People matter. Love them.

Today I felt like I couldn't do anything. To say work was a challenge is an understatement. I was humbled all day by what I did not and found help hard to come by. My allergies were bothering me, my patients were difficult both in personality and in medical problems and all the while I was praying. Praying God would help me to be His light. Praying I could make it to the end. Praying for guidance and patience and understanding. And when I was able to shut the computer after the day it was a relief to know He got me through. My job at first was seemingly on the easy side and now it's a moment by moment challenge but I know I am being trained and challenged for a purpose and I know that I'm getting a wonderful education.  

What I hold on to today are the patience that thanked me with a genuine gratitude. It's something I cherish dearly as I do my best to give each patient everything I can and to have their appreciation in not required but reminds me God is with me . It's the man who tells me he has a contract with God to live 200 years and thanks me for doing t part to help. It's the guy who tells me he would raher lose a year than eat vegetables or give up his biscuits and gravy. It's the woman who has a list she's had written out who is patient while I go over each with care and is patient when I say " I don't know but let me go ask someone who does". These moments touch my heart. These moments show me a beauty in people and remind me I'm treating someone's dad, grandmother, daughter, friend... Not just a chart. And in the world of managed care it's easy to feel like it's all about the chart. So blessed for these reminders and continuing to pray during this advent season for encouragement and help. For a renewed and stronger relationship with God and encouragement they He is not finished with me yet. Friends thanks for your support. Know that I'm praying for you as well. I encourage you to find the beauty of each person you meet as we are each made by the creator and are image bearers of God. Some of us reflect more clearly than others but we are all the makers handy work. In this season remember people not things are important and spend your time and talent loving people. Love them like Christ and I promise the return of how God shapes your heart for Him is amazing. Praying for you. 

Anita 

New Years 2013

Hello,
With the new year, comes some new things and I'd like to kind of explore that just a little bit. Not that I won't be continuing on in Hebrews, I will, this is just a little detour.

Alright so first an awesome story:
My husbands car died on new years eve, and the cost to repair it was more than it was worth. So we decided that it was a time to look for a new car for him. We went a few places on new years day, but then he had a friend who worked at a Nissan dealership who said to come by. The guy was super nice, and set us up with a salesman who was very nice. We sat in a few cars, found the one we wanted, and then after several hours we were taking it home. (if you have ever bought a car you know this long process). Well there were two things we needed to give them, so we had to go back to our house. The salesman decided to come with us and on the way we got to learn about his life, his thoughts on God, and really got to share with him about honoring God, and what that looks like. At the end of the night he said "You've said so much I'm going to have to go sit down and really think about some things" We had been talking about how nothing is coincidence and he then made a comment about how he doesn't meet people like us often.  We told him that even us needing a car, and knowing the guy who introduced us was no coincidence and us having the conversation we had wasn't either. He agreed. Why I am telling you? So that you can be praying for him. That God would continue to show up for him.

So in 2012 my word was discipleship and God sure used me for that an amazing amount.  So with the door shutting on 2012, and opening on 2013 the question begs: whats my new word? or should I do resolutions.

If I were to make a list of everything I need to work on it might be a long one. What's paramount? What's going on this year.

In 2012 I met my husband, got engaged, got married, finished my didactic year, started my clinical year, made new friends, had God use me in a lot of places, I was diagnosed with hearing loss, I had 4 or 5 surgeries and ultimately I think I grew more than I ever have.

In 2013 I graduate from school with my masters, I need to take my boards, I need to continue to honor and serve God, I need to continue to learn about being a better wife... but ultimately 2013 is a bit of a mystery. I don't know if I will have more health problems, I don't know if we will move, I don't know if we will get to help more people, I don't' know. Only God knows.

So I think my word is going to be Thankful.
I think if I can work on my thankfulness in all circumstances, I will find more joy. I think if I can have a heart overflowing with thankfulness I will be able to share that joy with more people. If I can be more thankful, I will be a better wife to my husband. But most of all if I can be overflowing with thankfulness I will glorify and honor God more.

Do I want to work on being healthier, and being more organized, and having a gentler spirit, and reading more and running more of course. But I found in 2012 as God gave me a word, it really got me to see the amazing potential of it. The amazing things God did and originally I thought it was silly, but I encourage you to try it in 2013 if you can. :)

So friends: do you pick a "word of the year?" and if so- what's yours?