A lesson from the nursing home

I have had the interesting experience of getting to do my clinicals for my Certified Nursing Assistant class at Adams Farm Center for Living and Rehabilitation. It has been both a sad and wonderful experience. One of the most wonderful things that I have seen happened on our first night and it stuck with me. We were taking our tour of the facility and a lot of the residents there were sitting in the halls in their wheelchairs lined up and observing us. We passed this one section of residents and I heard a lady singing, "Hallelujah, thine the glory. Hallelujah, Amen. Hallelujah, thine the glory, Revive Us Again." I smiled immediately because I recognized that hymn as one that we used to sing at the church I grew up in. My dad was the song leader so I was very familiar with those hymns.
Anyway, when I heard it,I smiled and thought to myself,."Even though that poor little lady has lost her mind, she had that hymn so deeply engrained in her memory that it came out when nothing else could." After I left that night, I thought about it a lot. It is interesting how some people who never cursed in their life, curse like sailors when they lose their mind. And then others, like this little lady, sing hymns. It is my prayer that I would love my Savior and have the things of Him so deeply engrained in my mind and soul that I would sing hymns or songs of worship to my Savior even when my mind is gone. What a testimony.

My experience in the unemployment line..

This morning, I had the pleasure of going to the employment security commission office. The office opened at 8:30 but I was told it would open at 8:15, and being my punctual self, I got there at 7:45.... that's right.. I ended up being 45 minutes early. Nevertheless, when I got there, there were already several people in line.. lined up outside the door. It was crazy. By the time, they opened the door, I bet there was 40 people in line. It was crazy. And sad. I heard stories all around me of people losing their jobs after 30 years with the companies. There were people of all ages, all colors, all backgrounds, yet we all had a common bond... UNEMPLOYMENT. The dreaded word. One guy that I stood in line beside was a minister to people in prisons and he said the most important thing we have is our hope in Christ. That is so true.
I have been depressed in the past about being unemployed, depressed about our money hardships.. but in the past week, my outlook on things has changed dramatically. My dear friends' daughter has brain cancer. How could anything I'm going through even come CLOSE to that? I still have my health. I still have my family. No one in my family is fighting for their life. I would say my life is pretty great.
So- I say all of that to say this: We should use this time to remember what is really important. Our faith in Christ, our relationships with our families and the people around us.
Don't get bogged down by things that really don't matter.

And keep praying for Kate and the McRaes. They desperately need you prayers. Kate has a long road ahead of her until God chooses to heal her, which I believe that He will.

Update on Kate McRae

Her very delicate brain surgery is set for today 9:00 a.m. MT in Arizona.
Her parents posted this video yesterday and asked that we spread this any way we know how, so I don't know how many people read my blog, but even if one person sees this video and prays for her then my blog will have served it's purpose.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ese3zYZ-NA4
This video broke my heart to watch some of my dearest friends world shaking on the verge of shattering. Please pray for this family and their daughter Kate.
I remember when Holly was pregnant with Kate. She had early contractions in like her 5th month of pregnancy in the middle of the night. I went to stay with Olivia their older daughter that night while Holly and Aaron went to the hospital to get the contractions stopped. They got the contractions stopped and Holly had a healthy pregnancy after that. I know that even then, the Lord had big plans for little Kate. He still does. Plans for a hope and a future. We don't know what those plans are but I am trusting the God who created little Kate to do big things for her and go on to use her in a mighty way one day.
Please pray hard today. God is mighty. He always comes through.