Be Still My Soul

"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus"  - Philippians 4:7

During the last few weeks I have felt this peace that Paul described in this verse from the New Testament. It is a feeling that conveys that I am doing what my Heavenly Father wants me to do and I have faith and hope in His plan for me. Although we are facing challenges, I have felt peace both in my mind and in my heart. However this most recent week, this feeling of hope and love has been absent. As I look back on my week, some of the reasons why are becoming clear. Before school started I made a goal to study the scriptures for 15 minutes every morning before school starts. For the most part I have been successful, however recently I have felt my resolve weakening. When I have failed to start my day with my scripture study, my attitude and outlook on the day never seem to be as optimistic or cheerful as they have been other days. None of this happens instantaneously, but little by little- I find myself getting frustrated with others, including myself, more easily. Therefore I have renewed my goal and I believe that this will restore this empty feeling in my heart and give me strength to overcome the new challenges that have arisen.

Last night was the General Relief Society Broadcast. It was incredible! (Here is the link to view the conference) The messages seemed to be tailored directly to my needs. I was reminded that God does love me as does His son Jesus Christ and they are very aware of my needs. Sometimes trials are given to me because Raquel needs to learn something about Raquel. By trusting in the Atonement of Jesus Christ my burdens will be lifted, they may not be removed, but I will be able to bear them and use them to draw me closer to Christ. If I allow them to, my challenges will refine me as as a fire to remove all of my weaknesses until I become the daughter of God I was intended to become. But this is a choice- I can choice to allow this cleansing process to occur or I can fight it until I become something bitter, hardened, and unattractive.

About two years ago I was working through a similar trial of my faith. During a particularly difficult time I turned to hymns often for much needed comfort. I would like to quote one of the verses (verse 1) that sustained me through that time from the hymn 'Be Still My Soul'.

Be still my soul: the Lord is on thy side;
With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain. 
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In ev'ry change he faithful will remain.
Be still my soul: thy best thy heav'nly Friend
Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end

As difficult and soul stretching as that experience was, I am grateful for the things I learned. With this new challenge I look back on my past and am strengthened in my knowledge that God did not forsake me then and He will not forsake me now. I have no idea how we will overcome this challenge but I have faith that doors will be opened, inspiration to know what to do will come, and the will of God for Randy and I will be done. I now focus on the second verse of the same song.

Be still my soul: Thy God doth undertake 
To guide the future as he has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still my soul: the wave and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while dwelt below


And finally I want to add a scripture that has provided me a great deal of strength- 'Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thin own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths"     - Proverbs 3:5-6

So Much to Be Thankful For

This week has proven to be a challenging one, but also one of great opportunity and of answered prayers. I will start with the best news of all - RANDY GOT A FULL TIME JOB!!! He received an email a few days ago from the woman he had communicated with the week before that said "You win" meaning he got a job. However this did not include any other details such as how many hours or what exactly he will be doing. He had to turn a few more forms and wait for this background check to be completed. We did not expect to hear anything for about five or so days after turning in the paperwork.  However, yesterday Randy received a phone call from the same woman that said he was to start on Monday (tomorrow) and it was a FULL TIME position! We still don't have any idea what he will be doing except that he will be working for the Vet school and will be working with animals. We am so grateful for this enormous blessing! This is something Randy has been working towards for almost the past year. We are hopeful that this will be able to eventfully put him in a position to meet professors and get into graduate school. Getting a master's degree and a full time job in wildlife is his dream but we are overcome with gratitude for a reliable source of income. For me this is one more event in my life that proves that God knows who I am, that He hears and answers my prayers, and that His plan for me is always greater and more magnificent then I could possibly imagine for myself.

On Thursday I got the chance to witness a colic surgery! This semester I signed up for the Colic Team Elective because I wanted to see one of these fascinating surgeries. At 7 pm Thursday, I was studying with my friend Jessica, and I got a call that a horse with colic was coming in at 9 with surgery as an option. I got to the school at 9 pm that evening and left at 1:45 am. I haven't stayed up that late in years, but I am so glad I did! I learned so much and was able to meet some of the surgeons and internal medicine specialists.


Mitch got his very own ID badge for being a palpator dog! And seriously the photo on the badge is way better then any of the pictures I have of him.



I have my first cell physiology test tomorrow and my first anatomy test Friday! The end of this last week I have had a difficult time studying and having the energy to commit all of the information to memory, but I am sure that will a little extra will power I will shove all the information in there. :)


One of thing things that made me laugh this week was this diagram that one of my classmates made about studying anatomy. And YES I agree 100% with it!

   Hahahahaha

Three Weeks and Still Going Strong

I can't believe that I have already finished my first 3 weeks of school. In some ways it feels much much longer then that, that is probably due to the fact that I am at school for about 11-12 hours a day. I am amazed at the amount of information I am expected to cram into my brain, remember for an exam, and to be able to apply to other situations. However it seems like some of the information, particularly anatomy, is finally starting to stick in my head and make sense.

Randy is still on the job hunt. However this last week doors have begun to open. The incredible woman who we bought our home from works for WSU security at all the sports games. She called her boss and  told him about Randy. It was lucky she didn't call the following day because that night was the orientation. Randy went and was able to work security for the first home WSU football game yesterday! This is a part part part time job as there is not a home game every week. He was gone most of the day. He worked in the student section checking bags and all the fun that can come with 18 year olds that are away from home for the first time.

Now a few random facts about WSU and their football. THESE PEOPLE ARE COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY OBSESSED WITH COUGAR FOOTBALL!!! THERE ARE PARKING LOTS ON CAMPUS DESIGNATED FOR RVs! THESE PARKING LOTS WERE FULL THURSDAY NIGHT AND THE GAME ISN'T UNTIL SATURDAY!!!!! WSU recently spent a few million dollars updating and adding to the stadium's press box and for the first time since 1952 the first home game was sold out!! When I drove Randy to work that morning there were tons of people out at 7 am!

Anyway earlier last week Randy was able to meet with the wild veterinarian at school. Thursday evening Randy got an email from him with a possible job working with livestock. He told Randy to get a hold a woman at school that is looking for a full time employee! Randy wasn't able to find her Friday but Saturday while he was at the game he got a voicemail from her. It sounds like she has a few different positions open from time-slip positions to staff positions. She sounded really helpful and optimistic that she can find something for him. Also Shannon has a friend who radio tracks wolves and she is going to see if she can get Randy a job working with the wolves.

Mitch has been able to come to school with me several times. He is now an official palpation dog and walks to school with me every Tuesday. I have also taken him to two different small animal restraint labs. When I was there for that lab, Mitch was picked out of 5 dogs to be the demo dog. I was so proud of him for remaining calm and allowing the doctor to examine him and restrain him for over 20 minutes.

We are still excited for the future and feel so blessed.