It's been an emotional day for me today. It was the last time singing with the Christ Community Church choir today. Becky had me do a devotional this AM reflecting on a few things and I started to cry. It has difficult to think about leaving the people I had come to know and love the last 8 years.
Miriam, Charlie, Annie, and Jessi had a going away party for me today and it was fun to have people all together one more time in one location. Annie handed me a gift she said was from "everyone". I was perplexed. As I opened the box, i knew what it was. I started tearing up. It was a scrapbook. A full one. My friends created some pages to go in the scrapbook and it showed me even more how much they mean to me. I will cherish this forever. Each page was filled with memories I had made with each one of them-trips and celebrations we had together.
Today I will talk about the friends I made since I started school. They are so wonderful!
Mel: Sweet Mel. Always willing to share the notes she typed up from many different classes. Always willing to share her home, her love of vegetarian food with me:-) As much as I love meat, she has introduced me into her world of yummy goodness without meat, and I actually love it. Many memories of celebrating her birthdays, vacationing in Turks and Caicos, cooking together. We are so different, yet we have become such good friends. The one thing we do have in common (besides being in the same class) is the LOVE of shopping. When Mel and I hit the shopping areas, WATCH OUT! We mean business. I will miss her as she moves to Philadelphia.
Tia: Crazy Tia. I met Tia through Mel. Tia is Mel's roommate. She is so fun to be around. Her laughter is contagious. She has a great sense of humor. She's a lightweight when it comes to wine and I love that about her, cause I'm the same. Turks and Caicos was so fun. So many memories and stories to tell. I went on my first trip to Walt Disney in Orlando with Tia. While I was in Jacksonville, FL for a clinical rotation, I drove down to Orlando to meet Tia. We did 4 theme parks in 4 days. Whew! It was so fun. I felt like a kid again going on all the rides and watching the shows. I had such a great time. I will miss her laughter and vivacious personality.
Jodee: Fun Jodee. She has been through a lot over the last 2.5 years. Life has not always been kind to her. She started coming to church with me and it was great to see her there. I'm hoping that she continues to anchor her faith in God. That's how we became friends. We have had some deep life conversations. We started hanging out more and it was great. We've been to countless dinners together. Her taste in restaurants varied from nice/nice to japanese to vietnamese, etc. I can always count on her to come eat weird things with me. She's always flirting or wanting to flirt with somebody:-) I remember when we were in Minneapolis for a review course and we met some guys from Arkansas. Jodee has a good time:-) I am hoping she would move to some place warm so I can come and visit. I will also miss her sense of humor and laughter.
Tori-wonderful Tori. Tori and I interview together for anesthesia school. It was great seeing her on the first day of class. We sat in the front of the class and we remained there. We did not move to the back of the class. I guess it made us pay more attention to the instructors. We have had fun working together on many group projects. I admired her for balancing her school work with her family. George, her husband, Tylene-her oldest daughter, and little Marin-her youngest daughter have been amazing people. I have enjoyed getting to know all of them in the last 2.5 years. Tori has been a great friend. She and her family are so generous. Always wanting to feed me when i'm over at their house. Tori and I also tend to have the same taste in clothes. We enjoy the trendy clearanced cheap items:-) I think if you look in our wardrobe, you may find similar clothes in them. I have a feeling they will be moving back to Myrtle Beach soon and I know opportunity will rise that I may come and visit. I will miss her great attitude, generosity, and sense of humor.
Tori, Jodee, Mel and I worked on our research project together as a group. The topic was pharmacogenomics:-) We helped create a website for the anesthesia group at Mayo and the genomics group, and we just sent our manuscript in to be published. We will see if it gets accepted.
It was been a memorable 2.5 years. Many hard weeks at school, but we did it. We just have to pass boards in the next few weeks.
People are in our lives for a reason. I have been truly blessed to have their friendships. I have faith that we will continue to maintain our friendship over many more years to come. Thank you, God, for bringing them into my life.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Reflecting on graduation and moving
I can't believe that I'm done with school. The only thing next would be the national board exam. On Thursday, i got done at 2pm and spent some time saying goodbye to the people I have worked with the last 2.5 years. Thursday was the last time I will ever walk in the halls of the Mayo Clinic as a student, as a nurse. It's still doesn't seem real yet. On Friday I turned in my badge, name tag, parking tag, etc. I am officially not an employee of Mayo anymore.
My parents, sister, and 10 of my wonderful friends came to my graduation. What a great time! What a happy time. The next 3 weeks will be filled with studying and catching up with friends before i move to Lafayette. Next Sunday is my farewell party:-( I'm beginning to be a little bit sad.
I have made some wonderful friends in the last 8 years. Friends who are amazing women of God. We have grown spiritually together. We have a bond that not many people have with their friends. I am so blessed. I'm feeling sad right now reflecting on those friendships. Leaving them will be very difficult. These are the friendships that will not just dissipate because of distance, but will continue to be in spite of distance. I know that these friends will pray for me during the rough times of life, will encourage me when I an discourage, and celebrate with me during the joys of life. I'm going to write a little about each of them who have been good friends and who have been constants in my life for so many years.
Kristen Spielman-One of the first people I met in Rochester. She was dating Dan Spielman at the time and we didn't become good friends until Caleb was born prematurely. Due to my 12 shift schedule, I had days during the week off and would go over to her house (she used to live about 5-6 blocks from me) and distract her for a bit. We have had some fun trips to Rapid City to see her parents and I would help with the drive. Many fond memories of shopping and zoo trips. I was sad when she, Dan, and Caleb moved to Woodbury, MN. Even then, both of us made effort to stay in one another's lives. She has been a great friend and great listener. She would be the person I would go to for advice. She has made me laugh so many times that I would almost wet my pants. She's a great story teller. She also has some great stories from her childhood as well:-) She's a great mom, though sometimes she may not feel like she is. I see her love her boys and I see the commitment she has to discipline her boys to be men of integrity. Wonderful woman of God. I will greatly miss her.
Gudie Wolfgram-I met Gudrun about one year after I got to Rochester. She seems so prim and proper when I first met her. After I get to know, crazy things would come out of her mouth, and I would just laugh. She would be the one to say things that everyone else would be thinking but dared not say:-) My first fun trip was with her. She, Lisa Lucier, and I went to Duluth, MN and stayed at a bed and breakfast. We explored the Duluth area and got to know one another better. This was when I found out that Gudie grinded her teeth at night and Lisa talked in her sleep. I also went to Glacier National Park with Gudie and 4 other girls. Gudie, Lisa Lucier, Lisa Carter, Heather, Marita Klevgaard, and I rented a minivan and drove all the way to Montana. Six single women in a minivan. It was hilarious. So many memories. Gudie makes me laugh. I will miss her funny comments. I was also sad when Jon and Gudie moved to Woodbury after they got married. She has been a great encouragement to me during some life rough spots. She has also prayed for me over the years.
Lisa Lucier-my first friend in Rochester. I remember meeting her during my first visit to Christ Community Church. She has been a great friend and constant encouragement to me. Her faith was just solid. I can always lean on her. I just remember many times she would make dinner for her friends . She's great at entertaining her friends on the weekend. I enjoy many deep conversations about life with her. Even with 2 boys, she still manages to keep in touch with me. I'm sure she wishes she had more time, but I appreciate the time she's made for me.
Heather Dobson-What can I say about Heather? Gentle Heather. As much as we are different, we are alike in how we think about life-how we see ourselves in God's kingdom, how we perceive life. She's been a partner in many adventures-Montana, but especially camping in the North Shore area. She and I took the night shift for driving when we went to Montana. Only because we were "used to" the odd shifts at work. We laughed so hard as we drove cause we would play weird games as we were driving. So many fond memories of camping along Lake Superior. Getting lost for 5 hours on the trail:-) , locking my keys in the car, etc. Her quiet nature complements my crazy one. We both have grown so much. She has been my accountability partner and prayer partner for many years. I appreciate her friendship very much.
Jessi Andersen-I met Jessi the same time as when I met Kristen. Kristen and Jessi met in college and moved to Rochester together. She move away to be a traveler nurse a couple of years after I met her. We lost touch for a period of time, then Heather, Lisa, and I went to visit her in San Diego. We kept in better touch after that. She moved back to Rochester over a year and a half ago only to find her friend Sou is moving to Indiana:-( I appreciate Jessi because she's so honest. She has been through some rough times in her life, but her faith in God has continued to carry her through. She continues to learn about herself and shares her thoughts with others so that others can learn too. She makes me laugh cause she's so funny, though she doesn't think she is. I will miss her laugh.
Lisa Carter-She makes me laugh. It seems like all my friends make me laugh:-) Great sense of humor. We also have shared many camping trip stories. Many happy memories. She also has been through some tough life stuff like so many of us, but her faith continues to make her stronger. She's always ready to give-her time, her resources, emotional support etc. She's a giver. Sometimes to the point of draining herself. We have grown so much together. We have been in many Bible studies together. Learned a lot not just of the study, but from one another. I appreciate her encouragements and prayers.
Emily Bawden-What a strong faith she has. A rock. She is so fun to hang around. Again many good memories. Our last trip together was the trip to Madison, WI to see her parents. Both Annie and I went with her. Oh, what adventure:-) We had so much fun. She makes everyone feel at ease. I always feel so encouraged after spending time with her. Emily is woman who runs after God. She is very passionate about her work and she's great at what she does. I appreciate hearing her thoughts about life and God. I think we think alike.
Annie Hampton-Annie, my adventure friend. We've gone on a few trips together-Montana, Florida, and Jamaica. Many fun stories to tell. Annie is fun and funny. She makes me laugh. Our taste in music is similar. If we would be at a friends wedding, party, etc. she and I would be the first one out on the dance floor. We get ourselves into some funny situations. Our friendship has developed more so in the last 3-4 years. She's been a great encouragement. If I need a laugh I can always call her-especially when she talks so fast I can't understand a single thing. I will truly miss her.
My life is better because they are in my life. They love God first and that infiltrates into their relationship with me. They have been my accountability partners, prayer warriors, encouragers. I'm a better person because of these friends that I have. I am so blessed.
I am so sad to leave them. They are truly my sisters in Christ. My eyes are gathering tears right now as I am reflecting :-(
Though we will separated by distance, God will be our anchor. I hope that our friendship will continue for many years to come.
My parents, sister, and 10 of my wonderful friends came to my graduation. What a great time! What a happy time. The next 3 weeks will be filled with studying and catching up with friends before i move to Lafayette. Next Sunday is my farewell party:-( I'm beginning to be a little bit sad.
I have made some wonderful friends in the last 8 years. Friends who are amazing women of God. We have grown spiritually together. We have a bond that not many people have with their friends. I am so blessed. I'm feeling sad right now reflecting on those friendships. Leaving them will be very difficult. These are the friendships that will not just dissipate because of distance, but will continue to be in spite of distance. I know that these friends will pray for me during the rough times of life, will encourage me when I an discourage, and celebrate with me during the joys of life. I'm going to write a little about each of them who have been good friends and who have been constants in my life for so many years.
Kristen Spielman-One of the first people I met in Rochester. She was dating Dan Spielman at the time and we didn't become good friends until Caleb was born prematurely. Due to my 12 shift schedule, I had days during the week off and would go over to her house (she used to live about 5-6 blocks from me) and distract her for a bit. We have had some fun trips to Rapid City to see her parents and I would help with the drive. Many fond memories of shopping and zoo trips. I was sad when she, Dan, and Caleb moved to Woodbury, MN. Even then, both of us made effort to stay in one another's lives. She has been a great friend and great listener. She would be the person I would go to for advice. She has made me laugh so many times that I would almost wet my pants. She's a great story teller. She also has some great stories from her childhood as well:-) She's a great mom, though sometimes she may not feel like she is. I see her love her boys and I see the commitment she has to discipline her boys to be men of integrity. Wonderful woman of God. I will greatly miss her.
Gudie Wolfgram-I met Gudrun about one year after I got to Rochester. She seems so prim and proper when I first met her. After I get to know, crazy things would come out of her mouth, and I would just laugh. She would be the one to say things that everyone else would be thinking but dared not say:-) My first fun trip was with her. She, Lisa Lucier, and I went to Duluth, MN and stayed at a bed and breakfast. We explored the Duluth area and got to know one another better. This was when I found out that Gudie grinded her teeth at night and Lisa talked in her sleep. I also went to Glacier National Park with Gudie and 4 other girls. Gudie, Lisa Lucier, Lisa Carter, Heather, Marita Klevgaard, and I rented a minivan and drove all the way to Montana. Six single women in a minivan. It was hilarious. So many memories. Gudie makes me laugh. I will miss her funny comments. I was also sad when Jon and Gudie moved to Woodbury after they got married. She has been a great encouragement to me during some life rough spots. She has also prayed for me over the years.
Lisa Lucier-my first friend in Rochester. I remember meeting her during my first visit to Christ Community Church. She has been a great friend and constant encouragement to me. Her faith was just solid. I can always lean on her. I just remember many times she would make dinner for her friends . She's great at entertaining her friends on the weekend. I enjoy many deep conversations about life with her. Even with 2 boys, she still manages to keep in touch with me. I'm sure she wishes she had more time, but I appreciate the time she's made for me.
Heather Dobson-What can I say about Heather? Gentle Heather. As much as we are different, we are alike in how we think about life-how we see ourselves in God's kingdom, how we perceive life. She's been a partner in many adventures-Montana, but especially camping in the North Shore area. She and I took the night shift for driving when we went to Montana. Only because we were "used to" the odd shifts at work. We laughed so hard as we drove cause we would play weird games as we were driving. So many fond memories of camping along Lake Superior. Getting lost for 5 hours on the trail:-) , locking my keys in the car, etc. Her quiet nature complements my crazy one. We both have grown so much. She has been my accountability partner and prayer partner for many years. I appreciate her friendship very much.
Jessi Andersen-I met Jessi the same time as when I met Kristen. Kristen and Jessi met in college and moved to Rochester together. She move away to be a traveler nurse a couple of years after I met her. We lost touch for a period of time, then Heather, Lisa, and I went to visit her in San Diego. We kept in better touch after that. She moved back to Rochester over a year and a half ago only to find her friend Sou is moving to Indiana:-( I appreciate Jessi because she's so honest. She has been through some rough times in her life, but her faith in God has continued to carry her through. She continues to learn about herself and shares her thoughts with others so that others can learn too. She makes me laugh cause she's so funny, though she doesn't think she is. I will miss her laugh.
Lisa Carter-She makes me laugh. It seems like all my friends make me laugh:-) Great sense of humor. We also have shared many camping trip stories. Many happy memories. She also has been through some tough life stuff like so many of us, but her faith continues to make her stronger. She's always ready to give-her time, her resources, emotional support etc. She's a giver. Sometimes to the point of draining herself. We have grown so much together. We have been in many Bible studies together. Learned a lot not just of the study, but from one another. I appreciate her encouragements and prayers.
Emily Bawden-What a strong faith she has. A rock. She is so fun to hang around. Again many good memories. Our last trip together was the trip to Madison, WI to see her parents. Both Annie and I went with her. Oh, what adventure:-) We had so much fun. She makes everyone feel at ease. I always feel so encouraged after spending time with her. Emily is woman who runs after God. She is very passionate about her work and she's great at what she does. I appreciate hearing her thoughts about life and God. I think we think alike.
Annie Hampton-Annie, my adventure friend. We've gone on a few trips together-Montana, Florida, and Jamaica. Many fun stories to tell. Annie is fun and funny. She makes me laugh. Our taste in music is similar. If we would be at a friends wedding, party, etc. she and I would be the first one out on the dance floor. We get ourselves into some funny situations. Our friendship has developed more so in the last 3-4 years. She's been a great encouragement. If I need a laugh I can always call her-especially when she talks so fast I can't understand a single thing. I will truly miss her.
My life is better because they are in my life. They love God first and that infiltrates into their relationship with me. They have been my accountability partners, prayer warriors, encouragers. I'm a better person because of these friends that I have. I am so blessed.
I am so sad to leave them. They are truly my sisters in Christ. My eyes are gathering tears right now as I am reflecting :-(
Though we will separated by distance, God will be our anchor. I hope that our friendship will continue for many years to come.
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