The time is soon approaching....

You know when I went to University for Nursing I never dreamed that I would be in Ottawa...or that after a year of working here I would be moving back to work in my own community hospital. I never dreamed that I would have the opportunity to be able to serve so many different people. Sometimes I sit back and am awed at how the Lord has worked in my life in a way I never had dreamed of.
Soon I will be returning to Orangeville, Ontario which is my home town. I will be working at Headwaters Health Care Center...giving back to my community! Working here in Ottawa has been an awesome experience for me in many ways. I have learned so much in working at the Ottawa Hospital...the staff on 7West at the General Campus have been just awesome! Thanks guys! As well I have had the pleasure of working for two months at Hunt Club Manor which has also been a wonderful opportunity.
Attending church at the Alta Vista Baptist Church as well as at the Met has been a good experience as well. Thank you to all of you who made me feel welcomed!
As much as being in Ottawa for almost a year has been the hardest year of my life away from family and friends...I want to thank my family and friends back home who prayed...and prayed hard that the Lord would help me through it! Your prayers have been answered. I have a wonderful community back home and I look forward to going back to give back what so many people have given to me!
I will keep you posted as to the details in a later post! Goodnight for now!

The Sovereingty of God!

I have been doing a small Bible Study with my younger sister and we have chosen to go through the book of Matthew together. It has been a real eye opener for me as we have studied the first two chapters. The second chapter in the book of Matthew talks about the evil the Herod did when Jesus was born. I read that chapter two or three times wondering how I was going to explain the jewels found in this chapter. Then tonight the thought hit me....the jewels in this chapter explain the sovereingty of God in such a beautiful way. While everything seemed chaos after the birth of Jesus with Herod killing all the baby's two years old and younger...there was a miracle happening. The Lord was showing us how He was still in full control. He knew EVERYTHING that was happening. The Lord provided a way for Mary and Joseph in escaping from the evil hands of Herod.
What an example for us today. Even though the world seems full of chaos and at times it seems that our lives are such a mess...the Lord, our Saviour, our King, and our Father is in full control. He is there helping us find a way to trust Him and move forward in His plan for our lives. The Lord is there guiding our every step as He guided Mary and Joseph to Egypt, as He guided Moses and the children of Israel, and as He guided Paul and Silas.
What a chapter full of the jewels of the sovereingty of God! Take time to read through chapters praying that the Lord will show you the Jewels of His Word! Thank you Lord!

Christmas Greetings!

Yes it is the weekend before Christmas! I wanted to explain the real true meaning of Christmas. It all started many years ago...when the angel of the Lord appeared to Mary and told her she was going to be with child, "behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Immanuel...which being interpretedis God with us". She was going to carry a very special child. This child would be the Saviour of the world! That wonderful night a special child, a King, a Priest, a Saviour was born into the World, "and they called His name Jesus". This child grew and taught many people in the temples. He spoke against rules of the Scribes and Pharisees, He brought joy to little children, He brought healing to the sick, He comforted those who mourned...and the list could go on and on. And yet we all rejected Him, we all spat in His face...and yes sadly enough that list could go on too. But this wonderful King loved us in spite of all we did and died for us. This Saviour of the World sufferend Hell so that we might have life eternal! He suffered the rejection of God so that we could talk to Him face to face. Christmas is about the wonderful gift our Lord Jesus Christ has given to us! How can we thank Him for showing us unconditional love? How can we thank Him for giving us this awesome gift!

This Christmas the Lord took Tante Tena home so that she could be Home for Christmas! Grandma Bronsveld is also Home for Christmas! And if you accept the gift of the Lord Jesus Christ this Christmas...one day you also will be Home for Christmas!

May the Lord richly bless you all this Christmas and may you truely find the real JOY of Christmas this year!

Five Days Till Christmas!

Yes there are only five days till Christmas! Nathan is due to arrive here in Ottawa tomorrow evening! We plan to Christmas shop, watch movies, and just spend time together as brother and sister!

At home things are settling after Tante Tena's funeral. The kids all have Christmas holidays now...which is nice for Mom giving her a bit of a break. James and Melissa are planning on driving out to Pennsylvania to visit Melissa's family back in the USA. They will be back in time for celebrating the New Year in Orangeville with our family.

Here in Ottawa I have the privilege of working a day shift on Christmas. I pray that I may be able to bring Christmas cheer to those who are not well!

That is all for now...once Christmas is over I will have more news to tell you. At this point I want to wish you all a Blessed Christmas and God's richest blessing in the New Year!

In loving memory....

Today early this morning the Lord called home to Himself a faithful servant and dedicated prayer warrior. Tante Tena VanNoort was recieved in the arms of our Lord and Saviour this morning after a short but difficult battle with cancer.
The Lord had given Tante Tena a long a fruitful life. She has been such a blessing in our family. I remember the many times she came over to do mending for Mom. She would sit in the corner of the couch, drinking a cup of coffee and mending socks. We would have lunch together as a family on those days with usually egg salad sandwhiches. Tante Tena would share her many stories of her nursing career with us. I remember the times I would go to her house and help her spring clean. On those evenings we would sit together on the couch and she would be knitting slippers or baby outfits. We would talk and Tante Tena would bring out her photo albums. We looked at pictures of the babies that she delivered. She loved telling me her stories of when she was a nurse.
Tante Tena loved plants. I will never forget the poka dotted plant that she had. She gave me trimmings from it as that was how she collected most of her plants. She grew beautiful plants!
Tante Tena strongly encouraged and supported my desire to go into nursing. I know she prayed a lot! To the very end Tante Tena always asked me how my nursing was going.
I will never forget the time she came over and got to hold my little brother Daniel. She was so excited to be able to see him! At this point she already was frail and failing in health but she came to Orangeville and held him in her arms. She loved our family...she knit many pairs of slippers for us faithfully a new pair every year. When I came to visit her in Holland Christian Homes, shortly before she passed away, she would always ask how the family was...there was always such a look of love in her eyes!
I thank the Lord for the time we had with her. I will miss her greatly on this earth and I can't wait to see her in Heaven. She has a special place in my heart! I will carry her memories with me forever!
Thankyou Lord for the example Tante Tena has had in my life! Thank you for the many times we had together! Thankyou for taking her home to be with you in glory!

Everyday Life...

Life here in Ottawa is pretty busy. Somedays I think it will slow down...but looking ahead now I don't see that happening any time soon. I have started a second job in a retirement home. I will be doing orientation tomorrow and am actually looking forward to it. It will be a nice change of pace from the business of working in the hospital. Work in the hospital has been fairly busy. The days and nights I dread the most are the ones where we work short. However that has become more of a norm in a lot of places with the shortage of nurses. In times like this you learn how to prioritize really well.
My Crohn's disease has been more under control in the last two weeks after starting back on some meds again. One of the meds is an immunosuppresant so I have to be very careful not to pick up any infections...which is harder to do while working in the medical profession. However it is nice to finally have the pain more under control and being able to eat a little more normal again.
My cat is doing well. She is not all that happy with the many hours that I am working...but I think she is resigning herself to the fact. I think sometimes she misses the company of her cousins (my sister's cats).
Well that is enough for now. At least I can say I wrote another blog. Remember Christmas is only 30 days away! Oh do I ever love this time of year! Take care you all!

A message from me about Christmas

My favorite time of the year is Christmas. I start looking forward to Christmas already in September. Everyone laughs at me because of it...but you know I love Christmas!

Christmas is the best for a few reasons:

1) It is the time of year we celebrate the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, who came to give His life so that we may have life! What better reason do I need to enjoy this time of year!

2) Family time is very important at this time of year. Christmas for most families has the opportunity to bring families together. In a lot of cases Christmas brings some of the wonderful, sharing attitudes of people in the community...I was reminded about this when I saw the Christmas boxes at church being ready for shipping to children in other countries.

3) Lights, decorations, christmas trees, snow, all part of a picturesque time of year. Its cozy....the Christmas tree up with lights around the room, fire in the fire place warming the room....yes its cozy!

This Christmas is somewhat different for me. It will be the first time that I will be six hours away on Christmas day. I pray that while I work that day in the hospital...the Lord will use me to bring Christmas cheer to those who have to spend the day in the hospital. When I honestly think about it...what better time of the year to be working and helping others.

So for now I will say to all of you reading this blog...take this time of year to reach out to others...not only with the physical things in life...but reach out with the Word of God. Share with others the most precious gift that was given to us...the gift of eternal life. The gift of the Lord Jesus Christ! Share the Christmas story! Pray for all those you come into contact with this Christmas! This is the true JOY of Christmas!

Well....

I was told to write a post again....watch for it in the next few day!!!!!!!!! :)

Post by Melissa and Me!

We were talking about cardiac markers today. After having bloodwork done today to check CRP, I was reminded about cardiac markers. Melissa was sure that CRP could indicate heart damage...for example it could identify a possible myocardial infarction. But we came to the conclusion that CRP was not the most accurate or well used blood test for identifying a myocardial infarction. CK-MB and myoglobin are the earliest cardiac markers and can be used to detect ischemic damage within an hour...however Troponin is the most widely used as well as the most accurate.

CRP though, is mainly used to indicate the level of inflammation in the body. Usually it only indicates acute inflammation. This is the reason I had that test done.

So speak the greatest medical minds of the twenty first century! Any questions...please leave comments! ;)

Dealing with Pain

Have you ever had pain in your life? There are so many different kinds of pain, as well as so many different reasons for the pain. Pain can be emotional, physical and mental.
The reason I am writing this is because I am in the middle of a Crohns flareup and think about pain more then I really want to! :) But it also got me thinking that so many people in this world are in pain and it is more then just physical pain. Pain can not always be taken care of with pain killers...and not everyone can understand anothers pain.
However there is one person who can understand everyones pain no matter what kind of pain it is. That person is Jesus Christ. I am thankful that the Lord understands the pain that I go through and the pain that you go through. I am thankful that He is beside me every step of the way...carrying me when I feel like I can not go any further.
This post is not a complaining session...it is to tell you that there is hope for your pain. Cast your care on the Lord and He will care for you. Jesus says, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:29-30
Go to our Saviour and lean on Him for He will get you through whatever you are facing today!

God Tests Our Responses

As I sat here thinking about what I should write about...and how my week had gone...a thought crossed my mind. You know the Lord brings many people into our lives to test our reaction to things they say or do...as well as to strengthen our charcter in many different ways.
I had a conversation with someone this week where I felt unjustly accused. I have thought the conversation many times over wondering what I could have done differently. But the thought crossed my mind that the Lord was using this conversation in many different ways.It made me think of a client I had this week that really more then once rubbed me the wrong way. It also made me think of other clients that I have encountered that just seemed to be soo grumpy no matter what you did for them. All these people the Lord has placed at different times to see how I would react as a Christian...I am sorry to say that in a lot of areas I have failed. I have to work harder at being more of a meek and quiet spirit.
Knowing that it made me realize how the Lord blesses a calm and gently spirit as my client this weeked really thanked me for everything I had done...it is the smile in the clients eyes of appreciation for taking the time to do my best for them.
Lord I pray that I may have more of a meek and quiet spirit...showing more of You in my life!

Weird happenings...

This weekend I had Liz over for a visit. Liz comes from Orangeville, Ontario. We had an awesome time together this weekend spending hours shopping, talking, watching movies and just spending time together. However it was on one of our driving expeditions that we were at an intersection in Ottawa when this guy pulls up with his four ways on and drives on the side into the middle of the intersection. When the traffic clears he goes right through a red light. We watch in shock as at the next intersection he does exactly the same thing this time making a left hand turn through a red light. We could not believe what we were seeing. We thought about it being an unmarked cruiser however those police officers usually have lights on their cars. We commented together on how he put himself as well as everyone elses lives in danger by doing such dangerous things.
So having said all that I was trying to give Liz a positive impression of Ottawa seeing as this is the nations capital. So when I asked her of her opinion of Ottawa after seeing this dramatic scene unfold before us...Liz responded by saying, "Are we in California?!"
Would she come back to Ottawa to visit again? Certainly...she will just have to watch out for crazy drivers that don't know or pretend not to know the rules of the road.

Update

So first I must apologize for not writing in the last few weeks. I can't believe that it is already the middle of October.
I was able to go home for Thanksgiving day and spent a beautiful day with the family. It was so short but I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family! The Lord has been good to me!
After thanksgiving two of my sisters drove back with me to Ottawa. We had so much fun together, we went shopping, playing games, and just spending time together as sisters. Thank you to Rachel and Melissa for coming down to visit. I miss you guys!
And then it was back to work. Yes work has been very busy. Instead of our usual surgical clients we have been getting a lot of very sick medical clients. This has made the workload of our floor very heavy. However this has also been a very good experience for us new grads on the floor.
This weekend is also going to busy as another friend from Orangeville will be coming up to visit for a few days. We are going to have so much fun!
So for now this is just an update...I am still thinking of what I am going to write that is philisophical in nature! Till then take care and God bless!

Thanksgiving

Well it is October now...the leaves are turning color and falling off the trees. The weather is becoming colder, days are shorter and the world is preparing to hibernate for the winter. However before we hibernate we celebrate Thanksgiving.
We as human beings have sooo much to be thankful for. Here are a few I am thankful for:
Eternal Life: I am thankful that the Lord has called me to be His child and that I have a living Saviour!
Parents: I am so thankful for the parents I have. They have supported me, encouraged me, prayed for me, and were there for me every step of my life. I will never forget all that they have done for me. Thank you Dad and Mom!
Family: I have many brothers and sisters and I am thankful for every single one of them. I love them all so dearly. Two years ago I gained another sister of which I am truly thankful for...she has fit so well into our family! And this year the Lord gave us another brother who is such a tiny little miracle! Thank you Lord for my family!
Health: I am thankful for the health I have. Yes some days are a struggle but you know its just a reminder how our life here is only temporary. I am thankful that I can breath each day!
Work: I am thankful for the job I have and the many lives I have been able to be a part of here in Ottawa. I love nursing soo much and I am thankful that the Lord has helped complete my dream!
Friends: I am so thankful for the many friends and family I have the have prayed and continue to pray for me daily. I dont know how I would do it without their prayers.
The Lord has been so good to me. This is only a small picture of how thankful I am to the Lord for everything He has done in my life.
Remember daily to thank the Lord for something...even if it is something small that has happened that day. Everyday is a Thanksgiving Day!

Are you scared to die?

I know my last post was on death and dying too...however this subject has been on my mind a lot in the last week or two.

Have you ever taken time to think of what death is all about? This subject has hit close to home with some of my patients this week...one in particular that shook me quite a bit. Yes I have thought a lot about death...a few years ago I had thought about it so much that I decided to plan out some of my funeral and document it in my journal. I knew it was a reality...I worked with so many people who died. It is a part of life...however this week I have learned to see it in a more real and vivid way.

It was one of my patients that brought me to a greater realization of what death is about. As I saw the scared look in this patients eyes...even though this patient knew the Lord and was a believer...that scared look was still there. It is a look I will never forget. I thought about how life seems to be so unfair at times....why is it that the young die? Why is it the ones that have beautiful families...that have such a promising out look on life? Death is a horrible thing.

Yet there is also a beauty to those who die in the Lord. Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life...he who believes in me though he were dead yet shall he live". There is hope...there is life after death...because Jesus paid the price.

It is the crossing over the Jordan that can be soo hard and painful...but there is so much joy when we walk through the gates of heaven. Thankfully we have our Lord Jesus who will walk beside us "through the valley of the shadow of death". It is Christ that will carry us Home. Thank you Father!

Heaven

I had to come up with something to write....so I thought...and thought...and even thought. So many different things have been happening in my life that my brain is full of many random thoughts.
It has been busy at work lately. All this business has made me think a lot about death and dying. My heart goes out to the people who are scared to die...I wonder what I will be like when I get to that point in my journey? I know I have the hope and promise of eternal life and going Home to my Heavenly Father which shall be sooo joyful! Yet what is it like to actually die on this earth? What does it feel like physically? Is it the thoughts of what is left behind that can be so tormenting? Is it the thoughts of work left unfinished?
And yet thinking of all those questions ... continues to bring to mind the joy of what Heaven is all about! I would be with the Lord! Wow! You know I really can't wait for that day! I can just imagine how exciting it must have been for the apostle John in writing Revelation talking all about the New Jerusalem. I think of my Grandmother who has crossed the Jordan almost twelve years ago and is now with our Lord...she must be having such an AWESOME time in Heaven! To be with the Lord Jesus, singing with the angels...I cant think of anything more exciting then that! Talk about having something to look forward to!
So is death really that scary? Physically I have no idea...spiritually, I really can't wait!
It brings to mind a song I love to sing "Jerusalem the Golden"! If you have t ime read the lyrics..it will get you excited about the joy of going Home!

In Christ alone....

Do you realize that every day gone by is one day closer to eternity? Are we ready to face our Maker for all that we have done on this earth? You know the Lord speaks through us in many different ways...many times trying to get our attention.
One of the ways the Lord speaks to me is through songs. I love singing and I love music. Often if I feel down and discouraged I put on Worship songs, or I put on a Gaither DVD...and its like the Lord quiets my soul and prepares me to listen to what He has to say to me. Often in our busy world we don't take the time to quietly listen for the voice of God because we are "just too busy"...however that excuse will not work when we meet our Maker. We need to start listening now..."draw near to God and He will draw near to you". "Be still and know that I am God..." Ps 46...yes we need to be still and listen for God is speaking to us.
So again I want to share with you a favorite song of mine...a song where the Lord often speaks to me...In Christ Alone

In Christ alone my hope is found;He is my light, my strength, my song;This cornerstone, this solid ground,Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.What heights of love, what depths of peace,When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!My comforter, my all in all—Here in the love of Christ I stand.
In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,Fullness of God in helpless babe!This gift of love and righteousness,Scorned by the ones He came to save.Till on that cross as Jesus died,The wrath of God was satisfied;For ev'ry sin on Him was laid—Here in the death of Christ I live.
There in the ground His body lay,Light of the world by darkness slain;Then bursting forth in glorious day,Up from the grave He rose again!And as He stands in victory,Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;For I am His and He is mine—Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
No guilt in life, no fear in death—This is the pow'r of Christ in me;From life's first cry to final breath,Jesus commands my destiny.No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,Can ever pluck me from His hand;Till He returns or calls me home—Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.

Praise the Lord for our risen Saviour!

Hallelujah!

Have you ever thought about what the resurrection means to you? Have you ever wondered where we would be today if Jesus had not risen from the dead? I was listening to a concert of the Gaithers that was taped in Jerusalem...and one of the songs they sang was "Bethlehem, Galilee, Gethsemane". What an awesome song! Here are the lyrics below...

Bethlehem, He was born there, I believe, I believe
Galilee, Jesus walked there, I believe, I believe
Gethsemane, my Savior prayed there, on Calvary, He died alone
But the tomb, He left there, I believe, I believe, I believe, I believe
Bethlehem, He was born there. There was nothing sacred about that manger in Bethlehem, Jesus could have been born in the best hotel room in the city, if it had been left open for Him. But He wasn't pushy, He still isn't. He moves only into the places we vacate for Him. There was room, that night, only in the stable, so, that's where He was born.
Galilee, Jesus walked there, I believe, I believe
Jesus walked with common men, but there was nothing common about His words, they upset every comfortable ethic. He upset judicial systems when He said, "Love those who hate you." He upset patterns of religion, by declaring that real temples of worship, were in the hearts of believers. He refused to discuss laws and rules governing people's actions, but zeroed in on their thoughts and attitudes instead. If Christ had been a philosopher, they could have debated Him. If He had been a warrior they could have fought Him. Had He been a religionist, they could have ignored Him, as an eccentric, but Christ was love,
what do you do with that?
Gethsemane, my Savior prayed there, on Calvary, He died alone
Gethsemane was agony for Christ. In those dark hours, He cried in desperation, "Father, if it be Your will, let this cup pass from me.", but it wasn't Gods will and Jesus died alone
But the tomb, Jesus left there, I believe, I believe
God could have had Jesus resurrected right from the cross, when no one was around, instead, He arranged a full burial, with grave clothes, a tomb, and even a roman seal, but after three days, conquering death, Jesus walked out free, leaving for all to see, the massive stone rolled away, and the empty tomb
And now, He lives and reigns forever, I believe, I believe
And He prays for us in Heaven, I believe, I believe
And with the ones who've gone before me, I will praise the Prince of Peace!
Hallelujah, hallelujah, I believe, I believe, I believe, I believe!
(Sung by Russ Taff)

When you hear this song sung...it brings forth the power of the cross! This is OUR Saviour, OUR Lord, OUR Creator, OUR King, OUR Father...wow! Do we truly believe?

Safer Health Care Now

I never really new that this campaign, Safer Health Care Now, existed before even though as a nurse I have used the interventions that are part of this campaign.
This campaign was started in April 2005 as a result of a similar campaign that was started in the States. The goal of the campaign was to reduce the number of patient injuries and deaths that were a result of adverse events. It is composed of participants such as hospitals and partnerships such as health care organizations who support the campaign. The campaign is composed of six interventions to improve patient safety including, AMI, CLI, Med rec, RRT, SSI, and VAP.
The part of this campaign that I personally find fascinating and very useful is the RRT (Rapis Response Team). This team is available to health care professionals on the unit as a valuable resource and tool. When a nurse feels that a patient is taken a turn for the worse they contact the RRT who then come and assess the patient and decide what needs to be done next. Having this kind of team available to the nurses help to save lives.
I encourage you to take some time and look up the website and read about this awesome campaign. It is really very fascinating!

I love being a nurse!

So I have been told that people can't understand my blog cause its in French...so I will refrain from writing in French for a short time!
I want to write a quick note about the nursing profession. This week again I was reminded about the fulfillment that nursing brings. There is great joy being able to help people whose very life lays in the balance. Yes I agree that being a nurse is a very complicated, back breaking job. But the ability to be a part of someones life in that way overcomes the hardness of the job.
Nursing is THE job!