A coutionary tale!

SO......
My day started at 8am.  I didn't realize how long it would take me to do finish up packing and load up my car.  I planned on leaving around noon.  Um, NO!  I finally got all packed up around 1:30.  I was told hat I was going to moving into a furnished apartment in Stockton and that I was to call the landlady when I was leaving so that she knew when to expect  me.   So that's what I did.  I called her and left a message letting her know that I was about to leave and that she should be expecting me in about 2 hours.   She called me back about 10 minutes later and told me that my company never confirmed with her about when I was to move in.  I knew that this was not true because my company confirmed it with me.  So here I was, my life all packed up in my car and no apartment to drive to.  Well, I told her I would drive down there anyway and stay in a hotel until it was all figured out.

So, I'm driving down.  Listening to music, talking on the phone (with my blue tooth on thank you very much.)  It took me about an hour and a half to get there.  I am about a 1/2 mile from my exit when I hear a "thunk thunk thunk" coming from the drivers side tire.  It sounded like a flat tire, so thankfully I was close to an off ramp and was able to pull off.  I got out and looked at all my tires.  No flat tire!  So I get on all fours and look underneath the car.  Mabey I ran over something.  Nothing was there.  So, I get back in the car and start driving again and there's the sound again.  What the HECK!!! 

Across the street was the hotel.  So I slowly drove over there and checked in.  I get on Google maps to see what auto shops are around here and that are still open.  One!  Firestone.  But they are about 10 miles away.  Could I make it?  Mabey, if I went REALLY SLOW!  So I get in the and start chuggin' along.  At like 7MPH with my hazards flashing!  I get about three miles and I here this really big "CLUNK!"  So I stop the car, get pout and look at the ground about a yard behind the car.  The lug nut and bolt was sitting on the ground!!  So I go look at my tire and see that there are only three lug nuts fastened where there should be five!

So I call  AAA.  It takes them about 30 minutes, but at least the tow guy is cuter then the last ones.  The tow tuck finally gets there and he asks if I would be able to move the car a couple of feet into position of the tow truck bed.  So I slowly move it in line with the bed and another bolt is sheared off!  So now the tire is hanging on with two bolts.  He slowly guides the car onto the bed and then we are off. 

We finally get to Firestone, THANK GOD they are open till 6 on Saturday!   I get out to go talk to them and tell them whats up.  They said they could take a look at it but I would have to leave it over night. That was fine, since the tow truck driver agreed to bring me back to the hotel and they were open on Sunday.  As he was guiding it off the bed one more snaps off!  So now the tire is being held on by one tiny bolt!!  Let's pray that they can fix it tomorrow and I don't have to rent a car to get to work on Monday!

So there's my story.  I'll find out the damage tomorrow!  I thank the Lord in heaven that I was in a safe place the ENTIRE time.  This could have happen in the middle of NOWHERE!!  There are plenty of places like that between Yuba City and Stockton. 

Thank you Jesus for keeping me safe!  Stay tuned, more to come!

It is now 6:30pm

The End!

Last day in Yuba

Hello all!!  Well, I have been in Yuba City for a little over two months!  Wow. how time flies!   I have enjoyed my time here.  I have learned SO many things in such a short time.  I am still in awe of how the Lord knew EXACTLY where He wanted me.  I was quite blessed with this team over at Yuba Skilled Nursing Center.  They spoiled me actually.  As a "New Grad,"  I didn't expect much, but I was blown away!!  Today was a bittersweet day.  I laughed and cried.  I got attached to a couple of my patients, so it was sad to have to sat goodbye to them.  You know, one of my CI's (clinical Instructor) from one of my affils told me that I shouldn't get attached to my patients.  But how can you not!?!  When you are working with then day in and day out!  To see such an improvement in the life of someone such a short amount of time is unbelievable.  There were many a day when I just got so frustrated, mostly with myself, that I wanted to scream!  There were days that were beyond stressful and I wanted to cry, but then I would get a hug from my coworker and she would make it all better!!  I will never ever forget you!  We are forever Facebook friends!  My last day, they had a little "party" with lots and lots of food!!

I was given a gift!!  Beautiful flowers from one of my friends at work!!  They smelled so good!!

Any excuse to have party right?  I guess I'll have to do.  I highly doubt any other facility I go to will treat me as good as these ladies...and gentleman (1)...

I even got a card from one of my patients!  She was the sweetest lady ever.  I had the privilege of witnessing her first "steps" after being in a cast for eight weeks!  It says, "Thank you for taking care of us old people."  Too sweet!!

Tonight I am finishing up some last minute packing and laundry.  I leave tomorrow for Stockton.  I will be working in Manteca, but my company got me a furnished apartment in Stockton.  I've never lived in a furnished apartment before, so we shall see how I like it.  I can give it a month, and if it turns out that I don't like it, they will just move me.  I am kinda happy about living back in "civilization."  Where there are things to do.  And you can drive 5 mile in any direction and NOT be in another town.  Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy living here in Yuba City, there just was not a lot for a young-er person to do. 

So what will me next adventure entail??  Time will only tell...Until next time!  Stay tuned, I will be visiting SoCal in the next couple of weeks and there will be lots to tell!!

Love you all so much!!  Thanks for talking the time to read my boring blog! 

I've been extended!!

Hello all!!  I hope everyone is as blessed as I!  God is so good, and I love that when He moves, He moves quickly.  Well A LOT has happened since my last post.  Like I said, there were a couple of places that I may be going if the census did not pick up.  Well, it looks like it will not be picking up so I shall be moving on to where I am needed.  They want me to start April 30.  But wait, you ask.  Doesn't your contract end May 18th?  How come you are going somewhere else.  I'm so glad that you asked. The company that I have been contracted to has another facility in Manteca.  Manteca is in the middle of Stockton and Modesto.

So that means that I have been spending the weekend cleaning and packing.  I am realizing that I have not accumulated as much stuff as I thought I did.

My company found me a nice little furnished apartment on downtown Stockton.  It's only an hour away from here, so that's a lot better then my last move which consisted of a 9 hour drive.  I am told that this new facility that I am going to be working at is about twice as big as the facility that I am working in now.  I am glad that my first job as a PTA was in a small facility.  That way I could ease into it.

So next week will be my last week at this facility up here in Yuba City.  I told all my patients Friday that I will be leaving the following week.  They were non to happy.  I love all my patients and I love that I have had a hand in their recovery.  It is a happy day when they go home.  I know that next Friday will be a bittersweet day.

I am quite excited because I will be in an actual city...a population of more then 1000!  And possibly more then one movie theater.  Not that I minded much living in a small town, it's just that there is not much to do.  My life right now consists of work, and sleep.  And on the weekends, my highlights include watching Pastor Clark on Sunday mornings.  Not much going on here in Yuba City.

New moves means vacations!!  I asked my company if I could have a week off to go back down to SoCal to see all my friends and family.  Not an unreasonable request.  So I will leave after work on the 11th, if everything works out, and drive back down south.  I'm looking forward to it.  I hope I will be able to see everyone on my list.  It's a pretty long list.  Riverside, San Diego, Newport, Palm Springs, Rancho Cucamunga, Temecula, Murrieta, Loma Linda!  WHEW!! 

So that's all for now.  More to come with lots more pictures!!

Update

Hello to all my friends!  I know it's been a while since my last blog.  So here is an update!

Words cannot express how much I miss you all.  I am doing well up here in Yuba City.  I am learning so much ever day.  I work with awesome people who are just caverns full of knowledge and I am so honored to get the importunity to work with them.  It's so hard to believe that I have 5 short weeks left.  A lot of people have asked me where I am going next, and I always answered them with "I don't know."  I know that I will be exactly where God wants me to be.

This past week I asked my boss here in Yuba City about the possibility of an extension in my contract.  That is something that I really would like to do because I do enjoy working with the elderly.  She told me that she would absolutely love for me to stay for another 13 weeks, the only problem is that census at the facility is low.  That means no work for me.  So unless it picks up, I will be moving on to the next location.

I spoke with my recruiter and mentioned to here that I would like to stay if they offered me an extension, but I had also told her about the low census.  She told me that she would be talking to some people and get back to me.  Later that day she called me and told me that they wanted to extend my contract.  I was excited to say the least. 

The next day when I went to work, I told my boss the good news and she told me that they had not mentioned it to her.  She told me that they probable just went ahead and extended my contract because my boss had nothing but good things to say about my work.  After my bos got off the phone with her boss she told me that if the census doesn't pick up that they have a need for a PTA in Vacaville. So I called my recruiter back and told her what my boss at the facility told me.  I had mentioned to her that if the facility that I am currently in can't extend my contract that I would really prefer to go back down to Southern California.  I miss my friends and family.

Now I told her that I prefer to go back down to Southern California.  I don't mind where I go, as long as there is work for me.  She she told me of a Facility in Bishop, CA that may be looking for a
PTA.  She was going to check up on that and get back to me.  So for now, I am happy and content where I am at.

I have finally found a church out here that I like.  I went to the Calvary out here, but I had a hard time with his topical teachings.  There is nothing wrong with them, I just prefer a verse by verse study.  The church is called Crossroads Community Church.  They have a Saturday night contemporary worship service.  I've been going the last couple of Saturday's, except last Saturday.  I went to visit my BFF in Sanoma county.  What a wonderful relaxing weekend, but I think I'm still recuperating from it.  This weekend was quite unproductive. 

Regardless of where my next assignment may be, I asked for a weeks vacation so that I can drive down to Southern Cal and see all you beautiful people.  I will keep you updated on what's going on.  

Well, that's all for now.  My prayer requests are for God's continual guidance in my life and for my next assignment (wherever that may be.) 

Lauren

Do you believe?

You know when you are listening or reading a chunk of scripture and one verse just pops out at you, and you hear a still small voice in you heart telling you that this is the verse for you today.  Well, this was one of those verses.

The morning, before I was to take THE MOST IMPORTANT test of my life, I was listening to a daily Bible App  on my phone.  Jesus was about to heal a blind man and He asks him a simple question.  "Do you believe I am able to do this?"  I had studied my butt off for the past three months for 5-6 hours a day, but yet I still didn't feel confidant.  I also knew that, in myself, I could not do this.  I was scared to death of failure!  I could pray and plead as much as I wanted, but that didn't seem to mute the lies that the enemy was spewing my way.

Lord, I believe, but help my unbelief!!

So I decided to do a word study.  What does the word "believe" mean? 

The word believe comes from the Greek word πιστεύω  (pisteuō).  It means:

1) to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in

      a) of the thing believed

           1) to credit, have confidence

      b) in a moral or religious reference

          1) used in the NT of the conviction and trust to which a man is impelled by a certain inner and higher prerogative and law of soul

          2) to trust in Jesus or God as able to aid either in obtaining or in doing something: saving faith

          3) mere acknowledgment of some fact or event: intellectual faith

2) to entrust a thing to one, i.e. his fidelity

      a) to be intrusted with a thing

The root word of pisteuō is  πίστις (pistis), which means:

1) conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervor born of faith and joined with it 

     a) relating to God 

          1) the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ

      b) relating to Christ

          1) a strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God

      c) the religious beliefs of Christians

      d) belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or in Christ, springing from faith in the same

2) fidelity, faithfulness

      a) the character of one who can be relied on

But it doesn't end there!  The root word of pistis is πείθω (peithō) which means:

1) persuade

      a) to persuade, i.e. to induce one by words to believe

      b) to make friends of, to win one's favor, gain one's good will, or to seek to win one, strive to please one

      c) to tranquillize

      d) to persuade unto i.e. move or induce one to persuasion to do something

2) be persuaded

      a) to be persuaded, to suffer one's self to be persuaded; to be induced to believe: to have faith: in a thing

          1) to believe

          2) to be persuaded of a thing concerning a person

      b) to listen to, obey, yield to, comply with

3) to trust, have confidence, be confident

Now that I have exhausted the word, lets look at the tense to fully grasp the meaning.  In this text the the word believe is in Present (tense) Active (voice) Imperative (mood).  In other words, it's a progressive (or 'Continuous'), performing or producing, command.  Jesus is commanding us to be in a state of continuous believing!  It's not something that happens overnight.  It's a continual state of believing.

Woah!  That just blows my mind!

It brings a picture to my mind of when I was little and, holding my daddy's hand, I knew that he would never let any harm come to me.  I wasn't worried about where or what to do next because he would lead me.  And so too, my God will take me by the hand and lead me.  I need only believe that He is who He says He is.  I only need to let go and Let God.

Our walk with Jesus is a day by day, continual adventure.  Sometimes is a moment by moment, even second by second adventure.  But it's an adventure nonetheless.  Being a Christian doesn't mean that life is easy, not by a long shot, but be can live our lives believing that we are safe in His arms no matter where life takes us.

Matthew 9:28  And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to Him, "Yes, Lord."

All resources came from the Blue Letter Bible 

Continued...

So Septenber 26th of 2011 I became a Loma Linda Alum!  What was I going to do with my life now that it wasn't consumed with school?  Study for Boards!!  This was THE most stressful, aggravating and confusing process in my life.  In the world of Physical Therapy there are two separate entities that work together. The Physical Therapy Board of California and The Federation of State Board of Physical Therapy. I had to send in an application to the PTBC (Physical Therapy Board of California), but I paid for my exam through the FSBPT (Federation of State Board of Physical Therapy).  The PTBC is the one who would give me my License applicant status.  It's kind of like a temporary license.  I could work as a PTA, but could not work autonomous.  But who was going to hire me as a PTALA (Physical Therapist Assistant License Applicant).

So during the last week at my last affiliation at Menifee Hospital, I applied for an Aide position at Rancho Physical Therapy.  All that was available was a position for a Floater Aide.  What that meant was that I would go from office to office filling in for people that were sick or requested days off.  The hours ranged from 10-20 hours a week, depending on what was available.  I traveled as far south as Fallbrook to as far North as Riverside.  It was an interesting job.  Now I had two jobs on top of studying for boards.  At this time I had sent in all the necessary paperwork and had been issues my PTALA status, I was just waiting for the PTBC and the FSBPT to talk to each other to allow me to st for my boards.

I was checking the website EVERY SINGLE DAY!!  Finally, on December 31, 2011 I was finally approved to take the test.  The following week I called to schedule my tests.  I also had to take a California Rules and Regulations test for the state of California.  Every state has their own rules and regulation s stating what PTA can and cannot do.  Pretty lame.  I think they should all agree to be the same.  But what do I know?  I scheduled to take my boards on January 28th and my law exam on Feb 10th.  I had been studying since late September, 5-6 hours a day up until  the day of the test.  The boards cost a pretty penny and I was gunna pass it the first time!!

The Monday before the test I was working at a Rancho clinic in Murrieta.  I was talking with one of the PTA's there and she mentioned to  me that I should look into the travel company's.  What's that? I asked.  Google it. She said.  So I went home and did just that.  What it is, is that you sign up with a company and they send you all over the state to work in various clinics.  Kind of like a traveling Nurse.  They will supply you with an apartment if you don't already have housing where they send you.  Now, I don't remember if I contacted this company, or if they contacted me.  I had put a resume on Career Builders, so it could have been one or the other.  It really doesn't matter.

Test day came.  I had never been so nervous in my entire life.  I had everyone and their mother praying for me.  The Thursday before I had my Pastor's wife, along with other ladies in the church, lay hands on me and pray for God's grace.  Prayer helped, but I still was riddled with anxiety.  I knew that after that day my life would change forever, no matter the outcome.  It took me 5 hours to take the test.  As I left, a feeling of defeat just fell over me.  I felt like such a failure.  I didn't feel like I did my best.  I cried all the way home.  I was mentally preparing myself of having to take the test again.  When I got home, all I wanted to do is sleep.  When I woke up two hours later, I was reminded of the scripture that says he makes us lie down in green pastures.  I was so emotionally drained, but God made me lie down and He comforted me in my time of need.  That night I went out to eat with a dear friend and drowned my sorrows in Chinese food.

The next morning I had to work early at Starbucks so I got up at 6am to check the website.  I PASSED!!!  I was on cloud nine!!  I couldn't stop praising Jesus for everything.  I knew that it was only Him that could do this.

I took my law exam on the 10th of February and passed that too.  It was a piece of cake compare to my 5 hour long marathon.  The rest is history...

So to give you a little taste of how quick God works, I'm going to give you dates here. January 18th is when I was referred to a travel company by the PTA at Rancho.  The 20th is when I got in contact with then through email.  The  23rd is when I began talking with the travel company on the phone.  The 28th I took my boards test.  The 29th at 6:00am I found out I passed!  Woot!  Woot!  The 30th I was offered a job with this company, Staff Rehab, of which I gladly accepted. I was told of a job up in Yuba City which was an hour north of Sacramento.  I had never heard of it before.  The job was in the Rehab department of a skilled Nursing Facility.  It's a place that people go that are too healthy for the hospital but not healthy enough to go home.  So, on Friday February 2nd I had a phone interview with the Director of Rehab up in Yuba City.  By Wednesday I got a cell telling me that I got the job...and they wanted me to start on the 20th!!  That left me with 9 days to quit my two jobs, pack, say goodbye to my friends and family, and drive up to Yuba City to start work as a PTA on the 20th!!  Whew!  In less then a month. my life did a 180!

Ephesians 3:20 "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him [be] glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

Chapter One

So mid February of 2010, my mother and I moved into a little apartment around the corner fro Redlands University.  It was a small, inexpensive two bedroom apartment less then ten miles from Loma Linda U.   I wasn't accepted to school yet, but I was excited to be there.  I started the Physics class at RCC (Riverside Community College). I was actually enjoying physics.  Who would have though I would enjoy physics.  I was commuting from Redlands to Moreno Valley twice a week for the next three months, but it was worth it.  I passed the class with a B, which kept my science GPA where it needed to be.

One day in March, as I was driving to the store with my mom, my phone rang.  In case you were wondering, no I wasn't driving.  It was the secretary to the Director of the PTA program at LLU (Loma Linda University). She wanted to know if I would come in for an interview.  I was so thrilled that she called me!!  We set up a time to go in later that week.

I don't even remember what I talked about in the interview.  All I know is that I was super nervous the ENTIRE time.  One question I was asked was what  my plan B was if I didn't get into the program?  I said that I didn't have a plan B.  God doesn't have a plan B with me, so why should I have a plan B with Him?  If I didn't get in, it just wasn't what He had planned for me, and that was ok.

In April I gt the long awaited letter from LLU.  I was accepted...BUT...I was placed on the waiting list.  This was so not what I wanted to hear!!  But I would just keep doing what I was doing and know that God was in control. 

A week and half later I got a call from the school again.  I was moved off the waiting list to the permanent list  in the program.  WHAT!!  I was starting in less then two weeks.  WHAT THE WHAT!!  When God moves, He moves fast!!!

Words cannot explain the joy I had.  I was going to Lome Linda University!!!!  Later I found out that only 10% of applicants actually get into the program.  The financial part kind of just fell into place.  I filled out the FASFA and applied for some grants and scholarships.  So far the first couple of quarters were taken care of.  I was starting early June of 2010.

That first quarter was extremely difficult.  Actually, they were all very hard, but nothing compares to the first quarter.  That summer I took 5 or six classes ( really don't remember).  Tow classes really stick out though.  Gross Anatomy was IN-TENSE!!!  Not only was there stress in it being a short nine week class, but Anatomy was gateway class.  Which meant that if you didn't pass you were kicked out of the program.  Gross Anatomy is not like your average anatomy that you take in school.  This was GROSS ANATOMY.  I had to learn every bone, every muscle, every ligament, and every nerve.  Not just every bone, but every fossa, fissure, and notch.  Not only every muscle, but every origin, innervation, action.  OMG!!  I can't go on, I would take up an entire blog on what we did in Anatomy class.  In then end, passed!!  That's all that mattered.

The other class I remember from summer quarter is Personal and Professional Ethics. The class was amazing.  I think I enjoyed is so much because it was about morality.  And the fact that it was a Christian institution, morality was something that I grew up with.   Also, it was a great break from Anatomy.  it was a breath of fresh air.  To be with like minded people and being able to speak truth without the worry of "offending" anyone.  The teacher was quite awesome too.  Throughout my time at LLU, she became a great mentor of mine.  I could pop into her office and just talk about life, struggles, and sometimes school.  God defiantly put her in my life to help my sanity while I was there. I think that is one thing I miss the most about LLU. I haven't spoken to her in awhile.  I miss her.

The next few quarters went fast.  While I was in the, they moved like molasses, but looking back it was too fast.  At the beginning of my third or fourth quarter, I really don't remember, I did a six week affiliation at an busy Out Patient clinic in Murrieta.  I absolutely loved it!!  My CI (clinical Instructor) was amazing!  She taught me so much.  More then I think she realizes.  I did an in-service on Scoliosis, which was pretty interesting because I hadn't taken a class on the neck or spine yet.  I was so totally nervous the whole time, but they said I did a good job.

The following June I walked with the PTA class of 2011.  I didn't technically graduate until September, after I finished all my affiliations (clinicals/internships).  I spent six weeks at an Out Patient clinic in Menifee, horrible experience, and six weeks In Patient clinic at a hospital in Menifee, loved it.  My last day was September 26th, 2011; my graduation date.  One of the best day ever!!

But God wasn't done with me yet!!

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path.