Finals week. The two times a year when I ask myself why I feel this need to put myself through such misery. I guess in the end, when I am finished and have the degree I'm striving for, it will be totally worth it. Worth all the nights filled with little sleep and too much caffeine.
I was talking to my friend Josh the other night and telling him how I needed to start writing my research paper. I think I was complaining about how much work it was going to be. At the same time, I was blog hopping when I came across this a song. It is totally true and could not have come at a more perfect time.
It goes to the tune of Jingle Bells.
College life, college life,
Grinds your health away.
Finals, tests, all without rest,
And reading that’s due today.
College life, college life,
Makes you quite a sight,
Oh, what fun it is to write
That term paper tonight!
I thought it was very appropriate.
Thanks Isaac for sharing that with everyone!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Sunday, November 30, 2008
BLACK FRIDAY
Black Friday
Thanksgiving evening some of my friends came over to stay the night so that we could all go shopping Friday morning. We all decided that since none of us had any certain thing we wanted and that we were all basically going for the fun of it, that we would not leave the house until 5am. Rather than 4am. I stayed up entirely too late talking and only got like an hour and a half of sleep. We all jumped into a cold car at 5 am and headed to Greenwood where our first stop was Wal-Mart. We didn't get to see any fights or false accusations because of how late we got there. I was able to get my nieces checked off of my Christmas list which was nice. I had a lot of fun and I believe everyone else did as well.
Rebekah, Daniel, and I at wal-mart
Jocilyn, Tiffany, and I at the mall!
The getting in wasn't so bad....it was trying to get them out!
Rebekah talked Daniel into playing this nice pink guitar.
This is Rebekah...she is the Hello Kitty Queen.
Thanksgiving evening some of my friends came over to stay the night so that we could all go shopping Friday morning. We all decided that since none of us had any certain thing we wanted and that we were all basically going for the fun of it, that we would not leave the house until 5am. Rather than 4am. I stayed up entirely too late talking and only got like an hour and a half of sleep. We all jumped into a cold car at 5 am and headed to Greenwood where our first stop was Wal-Mart. We didn't get to see any fights or false accusations because of how late we got there. I was able to get my nieces checked off of my Christmas list which was nice. I had a lot of fun and I believe everyone else did as well.
Rebekah, Daniel, and I at wal-mart
Jocilyn, Tiffany, and I at the mall!
The getting in wasn't so bad....it was trying to get them out!
Rebekah talked Daniel into playing this nice pink guitar.
This is Rebekah...she is the Hello Kitty Queen.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Death
This past Friday was a very strange day. I worked my clinical rotation in the Johnson County Er from 8-5. Around 4:30, they received a call that an ambulance was bringing in a 43 year old male in cardiac arrest who had been electrocuted. By the time they arrived, it had been almost an hour since the first responder received the call, the man was gray and they were still doing compressions. I didn't know what to think. Having worked in the nursing home, I have had a few of my residents die. But this was different, the man was so young. I was standing there watching, when one of the Paramedics asked if I would like to do some compressions. This was the first time I had done compressions on a real person, and needless to say...I did not last long. Compressions are very strenuous work, I was soon out of breath and asking for a relief. The man had been putting up Christmas lights, he was moving his aluminum ladder when he hit the power line. He smelled very strongly of electrical burn. The Doctor soon pronounced the death and I high-tailed it out of there.
I was doing pretty good until I called my Mother. My parents had went to Columbus Ohio to be with my Aunt whose husband was having emergency surgery for sepsis. When I asked my mom how Tom was doing...she told me that he had died that morning. It was at this point that the tears came. It's one thing when you see an elderly person die...it's probable. My uncle was only 59 and didn't seem "old enough" to die.
Uncle Toms funeral was on Monday. It was a rough funeral...it's just really hard to believe he's gone. My siblings and cousins and I were reminiscing about Uncle Tom. There were basements in both houses that my Aunt and Uncle lived in (that I can remember). Uncle Tom always had a pool table and a bar in those basements. We kids loved to play with the pool table and make up our own games and rules. I do not ever remember a time when we got in trouble for playing with it. We just all knew that we had to take good care of the things when we got them out, and we had to put them back right where we got them from. Uncle Tom was always teasing everyone about how much food they would eat. He would make snide comments like, "boy, do you think you could get some more food on that plate?" or "whoa, are you sure there is still food out there? Or did you take it all"? He always had a grin on his face and a joke to share with everyone.
I guess the one thing that this last week has reminded me of is that you never know when you will die. You just have to be prepared to go whenever it's your time.
I was doing pretty good until I called my Mother. My parents had went to Columbus Ohio to be with my Aunt whose husband was having emergency surgery for sepsis. When I asked my mom how Tom was doing...she told me that he had died that morning. It was at this point that the tears came. It's one thing when you see an elderly person die...it's probable. My uncle was only 59 and didn't seem "old enough" to die.
Uncle Toms funeral was on Monday. It was a rough funeral...it's just really hard to believe he's gone. My siblings and cousins and I were reminiscing about Uncle Tom. There were basements in both houses that my Aunt and Uncle lived in (that I can remember). Uncle Tom always had a pool table and a bar in those basements. We kids loved to play with the pool table and make up our own games and rules. I do not ever remember a time when we got in trouble for playing with it. We just all knew that we had to take good care of the things when we got them out, and we had to put them back right where we got them from. Uncle Tom was always teasing everyone about how much food they would eat. He would make snide comments like, "boy, do you think you could get some more food on that plate?" or "whoa, are you sure there is still food out there? Or did you take it all"? He always had a grin on his face and a joke to share with everyone.
I guess the one thing that this last week has reminded me of is that you never know when you will die. You just have to be prepared to go whenever it's your time.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Procrastinate
Procrastinate - to put off till another day or time; defer; delay
I admit, at this very moment I am...procrastinating. I'm sitting in the library, on the internet when I should be sitting at a desk reading my wonderful EMT book. I find it very interesting how many things I can find to do while I'm procrastinating. You know...things like checking my e-mail, or my bank account, or finding a drawer that needs to be organized. Currently I am head deep in homework for my EMT class. Dispite that fact, I can never seem to interest myself in plunging into all of that homework. It is much easier to just waste the time away rather than use it wisely.
However, I need to create disipline in my life. So, at this time I will turn to chapter 29 and read about Musculoskeletal Injuries. Yes I will!
I admit, at this very moment I am...procrastinating. I'm sitting in the library, on the internet when I should be sitting at a desk reading my wonderful EMT book. I find it very interesting how many things I can find to do while I'm procrastinating. You know...things like checking my e-mail, or my bank account, or finding a drawer that needs to be organized. Currently I am head deep in homework for my EMT class. Dispite that fact, I can never seem to interest myself in plunging into all of that homework. It is much easier to just waste the time away rather than use it wisely.
However, I need to create disipline in my life. So, at this time I will turn to chapter 29 and read about Musculoskeletal Injuries. Yes I will!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Update
Just a little update on Onan. He is doing much better, Thank the Lord! However, he lost a good portion of his face in the shooting. As I understand, he lost one eye, and his lower jaw including part of his tongue. He is still in the hospital.
I would ask that you would please pray for his family. When Onan was shot, he was giving a 27 year old man a ride on his motor cycle. To my understanding, Onan did not know the guy but was simply giving him a ride because he was interested in buying the bike. That man was in some trouble with some other guys. Enough trouble that they decided to shoot the man. Onan happened to be there with him so they shot Onan as well. When Onan was shot, he fell into the ditch where they could no longer see him. When the police came, two hours later, they found the man dead and Onan lying in the ditch. However, once they found Onan, they would not treat him at the hospital until they contacted his mother. So, in all reality, Onan should not have lived through that shooting. All I can think of is that God must have great plans for his future.
Now, the family of the 27 year old think that it is Onans fault that their son was killed. So they have come to the Morales home looking to get revenge. Needless to say, they have not been able to go home. Please pray for their safety and that God would lead them in the right direction. I know that God has everything under His control.
I would ask that you would please pray for his family. When Onan was shot, he was giving a 27 year old man a ride on his motor cycle. To my understanding, Onan did not know the guy but was simply giving him a ride because he was interested in buying the bike. That man was in some trouble with some other guys. Enough trouble that they decided to shoot the man. Onan happened to be there with him so they shot Onan as well. When Onan was shot, he fell into the ditch where they could no longer see him. When the police came, two hours later, they found the man dead and Onan lying in the ditch. However, once they found Onan, they would not treat him at the hospital until they contacted his mother. So, in all reality, Onan should not have lived through that shooting. All I can think of is that God must have great plans for his future.
Now, the family of the 27 year old think that it is Onans fault that their son was killed. So they have come to the Morales home looking to get revenge. Needless to say, they have not been able to go home. Please pray for their safety and that God would lead them in the right direction. I know that God has everything under His control.
Monday, October 20, 2008
URGENT
PLEASE PRAY
I have a friend named Elmer who is Guatemalan and who lives here in the states. Last summer I was able to travel to Guatemala and meet his family members who were still in Guatemala. Yesterday, I received a phone call saying that Elmer's youngest brother, Onan, had been shot multiple times. He took two shots to his stomach, two to his legs, and shots to his face. He lost one eye, part of his mouth and nose. They are not expecting him to make it. The other boy he was with was killed. Onan is only 16 years old and is not a christian. Onan has been struggling with negative peer pressure and has started to get in with the wrong crowd. They do not know what caused the shooting to take place. They have not let his mother back to see him due to the fact that she has heart problems and his brothers are scared of what will happen to her physically. I took this picture when I was in Guatemala with them last summer. Onan is the third from the left.
Please pray for God's will in this situation. My heart breaks when I think of this family who has been through so much already. I love all of them. I am praying that God will go and comfort each one of them. Please pray for the Moralez family. His mother, brother Omar, and sister in Guatemala. And also for Elmer, Eric, and Giovanni who are all in the states.
Please pray for God's will in this situation. My heart breaks when I think of this family who has been through so much already. I love all of them. I am praying that God will go and comfort each one of them. Please pray for the Moralez family. His mother, brother Omar, and sister in Guatemala. And also for Elmer, Eric, and Giovanni who are all in the states.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Friends!
Last weekend I went to GBS for Homecoming and I was able to see some of my friends there. I stayed with Tiffany in her room along with her sister Nicole. Tiff decided she wanted to make our stay as memorable as possible, so...she cranked the AC to max. It was so cold. I (as was Nicole) was not prepared for these extreme weather conditions so I had to ask Tiffany for a hoodie and warm fuzzy socks. Needless to say, I slept with my hood on that night. It was soo cold.
Nicole and I sporting our hoodies.
Me just trying to prove my point.
The amazing Catcher!
Elmer, Aaron and another man whose name I do not know.
Action in the field.
CHEESE!
Me....telling a story...about frisbee.
Oh, oh. This is the best part. I didn't know she was taking pictures of me.
Getting ready for the hayride!
Bekah and I
People
Yay for friends. Sorry, Daniel was not totally in the picture
Oh there he is
Emily and I
Haha, typical southern Indiana harvest.
Nicole and I sporting our hoodies.
Me just trying to prove my point.
CHURCH PICNIC
Saturday was our church picnic. We played volleyball, softball (I didn't for simple reasons), and cornhole. And...we had lots of food. This years picnic was different from last years due to the fact that the weather was much warmer. This made the hayride perfect because we didn't need as many layers of clothing!
The amazing Catcher!
Elmer, Aaron and another man whose name I do not know.
Action in the field.
CHEESE!
Me....telling a story...about frisbee.
Oh, oh. This is the best part. I didn't know she was taking pictures of me.
Getting ready for the hayride!
Bekah and I
People
Yay for friends. Sorry, Daniel was not totally in the picture
Oh there he is
Emily and I
Haha, typical southern Indiana harvest.
Friend Day!
FRIEND DAY
My church had Friend Day on October 5th. Up until this day, our record attendance had been 135. On Friend Day 2008, we had 136 people in attendance! We were so excited to see the many new faces that came as a result of the church people working hard to invite their friends. God is working in a church in a very special way, I am so excited to see what He has planned for the future!
A view of our Friend Day crowd.
The Stainbrook brothers
The beautiful Gardner kids
There was so much food! I was having trouble deciding what to have! (I am muttering to my Mother that, no this picture is no appropriate)
My nieces and their cousin Jadelyn
Everyone stuffing their faces
Now those are some big plates
My friends Emily, Haley, and Rebekah
Our future firefighter
Haley and I
Monday, September 22, 2008
Elizabeth Grace
POOR THING
My niece, Elizabeth, loves to swing around on their play set like a little monkey. She was doing this Saturday when she fell off and broke her arm at the elbow. Vanette took her to the ER in Madison where they took X-rays and then decided to send her to Louisville for surgery. It ended up being 17 hours from the time of the break until they took her into surgery. And 21 hours until she could eat or drink. That is a long time for a five year old.
For being a drama queen, she did really good. However, the last hour before surgery she decided she had enough. These are a few of the things she said in her despair: "I want to see the doctor, NOW!" "I want a drink, I want a drink, I want a drink, I want a drink." This last one was repeated over and over for several minutes. I understand that these things could make her look like a brat, but put yourself in her shoes. How would you be feeling if you had to lay there in significant pain for that long??
She came home Sunday night. I left this morning and she was still in a lot of pain. I am very proud of her and how brave she has been.
Sunday night after she got home from the hospital. I think her face says it all.
Finally able to go to sleep.
Trying to spend some time with Rebekah who has been a little neglected in all the excitement.
Smiles!
My niece, Elizabeth, loves to swing around on their play set like a little monkey. She was doing this Saturday when she fell off and broke her arm at the elbow. Vanette took her to the ER in Madison where they took X-rays and then decided to send her to Louisville for surgery. It ended up being 17 hours from the time of the break until they took her into surgery. And 21 hours until she could eat or drink. That is a long time for a five year old.
For being a drama queen, she did really good. However, the last hour before surgery she decided she had enough. These are a few of the things she said in her despair: "I want to see the doctor, NOW!" "I want a drink, I want a drink, I want a drink, I want a drink." This last one was repeated over and over for several minutes. I understand that these things could make her look like a brat, but put yourself in her shoes. How would you be feeling if you had to lay there in significant pain for that long??
She came home Sunday night. I left this morning and she was still in a lot of pain. I am very proud of her and how brave she has been.
Sunday night after she got home from the hospital. I think her face says it all.
Finally able to go to sleep.
Trying to spend some time with Rebekah who has been a little neglected in all the excitement.
Smiles!
Wind and Humidity
HUMIDITY
Last Saturday our church had a picnic at one of the local parks. We had a good turnout of youth and young adults. Up until Saturday, the weather had been nice and cool. But the weather gave a slight turn on Saturday and gave us a very sunny and humid, very humid, day. Despite how hot it was, we all had a great time playing games and talking. We played corn hole and softball, and ate very yummy hamburgers!
Katie and I watching the softball game.
Mary and Emily
Providing entertainment
Cornhole!!!!
WINDS
Sunday was an unusual and interesting day. Mostly because we had to anchor down in order not to blow away. I spent the day at my sisters house in Hanover where we had winds up to 75mph. At around 2pm, the wind started to get really forceful. Vanette and were finding great entertainment in looking out the window at the neighbors house (pictured below), watching everything that the wind was damaging. We were amazed at what all was happening. It was about that time that I remembered the tree at the end of the house, positioned so that if it snapped would fall toward the house. I mentioned this thought to Vanette and she just laughed and said "oh, you don't have to worry about it because it's not on your end of the house". About that time one of my nieces came in and said something about a tree and falling on the truck. In our distraction, we simply thought she was asking if it would fall. She was followed with Jeff, who said "did you hear that tree fall on the truck?" That got our attention and we went out to find that the truck was covered by half of the tree. Luckily, it was covered mostly by the small branches and not the bigger limbs. There was no damage done.
The neighbors
Tree and truck
We ended up canceling church Sunday night for a few reasons. Number 1, the state of Indiana issued a state of emergency and did not want people out on the roads for obvious reasons. Number 2, most of our people are from KY and in order for them to come into IN they have to cross a bridge over the Ohio River. The state of KY closed this bridge around 3pm because of it shifting. Scary! So, we stayed home and made pizza!!
Last Saturday our church had a picnic at one of the local parks. We had a good turnout of youth and young adults. Up until Saturday, the weather had been nice and cool. But the weather gave a slight turn on Saturday and gave us a very sunny and humid, very humid, day. Despite how hot it was, we all had a great time playing games and talking. We played corn hole and softball, and ate very yummy hamburgers!
Katie and I watching the softball game.
Mary and Emily
Providing entertainment
Cornhole!!!!
WINDS
Sunday was an unusual and interesting day. Mostly because we had to anchor down in order not to blow away. I spent the day at my sisters house in Hanover where we had winds up to 75mph. At around 2pm, the wind started to get really forceful. Vanette and were finding great entertainment in looking out the window at the neighbors house (pictured below), watching everything that the wind was damaging. We were amazed at what all was happening. It was about that time that I remembered the tree at the end of the house, positioned so that if it snapped would fall toward the house. I mentioned this thought to Vanette and she just laughed and said "oh, you don't have to worry about it because it's not on your end of the house". About that time one of my nieces came in and said something about a tree and falling on the truck. In our distraction, we simply thought she was asking if it would fall. She was followed with Jeff, who said "did you hear that tree fall on the truck?" That got our attention and we went out to find that the truck was covered by half of the tree. Luckily, it was covered mostly by the small branches and not the bigger limbs. There was no damage done.
The neighbors
Tree and truck
We ended up canceling church Sunday night for a few reasons. Number 1, the state of Indiana issued a state of emergency and did not want people out on the roads for obvious reasons. Number 2, most of our people are from KY and in order for them to come into IN they have to cross a bridge over the Ohio River. The state of KY closed this bridge around 3pm because of it shifting. Scary! So, we stayed home and made pizza!!
Monday, September 8, 2008
Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Smith
I had the privilege of being in two of my closest friends wedding on Friday. I have known Nathan all of my life. We grew up going to church together. We worked at Garst Seeds as Research Technicians when we were in high school. There have been many times that I have asked Nathan his opinion on something. After all of his preliminary speeches Nathan typically gives, he was always very honest about his opinion. I appreciate the friendship that we have had through the years. Nathan was the bus captain on the bus that I worked on at the Bible Holiness church. I have many memories of the all Saturdays we spent out calling on people from the church and on our bus kids.
Ironically enough, it was on one of these calling endeavors that I first saw Laura. We were calling at a house on Elm St. which is just behind the church. We were standing on this porch talking to a lady when I saw a girl in a skirt walking our way. It occurred to me that Nathan somehow knew her because he walked over to talk to her. I guess the lady we were calling on thought that I may be interested in Nathan. She looked at me and said..."you better get him before Lorie steals him away!"
Several months after my first encounter with Laura, she and her parents started attending our church. We were both 15 years old. Her Father had just left a Baptist church across town and was taking some time off from pastoring. They decided to see what we Holiness people were all about! So, Laura came to church. Laura and I have talked several times about what our thoughts were of each other that first day we met. My thoughts of her? I thought she was stuck on herself. She didn't seem happy to be there at all. And as time passed I found out that indeed she was not happy to be there.
Despite what I thought of her, we started hanging out and became fast friends! We were very different in personalities. Laura somehow brought, and still does bring, the crazy part out in me. I love that about her. Until I met Laura, me hanging out with friends consisted mostly on me going out with my brother and his friends. Laura was the first real "girlfriend" I ever had. I consider our friendship priceless.
I will also never forget the first time she told me she liked Nathan! Once she told me, she went on to make sure that I did not like him. She said she would feel horrible if she liked someone that I was secretly liking. After I assured her that I did not like him and that I never had, she went on to talk about how handsome he was! That was August of 2002. After that point, she was always asking me if I thought he really liked her. And how she thought he treated her like any other girl. This was always followed with me trying to assure her that no, he did not treat her the same. I guess I never spelled it out good enough because the next time she was at my house..."Valerie, I just wish I knew if he liked me".
Most of you know the rest of the story. How they were "just friends" until May of 2006 when they finally started dating. Since then they have been a wonderful godly example of a Christian couple. They were engaged on February 29, 2008. And married on September 5, 2008
Congratulations Nathan and Laura!
Following are some pictures I was able to get of the wedding
This would be Laura (after decorating for too long) and her now brother-in-law, Andrew.
The centerpiece to the tables. They actually had goldfish in the water for the wedding!
THE DAY OF!
Beautifying the Bride!
Laura's mother Pat putting on her veil.
Gorgeous!
Laura with some of her family members.
Laura's beautiful niece Beth Lee
Laura and I.
The bridal party
Nathan and his new niece Beth Lee
Ashley and I waiting for the photographer to finish the pictures
Nathan and Laura with the Groomsmen
Me...shifting on my very tired feet
Cute!
Laura and Nathan with their fathers
Mr. and Mrs. Smith walking into the reception
Ironically enough, it was on one of these calling endeavors that I first saw Laura. We were calling at a house on Elm St. which is just behind the church. We were standing on this porch talking to a lady when I saw a girl in a skirt walking our way. It occurred to me that Nathan somehow knew her because he walked over to talk to her. I guess the lady we were calling on thought that I may be interested in Nathan. She looked at me and said..."you better get him before Lorie steals him away!"
Several months after my first encounter with Laura, she and her parents started attending our church. We were both 15 years old. Her Father had just left a Baptist church across town and was taking some time off from pastoring. They decided to see what we Holiness people were all about! So, Laura came to church. Laura and I have talked several times about what our thoughts were of each other that first day we met. My thoughts of her? I thought she was stuck on herself. She didn't seem happy to be there at all. And as time passed I found out that indeed she was not happy to be there.
Despite what I thought of her, we started hanging out and became fast friends! We were very different in personalities. Laura somehow brought, and still does bring, the crazy part out in me. I love that about her. Until I met Laura, me hanging out with friends consisted mostly on me going out with my brother and his friends. Laura was the first real "girlfriend" I ever had. I consider our friendship priceless.
I will also never forget the first time she told me she liked Nathan! Once she told me, she went on to make sure that I did not like him. She said she would feel horrible if she liked someone that I was secretly liking. After I assured her that I did not like him and that I never had, she went on to talk about how handsome he was! That was August of 2002. After that point, she was always asking me if I thought he really liked her. And how she thought he treated her like any other girl. This was always followed with me trying to assure her that no, he did not treat her the same. I guess I never spelled it out good enough because the next time she was at my house..."Valerie, I just wish I knew if he liked me".
Most of you know the rest of the story. How they were "just friends" until May of 2006 when they finally started dating. Since then they have been a wonderful godly example of a Christian couple. They were engaged on February 29, 2008. And married on September 5, 2008
Congratulations Nathan and Laura!
Following are some pictures I was able to get of the wedding
This would be Laura (after decorating for too long) and her now brother-in-law, Andrew.
The centerpiece to the tables. They actually had goldfish in the water for the wedding!
THE DAY OF!
Beautifying the Bride!
Laura's mother Pat putting on her veil.
Gorgeous!
Laura with some of her family members.
Laura's beautiful niece Beth Lee
Laura and I.
The bridal party
Nathan and his new niece Beth Lee
Ashley and I waiting for the photographer to finish the pictures
Nathan and Laura with the Groomsmen
Me...shifting on my very tired feet
Cute!
Laura and Nathan with their fathers
Mr. and Mrs. Smith walking into the reception
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