Saturday, September 22, 2007

You said...

Ask and I'll give the nations to you,
O Lord, it's the cry of my heart.
Distant shores and the islands will see
Your Light as it rises on us.


You said, ask and you will receive whatever you need.
You said, pray and I'll hear from heaven and I'll heal your land.
You said, Your glory will fill the earth, like water the seas.
You said, lift up your eyes. The harvest is here, the Kingdom is near!!

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Adventures of a PCA

"Patient Care Associate," that is my label. I have now been working at Deaconess Hospital for about a month. I am proud to say my title includes: taking vital signs, wiping butts, giving baths, turning patients, draining ostomy tubes and hemovacs, testing glucose, inserting catheters, discontinuing IV's, charting patient information, administering postmortem care and other random tasks.

While many of you are probably grossed out already, I am intrigued by my job each and every day. There is never an uneventful day on OMCC (Orthomedical Care Center.) We see it all...we receive patients from all floors due to the fact that we are the largest floor at the hospital. Most of our patients are 50 or older; however, we see the occasional younger patient from an automobile/motorcycle/atv accident. When I applied for the job, I did not want to work with the elderly. Through my experience thus far, I have gained a whole new respect for them and have discovered they are some of the most interesting people I will probably ever meet.

One lady's life has truly impacted me. She was so cute...92 years old and on complete bedrest. She was receiving oxygen and her lungs were filling up with fluid quickly. The doctor informed her family she was not going to make it much longer. Her husband of 70 years (he is 88) spent a whole day by her side, holding her hand. After her family left for what would be the last time, I spent some time in her room. I bathed her, cleaned her mouth, changed her sheets and put lotion on her frail body. She could not speak to me or give me any direction of how she wanted to be cared for, but I could see it in her eyes. I could sense her contentment. I talked to her, ran my fingers through her hair, and silently prayed. I eagerly waited until my next shift to see the woman I had previously connected with, only to find a new patient was occupying her room. She died that same evening I had spent time with her. Thank you Lord for being the Ultimate Comforter!

The one thing I love most about my job is that I am able to share the love of Christ with my patients and coworkers. I get the opportunity every day to impact someone else's life with my attitude. I can be different. I can rejoice in the day that God has given me and go to work with a smile on my face. I have received the assignment from Christ to be His hands to these patients, and I feel honored to meet their needs day in and day out.
Psalm 90:14,17
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;
Establish the work of our hands for us-
yes, establish the work of our hands.

I pray my patients see Christ through me in everything I do. I pray the touch of my hand and the sound of my voice gives them a glimpse of Christ's comfort and love. I pray His joy, compassion, and gentle spirit are seen in me. Lord, I know you are standing with me beside each bed as I care for these patients. Help me to understand the pain of my patients and provide accurate care. I will willingly serve you all of my days!!

Friday, September 14, 2007

Everyone Needs a Buddy

Evansville's Buddy Walk

September 29,2007

9:00a.m.-12:00p.m.

4-H Center

These are my buddies. The darling red-head is my cousin Emma.
The handsome young man is my friend, Pierre. I met him while I was in Haiti.
The Buddy Walk is associated with the group S.M.I.L.E. on Down Syndrome.
It is wonderful opportunity to reach out to the community and love on some of God's children. Get a group together and head out to the 4-H for FUN, FOOD, EXERCISE
AND LOTS OF HUGS!

Please help support these children and their families.
For more information, see the website above.
The registration form is available along with other information.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

3 Years of Pure Joy


This is Dennis Christopher.
Also known as: DC, Mr. Silly, Moley
He is the most amazing and loving child I have ever met.
What a blessing this little boy has been in my life!!
God granted me with the gift of taking care of Dennis for three years.
Because of my school schedule,
I had to leave him in someone else's care.
He has what is called pachygyria,
lissencephaly (meaning: smooth brain).
It is a congenital malformation of the cerebral hemisphere.
Pachygyria is typically associated with
seizures disorders and severe developmental delays.

I will never forget:

The way he always stuck his tongue out at me. His curly hair.

Taking naps together.

When we were sick and stayed home from school together.

His wonderful dad. The sound he made when he was happy.

Dennis's special: Ravioli and pudding Fridays.

Our trip to Holiday World. His cute little feet.

Leaving work with food on my clothes and in my hair...everyday.

Dennis and I did everything together.
His favorite activity is swimming
(aside from riding in the car with the windows down).

He loved to laugh when I pulled him around in the pool.

He loves being pushed in his stroller on walks. We went to the movies, to the zoo, to parks, and had picnics outside on a blanket.

Even though his learning capacity is equivalent to a 6-12 month old,
Dennis is just like any other child.
He loves to be talked to, to be held, and to eat chocolate pudding.
He was the keeper of my secrets (hopefully still is).
He smiled at the sound of my voice.
His hugs warmed my heart.
The way he slipped his arm behind me when I sat next to him.
The touch of his hand was reassuring.
I love him like he is my own.
My heart aches to be with this little boy.
I long to care for him, serve him, and hold him with Christ's hands.
Give me faith Lord.
The faith to believe that you are meeting
the needs of Your beloved child.

Sunday, September 9, 2007

My Sister Emmy

This is my little sister Emily. Most people would tend to disagree that we are sisters because we do not have the same parents; however, we are sisters. Emily is my mini-me. We laugh together, cry together, pray together, and just love being together. We had a discussion on the way home from lunch yesterday and decided very rarely, if ever do we get tired of one another. We shared a room for 15 wonderful months and not a night went by that I did not pray her for before falling asleep. She has a love for Jesus and it radiates from her every where she goes...in her smile, in her hug, in her nonstop laughter. She has a heart for serving the Lord. She accompanied me to work many days to care for Dennis, and after a few times she could have cared for him herself if it weren't for the fact that he is twice her size. She has wisdom and knowledge that exceeds that of an average eight year-old. She prays for her family, friends and neighbors that have not been saved. She has a way of tickling me and can make me giggle like no one else can. She loves to snuggle, desires one on one time and likes to hold hands (all things I love!) Emily, I love you darling. You are the best little sis. I still pray for you every night (Chesapeake reminds me to).