FoR My NuRsE fRiEnDs....

I thought you would all enjoy this... the website is nurstoon.com and I was introduced to this website while in Nursing Orientation this week. I thought this would be a fun one to share...

ThIs WeEk At WoRk....

When I first moved to Utah, almost 6 years ago now, it took me a little by surprise how ingrained the Church is into everything. I know it shouldn't have been that strange or surprising but it was. It took some time to get used to overhead pages for "any available LDS Elders" to give a blessing or something, or having Sacrament meeting in the Chapel every Sunday. It was strange to have patients getting blessings and not having to explain things like why I would have to change wards if I moved. But soon it didn't seem strange any more and it felt normal and comfortable. It also was nice to feel the Spirit at work more often. I was able to have some fairly unique experiences that were strengthening to my testimony.

Well moving to North Carolina has been a change. I love it out here and I love our ward and the people that I work with but for the first time in 7 years or so I am not surrounded by LDS people all of the time. In fact I'm in the middle of the Bible belt. And that is awesome. There are so many good people out here. People who really believe and want to follow Our Savior. There are good Christians and I have felt very welcomed considering that Baptists, who are a strong segment of the Christian population here, notoriously don't like Mormons.

Well this week at work I had a truly Spiritual Experience. Something that I haven't had at work for a long time. We had just gotten a patient on our table to start a procedure. This patient was one who really needed what we had to offer. And what we were doing for this patient would truly save their life. (As a side note, all the procedures we perform in an EP lab are considered "elective", and most of the time people could go on living for quite some time without us, but on occasion we have patients who can't keep living without us. Their hearts have stopped sending the appropriate signals to beat every second or so and they need a pacemaker or their heart is so sick that with out one of our devices or ablations they would go into a rhythm that stops their hearts. This was one of those cases.) The patient was sick, and was obviously nervous about the procedure. The patient got situated on the table and asked "Who's the preacher here?" one of our CRNAs quickly grabbed the patient's hand and asked what name he went by and one of the other staff members joined hands with the patient and the CRNA started to pray for him. It was simple and full of faith. It was slightly different then the Mormon standard format I grew up with but it called on our Heavenly Father by name to help this man and all of us to have the skills we needed to help him and for the patient to have the peace he needed for the procedure. He closed in the name of Jesus Christ and the Spirit was so strong. I got a little teary even.

This experience strengthened my testimony of prayer and that our Heavenly Father hears all of the prayers of His children, no matter what church they attend. It also reminded me that the Spirit comes as the Comforter to those who have faith and need him. It was a beautiful moment to watch the faith of my coworkers in action. I love moments like that at work. I know that most people can have spiritual moments at work but I think that nurses get the most. I think it comes with the territory of working with people who are in a very vulnerable state. I have been blessed to be a small part in some of the most major events in my patients lives. I been there for the births of their children. And for the death of their spouse. They are some of my most cherished moments from the last 10 years. And this weeks experience reminded me that no matter where I work, good faithful people are there who love and trust our Heavenly Father just like I do.

fRiDaY cOnFeSsIoNaL

Its technically after midnight but it still feels like friday to me! So here we go, time to cleanse the soul with a little confessing.....

I confess that....
*I'm turning my chocolate loving husband into a health food nut.
*I got him into sprouted bread, he's even googling recipes and finding the "best way" to make it and things he wants me to try.
*We went to 2 different organic natural food stores. And he picked them and wanted to go the most.
*It was great! They opened a new Whole Foods near us and although it was super busy we had a great time.
*I love that he is getting interested in it.
*I just wish we had more money for all of the healthy food.
*Why is it sooooo expensive to get really good healthy food?

fRiDaY cOnFeSsIoNaL

I know its Saturday, I just didn't get home till after 8 last night (no good dead goes unpunished) and wasn't up for blogging. At least I'm blogging more regularly now right? So here it goes.....

I CONFESS:
*My heart is broken for all of the people of Japan.
*I love Japan so much that when I hear Japanese it is relaxing to me and when I see pictures and movies I feel completely homesick. Even more homesick than for Washington.
*I know crazy right, its not the most beautiful language in the World but it soothes my soul. I may not (probably not) be able to understand everything they are saying now, but the rhythm of their speech reduces my stress. I know its weird.
*I love Japanese food. All of it pretty much. OK those little dried fishes with the eyes that they would sell in bulk are not my favorite. I even loved Nato, which is fermented soy beans, and it smells like garbage but it grows on you and I love it and its really good for you. You all have to love me, ok!
*I cried at work yesterday as I saw footage of the tsunami. and the thought of how scary a 8.9 magnitude earthquake would have been. I cried as I saw the wave of water come up and cover the airport and wash away farms.
*I am also very grateful that we know that all the missionaries are safe in Japan. I was worried about all the Moms and Dads waiting for word of their "frozen chosen" in Sendai.
*I have been unable to stay in contact with several people in Japan that mean a lot to me. I hope and pray that they and their families are safe during this time.

Ja ne,
oyasuminasai!

fRiDaY cOnFeSsIoNaL (the SuNdAy EdItIoN)

I got a little busy this week with all the moving excitement around here and I didn't get to Friday Confessional on Friday so I thought I would do it tonight......here we go!!!!!

*I confess I have the sweetest, most adorable husband ever!
*I love how giving he is and how much he loves to serve others.
*Our Ward and Stake were involved, for the last few months, with the North Carolina School of Science and Math to break the Guiness World Record for the most food collected on one day for a food drive. Every time we went grocery shopping he was looking for good deals on food so we could donate as much as possible. He had us volunteering to collect food and work at the stake center where we were sorting the food. He also had volunteered to be on call to pick up food this weekend.
*As I watched his generosity I was reminded of the help he gives to his Mema (Grandma) when we are visiting and all of the help that he gave and gives to all of his family in Florida.
*While we were dating I fell in love very quickly with his generous spirit.
*He is a wonderful example to me and I am grateful for the way in which he pushed me in this service project lately.
*I feel very blessed to have this amazing man as my eternal companion!