get it all finished before I can go to bed.

Maybe one day I'll make a habit or routine of it and have a spotless house. Now I am just working on keeping it live-able and having enough clean laundry for the family!

At any rate, I am truly grateful that I have the ability to do this for myself and am proud that I am actually doing it. Thank goodness I don't have a husband that nags or makes it a necessity to have a spotless house, but I have found that we have much less contention when the house is clean(er) and he has a full tummy.

The smartest guy ever!!!

I am so glad I am married to the smartest guy ever!! Well at least I think so. Anyway...he had a midterm on monday and it turned out to be entirely short answer/essay type questions. Today the grades were posted and the class average for the midterm was around a 35 and he pulled an awesome 82!!! So I am cooking him dinner on the grill for his hard work. I have a feeling he is going to shock the pants off of me when he actually gets into classes he feels are worth something and applies himself fully. He'll probably surpass me with his GPA. That's ok too. It makes me so happy when he succeeds! HOORAY HOORAY

Winding down

As I begin to wind down my short break before rotations I have to look back at the last 18 months + in awe at what the Lord has done for me and my family.

I am grateful for personal revelation and trusting in the promptings of the Holy Ghost that has brought me to this place I am at now.

I know that God's will and timing is much greater than my own; things have fallen perfectly into place for us as Darrel has the opportunity to get his degree with minimal amounts of schooling. And he is doing great in his classes I might add;)

Sara has a wonderful school where EVERYONE knows her by name and loves her!!

I trust that what I am able to learn on my clinical rotations will prepare me adequately for the job that I am supposed to have.

I know that my degree will strengthen me and provide for my family if anything were to happen to Darrel and leave him unable to work.

I know the future is limitless due to His gift to me. I have an abundance of opportunities to specialize and continue to learn and hone my skills as a therapist.

I am grateful to be apart of a ward that is full of love!! The friends I have made have strengthened me and made me want to better myself. Thanks Brittany and Michael!