The Canyon Crew

I hope you enjoy this photo tour of my weekend....

The Canyon Crew

The other interns and I headed off into the great unknown of Lumpkin, GA. In Lumpkin lies Providence Grand Canyon, a farming excavation gone awry. Years ago, farmers in GA attempted to farm some land. As they dug up their fields to farm, erosion begin occurring rapidly. This land, which was once covered by water, was layered underneath with sand and clay. The erosion continued as the farmers attempts to farm and dig kept failing. More and more of the land became huge trenches, which eventually turned into these large canyons. The layers of the canyon are clearly visible, starting at the top with more clay and ending on the canyon floor with sand as white and snow. In some parts, the sand was purple--literally purple. Occasionally we stumbled upon small purple rocks or huge clay mounds, which totally fed into my sensory fixation. The trails on the canyon floor were a mix of sand and clay with trickles of water that streamed through them. It felt great on our bare feet. Yes, it was obvious I was from KY I am sure....

Katlin and I perched on a very tiny ledge overlooking the most beautiful part of the canyon.

After several fun hours spent sand surfing down the walls of the canyon and enjoying this nature paradise, we headed into the small town to enjoy the best BBQ I have ever feasted on. With stomachs full of sweet tea, boiled peanuts, BBQ, and pecan pie (that's some serious southern eatin') we ventured to this restored 1850s town called Westerville. It displayed kilns, candle making, wool presses, slave quarters, and old restored buildings.

Cobbler/tannery shop


Slave quarters

Slate boards and desk in an 1800's schoolhouse

Boiled Peanuts (No, not animal droppings...)

A bedtime prayer.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

“Alas, Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD.

Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant."......

...."They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 1:1-10,19

This verse just encourages me in every which way. It challenges me to live for what I know. It challenges me to be joyful and bold in all circumstances. But, most importantly, it challenges me TRUST. Trust no matter what. Trust that He will lead me as long as I let Him be my guide. Trust that he has my life, my future, my plans already laid out. When He challenges me, I am to obey. Obey with authority. Obey with faith. And obey with steadfastness no matter what the circumstances or outlook. I am to live a life that bleeds. A life that is not my own. A life I was given with His grace on the cross and His daily mercy in my life. A life, that when I reflect on it, I am able to see His hand and His anointing on every page. A life that is worth something because He is worth it all. I love Him. I yearn to see and feel His presence everyday. I am blessed. Blessed beyond measure and yet I still cower. I still doubt. I still judge. I still lie. I still envy. I still place worth in counterfeit gods. Yet, at the end of the day He still loves me and wants me to hear what He told Jeremiah: "I formed you. I will rescue you. I am with you. Do not be afraid." Yay for such an awesome loving Father, and the only friend we truly need.

Nighty night,

B

Week 6

"Thou art my loveliness, my life, my light, Beauty alone to me." ~George Herbert

After reflecting over my last 6 weeks in Warm Springs this eloquent phrase sums up my feelings. I am immensely enjoying myself and learning a lot. I would never be in the place I am now if it were not for the Lord's constant grace, mercy, and sovereignty in my daily life. I do not understand how I so often fall short of His constant reminders and blessings in my life. I passed my midterm, presented my in-service/project, and went for a 4 mile run around the town today with sun beating on my back--Great week! :)

Last Saturday Kelly, Katlin, and I made a trip to Chattanooga. Kelly lives on Lookout Mountain on a family farm and it is absolutely beautiful. Although it was 29 degrees and blustery we had a blast dining at local eateries and getting an insider's tour of Chattanooga. Later that day, we headed up to Lookout Mountain and ate the most delicious chocolate chip cookies that Kelly's mom made. We stayed the night, and in the morning played with the dogs and horses and then went to church. We got lost on the trek home, but it was an adventuresome and delightful weekend. I am so truly grateful to have these interns here the same time I am.

Chattanooga River

On Tuesday, the other interns and I made Valentine cards for the patients and they absolutely adored them. We received some of our first smiles from patients who can be real "debbie downers." It was a fun, festive day and set the week off well.

Valentine's for patients

Tonight we plan on getting some Mexican for dinner and walking around the little shops in the next town over. This weekend is supposed to rain, but if it decides to hold off, I think tomorrow I will head to Calloway Gardens, an outdoor paradise with trails and a butterfly garden. Rain, rain, please stay away...

Love, love, and more love,
B

Week 5

My fellow darlings,

I had many highs and lows that comprised this week. I felt on edge a couple of days and on Thursday had a breakdown, feeling really incompetent when treating a patient. I talked to my instructor and she was very helpful and gave me some great treatment suggestions. Since this was my first struggle I have faced I was frustrated with myself. However, it opened my eyes to how much I need to grow and push myself to become an entry-level practitioner. I also become a little overwhelmed with how much I have juggle between my upcoming inservice/case study for my facility and my online class. I now remember how school used to be.... After a few days though, I have gotten back in the swing of things by making lists and using my planner. :)


Tonight, the other interns and I made pizzas, watched Youtube videos, slid down our LONG staircase on an ironing board (readers discretion for that one--not advisable), slid down the banister, and practiced deep tissue massage....heading to Chattanooga tomorrow! Woo hoo! A much needed night of fun energy spent, and looking forward to an adventuresome and productive weekend.

I also talked to my future roommies this week and am really excited about meeting up with them in 7 more weeks! So blessed my family is healthy, my friends are doing well, and I have this opportunity to learn and teach others.

Much love and blessings. <3

Southern Fun

An ordinary sunny weekend afternoon.

A night in Columbus, GA.

Riverwalk.

Courtyard of quad.

Week Four

This week literally sped by. I have barely had time to reflect over the week's encounters. This week went really well. I got my fifth patient and I only have one more patient to go until I reach a full caseload. My documentation continues to get faster, as do my time management skills. I discharged my second patient today, which was bittersweet because he was such a great patient. He followed everything I instructed him on perfectly. I was really excited when my therapist and I found a Dynasplint (elbow extension) in storage that we gave him--it fit perfectly(what a blessing). He was so excited, and I got the experience of donning a really nice and expensive piece of equipment. I am getting more confident during family education, and it is a neat feeling when the family is so appreciative for the care you are providing their family member. I am becoming more competent during evaluation and communication in general.

Today I also was able to do several treatment sessions in the kitchen. One client made pork chops, another made an angel food parfait, and another cut some vegetables/fruit. They all expressed their enjoyment and I saw a spark in one of my patients who has been waning this week. Everyone on our team got to enjoy some of their food and you could see the pride they received from that. I think it lifted everyone's spirit after a long week.

I am working tomorrow (Sat), which means one more day I can head out early for my Florida rotation in April. I am looking forward to the Superbowl on Sunday--GO GIANTS! Other than that, I do not have much planned for the weekend except to finish up my online class hw and start on my midterm project for fieldwork. I will probably do more exploring on the trails and start on my new book my awesome aunt just sent me! :)

I am looking forward to my mom, aunt, and Hannah coming to visit sometime soon!

Blessings,

B