Change...

Well, as a follow up to my last post about school... I will not be continuing on in the nursing program. I did not do well on my test and unfortunately got my lowest score of the semester. I was able to talk to my teacher and pray with my husband before making a decision whether to finish the semester and still not pass, or just be done now and spend some time working around the house. I chose the latter. It was such a hard decision, but I know that God has a plan and even though the last couple days have been hard for me, in my heart I do not feel as though I have failed!

I made the switch to get an Associates in the Arts degree for now and can always transfer or continue on somewhere down the road. Right now I am unsure if I will continue in nursing or not, but until then I can accomplish something! I have registered for fall courses and a Fitness Walking course this summer with my hubby! I am so excited that I get to take WHEEL THROWING this fall. Praise the Lord! This is something I absolutely LOVE!! And if I have everything calculated correctly, it looks as if I can finish up my AA during spring semester.

God's plans are funny. I thought I would spend these 2 years working towards being a nurse, but maybe he has something else in mind...we shall see!

*Edit*

Had to throw in an Easter pictures since I found my USB and when photo upload crazy...

great and mighty

Recently I have been very stressed and overwhelmed with school... actually, that is a lie, it is not a recent thing, but an everyday occurrence.   I am down to the last 2ish weeks of the semester, and there is a chance I may not pass. I need to have a theory test average of 78% with other factors bringing it up to an 80%. Currently I am sitting on a 75 or 76% average, so it is not impossible to raise my grade, but I have figured I need to receive 85.5% average on the next 3 tests - one of which is today. 200 note cards and 6 pages of medications later I still feel as if I know nothing. How frustrating!! "God, I just want to make it through this semester. I have worked so hard and do not want to feel like more of a failure. Please give me the strength to endure!" 

I am brought to tears trying to study these days because I feel as if nothing will pay off; hours of work will all be in vain. I know that I should not feel this way, it is not of the Lord! But I am in such a vulnerable state right now and it takes all the strength I have to get through the day not feeling like a complete failure. 

I find myself listening to worship music a lot, especially on my 30 min drive to school and the same on the way home. It brings some peace and the feeling as if I am escaping for a mere half hour, when in reality I am on my way to the most dreaded thing these days. A couple of my favorites are "Mighty to Save" by Laura Story, "One Thing Remains" by Jesus Culture, and "Holy" by Matt Gilman & Cory Asbury.  They speak truth into my life! Music has always done this for me more powerfully than anything else. I sing along and start to believe the lyrics...

"Your love never fails

It never gives up

It never runs out on me"

"Savior
He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever
Author of Salvation
He rose & conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave"

"Only one word comes to mind

There’s only one word to describe

Holy, holy, Lord God Almighty
There is no one like You

You are holy, holy"

If my God is big enough and strong enough to save the world, then He is definitely big enough to give me the strength to make it through the semester. And He is even able to give me the ability to pass my classes. This may seem so cliche, but it is the truth. I don't think I could EVER make it this far without Him!

Envy My Cooking

My Salsa Chicken recipe that I posted a few weeks ago was featured on Envy My Cooking today!!

sick...

Being sick is definitely NO fun! I was up till around 11:30 last night finishing up my prep for 6:45 clinical this morning... I was up all night sick and had to call in to clinical. How disappointing! I have been working so hard to get caught up and study, then I get sick. So today I spent my day resting and now I am going to attempted to finish up a big assignment that is due tomorrow.

Can't wait for school to be DONE!

Satin Hands Winner!!

Yesterday completely got away from me.  We looked at a 2006 Impala and spend some time in Duluth.  We also bought a new kitchen table and did some grocery shopping! I got so caught up getting everything done that I forgot to announce the winner of the Satin Hands Set........ 

and it is Michelle!! So excited that she gets this set because she is a mom of 3 with a 4th on the way! What a great way for her to pamper herself! Congrats Michelle!! 

(Michelle & her husband)

FAB Friday

Today is a day off...both work AND school! I am going to clean my house a little and enjoy the sunshine! 

I work Saturday and Sunday afternoon, so we do not have much planned for the weekend.

I want to share an update on our car search...

I emailed the dealership that was selling the Saturn VUE on Tuesday.  I heard back from the guy on Wednesday morning that they were bringing the car to International Falls for someone who was interested. I started searching some more and praying more about this.  I emailed him again this morning and he said he didn't hear anything and would let me know as soon as he did... 15 mins later I get an email saying it did not sell and will be back in town tomorrow.  So we plan to go for a test drive tomorrow!!! 

(here is the VUE we are looking at)

I forgot to take a pic of dinner the other day, but here is the recipe

Salsa Chicken:

2 lbs chicken breasts
6 Tbs chili powder
2 tsp cumin
1 jar of your favorite salsa
couscous 
sour cream
shredded cheese

Cut chicken into 1" cubes and put in a gallon Ziplock bag.  Add seasoning and shake until coated.  Dump contents of bag into Crock Pot and pour jar of salsa over the top (I personally love to use Archer Farms Organic Chipotle salsa!) Cook on low for 7-9 hours.  Serve over couscous and top with sour cream and cheese if desired.

P.S. - I entered this recipe in a give away at Envy My Cooking 

Out with the old...In with the new!

There have been a lot of changes going on in my heart over the past couple of months and they have begun to pour over into my living.  I desire to change, but it is so hard to do when life around me is so mundane.  I have become very aware of how I talk and the conversations I take part in.  I have noticed that my comfort level in everyday conversations around me has changed drastically.  I almost feel awkward when people around me are talking about going to the bars and other things that they did over the weekend.  My attitude and the way I carry myself has also seemed to change.  The Lord is doing something - and although I am not sure what it is - I want to be ready for it.  I wouldn't say I ever really turned from him, but the past several months of my life have definitely been consumed with other, less important things.

I have found a new friend! I feel so blessed as she too is a fellow believer in this faith that I strive to live and follow everyday of my life.  Just talking with her brings joy to my life.  It is nice to finally have people to join with that have the same beliefs as I, and she is in the nursing program, so he understands the stresses of my life far better than anyone else.  PRAISE THE LORD!!

Over the past couple months I have also been trying really hard to change the way that Jarrett and I eat.  Boy, oh boy is this a hard goal to accomplish!! I have been buying primarily organic foods and have started shopping at the local co-op.  I love it there!! Yes, it is a little spendy, but why not if it going to be better for my health in the long run.  I have been thinking a lot about our future family quite often, and this is part of the reason that I really want a change.  I do not want to feed my children things that, yet unnoticed, are harmful for their bodies.  It is a challenge for my husband to see eye-to-eye with me on this one.  He loves his food, and I have to admit that I do too.  But really eating healthy doesn't have to taste bad!! 

Oh... and one of our cars is not doing so well.  It is the car that we bought for Jarrett back in November.  Unfortunately we took it in today for some "minor repairs",  such as brakes and an oil change, and found out that the transmission needs to be rebuilt. Hm.... We are considering buying a new vehicle.  Since we only paid $450 for this car, it is almost not worth it to put in well over $1,000.  So I suggested to him that we look into a more "family friendly" vehicle for our near future and that he just take over my current Taurus wagon.  We are praying for a great deal and a great vehicle.  I am looking at a 2003 Saturn Vue that I found at a dealership here in town (what do you think Ria??)  And I also found a 2008 Honda CR-V that I really like, but it is a little bit over our price range.  Any suggestions?

Friday!

It is FINALLY here... This has been such a long and stressful week of VERY little sleep for me.  First week of clinical in long term care, an endocrine exam on diabetes melitus, a 3 pages paper to finish up, fixing my errors on my prep from this week...and today starting my prep for next week! It is a never ending cycle!! But it is now April and that means only 6 more weeks of school then its SUMMER!!

This afternoon I will be spending time at the nursing home making my assignments since I am team leader this week. Then off to a long shift at work.

Thankfully I have the weekend off :) Spending some much needed time with my hubby is on the agenda as well as cleaning my house! Saturday evening we are going to our friends' house (Seth & Renee) for dinner and hang out time! Sunday is church and then time with my in-laws; my sister-in-law will be in town too!! So, it will be a pretty laid back weekend, hopefully a bit less stressful. 

I have decided what April's give away is...

(Satin Hands in Vanilla Sugar!)

Also, 15% off all month. Stock up on anything you might be needing, or get a new "look" for Spring and Summer. 

Here is how to enter:

-follow my blog

-and leave a comment saying why you want it!

Pretty simple :) I will be doing my drawing on April 15th! And MAYBE there will be a second give away...we will see what the response is and if sales are good. Help support me and my husband as we are remodeling our house...I hope to make some extra money so we can do more with our house this summer. I am also wanting to take up one of my passions as a part time business from home, but right now finances and resources are the major problem! Praying for guidance