Visit to Beckley

Last week I made a solo trip to Beckley, WV to visit my school, Mountain State University. So far in my schooling, I have taken all of my classes online. On June 14th, I start full time doing clinical rotations at Roper St. Francis. Before I could start my clinicals, I had to do a 3 day orientation on campus.

I was a little nervous because this was my first trip away from home by myself. (When I studied abroad in Italy I had roommates that I did stuff with, so I don't count that). Overall it wasn't as scary as I though it would be. The only dumb thing I did was getting into someone else's car. I had a rental car, so I wasn't used to it yet. I went to where I thought I had parked. There was a silver car so I pressed the unlock button. It was open, so I got in. I put my seat belt on, adjusted the mirrors and was about to stick the key in when I noticed the car didn't look right. It said Ford on the steering wheel and that is when I realized I was in the wrong car! Opps. I got out really fast hoping the owners weren't around. In my defense though, who leaves their car unlocked at a Quality Inn hotel?! It is 2010 people, you can't do that.

I had a blast on campus. It was so great to finally meet all of the faculty I had been working with online and get some hands on experience. Everyone was really nice and helpful.  I basically spent the entire three days scanning. The staff all took turns in the lab letting me scan them. I did full abdominal protocols (aorta, liver, gallbladder, kidneys, and spleen), thyroid, and female pelvis. One of the instructors was even 19 weeks pregnant so I got to do an OB exam. It was amazing to see that little life moving around inside her. I felt like I had met him and knew him and he wasn't even born yet!

The time I spent there was really helpful. There is such a big difference in looking at pictures in a book and seeing the images on the screen in real time. I also got familiar with the machine and how to use the controls to get the best possible images. I learned lots of little tips like it is ok to press hard during an abdominal exam, asking them to take a deep breath can make all the difference, when in doubt put color flow on it, the cine loop is your friend, and small movements can make big differences. I feel so much more confident and excited about starting clinicals now!

This is the lab we used to scan in. It is right inside the DMS department next to the faculty offices.

This is the machine I learned on.

This is Bre, my clinical coordinator. She taught me almost the entire time.

Me and Bre

A few of the staff. From left to right:  Tammy (clinical lab and small parts instructor), Nashella (abdominal instructor), Bre (clinical coordinator), and Ashley (DMS administrative assistant)

MSU campus, you can see the
MSU sign to the very right of the pic.

Driving to the airport. WV is so beautiful. The entire drive was just winding around these gorgeous mountains.

 My rental car, a Nissan Versa. It was really nice.

So Long Insecurity

On Saturday the girls from my small group all attended Beth Moore's So Long Insecurity simulcast at Seacoast in Mt. Pleasant. Beth Moore taught in Atlanta and over 300,000 women tuned in live to watch her speak. The message was based on her new book, which our small group will be studying for the next 6 weeks. The simulcast was wonderful. Beth Moore delivered a great message about being secure women of God. She used Ephesians 4:17-24 to describe a secure woman.

 ¹⁷ So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. ¹⁸ They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. ¹⁹ Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. ²⁰ You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. ²¹ Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. ²² You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; ²³ to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴ and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

She encouraged us to take off our old selves and put on the new. When we are secure in our relationship with Christ and his love and grace, then we can "stick out like a healthy thumb" and positively impact those around us. She made the point that we should not dwell on past sins because it does not honor God to disbelieve his forgiveness (that one really hit home with me). When we know we are forgiven, we forgive. When we know we are loved, we love. When we know we are graced, we grace. I am really excited to read and study this book with my small group.

While the girls attended the simulcast, the men got together to build sets of cornhole boards for the guys that didn't have them. Afterward we all met over at Riverland woods to grill out for Ben's birthday. It was a wonderful day filled with God's word and great fellowship.

Easter Sunday

On Easter, Stephen and I attended the 8:30 service at our church, ECBC, and then headed to Simpsonville to see family. We originally thought Stephen was going to have to work on Easter, but at the last minute he was able to change his shift.

The Perry Family

The Finley Family

A smaller Finley Family (minus Marcus of course)

The guys playing lazy cornhole, sitting down

The girls

Bella finding some shade in a not so safe place

Meet Bella

Bella is our 14 week old Goldendoodle puppy. We got her Friday night from Greenwood South Carolina. She is the sweetest girl and we already love her so much! She is such a joy. Her father was a poodle and her mother was a golden retriever. Marcus, our cat is getting used to her. He isn't scared of Bella, but if she starts sniffing him for too long he hisses at her. Overall they are doing pretty well together. She is pretty big for her age so we think she is going to be pretty large as an adult. She could be anywhere from 65-100 lbs. She loves to play fetch and socialize with other dogs and people. On Saturday we took her to the dog park and she did great! She has been such a wonderful addition to our family!

At Petco shopping for some goodies

Playing with her tennis ball

She loves her tennis balls

Taking a nap with dad

Marcus keeping an eye on the newcomer

She really is just a big baby : )

Bridge Run

Saturday was the 33rd annual Cooper River Bridge Run. Stephen and I started training for it 10 weeks ago. (Well actually I started training, Stephen could run a 10k with just a day's notice). We found a schedule online that tells you what to do everyday for 8 weeks. We were doing really well. We were even running the actual bridge on Sundays (the distance days). We were up to about 4.5 miles in week 5 when I injured my knee. Ever since then I haven't been able to run more than 10 minutes without it giving out on me and being in extreme pain. For the past couple weeks I have been icing it, taking Aleve, and doing lots of strengthening exercises, but it hasn't gotten any better. Needless to say, we didn't get to run the bridge. We ran the first mile and had to walk the rest. My wonderful husband was so sweet and walked with me even though he could have kept going. I was really disappointed that I had to stop running after the first mile, especially since I had been working really hard to get ready for it. I swam competitively for 10 years, but I am not and never have been a runner. It took a lot of "pushing through" for me to get to the point where I actually got the runner's high. (Swimming is great by the way- your joints don't hurt and you can't feel yourself sweat since you are in the water.) Hopefully when my knee heals we can find another 10k to do together.

Chad Hewett, one of Stephen's good friends, came up from Georgia to run the bridge. He did great and finished in under an hour. Chad stayed with us for the weekend and we had a great time!

 This guy actually has his dog in his backpack!

 I don't even know what to say about this!Weird!

Fun in the Sun

Last weekend was the first beautiful weekend we have had in Charleston. On Saturday our small group gathered for some fun in the sun. We took our cornhole boards outside and had a tournament. We also had some football and a home run derby. It was great to be out enjoying God's creation. Here are some pics.

Ski Weekend

This past weekend, Stephen and I were invited up to the mountains of North Carolina to enjoy some skiing and great fellowship. Brad's family has a house on Beech Mountain and he and Mandy were kind enough to invite us to spend the weekend with them there.

Stephen and I spent the whole day Saturday skiing. He is a wonderful skier. Sometimes I get nervous because he likes to do the double black diamonds and crazy slopes. This is the first time we ever went together. We had to stop in Columbia to get some ski pants for me. I ended up getting a purple pair. I figured it would be easier for him to find me when I crashed! Also, Stephen's ski jacket is orange so as a couple we supported Clemson well.

The first half an hour we spent on the bunny slopes and he taught me how to slow down, stop, turn, and fall correctly. Then we moved on the the green circles and eventually the blue squares. He skied in front of me backwards the whole time helping me and giving me instruction. Stephen was so patient and encouraging. I couldn't have asked for a better teacher. Although there were a few times that my self esteem took a hit, like when I looked up from extreme concentration to see him skiing backwards in front of me eating a pack of crackers. Here I am trying to stay calm and get down the mountain in one piece, and he is having a little snack! Haha. We had a great time though. After lunch I braved some slopes on my own and he took off to do the more difficult ones. Then, we met back up and skied together some more. I was really anxious about the whole day since I had no idea what I was doing, but he made it so enjoyable. I felt so safe with him and I think I fell in love with him all over again.

Our skis while riding the lift

 On the ski lift

On the slopes, check out my purple pants!

 Stephen in speed position!

 After lunch

 View from the top

Stephen at the bottom of the mountain

When we got back to the house, Brad, Mandy, and Rob (Brad's brother) had made a little ramp on the steep snow covered driveway. We played in the snow, sledded, and the guys had a pretty intense snowball fight. It was a blast.

Mandy in the snow!

Sledding down the driveway

These steps led down the the house we stayed at

Brad and his brother, Rob

Stephen after a sledding crash

On our way home Sunday we stopped in Greenville to visit Stephen's parents. We played horseshoes on the court Stephen and his dad built over Christmas break. They completely destroyed us. I think we won one game out of like 6 or 7. Haha. We are going to have to do some serious practicing before we challenge them again! Afterward we watched the Clemson game (kind of a bummer) and then headed home. It was a wonderful weekend!

 Stephen and his dad throwing horseshoes