Raise your Eyes

We can look right within our circle to view our on heartaches, sadness, struggles, and hard times that are so often an occurrence in life. We look, ponder, complain, cry, and moan about how rough life is for us and those who we share life with. It is easy to focus within in our little circle and never raise our eyes to view outside our little circle. We slowly raise our eyes and daringly step out of our circle to view the world with our self-centered focused eyes. 

We head downtown to enter the homeless and bad section of town. Our eyes are amazed as we view the old, battered, man who is curled up like a kitten sleeping underneath the cold beams of the bridge, we see young, naive children roaming the streets without anyone in sight, we view the run down buildings with broken out window and wonder how anyone can survive in the cold.

Our eyes have viewed so much and we decided to cross the waters to the dry, dusty deserts where we stumbled upon a military camp full of men and women wearing the uniform of the United States of America. We peak into their campfire circle as we hear them talk about their families, spouses, and children with such love and fondness. Pictures are shared with the memories around the circle that night. And, you wonder how they could go so long without seeing their loved ones.

We can't believe what are eyes are beholding as we cross into the great plains of Africa. We view little, dark children with bloated tummies, bones showing, and clotheless bodies. Tears start flowing down our cheeks as we view children who do not know a better life. How, I wonder how they survive without the nourishment and the fun foods we enjoy.

Raise your eyes above your own problems and needs. Be thankful for shelter, family, and food this holiday season!

Seasons of Change

Just as the seasons change, so does our life. I have experience seasons of happiness, bliss, joy, love, confusion, disappointment, loneliness, and more. This year was off to a good start until about the end of February. I went into a severe depression and the journey isn't over. Words can't describe how this year has been for me and I would never want anyone to experience such awful darkness. The season of dread was parting ways and the beautiful season of hope and life was returning to the sky of my life. Until, the deep dark clouds of death and grief visited the horizon of my life. The awful monster of death came and stole my Grandpa Pierce away. Tears like the rain fell in a steady stream off my face, my heart broke like a piece of glass shattering on the floor, and my mind wandered like a homeless man. I couldn't understand why the season of hope had only visited for a short while. Must my sky always be filled with sadness of the dark, heavy clouds that hide the sun from my face? Am I sealed to a fate of darkened skies? As I have learned the seasons sometimes change quickly or they stay for awhile. I want to see the flowers, the sun, and a blue sky. I am always looking at the horizon for the sign of the sun and when she shines her beautiful, radiant rays on my sky I will dance under her light.

Isn't fall such a lovely time of the year. Kayla has been enjoying the fall, crisp days, watching the leaves fall, and smelling the spice of fall. The backyard is full of red, yellow, auburn, and golden leaves that have fallen from up high. Kayla has enjoyed the beauty of a graceful and gorgeous German Shepherd laying in a blanket of leaves. This fall has days that have been full of cold rain and chilly days, even they are gorgeous in their own way. Those days are made for a warm bed, warm blankets, and warm drinks. But, if you are a typical, working American you have to leave the comfort of the warm bed to dodge the rain and puddles as you make a dash for your vehicle. You are off on your day with the heat and defrost on high, listening to the news, and singing along with some oldies. The private time is over, the rest of the day is busy and there is a sea of faces and people that you will encounter.. The cycle is repeated.. Each day has it's mysteries, joy, sadness, happiness, pleasant times, difficult times; don't wish your days away. Sniff in the fall smells, air, and relax!

Enjoying a beautiful day

A New Year

No, I am not talking about the first day of January... I am talking about my year of being 21. Being twenty was great, but there were some awful and yet good times. I'll write a blog later on that subject.
College classes resumed on August 22nd. This is such a different year when it comes to school, study life, classmates, professors, and classes. It is intense and we usually have a test each day of class. I do not have much down or free time. I am making good grades. :) And, I really enjoy my classes and what I'm learning. It is scary and exciting at the same time.. I need to spend more time in the lab and on my schoolwork. Our Surg Tech class went on a field trip the other day to St. Johns OR floor. I loved every bit of it.. I received my first privilege to look through the glass and watch 2 different surgeries. I was very fascinated and glued to the window. I have sixteen weeks of classes.. I have classes the first 8 weeks and then different classes the second 8 weeks. I am getting close to having finals for the first 8 weeks. I will then start clinicals two days of the week and lecture on one day.
Stan is also in school. We both keep very busy and we don't get to talk or see each other as much. It can be very hard at times. College is very important to us both. I can't imagined getting married without having our degrees. I just don't understand how young couples get married with no college degrees and how they survive. Anyway, I do not want to know.. Thankfully, I only have one year and then it's graduation!! :)
I have been "remodeling" my room. I found a beautiful desk for a cheap price and it was just the right size. I finally found a green mushroom chair for my room, also. My room is done in brown, cream, and green. I'll post pictures soon. I'm hoping to purchase a laptop soon for my schooling. I have spent time tonight putting my summer clothes away and unpacking my fall and winter clothes. I have lost 10 pounds :) So, I have been doing a lot of shopping to get some new clothes that fit. I have went down a skirt size and I love it. :) Hopefully, I can keep it off this school year!
Be posting later... Have a blessed weekend.

Oh, to be a wee one again

Now that would be alright

To be carefree with squeals of delight

Free from the illness that plagues ones life

No dark clouds on the horizon wild

Oh, the joys of being a child

Never an intruder of the mind

Life is not always kind

Moving forward it is time

On to conquering the night

Fighting for one's life

Oh, to be a tyke forever more

Catch Up

Sorry, friends.. It has been a long time since I've blogged! So much has happened.. Good things, not so good, hard times, and good times. These last couple months have been different.. We can just say that grief has really hit me and it's been very hard.
I'm out of classes for the summer. I'm so happy to be on summer break. School was getting exhausting the last couple weeks. I took 15 credit hours and I made it. :) Those credit hours were a little different than what I was use to. Leaning about the human body, pharmacology, and diseases it a little harder. Microbiology was my favorite class. Wow, I learned so much.
Stanley graduated from Radford University with a major in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. I was very proud of him. He starts working on his BSN degree this fall. He will be working on his degree for about 4 years. He plans to go on and get his Doctorate in Nursing. We both have a lot of school ahead of us! :) It is important to both of us. I got accepted into the "Surgical Technology" program. It is a 15 month program that I start this fall. I have orientation coming up soon. I was surprised that I got in. They only accepted about 15-20 students and over 60 students applied. I was very happy. It's nice to have achieved the first step in my goal.
I'm still working at the daycare. I've been working full time since school has been out. I'm helping in the kitchen, doing lunches, working in classrooms, and then go aid in our SAC area. I love working at North Kids! It's a great, Christian place to work. I'm hoping to volunteer at the hospital this summer. I'm hoping to get my foot in the door and end up with a job! :) I would love to work in a hospital. I've also thought about shadowing some this summer.
I'm looking forward to my summer. I love camp time.  I've already taken the week of youth camp off. Stan will be there all week as a team leader. I wouldn't miss youth camp! :) I have some goals to accomplish and just to relax. I won't have a life once I go back to school.
We have a new addition to our family. A beautiful German Shepherd pup. Her name is Moka Vans Wiford! :) And, not that is not pronounced like a family "van" that you ride around in. It's completely German.. Even our last name! She is such a good and smart pup. We love her dearly.
Have a blessed week!

Quick Note

I actually have time to blog more than once in a week or months. I have some free time between classes and decided to take a break. My online "Medical Law & Ethics" class meets once a month. We all have to do presentations in the class. Since, my last name is Wiford. I'm at the bottom!! :) For once I'm happy to be at the bottom of the alaphabet. Gives me more time to prepare and come up with material. I throughly enjoyed the presentations. Medical Law and Ethics coveres a lot of "touche" subjects in the health care. One gal did a presentation on genetic engerinering. Wow! That is a crazy subject. You are able to pick or delete what genes you want your child to have. You could pick down to the eye and hair color. There is a lot of cons to the subject though. Your baby becomes more like an object. Similar to going to Wal-Mart and picking out the best baby you want out of the options. There may be more of a positive light to it. If the parents first child has some type of disease the parents can "genetically engineer" a baby. They would use the cord and tissue from the second baby to help cure the disease of the first baby. I want to do more research in this topic. I know where I stand on the subject, but I think I need to do more research.
I am doing my subject on "Hospice Care" since Grandpa and Uncle Stephen both were under hospice care before they died. Mine is not due till the last week of April.
I am striving to get all "A's". It can be tough! I'm not doing too bad, yet. I hope I can do it. Taking 15 credit hours this semester can make life hetic. My homework is never ending. But, I'm doing good and getting things done on time. Teachers for some reason like to give busy work.
My favorite class of the semester is Microbiology! Wow! This class has changed me! Now more than ever do I believe in the Germ Theory. I'll post more about that later! I have to head off to class! Have a great Wednesday!

V-Day Pictures

Roses from Stan the Man!

One of my V-Day gifts! He knows me well! :)

 

 

 

 

 

Catching Up....

Life has been busy. I've been wanting to write for forever, but I just haven't had the time. I really should be working on homework right now. :) Life is going good. I'm just keeping so busy with schoolwork and work. I enjoy all my classes this semester! I'm learning so much and I enjoy them all. Work is going great. I'm working with the school age children and also with the Pre-K children. I love the Pre-K's! They are so sweet. I am also babysitting some on weekday mornings.I'm thankful that I have a job.
Stan and I are doing great. He was able to come and visit last week. We had a wonderful time! ;) Our spring breaks our at the same time, so we get to spend some time together next month! Even though rumor has it we are engaged; I can honestly say we are not. We both have school left and our future depends on our schooling and whether we get in to our different programs.
God is good. He provides, protects, loves, and cares for me! Life is good.. God is good all the time!
Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!