airportterminal's Xanga

Monday, October 01, 2007

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 23:08:37 GMT

CAMPUS (www.campushope.org) opens up registration for its annual Fall Retreat. This year's theme is "Toward the Mark" under the topics of spiritual and academic excellence. This year's retreat is expected to fill up quickly, so register now!

I'm actually glad to see this theme for the Fall Retreat! It's something that I think really appeals to college students and hopefully a lot of students from our chapter at WSU will be in attendance. I'm going for sure...my parents are even paying for it. Thank You, Lord! =)

Quill.

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 19:30:08 GMT

09.13.07 - Lily of the Valley and Iris Quilling
I actually had to use an unused -perfectly sterile- tweezer from my anatomy dissection kit to place the paper pieces because they were THAT small.

Depth.

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 18:24:38 GMT

I believe that technology and medicine are arts in themselves. They're quite beautiful in their own respects and it's that beauty and art that causes me to gravitate to them as passions. The mechanisms, colors, textures and complexity of human anatomy & physiology. The bold elegance of innovation in technology in design approach, interaction and materials. Photography is like that too. It's 2D art that evokes a third dimension of emotion and story. I feel like I'm adding another element to how I perceive and appreciate the world and it feels amazing.

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Thu, 23 Aug 2007 21:18:56 GMT

June 2007 - San Diego - "Class Act"
It was about 10 PM and the majority of the students were already tired from the day. We had a few more objectives to accomplish on the leadership curriculum, one of which was an interactive activity. Another TL and I watched our student pairs begin. It was like watching a play with multiple acts going on at one time on a single stage. Some conversations became highly animated while others faded into mutual silence, obvious by the few students who took notice that a photograph was captured of the communication chaos.

Be a Good Fruit Tree.

Wed, 22 Aug 2007 16:43:09 GMT

[EDIT]: July 2007 - Mt. Vernon Estates & Gardens - "Bear Good Fruit"
"A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit." --Matthew 7:18, NIV

During an off day from work this summer in D.C., some fellow medB interns and myself ventured out to visit Mt. Vernon. I got shutter-happy because I've never seen a grapefruit this big before. It was green still, but it was about the size of a size 3 soccerball. Anyway, I thought it'd be fun to turn into some sort of a graphic to go along with my last post on sheep. If you can see the correlation between sheep and sheep and good fruit trees and good fruit, great!

(For original posted graphic "poster": http://photo.xanga.com/airportterminal/39112143280645/photo.html)

Of Sheep and Shepherds.

Wed, 22 Aug 2007 15:31:28 GMT

"Sheep produce sheep. Shepherds don't produce sheep."

We needed to minister to the flock so that they would bring others. It was actually quite a profound thought. I watched Almah, who was sitting across from me, quickly uncap her pen to scribble the note down as Pastor Conway (UMichigan Ann Arbor C.A.M.P.U.S.) shared a devotional with us. I made a bullet point in my notes and sat back to watch the rest of the room quietly process our goals for this semester. James spoke up, sharing that his prayer for this school year had in fact been to be more open about Christ and ministry with his friends and classmates. Though our small group's key focus has always been health ministry and the Adventist health message, we had been given the objective to integrate personal ministry as well. We were challenged and encouraged to reach out to our peers as one who desired their good. Get to know your classmates. Learn their needs. Gain their confidence. Be a friend. Attempt to not isolate yourself from other Christian groups on campus: find your common grounds. This was something that I was excited about because I very much enjoy the work of ministering to the individual. It was like being told that I could finally remove a sort of glass wall and division between myself and my campus that I had been pressed up against.

Looking at this from a medical perspective though, it was noted that this was something that should have been integrated into our outreach earlier. It had been mentioned many times before in our prayers and group Bible studies. Given that our group was only about a year old and relatively new to the the WSU student life scene (a chapter existed earlier; we were the reactivated one) though, it's understandable that we're still learning to build up a more whole and complete program in ministry.

A thought from Ellen G. White sums up how medical care and personal ministry work together:

"Only He who reads the heart can know with what trembling and terror many patients consent to an operation under the surgeon's hand. They realize their peril. While they may have confidence in the physician's skill tey know that it is not infallible. But as they see the physician bowed in prayer, asking help from God, they are inspired with confidence. Gratitude and trust open the heart to the healing power of God, the energies of the whole being are vitalized, and the life forces triumph.
To the physician also the Saviour's presence is an element of strength. Often the responsibilities and possibilities of his work bring dread upon the spirit. The feverishness of uncertainty and fear would make the hand unskillful. But the assurance that the divine Counselor is beside him, to guide and to sustain, imparts quietness and courage. The touch of Christ upon the physician's hand brings vitality, restfulness, confidence and prayer.
When the crisis is safely passed and success is apparent, let a few moments be spent with the patient in prayer. Give expression to your thankfulness for the life that has been spared. As words of gratitude flow from the patient to the physician, let the praise and thanksgiving be directed to God. Tell the patient his life has been spared because he was under the heavenly Physician's protection.
The physician who follows such a course is leading his patient to the One upon whom he is dependent for life, the One who can save to the uttermost all who come to Him.
Into the medical missionary work should be brought a deep yearning for souls. To the physician equally with the gospel minister is commited the highest trust ever committed to man. Whether he realizes it or not, every physician is entrusted with the cure of souls.
In their work of dealing with disease and death, physicians too often lose sight of the solemn realities of the future life. In their earnest efort to avert the peril of the body, they forget the peril of the soul. The one whom they are ministering may be losing his hold on life. Its last opportunities are slipping from his grasp. This soul the physician must meet again at the judgement seat of Christ."

--p. 40, 41 Ministry of Healing, Ellen G. White

May God bless the many C.A.M.P.U.S. chapters in their ministry this school year!
http://www.campushope.org/

Pieces of Me.

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 22:51:06 GMT

Yeah, that's pretty much my normal state of mind translated through interpretative dance for your learning convenience...

...Just kidding.
I was testing lighting for a photography project.

No, really. I was.

*cheeky grin*

A Test of Character.

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 23:47:14 GMT

My non-Christian friends often would ask of me, "Refining in the fire? What's that?"

Looking back at my own path, I see tarnishes in my own reflection of Christ when the heat gets turned up...and I'm not pleased or proud of them. The impurities still cling, but I hope that God will continue to work on my heart of stone to make it a heart of flesh on which is His law is written.

But one thing's for sure. A test of character has been set before us.

"'Ye have the poor with you always,' Christ said, 'and whensoever ye will ye may do them good.' 'Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and tokeep himself unspotted from the world.'" --Mark 14:7, James 1:27

In placing among them the helpless and the poor, to be dependent upon their care, Christ tests His professed followers. By our love and service for His needy children we prove the genuineness of our love for Him. To neglect them is to declare ourselves false disciples, strangers to Christ and His love."

--p. 80, Ministry of Healing, Ellen G. White

Have we passed the test or passed them on by?

How Much am I Worth?

Wed, 08 Aug 2007 15:41:52 GMT

Precious Lessons from Time Spent in Bed

A Note from Me: I particularly liked this post by Ms. Schmitt because there's this verse that's been playing in my head over and over again: "If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself" --Galatians 6:3, NIV. It's something that I think a lot of people struggle with. "I've got a new car, college scholarship, multitude of tech gadgets and clothing, leadership positions, high profile connections, youth, good health....I'm awesome!" Okay. So it's not quite like that, but we definitely try to place a value on ourselves, believing that value to be of significance or "something". But in reality, we're pretty much not. While that sounds a harsh text, I must admit that I am nothing but a tiny speck in the cosmos. But I am a human fashioned by the hands of God, composed of elements woven together by Him. I am nothing without God. Absolutely nothing. Who am I to believe that I could be of great worth on my own? I'm valuable because He paid the price. Because He sees the value in me. To the world, I'm just another face that is of no value. But to Him, I am a soul for the Kingdom of Heaven and one that can be used for His Glory!

Repost from www.therebelution.com | http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/08/precious-lessons-from-time-spent-in-bed/

Author: Evie Schmitt

We love to think much of ourselves and have others think much of us. All of us, at some time or another, will find ourselves seeking out ways to show others how “attractive” we are. This is human nature — our sin nature. We can fight the temptation to strive for man’s approval, but in our depravity we will always reach a point of failure.

Thankfully, I am greatly blessed to have been given several opportunities in my life to be cut off from outside eyes; when God has used sickness and health struggles to put me in a place where I am required to see myself as He sees me and not as how I present myself or how others tell me they see me; when I must look on my decisions, actions, and station and determine what value they really give me.

Who Am I Really? What Am I Worth?

There can be a sense of harsh reality when we are brought face to face with how the Creator God truly sees us. In this place of isolation we are forced to observe our true worth, not a worth based on our abilities or activities, but based on the status of our eternal souls, which transcends our earthly accomplishments.

Are we valuable because we are good communicators and organizers, because we actively encourage people, or are physically appealing? Do we have value because we are well liked and respected by others, act wisely with our finances, or are even diligent in our study of scripture and prayer? The answer to these questions is a telling testimony of who is Lord over a person’s soul. For many people in hospitals and sick beds all over our globe the items listed above are all they can hold on to for their sense of value.

For me, by the grace and mercy of God alone, I have assurance that finite human achievements are not what determine my “price.” I am valuable because God chose to save my soul and make me His daughter — not due to any attractive action of mine, but because of His sovereign grace. I have been chosen to bring Him glory.

Glorifying God Even When I Can’t Do Anything

As I lay alone in bed for hours and days at a time I can be at peace because I know my value. I can rest in the fact that Jesus Christ is all that can satisfy and fulfill me. I do not have to labor and toil to feel that I have a successful life. Better still, God has promised me that in my faithfulness and obedience to trust and rest in Him, He will be glorified (2 Thessalonians 1:12) — yet even our ability to be faithful is a gift from God.

There is a nameless believer, confined to a damp, cold, ill-supplied hospital on the other side of the world, who at this moment is being faithful to God. And though few on earth will ever hear his name or see his actions, God will still be glorified through this precious follower of Christ.

I praise the Lord God, who strengthens me, that I am valuable enough to bring glory to my heavenly father even when no one sees it. The world requires loud announcements and glamorous attraction for something to be honored and praised. Yet to honor, praise, and glorify God we must simply be humble, faithful, willing servants to our King in whatever circumstance we have been placed. That is truly a precious lesson to learn from time spent in bed.

Summer's End.

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 13:36:54 GMT

I got back last night from the best summer of my life.

For the past two months, I've been traveling the US for medical and leadership conferences geared towards high school students. Hit up San Diego, Boston and Washington D.C. We would go for 10 days TLing per session (4 sessions) in the medical field, complete with medical simulations, EMT, robotic patient simulators, cadavers, clinical training, labs, and many college-level lectures. I've never had that intense of a work schedule (on-call for 24 hours a day for 11 days at a time for an entire summer). It sounds like a strange way to spend my summer, but I really enjoyed it! Now that I'm home, I actually miss it...and it's only been a day.

In the course of this summer, I met a lot of students, medical school faculty and staff and lecturers. I even landed a neuroscience and technology research assistanceship offer at Georgetown with Tony for next year!

I've also had some of the best co-workers. Some of them are my best friends now! We've gone through everything together for the past two months and I would trust them with my life because they've already endured some of the unthinkable at my side.

They told me that when I finished up a summer with this organization, I'd be able to deal with anything. Looking back, I see how true that is. Over the course of this summer, we've gone through numerous medical emergencies, students who have gone through difficult situations, late night counseling sessions with students who would received traumatic news from home, students who are disrespectful/angry/dramatic/non-compliant with conference policy, etc. I've had nights when I'd only get 2-3 hours of sleep (mostly San Diego site). Traveling delays. Team dynamics. Stress. Sickness and injury. My nextel would go off often in the middle of the night regarding some student issue. I've had my shoulders cried on by students. Fellow team leaders even saved lives. But I've also had the honor of having students telling me that their lives have been changed and I see the positive changes in them. I've laughed and bonded with some of the most brilliant minds from the next generation. Students tell me that I'm someone to them because I took the time to listen and redirect their behavior. I've helped them build up confidence and integrity, passion for medicine and lifetime friendships. Nothing can replace this feeling of being content.

Though I love medicine as a passion and career path, I've always been engineering and technology inclined. Interestingly, I closed my summer with a recommendation from my HTL on medical team B for the engineering program next summer. That one has a smaller academic staff so the chances aren't as great as MED, but now if I want it I can have it =) I hope that despite the fact that I have to prepare for medical school, I'll still get to do research and also work for them again.

So that's my summer in a nutshell.

I
...can also navigate all three cities like a pseudo-native. Including SD's trolley, "the T" and DC's metro systems.
...went kayaking in the Potomac river and saw the monuments from the water. POTO-MAC.
...went to all of the major DC monuments and Smithsonians...and most all Capitol Hill buildings. Again.
...hit most all stops on SD's trolley system. HAHA
...met with professors from UC San Diego, San Diego State, Boston University, Harvard University, Bentley College, and Georgetown.
...code red en route to Boston from San Diego. It was scary.
...worked with MedB1 Team E (EchocarEEdoTaqEEtoGrams), MedB2 Team F (Figgalo), MedB3 Team G (G Team), MedB4 Team H (Red Hot)--best teams ever!
...acquired a bronchial infection and exhaustion.

Show us how you wiggalo! Hands up high, feet down low...this is how I wiggalo.
How do you forget the ones that you shared the best summer of your life with?
Simple: You don't.
E | F | G | H