Twice in a week!

Yup, I've found time to blog twice this week.

This blog started a little over a year ago as Luke and I strived to be content with what we have and joyful for today (instead of talking about life AFTER graduation, life WITH a job, etc). How have we done?

Well, I guess this word sums it up: Okay

Gratefulness and contentment are hard concepts to internalize, especially in a society that is always telling you that you need more, faster, newer, better, etc.

It's one thing to know in my head, but to live it is totally different. The towels that would look sooooo nice in my bathroom are clearanced.

But, will it make me happy? (No--happiness can't be purchased, even at Pottery Barn!)

Life after nursing school will be soooo nice--no homework!

But, am I just trading one set of stress for another?

Until I'm physically in the presence of my Maker, I know that I will always struggle with being content with what I have, where I'm at, and the circumstances of life. That doesn't mean that it's wrong to want nice things (like matching towels!), but I need the mental shift in my thinking. I have tried many times in my life to fill a spiritual need with a physical object, and it has yet to work (I kinda highly doubt it will EVER work).

All that being said, I am looking forward to nursing school graduation! But, I'll focus more on the enjoyment of each day and being thankful and grateful for each day!

The feeling of productivity

My parents knew what they were doing when they named me Melissa. My name literally means "honey bee," and that's sure what I have been the past few days.

I pretty much finished up clinical rotations for this semester. Other than a half day on Wednesday (where I get to work in the ER. Make sure that, if you live near me, you don't end up at the ER because *I* will be doing your IV start!), I am DONE! It's so hard to believe that this semester is almost done, and that leaves ONE SEMESTER before I am Melissa, BSN, RN. I had the "privilege" of working with an absolutely awful nurse on Wednesday and then two wonderful nurses the next day. I already know how I am going to treat any students that I'll work with (and it won't be the way I was treated on Wednesday!)

Today, which is also known as my day "off," found me at a piano teacher's meeting, the library for story time, and cleaning my house. I went through the girls' dresser, two drawers in the kitchen, ALL of their books, all the toys on the main floor, and all the coloring books/playdough/etc.

It. Feels. WONDERFUL!

And then, I cleaned my upstairs. I even took the wonderful Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and scrubbed my tub down (it works great!)

Luke and I are going to watch a movie tonight and relax. I can hardly wait.

Let's see....as many of you know, Luke and I are health coaches with Take Shape for Life, using Medifast products. It is amazing to witness people lose weight and get healthy. We had an amazing opportunity last weekend to have some training and really learn how to be a better coach to our clients. Luke also added up the weight loss of all the people in the room...out of 16 people, there had been over 800 POUNDS of weight loss! It was incredible!! We are continuing to pray that the Lord would grow this business and that we would be able to minister to people in both their physical AND spiritual needs. If any of you want more information about Medifast, please look at our website: www.lukeandmel.tsfl.com What I love about this program is that it's legitimate. Johns Hopkins University Hospital started this program, and it has some solid scientic backing (published in REAL journals!) Being a nursing student with a pyschology degree, I'm pretty picky about what I consider quality research, and this program has had quality research show that it works!

As we find ourselves closer and closer to Thanksgiving, I just want to remind everyone to pause and thank the One who has given us so much. He has blessed me beyond measure, and I am so thankful to Him for it!

Refocusing...

How quickly I have forgotten what Luke and I made as our goal for this year: To be thankful for the blessings we have now and not so future focused that we miss things.

You see, Luke and I have started talking about life after graduation. I'm done with nursing school in just over a year, so the talk of applying for jobs is overshadowing the work I still have to do (I'm not done yet, after all!) There's nothing wrong with talking about the future, but when I'm spending time looking at houses we might be able to buy, planning the Disney vacation that is still a year off, and not focusing my eyes on Christ, I miss a lot of blessings!

So, what I'm thankful for NOW are:
1) My girls....they continually rock my world! I am so thankful that I have them! Bringing both of them into this world was one of the hardest things I have ever done, but they have been more than worth it!

2) My husband...he works so hard for this family and he is trying so hard to take care of us. At the same time, he's working full-time and is a full-time graduate student getting his MBA. And, he still does baths for the girls and makes wonderful dinners without me asking him!

3) Our small group Bible study. We have an amazing group of friends that come over on Monday nights for Bible study/worship/social time. We have had a bummer of a time meeting the last few months (between illness, the weather, the weather, the weather, and the weather!), but we are hoping to get back on track SOON!

Speaking of our small group....please be praying for our friends Jessica and Jonah. She is about 20 weeks pregnant and having complications, forcing her to be on bedrest. Please pray that she does not go into pre-term labor and that her baby can cook for a LONG time! And, pray that Jonah knows the best way to minister to his wife while she deals with bedrest.