YES!!!

The day has finally come...FINALS are OVER!!! It has been a very long and difficult semester, but I got through it and now it's time for me to RELAX!!! No work, no school, no stress (hopefully), and NO MORE STUDYING!!!!!!!! I really can't emphasize that enough...Seriously, the brain can only hold so much information and when you reach that point, NUMBNESS!!! Last night when I was studying for my last final, I got to the point where I was studying for over an hour and retained NOTHING!!! One whole hour and I couldn't remember what I was studying!!! Anyway...

Approximately one year from now I will be taking my board exam to become an offical MALE NURSE...that's right...I am going to become (God willing), GREG FOCKER!!! haha... This program, like I've said before, is challenging, but dang...it is going pretty darn FAST...I've already completed 2 semesters and going on to finish my first year of nursing school...Still trying to get over the fact that I got accepted to such an awesome school...USF...

Before the Thanksgiving weekend, Dee and I had the opportunity to meet with Father Ricio (sp?) for the first time to begin our FAITH SHARING group! It was an awesome experience...Just me, Dee and Father. We each had the opportunity to share where we were at in our faith and for some reason I began to talk about how God provided me the opportunity to attend a Jesuit University. I've attended public school my entire life...I explained to them that attending the Jesuit University didn't feel anymore different than attending UCI or IVC (2 very great public schools) and that I still haven't figured out why God planned for me to be here. I'm still questioning and searching??? Dee sat down with me one day and explained to me how much USF has been such a wonderful gift to her...let me elaborate, according to Dee...

there is a beautiful church that you could go to anytime you want and pray in silence, the long history of USF, having a crucifix in every classroom, hearing the church bells ring every noon time and at 6pm, seeing Brothers, Fathers, and Sisters consistently on campus...and the list goes on...

Do I not see? Do I not hear? Am I seriously that BLIND and DEAF?

Don't get me wrong...I occassionaly go into the church and pray silently, I've heard people talk about the history and I've heard the bells ring throughout the day...UNFORTUNATELY, as Dee has stated it...I have not taken the time to APPRECIATE and REFLECT on these wonderful creations of GOD!!! I think that is what makes the difference...I think a lot of us know that God continually provides and presents us with His awesome creations and graces, BUT we simply ignore or forget to APPRECIATE them. We need to SLOW DOWN...take the time to pray, take the time to praise, and take the time to GIVE THANKS!!!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

"IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES"