So, as I was "studying" for my upcoming exam just a moment ago (*cough* facebook *cough*), I suddenly realized that it has been quite a few months since I have written a blog. So, here you go...my life...Lately.
Weight Loss
So I wanted to update you guys on my weight loss journey that began almost 6 months ago now. It has been a slow, up hill battle. However, I am proud to say that I've managed to as of a few weeks ago lose 27 lbs and maintain that. Hopefully by Tuesday I will get the good news that I have lost even more. My hope is that by the time I begin clinicals in early May, I will have lost 45 lbs. So, please keep me in your prayers. I have been struggling with my weight for years, and for the first time in a long time I'm starting to be okay with the way I look again. My total goal is at least 75 pounds. 85 would be great.
You know, I don't feel that I'm shallow, but I do believe that how you look affects the way that people perceive you, and it definitely affects the way you feel about yourself. I have always been a "big girl" and for once...I wanna be the average girl. I want to be just "pretty" and not the girl with the "pretty face." Everyone knows what it means when people tell you you have a pretty face that it really means the rest of you could use some work. That being said, I do feel a lot of pressure because I am in a field where most people are very health conscious and thin and take really good care of their bodies. I am working toward that, but I still feel like I have a really long way to go.
The Fam
So, my family has undergone a lot of changes in the past few months. We moved from the house I grew up in to a new house in Athens. That was a very hard transition. I really miss it. But, I think it was for the best. We spent so many years there, making it our own. We added on 3 rooms over the years and added countless things to it, etc. So many memories, and I hate to think that it was taken from us and we didn't willingly give it up. But, there's a reason for everything, and it all happens for a reason.
Jonathan, my twin brother, left for Afghanistan in mid-January. It's been pretty hard on my family because this is his 2nd tour of duty, and it seems like the Marines are always on the front lines.
Colton left for Marine Basic Training on the 13th of February. I still see him as a little boy that I used to help take care of. It's so weird, and mama is taking it pretty hard so keep her in your prayers. I'm pretty sure she feels like she is losing us.
School
So, In about a week and a half, I will be pretty much done for all intents and purposes with the non-clinical part of medical school. Yes! The only thing holding me back from being excited is the fact that I have to pass boards, and let's be honest. I'm REALLY nervous. So, keep me in your prayers. It's going to be a really difficult time (these next 2 months) and I may not be back home a lot. It's pretty much going to be non-stop studying, and even then, it may not be enough. I guess I'm just gonna have to have faith. But, I am SO excited to begin clinicals. It starts with surgery and I can't wait....even if it does involve me staying up all night. I just know it's gonna be fun. And, I can't wait to move back home to Huntsville so I can be with my Mikey an and my family and my besties. I'm looking forward to the new apt. with Rachel too. It should be a pretty cool set-up. However, there are a lot of things I will miss here as well: Marie, my best bud from med school- I dunno what I'll do without her, Rebecca- my roommate and awesomely fantastic friend and confidant, Homewood, O'Henry's Coffee House, UAB's awesome fitness center,the shopping. But, the good thing is that it's all only an hour away.
Faith
In January, I had the opportunity to attend, Family Vacation. It was an opportunity for myself and other college/young-professional aged people to go and grow in their faith and learn more about God and his infinite love for us
"And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is."-Ephesians 3: 18
It was such a great experience. There were so many people baptized and it was just incredible to see how many people were reached by His word. Including myself. I made memories there with some of my sisters in Christ that I would not trade for the world.
Sometimes I have a hard time describing to others why I have the faith that I have in God. But, I will continue to try to find a way. I'm not sure in what way some of my non-Christian friends perceive me: "Oh that's Lindsay, she's a Christian, and she's pretty sweet so I guess that's ok with me." or "Oh, she's Lindsay, I secretly think that what she believes is pretty dumb and I hope she never brings it up to me." So, I hate this about myself, but I hesitate to bring it up, even though I wish more than anything that my friends would know the kind of hope that I have in Jesus Christ, or at least that they would be open to learning about it.
I have also started a new daily bible reading plan...I am determined to see this through even though I am already running behind. Here is the link for those that are interested:
http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/biblereading-1yr.html
This plan is very ideal for me because I like to switch it up and so the day to day variation is ideal. I always start trying to read the bible cover-to-cover and then mid-way through exodus, my attention span is waning...so here goes, we'll give this a try.
"Lord, I know I need to equip myself with your teachings"
Mikey
Valuable ... He is so valuable to me. He is always there. I am writing this because I am sure I don't tell him enough how valuable he is to me.
If you told me 3 years ago that I would be with this guy and that we would have what we have together I probably would have told you you were wrong. But, sometimes you get what you need and realize subsequently that it is what you wanted all along.
I could never ask for a more understanding, kind, loving, special, handsome, hard-working man, and I am so proud of him because he sticks with me even when times get hard. He sticks with me even when I don't deserve it, and he wants to treat me right and he wants me to have good things i my life.
My hope is that I am all these things to him. My hope is that I can be more.
Anyway, I'm gonna wrap it up because it is getting late but just wanted to share some things with you going on in my life and in my heart. God bless and much love.
Lindsay
