It occurred to me one day this week that I am no longer living in the joy the Lord has given me. I got out of the routine I had of spending time in the Word in the morning during the week. I let school take priority over it. It's since I've let that time with the Lord go that I've just been doing life. I'm not sure how to explain it.
As soon as I realized how much I've really been slacking in spending time with the Lord that was the first thought that came to me, "I haven't been living in the joy." I think it's because that joy is still there. It hasn't gone anywhere. I haven't had particularly good days or particularly bad days. School has gotten hectic again, more on that later, but I'm okay with that because I know there are greater things. School is important and a priority but the Lord is even more so. I know I will make it through by His grace.
Realizing this at the time that I did also further illustrates God's perfect timing. The health issues I had over the summer stopped when I used the medicine. I had a follow-up appointment last Friday, the 9th, and reported that I was having no problems. The doctor told me if there were no problems then I didn't even have to of come back and he refunded my co-payment! I did ask though, what would be done if the problem were to come back. He said since things were inconclusive we'd have to start over. In the meantime we just hope for the best and that it doesn't come back. Well, a week after that appointment (yesterday or possibly Thursday) I noticed the problem coming back. I've only noticed the problem once, so maybe it isn't coming back but maybe it is. So what perfect timing to be reminded earlier in the week to keep living in the joy of the Lord.
In other happenings, Meredith and I had supper with Carli last night. She adopted us for the "Adopt a College Kid" program at church. I like her and I'm glad Meredith and I were adopted together. I'm thankful I've gotten to know Meredith better in the past few months. We've grown up at church together but it wasn't until this summer that we started hanging out. I want to be able to pour into her spiritually but she is just as much pouring into me. As we face very similar circumstances in a particular area it's great to be able to understand one another and grow together.
As for school. I have so many things due and don't even know the due dates for them all. AMT final report. Preschool final report, due Monday I believe. Neuro paper on blast injuries. Voice: 1) case presentation, 2) article, 3) 2 pathologies, and 4) i think another article. LLD, competencies and "A" book outline. It'll be a busy couple of weeks but the end of the semester is insight! I have my schedule for next semester. I'm free all Monday until an evening class (4:30-7:30). Tuesday and Thursday I have a morning class and morning clinic. I'm through well before noon. Wednesday will be my long day, and unfortunately I will miss Wednesday night supper and Bible Study. I have a morning clinic, afternoon class, and evening clinic. Friday I have a morning clinic. Technically I would be done after the clinic but we will have CES and our research and design summer class will actually go ahead and begin.
Christmas break can't come soon enough. I made a sort of rash decision to go on the NY disaster relief trip. When I first read about it I thought oh that's awesome. I kind of wanted to go but mostly just because it's cheap and I've never been to NY. So I wasn't sure about it. I don't like the cold at all. Friday I couldn't stop thinking about it though. Yes, I do hate the cold, but I want to help. Hurricane Isaac disaster relief in Madsionville is the only disaster relief I've ever helped with. I live in La, there have been many other hurricanes and yet I never helped before. Helping in Madisonville though changed my attitude. It was tiring and gross but these people have in many cases lost everything. If I were in there place I would be heartbroken and just want to give up. Yet they were right there with us working. I know if I were in there place I would want and greatly appreciate help. From news reports I've read about Staten Island they have been greatly overlooked. I want to help.