PA school is like riding a bike

Today I went on a really long bike ride with a friend who is in pretty good biking shape and let's just say...I'm not, but I'm always up for a challenge! We took a new route and didn't exactly have much of an idea of what the landscape would be or anything like that. Well...it turned out to be full of many challenging hills, but also one of the most beautiful places around Ohio that I have seen thus far. As I was riding and fighting to breathe and pedal at the same time I got to thinking about how this bike ride reminds me a little bit about PA school. I know this sounds like a cliche comparison...but I promise I'm going somewhere with this. Just in the short time I've been in school I have had to learn many different things about studying, interacting with others, scheduling, and other useful skills. Some of these have proven to be more challenging than others and there are days where I find myself thinking, "this is only the summer session, am I going to die in the fall"? I realized today on one of the first hills we went up I asked myself a version of the same question, "this is only the first hill, am I going to make it all 18.5 miles??" By the end of the ride I found myself putting my head down and charging up a hill, not thinking of what would be on the other side or how many miles were left, but just focusing on the task at hand. Sometimes I had to stop on the hill, which was frustrating, but I was able to start right back up again and make it a little further and further each time. I know there are going to be some really big hills that I have to face in school, as well as some really nice downward slopes where I can just let the wind carry me down without much work. But, its encouraging to know that no matter what part of the hill I'm on, God is right there next to me cheering me on and giving me all that I need to succeed, I just need to take my mind off of trying to succeed on my own; or looking to see what's next; and rely completely on Him. I am so thankful to serve such a patient and loving God that cares so deeply and personally for me.
Thanks for listening to my biking story :)

Oh, I would also like to give an update and say that my dad is doing so much better. Thank you so much to those lifting him up in prayer, visiting, and making meals for my family. The bruised nerve is giving him some pain, as it is trying to heal, but other than that is doing very well. Thanks again!

Hello from Ohio

Just finished a game of volleyball with some classmates and now I am finally sitting down to write on this blog like I've been wanting to all week. I just finished my first 2 anatomy exams (written and practical) and couldn't be happier to have some time to relax...but first things first, let's talk about Marietta and the move from the great state of Idaho...

The 3 day road trip to Ohio with my family is a time that I will never forget. It goes into my memory bank as one of my favorite times with my family. The drive was uneventful...minus the part where I thought I was going to be sucked up into a tornado! We were driving through Nebraska and the sky started to look grey in front of us, but being the inexperienced westerners we are...we kept driving and driving until we were being showed hail the size of ping pong balls and a crazy amount of wind. We pulled over to wait out the storm and my mom and Hunter cried while my dad and I said "everything is going to be just fine" all the while thinking "wow this is the craziest weather I have ever seen!" After Nebraska we stopped in Chicago to visit the Wilkes which was a nice break from fast food and small hotel rooms. The next day we arrived in Marietta at my little blue house.

As you can probably guess from the title of the blog, I live on a red brick road and I think it's so cool! The house is wonderful, my roommates are fun, and my room is huge. I have so much space I don't know what to do with all of it. Here is a picture of the house from the side :)

So I am about two weeks into classes, done with my first test and ready to start studying for the next one. I have been so affirmed lately that I am exactly where God wants me and I am so excited for his plans for me here. Ok...off to watch a movie, more updates soon!