Welp, I've gone and done it. I re-joined the working class. Or, as my grandpa would say, I'm finally helping to pay his social security!

Starting the first of July I began working at a local nursing home as an OTA. Still waiting for the "C" and the "L" to put with those credentials! Maybe I should wait to write this post until AFTER I know I'll actually get them! Oh! The Suspense!

My co-workers make me laugh a lot. Not to toot my own horn, but from what they've said to me, I think I've made an impression with my jumping right in to get the job done. I'm now "Kim Possible." But really it's been "God Possible!" -I couldn't of done it on my own! From day one I had to hit the ground running!

Working with the old folks has once again proved challenging and rewarding. I've been reminded of all the lessons I learned back in my days of CNA and therapy tech work. I'm constantly reminding myself that compassion is a MUST. It doesn't matter what everyone else does or doesn't do, I know what I should do-even when it isn't the most appealing thing!

I've enjoyed meeting my patients on caseload. Again, with each "good" there is usually a "bad." I'm getting pretty good at ignoring rude comments and battling it out with those who don't want to participate in therapy (except for today...it's Friday, their decision, and I'm not fighting it.) Daily I have to conscientiously remember that I've never been in these patients' shoes...I might just feel like blurting out some of the things they do if I felt the way they do. It makes my day though when a patient enjoys coming to therapy and we can laugh and get the job done at the same time!  I wish I could mention individuals...but that darn HIPPA law! I prefer to KEEP my job!

I'm surrounded by several mentally ill individuals and I've been reminded also of something that challenged me my first time working in a nursing home...

You know that empty look you see in people's eyes when they have no hope or joy in life? It's a daily look I encounter. Not necessarily people on my caseload, but other residents as well. I just wonder what's really going on in the minds and hearts of some of the residents who are so far gone from "reality." Is it medicine that causes the blank stares, the abnormal ticks and facial appearances?  Is it disease causing strange behaviors and hateful outbursts? Or is it something else? A combination of all these? What's it mean when I hear down the hall a lady hollering out "Help me. Help me! Help me God! Help me God! Help me!" -over and over again. What's holding her captive? As I walk through a particular hall I can't help but lift a prayer of "please set them free." I don't begin to understand it all...I never will. The only way I can think to overcome it is Faith, Hope, and Love...

I have soooo sooo much to learn still in therapy world and beyond! 

And that's been my first nearly two months so far. I've got to go now. It's Friday, my pay check is here and I need make sure Grandpa got enough to make it through the week... ;)


**These are my thoughts and opinions only. They are not meant to reflect the views of my place of employment.

***I sure hope the above disclaimer pacifies anyone worried that my intentions were anything but to share my thoughts.

****I like my job.

*****What if started every paragraph with these cute little stars?

******No?

*******Okay...you're probably right.

I think I've had enough icing on the cake. Just waiting for the cherry to top it all off. It's probably coming sooner than later too.

Two weeks in...

Meet Little Gill....Patrick....Gyllenhall...Gilligan.... really, it just depends on the day as to what he gets called! 

 I think he is going to make it! I cant tell if he is eating any of his food or not but he hasn't starved to death yet! 

This is before he remodeled his new place. So much more room than he is used too! It took awhile to figure out what to do with the space! 

 Showing off for the camera.

 His new digs...you can't see him, but he's in there!

Pet?

A fish is the same as having a dog right? ..I mean a dog has a wet nose--fish are wet. Dogs have floppy ears-fish have flappy fins. Dogs lick you all over- Fish pucker up. Dogs run to greet you at the door- fish swim crazy when you tap on the glass. Dogs get names like Spot. Fish get names like Bubbles...so really, I won't know the difference...Gold fish? Beta fish? No fish? Some fish? One fish? Two fish? red fish? Blue fish??  Oh maybe I'll just go eat a fish sandwich instead.The apartment's probably too cold to have a fish now anyway. Hmmm......

I'm back!  Hah! We shall see how long I can keep this up! I actually started this post a few weeks ago but didn't end up finishing it. When I came back to it recently it was a great reminder for what I need to be doing at this time and always! Here's what's been going on lately:
Wow, the past month has been a bit crazy! School has been busy busy busy and I was "over it" not long after the semester had started! Then my car decided to go all crazy (again). My fear was that the transmission was going out for good this time. There was also a vacuum leak somewhere in the engine. Turns out after the vacuum leak was fixed it took care of the transmission problem! 
Then Grandma found out she had cancer in her pancreas and a few of the surrounding lymph nodes. Originally she was told that the tumor was inoperable, and that she at most had 3 months left. After a second opinion from a really great doc, she discovered that the tumor was in fact operable and she would most likely have years! You can read more about her story HERE.
So, as you start reading the start to the original post you will see why it was a good reminder to me!

ORIGINAL START TO POST!
Something I'm working on: Consistency. (not so much in blogging as you can see :) )
A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to attend a gathering of small house churches from around Southern Indiana. It was a great encouragement to see other like minded individuals who have successfully carried out their intentions of becoming a house church modeled after the church we read about in Acts.
The lesson for that day was based out of Psalms 37. We dissected the chapter to find what we are to do in times of trouble.
If you read you will find phrases such as:
"Trust in the Lord and do good"
"Refrain from anger"
"Do not fret"
"Delight yourself in the Lord"
"Commit your way to Lord"
"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him"
"Hope in the Lord"
"be righteous"
"Take refuge"
"give generously"
You will also find several of these same phrases throughout other psalms...

You know what we found? These are the very same things we should be doing in times that are good!
I realize this seems so very basic, but how often do I forget this! Consistency. Our lives should be consistent in the faith we protest (honest mistake there!) profess to have and be a testament to the hope we have in Christ! I'm reminded of Philippians 4:4-9:

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
 ⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Anyhow, just thought I'd share!

END TO ORIGINAL POST

Now, as I reflect on the past several weeks I can see where I have succeeded and failed in this challenge. There is always room for improvement :)

Stay tuned for more posts--you may be waiting awhile :)