summer fun drifting away...

But oh those Summer Nights!!!!

Well, summer has come and gone and now Shannon and I are gearing up for another semester of fun and challenges. But before I discuss that, let's review this summer.

Shannon took an online class which completed the course requirements for her "Master Teacher Certificate" for preschool teaching. The class was arduous and required many hours of work. I don't think she ever put that much effort into a class since her research days back at UCSD. And even then, she could leisurely do her work because she didn't have a full-time job.

Michael (that's me) worked at Alvardo Hospital averaging between 2 and 3 days a week as a nurse's aide. My main job was to make sure the patients achieved there ADLs (Activities of Daily Living). These include bathing, eating, and proper bowel elimination (what fun!!!). I have quickly become accustomed to the smell of poop, and green oozy poop at that! I had a couple days where I wanted to quit nursing altogether and couple days where I felt God's call to service loud and clear.

We watched lots of movies this summer. I think X3 was by far the highlight for me. We watched the movie-adaptation to Jane Eyre, the book by Charlotte Brönte which we read earlier this year. It was very entertaining, though it skipped some scenes I hoped to see acted out. We made one trip down to El Centro in the dead of summer to actually get out of the heat during that dratted heat wave San Diego experienced. My parents' house always has splendid air-conditioning. I can always count on that. We took or 2 trips up to Shannon's father's house I think. And all along the way Shannon and I had loads of fun, got to know each other better and embraced each other as we fought against Satan's attacks on our joy. God has richly blessed us this summer and I look forward to this semester with anticipation, joy and anxiety!

Shannon is now a "Teacher" at the pre-school. Today was her first day and I'm so proud of her. She really loves what she does and pours herself into the kids there. I'm starting classes tomorrow and will be in the hospital passing meds next week I think. Very scary!!! To honor this new semester, I've started up a blog dedicated to my Adventures in Nursing. Please come by and read about the joys of explosive poop, awnry patients and the path that God has laid before me.

Oh, and we just started a new book. It's a "Christian Romance Novel," but don't worry fellas, I'm not whipped yet. This book, leant to us by Lisa Gavin, is an allegory of the book of Hosea and, four chapters in, I'm loving every page of it. I actually feel God speaking hope into me as I read this. I know that Shannon and I will both find healing through reading this book as God speaks to us about our broken pasts. So far, I highly recommend this. The book is called Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers.