Last week at church a friend asked me to help photograph (and wrangle children) for her Sunday School class as the main teacher for that class had gone out of town. The lesson for the week included the parting of the Red Sea as the children of Israel where escaping Egypt. My friend had made a "winding path through the desert" out of masking tape on the carpet. In the middle of the path was a pan of Jell-O. The kids walked their Israelites down the path until they came to the Jell-O. Then a miracle happened that the Jell-O Red Sea parted.
I was sitting at the craft table helping the kids (ages 2-5) color the "Children of Israel." I had quite the conversation with one little boy as he diligently colored his picture.
Boy: "I don't like Jell-O."
Me: "You don't have to eat any then."
Boy: "I want some, can I have some? You're just like me."
Me: Handing the boy a square of Jell-O "Oh really, how so?"
Boy: "I'm black, and so are you."
Me: "Really? How fun!"
I'm not exactly sure how I suddenly became "black" but I did certainly find it amusing.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
My Summer Classroom
I have devoted today to an all day curriculathon for our new summer class NURS 4910 and thus far I'm truly enjoying it. I know, curriculathon, sounds nerdy doesn't it? Check out my classroom though! Here I sit sipping lemonade on my newly repaired deck in a lounge chair in the sun with a view of the maple tree and rhodadenderon in my back yard typing away to the sounds of birds chirping. The part I didn't tell you about yet is my retired neighbor wandering around witih his shirt off on the other side of the fence singing to himself. Maybe I should get some headphones...
Most of the class is being conducted online as all of my enrolled students have gone home over the summer and are spred from Chewellah to Medford. They are reading the book "In His Image" by Dr. Paul Brand as part of their assigned readings. They are required to post reflections on the assigned chapters weekly. Thus far I am truly blessed and impressed by their posts. Check out www.bestdaysever.wordpress.com if you feel so inclined.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Patrick's Wedding
A few weeks ago my step-brother Patrick got married in the most unusual ceremony; it took place on separate continents! The story goes something like this:
Patrick goes on a missions trip to Brazil and meets a beautiful young woman. They become friends and stay in contact even after Patrick returns to the US. A year goes by and once again Patrick returns to Brazil on another missions trip. Friendship turns to a deeper interest and the two fall in love. Patrick goes to Brazil again and this time stays for 6 months living with the girl's brother. While in Brazil he proposes, she says yes... Unfortunately he made his proposal on some of his final days in Brazil before his visa expired. Brazilian law requires a person to be outside the country at least 6 months before they can even apply for a new visa, there is also a longer waiting period for marriage certificates.
Oh drat!! What to do now? Well... Here's what happened. Before leaving Brazil Patrick gave his then future mother-in-law power of attorney to sign the marriage certificate for him; marriage by proxy! Patrick came home and everyone waited. Finally Eliza (his new bride) called to say they had secured a court date. The marriage would happen April 18th at 6 am our time. They were married in a bilingual (Portuguese and English) wedding via webcam.
After the wedding Patrick took a trip to Hawaii with his brother Tyler and his mom. So... Patrick's wife married her mother and Patrick went on his honeymoon with his brother. I always knew they were a little "different."
Patrick leaves for Brazil to be with is new bride this Thursday. Congratulations Patrick and Eliza!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Cambodia and Curriculathons
Hello all, sorry it's been a while since I last posted. How do I sum up the last several weeks? May 8th marked the official end of the school year. I got to wear my regalia at the pinning for the first time. Who knew there was so much involved with putting that stuff on?
After the pinning it was decided that year had come to a sort of abrupt end so Janel and I decided that a twilight picnic at the waterfront with Cheerios and milk was in order. What a perfect way to end the year, it was amazing.
A few days later three of us went hiking at Mt. Si (Little Si). We managed to miss the rain and actually ended up having a great view from the top. On the way back down we ended up encountering some unaccompanied dogs. Long story short they followed us all the way down. One of the then ran off but we walked around the neighborhood trying to see anyone recognized the other. We ended up taking her to a 24 hour vet (it was late by this time) who took her in for the night. I must admit I seriously thought of adopting her if she hadn't have found her home.
The last few paragraphs make it sound like I've been doing nothing but playing since school has been out. Nope, I'm still working at UW; and when I'm not there I can be found either in my office at school or on my couch engaging in more curriculathons. Mexico City is now officially NURS 4910 and has four registered students! I've been working on curriculum maps, grading rubrics, syllubi, international travel policies and like ever since (and before) it's official approval.
Oh yeah... And I offered some of my abundant medical supplies to a medical team going to Cambodia in July. They roped me into going... More details to follow!
After the pinning it was decided that year had come to a sort of abrupt end so Janel and I decided that a twilight picnic at the waterfront with Cheerios and milk was in order. What a perfect way to end the year, it was amazing.
A few days later three of us went hiking at Mt. Si (Little Si). We managed to miss the rain and actually ended up having a great view from the top. On the way back down we ended up encountering some unaccompanied dogs. Long story short they followed us all the way down. One of the then ran off but we walked around the neighborhood trying to see anyone recognized the other. We ended up taking her to a 24 hour vet (it was late by this time) who took her in for the night. I must admit I seriously thought of adopting her if she hadn't have found her home.
The last few paragraphs make it sound like I've been doing nothing but playing since school has been out. Nope, I'm still working at UW; and when I'm not there I can be found either in my office at school or on my couch engaging in more curriculathons. Mexico City is now officially NURS 4910 and has four registered students! I've been working on curriculum maps, grading rubrics, syllubi, international travel policies and like ever since (and before) it's official approval.
Oh yeah... And I offered some of my abundant medical supplies to a medical team going to Cambodia in July. They roped me into going... More details to follow!
Monday, May 18, 2009
Purpose
Last week at work I was caring for an African-American woman in her mid 40s who had congestive heart failure, a recent MI and left sided paralysis from a stroke. This woman, Sue (not her real name), has been in the hospital since November and her prognosis is poor. She is in dire need of a heart transplant but sadly her left hemiparesis makes her ineligible. The severity of her heart condition has made her balloon pump-dependant, yet she refuses to give up and does not want to be put on hospice. Most of the staff are starting to get tired of working with her as she can be a little particular about her care and also suffers from chronic pain.
It had been a busy day, and we were in the process of admitting a patient to the room next to hers. The new patient was a woman in her mid 60s who had come to ICU from the oncology floor where they could no longer manage her low blood pressure. The woman was confused and frightened, crying out loudly and attempting to get out of bed.
When I went back into Sue’s room to assess her balloon pump, we could still hear the woman in the next room crying and retching. Sue’s first response was,
“I hope that lady is OK over there. Dear Jesus, I just want to pray for that lady that you will put your healing hand on her and give her and her family peace and comfort, and for the doctors and nurses that You would give them wisdom to take care of her.”
When she finished her prayer I asked, “Have you been our prayer warrior the whole time you have been here?”
“Praying for people is just something that God has put on my heart, and what better thing to do in a hospital while I’m lying here in bed?” she replied.
“Sue, maybe that’s why God has you here right now.”
A few days later I found myself taking care of Sue again. Sue’s neighbor has gotten progressively worse and it was feared she would die that day. That afternoon I could hear music coming from Sue’s room. It was Sue and her family and friends singing gospel songs. “We’re having a praise fest in here, come on and join in,” yelled her mom over the accompaniment CD. Only moments later, Sue’s neighbor passed away. They had sung her into eternity.
It had been a busy day, and we were in the process of admitting a patient to the room next to hers. The new patient was a woman in her mid 60s who had come to ICU from the oncology floor where they could no longer manage her low blood pressure. The woman was confused and frightened, crying out loudly and attempting to get out of bed.
When I went back into Sue’s room to assess her balloon pump, we could still hear the woman in the next room crying and retching. Sue’s first response was,
“I hope that lady is OK over there. Dear Jesus, I just want to pray for that lady that you will put your healing hand on her and give her and her family peace and comfort, and for the doctors and nurses that You would give them wisdom to take care of her.”
When she finished her prayer I asked, “Have you been our prayer warrior the whole time you have been here?”
“Praying for people is just something that God has put on my heart, and what better thing to do in a hospital while I’m lying here in bed?” she replied.
“Sue, maybe that’s why God has you here right now.”
A few days later I found myself taking care of Sue again. Sue’s neighbor has gotten progressively worse and it was feared she would die that day. That afternoon I could hear music coming from Sue’s room. It was Sue and her family and friends singing gospel songs. “We’re having a praise fest in here, come on and join in,” yelled her mom over the accompaniment CD. Only moments later, Sue’s neighbor passed away. They had sung her into eternity.
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