Well... a little about my week first. I'm done my job at Samaritans Purse now, as I didn't take up the contract extension. This way, I have no excuse NOT to study and to do well. My first lab day was on Saturday as well... it went relatively well, now to make sure I remember everything I was taught and to keep practicing it and hammering it into my head and make it second nature. DCAP-BLS and TIC!! Look for Deformities, Contusions, Abrasions, Penetrations, Burns, Lacerations and Swelling. Feel for Tenderness, Instability and Crepitation! Ha, we even got to poke each other to check for each other's blood-gluclose levels... it's nice to see that there are other aspiring-paramedics that get qweezy around blood (good thing we'll all be trained to get over it). The person that got to poke me though, was really freaked out about poking other people, and ended up poking me 3 times just to get a puncture on the side of my index finger to get a blood sample. That wasn't fun, haha, but it sure shows me how important it is to do it right for your patients. :P Also, I think next lab day we get to practice taking vitals in the back of a moving ambulance. :P
GOD EXISTS
A man went to a barber shop to have his hair and his beard cut as always. He started to have a good conversation with the barber who attended him. They talked about so many things and various subjects. Suddenly, they touched the subject of God. The barber said :
"Look man, I don't believe that God exists as you say so."
"Why do you say that?" Asked the client.
"Well, it's so easy, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God does not exist. Oh, tell me, if God existed, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be no suffering nor pain. I can't think of a God who permits all of these things."
The client stopped for a moment thinking but he didn't want to respond so as to prevent an argument.
The barber finished his job and the client went out of the shop. Just after he left the barber shop he saw a man in the street with a long hair and beard (it seems that it had been a long time since he had his cut and he looked so untidy). Then the client again entered the barber shop and he said to the barber:
"Know what? Barbers do not exist."
"How come they don't exist?" asked the barber. "Well I am here and I am a barber."
"Noo!" the client exclaimed. "They don't exist because if they did there would be no people with long hair and beard like that man who walks in the street."
"Ah, barbers do exist, what happens is that people do not come to me."
"Exactly!" affirmed the client. "That's the point. God does exist, what happens is people don't go to Him and do not look for Him that's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world."
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Inspirational Tuesdays Pt. 1
Warning: LONG BLOG.
Okay, so, from last week's post, I figured I'd start posting some of these inspirational stories that made me cry so much. :P Mondays would have been a nice start to the week, but I forgot. Wednesdays would help boost your week in the middle. But Toonie Tuesdays... Cheap Movie Tuesdays... Inspirational Tuesdays... what the heck, haha. And spending that one hour at the 24/7 Prayer room really set the mood for this as well. It was a nice and peaceful time alone with God and it just shows how much I've fallen back and how much growth I still need to achieve. If you have free time, I encourage you to head over there and just pray, read (your bibles, devotionals, writings/prayers on the walls), draw/paint, whatever. It will definately be an uplifting time.
A Doll and A White Rose
I hurried into the local department store to grab some last minute Christmas gifts. I looked at all the people and grumbled to myself. I would be in here forever and I just had so much to do. Christmas was beginning to become such a drag. I kinda wished that I could just sleep through Christmas. But I hurried the best I could through all the people to the toy department. Once again I kind of mumbled to myself at the prices of all these toys. And wondered if the grandkids would even play with them.
I found myself in the doll aisle. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a little boy about 5 holding a lovely doll. He kept touching her hair and he held her so gently. I could not seem to help myself. I just kept looking over at the little boy and wondered who the doll was for. I watched him turn to a woman and he called his aunt by name and said, "Are you sure I don't have enough money" She replied a bit impatiently, "You know that you don't have enough money for it." The aunt told the little boy not to go anywhere that she had to go get some other things and would be back in a few minutes. And then she left the aisle. The boy continued to hold the doll. After a bit I asked the boy who the doll was for. He said, "It is the doll my sister wanted so badly for Christmas. She just knew that Santa would bring it." I told him that maybe Santa was going to bring it. He said "No, Santa can't go where my sister is...I have to give the doll to my Mamma to take to her". I asked him where his sister was. He looked at me with the saddest eyes and said "She has gone to be with Jesus." "My Daddy says that Mama is going to have to go be with her."
My heart nearly stopped beating. Then the boy looked at me again and said, "I told my Daddy to tell Mama not to go yet. I told him to tell her to wait till I got back from the store."
Then he asked me if I wanted to see his picture. I told him I would love to. He pulled out some pictures he'd had taken at the front of the store. He said "I want my Mamma to take this with her so she don't ever forget me." "I love my Mama so very much and I wish she did not have to leave me." "But Daddy says she will need to be with my sister." I saw that the little boy had lowered his head and had grown so very quiet.
While he was not looking I reached into my purse and pulled out a handful of bills. I asked the little boy, "Shall we count that money one more time?" He grew excited and said "Yes, I just know it has to be enough". So I slipped my money in with his and we began to count it. Of course it was plenty for the doll. He softly said, "Thank you Jesus for giving me enough money." Then the boy said "I just asked Jesus to give me enough money to buy this doll so Mama can take it with her to give to my sister." "And he heard my prayer. I wanted to ask him for enough to buy my Mama a white rose, but I didn't ask him, but he gave me enough to buy the doll and a rose for my Mama." "She loves white roses so very, very much".
In a few minutes the aunt came back and I wheeled my cart away. I could not keep from thinking about the little boy as I finished my shopping in a totally different spirit than when I had started. And I kept remembering a story I had seen in the newspaper several days earlier about a drunk driver hitting a car and killing a little girl and the Mother was in serious condition. The family was deciding on whether to remove the life support. Now surely this little boy did not belong with that story.
Two days later I read in the paper where the family had disconnected the life support and the young woman had died. I could not forget the little boy and just kept wondering if the two were somehow connected.
Later that day, I could not help myself and I went out and bought some white roses and took them to the funeral home where the young woman was. And there she was holding a lovely white rose, the beautiful doll, and the picture of the little boy in the store. I left there in tears, my life changed forever.
The love that little boy had for his little sister and his mother was overwhelming. And in a split second a drunk driver had ripped the life of that little boy to pieces.
Suffice to say, I havn't been driving as recklessly as before. But, this also shows how much Faith little children have. Something I've lost over the years, and it's something I need to work on growing again. This story also proves that God DOES answer prayers (even those you never put to words) and that God is STILL by our side even through the most difficult of times. And sometimes, you wonder why you go through what you do and nothing positive ever seems to come out of it. Well, sometimes, your difficulties are meant to strengthen those around you. So, be a blessing to everyone, no matter what circumstances you find yourselves to be in.
Okay, so, from last week's post, I figured I'd start posting some of these inspirational stories that made me cry so much. :P Mondays would have been a nice start to the week, but I forgot. Wednesdays would help boost your week in the middle. But Toonie Tuesdays... Cheap Movie Tuesdays... Inspirational Tuesdays... what the heck, haha. And spending that one hour at the 24/7 Prayer room really set the mood for this as well. It was a nice and peaceful time alone with God and it just shows how much I've fallen back and how much growth I still need to achieve. If you have free time, I encourage you to head over there and just pray, read (your bibles, devotionals, writings/prayers on the walls), draw/paint, whatever. It will definately be an uplifting time.
A Doll and A White Rose
I hurried into the local department store to grab some last minute Christmas gifts. I looked at all the people and grumbled to myself. I would be in here forever and I just had so much to do. Christmas was beginning to become such a drag. I kinda wished that I could just sleep through Christmas. But I hurried the best I could through all the people to the toy department. Once again I kind of mumbled to myself at the prices of all these toys. And wondered if the grandkids would even play with them.
I found myself in the doll aisle. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a little boy about 5 holding a lovely doll. He kept touching her hair and he held her so gently. I could not seem to help myself. I just kept looking over at the little boy and wondered who the doll was for. I watched him turn to a woman and he called his aunt by name and said, "Are you sure I don't have enough money" She replied a bit impatiently, "You know that you don't have enough money for it." The aunt told the little boy not to go anywhere that she had to go get some other things and would be back in a few minutes. And then she left the aisle. The boy continued to hold the doll. After a bit I asked the boy who the doll was for. He said, "It is the doll my sister wanted so badly for Christmas. She just knew that Santa would bring it." I told him that maybe Santa was going to bring it. He said "No, Santa can't go where my sister is...I have to give the doll to my Mamma to take to her". I asked him where his sister was. He looked at me with the saddest eyes and said "She has gone to be with Jesus." "My Daddy says that Mama is going to have to go be with her."
My heart nearly stopped beating. Then the boy looked at me again and said, "I told my Daddy to tell Mama not to go yet. I told him to tell her to wait till I got back from the store."
Then he asked me if I wanted to see his picture. I told him I would love to. He pulled out some pictures he'd had taken at the front of the store. He said "I want my Mamma to take this with her so she don't ever forget me." "I love my Mama so very much and I wish she did not have to leave me." "But Daddy says she will need to be with my sister." I saw that the little boy had lowered his head and had grown so very quiet.
While he was not looking I reached into my purse and pulled out a handful of bills. I asked the little boy, "Shall we count that money one more time?" He grew excited and said "Yes, I just know it has to be enough". So I slipped my money in with his and we began to count it. Of course it was plenty for the doll. He softly said, "Thank you Jesus for giving me enough money." Then the boy said "I just asked Jesus to give me enough money to buy this doll so Mama can take it with her to give to my sister." "And he heard my prayer. I wanted to ask him for enough to buy my Mama a white rose, but I didn't ask him, but he gave me enough to buy the doll and a rose for my Mama." "She loves white roses so very, very much".
In a few minutes the aunt came back and I wheeled my cart away. I could not keep from thinking about the little boy as I finished my shopping in a totally different spirit than when I had started. And I kept remembering a story I had seen in the newspaper several days earlier about a drunk driver hitting a car and killing a little girl and the Mother was in serious condition. The family was deciding on whether to remove the life support. Now surely this little boy did not belong with that story.
Two days later I read in the paper where the family had disconnected the life support and the young woman had died. I could not forget the little boy and just kept wondering if the two were somehow connected.
Later that day, I could not help myself and I went out and bought some white roses and took them to the funeral home where the young woman was. And there she was holding a lovely white rose, the beautiful doll, and the picture of the little boy in the store. I left there in tears, my life changed forever.
The love that little boy had for his little sister and his mother was overwhelming. And in a split second a drunk driver had ripped the life of that little boy to pieces.
Suffice to say, I havn't been driving as recklessly as before. But, this also shows how much Faith little children have. Something I've lost over the years, and it's something I need to work on growing again. This story also proves that God DOES answer prayers (even those you never put to words) and that God is STILL by our side even through the most difficult of times. And sometimes, you wonder why you go through what you do and nothing positive ever seems to come out of it. Well, sometimes, your difficulties are meant to strengthen those around you. So, be a blessing to everyone, no matter what circumstances you find yourselves to be in.
Monday, January 16, 2006
What happened to him? Where did he go?
Last week, me and Jenny had went out shopping and ended up having a very interesting conversation about everything (mostly about the past) over dinner that lasted over an hour. It was great talking about the past and looking back at our lives and the things we've done, and how we've changed... but one of the things that Jenny stated was that it was great how I don't cry as much as I once did. Which was a lot... I was extremely emotional and broke down into tears every week at the very least... and I agreed with her that it was a good thing. To be emotionally stable is a GOOD thing, to not let minor things bring you down is a GOOD thing, to understand that you can't possibly fix everything or that you arn't always the reason things go sour is a GOOD thing. I honestly can't remember when the last time I broke down into tears over something... possibly first year uni.
Today, I decided to go through all my saved emails in my YAHOO account, so as to send them over to my gmail account. That way I could search for them faster and be able to use them, as most, if not all, were of the inspirational sort. And honestly, I broke into tears, again and again and again. I spent roughly 3 hours reading through them, fixing them up and sending them to my gmail account and the tears just kept coming. And the one thing I realized was this:
In the past few years since I went to Edmonton for schooling and since I've come back home; I have lost something. I thought I had learned so much and gained so much knowledge by living on my own, that I didn't realize what I had lost till tonight. I thought the experience at UofA had made me stronger emotionally, spiritually, physically and mentally. I was more social, better equiped for life and was more of individualistic. I wasn't as much of a push-over, I wasn't as scared of people and I wasn't breaking down into tears over every little thing that happens between me and my friends.
But what I've lost were the importance of Love, Faith and Hope. I didn't break down into tears or even showed that I cared over the little things (a friend was hurt by what somebody else said), or even the major things (my parents were in the hospital for medical reasons) anymore because I simply didn't care. If something happened to someone, I'd simply say it was their own fault, they brought it upon themselves or that whatever happens, happens. I no longer sympathized with them or even cared if they got through it. If it happens, it happens, nothing more, nothing less. I looked over some of the emails that I sent out when I was younger and I noticed that some of them had me connecting such emails with bible verses and words of encouragement for people that I cared about. I no longer do that, I no longer even bother trying or caring.
Another thing that I told Jenny was that in this New Year, I want to improve my spiritual walk, because it has slipped over the last few months due to work and a lack of time. Now I realize that I've slipped much further than I would ever have imagined. I no longer serve with a passion, I do what I do because I can, or because I think I can do it better than someone else. I go to fellowship and church because I should, not becuase I long to. I sleep in for work more and more becuase I don't want to be at devotions. My prayers are rigid and done out of habit. And I no longer have that sense of Love for others. I will always look out for and be happy when I'm around my friends, but how many of them do I go out of my way to ensure that their lives are well and to be there for them to lean upon and to stand by them in their most difficult times? How many of them would want me to be there in their most difficult times? How many of them do I allow past my defences, to see who I am inside, to see what troubles me, to allow them to even try to aid in them. I mentioned to Jenny that I have no close friends in my life anymore, but that I was content at having a group of good friends. But where then is my accountability? or my comforting shoulder?
It is a time for change. It is a time to find myself once more. It is a time to find who God wants me to be and to become that person fully. It is a time to step out of the comfort zone and to step away from the excuses. It is a time to become fully in LOVE with God once again and not care about making people happy or finishing those sentences just for a quick laugh. It is a time to find a balance of being the quiet/shy kid and the obnoxious/proud adolescence.
I asked God to take away my habit.
God said, No.
It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No.
His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary
I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No.
Patience is a by product of tribulations; it isn't granted, it is learned.
I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No.
I give you blessings; Happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.
I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No.
You must grow on your own! but I will prune you to make you fruitful.
I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No.
I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.
I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.
God said...Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.
THIS DAY IS YOURS DON'T THROW IT AWAY
May God Bless You,
"To the world you might be one person, but to one person you just might be
the world"
Today, I decided to go through all my saved emails in my YAHOO account, so as to send them over to my gmail account. That way I could search for them faster and be able to use them, as most, if not all, were of the inspirational sort. And honestly, I broke into tears, again and again and again. I spent roughly 3 hours reading through them, fixing them up and sending them to my gmail account and the tears just kept coming. And the one thing I realized was this:
In the past few years since I went to Edmonton for schooling and since I've come back home; I have lost something. I thought I had learned so much and gained so much knowledge by living on my own, that I didn't realize what I had lost till tonight. I thought the experience at UofA had made me stronger emotionally, spiritually, physically and mentally. I was more social, better equiped for life and was more of individualistic. I wasn't as much of a push-over, I wasn't as scared of people and I wasn't breaking down into tears over every little thing that happens between me and my friends.
But what I've lost were the importance of Love, Faith and Hope. I didn't break down into tears or even showed that I cared over the little things (a friend was hurt by what somebody else said), or even the major things (my parents were in the hospital for medical reasons) anymore because I simply didn't care. If something happened to someone, I'd simply say it was their own fault, they brought it upon themselves or that whatever happens, happens. I no longer sympathized with them or even cared if they got through it. If it happens, it happens, nothing more, nothing less. I looked over some of the emails that I sent out when I was younger and I noticed that some of them had me connecting such emails with bible verses and words of encouragement for people that I cared about. I no longer do that, I no longer even bother trying or caring.
Another thing that I told Jenny was that in this New Year, I want to improve my spiritual walk, because it has slipped over the last few months due to work and a lack of time. Now I realize that I've slipped much further than I would ever have imagined. I no longer serve with a passion, I do what I do because I can, or because I think I can do it better than someone else. I go to fellowship and church because I should, not becuase I long to. I sleep in for work more and more becuase I don't want to be at devotions. My prayers are rigid and done out of habit. And I no longer have that sense of Love for others. I will always look out for and be happy when I'm around my friends, but how many of them do I go out of my way to ensure that their lives are well and to be there for them to lean upon and to stand by them in their most difficult times? How many of them would want me to be there in their most difficult times? How many of them do I allow past my defences, to see who I am inside, to see what troubles me, to allow them to even try to aid in them. I mentioned to Jenny that I have no close friends in my life anymore, but that I was content at having a group of good friends. But where then is my accountability? or my comforting shoulder?
It is a time for change. It is a time to find myself once more. It is a time to find who God wants me to be and to become that person fully. It is a time to step out of the comfort zone and to step away from the excuses. It is a time to become fully in LOVE with God once again and not care about making people happy or finishing those sentences just for a quick laugh. It is a time to find a balance of being the quiet/shy kid and the obnoxious/proud adolescence.
I asked God to take away my habit.
God said, No.
It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No.
His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary
I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No.
Patience is a by product of tribulations; it isn't granted, it is learned.
I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No.
I give you blessings; Happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.
I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No.
You must grow on your own! but I will prune you to make you fruitful.
I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No.
I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.
I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.
God said...Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.
THIS DAY IS YOURS DON'T THROW IT AWAY
May God Bless You,
"To the world you might be one person, but to one person you just might be
the world"
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Back To School
Well... after a semester away from school, I'm finally back. This time round, I'll be taking my EMR at SAIT. Today was the first day. It was just orientation, so it wasn't anything much, but it's good to hear that I got into the program at a good time. Apparently, there is a high demand for paramedics right now and should be at its peak when I graduate in a couple years. Excellent.
Bad news is that one of my instructors dropped out due to personal reasons and my lab schedule has been changed to fit with the new instructor that came in. Which means that I can no longer attend Breakforth. Which SUCKS, cause I was really looking forward to going, and I really wanted to see Kutless in concert as well. But I guess that isn't going to happen anymore. It sucks even more that I can't get a refund on my registration cause it's past the deadline. SO... if somebody wants to go, they can take my registration. Currently, Jenny is priority, since I ended up talking to her first after I found out I couldn't go. :P But she is still checking her schedule, so yeah. Let me know if you're interested. It is $127.33. But honestly, I'll give discounts where needed. :P
Otherwise, I'm going to be studying a ton now... and hopefully I understand everything and do well. I want to graduate near the top of the class so I can jump right into city instead of having to move out to some rural area for a number of years before coming back. Also, I want to do really well so I can get into tactical EMT - get to train alongside SWAT and be the team that goes in to such situations. Apparently, I won't get a gun, haha, but oh well... it should still make things more interesting.
Bad news is that one of my instructors dropped out due to personal reasons and my lab schedule has been changed to fit with the new instructor that came in. Which means that I can no longer attend Breakforth. Which SUCKS, cause I was really looking forward to going, and I really wanted to see Kutless in concert as well. But I guess that isn't going to happen anymore. It sucks even more that I can't get a refund on my registration cause it's past the deadline. SO... if somebody wants to go, they can take my registration. Currently, Jenny is priority, since I ended up talking to her first after I found out I couldn't go. :P But she is still checking her schedule, so yeah. Let me know if you're interested. It is $127.33. But honestly, I'll give discounts where needed. :P
Otherwise, I'm going to be studying a ton now... and hopefully I understand everything and do well. I want to graduate near the top of the class so I can jump right into city instead of having to move out to some rural area for a number of years before coming back. Also, I want to do really well so I can get into tactical EMT - get to train alongside SWAT and be the team that goes in to such situations. Apparently, I won't get a gun, haha, but oh well... it should still make things more interesting.