I apologize for the lack of posting lately, but things have gotten rather busy for me with school. Last Friday morning was my first practicum/observation experience at DeLaSalle High. I enjoyed my time there, but it went by too quickly. Because I have to work full-time to make ends meet, I can only observe for 2 hours a week, which will make the required 50 hours of observation take that much longer to complete.
On Saturday, I spent the day working on two presentations for class, one an individual presentation and the other a group project. It took more time for me to do the research than it did to write the presentations. At least I was able to spend Saturday night relaxing with Dan, Eric, and Lisa, and resting my brain. I spent all day yesterday (Sunday) in class, soaking up as much information about child development as I could possibly squeeze into my overly-saturated brain!
I have tonight off to do some things around the house before my next class on Tuesday evening, followed by my first practicum supervision class on Wednesday night. All that is followed by class on Saturday, and probably spending Sunday doing more homework.
When this busy stretch is all said and done, I will need a mini-vacation from school, from work, and maybe from reality!
Monday, January 21, 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Update
I got a voicemail message from my aunt last night while I was in class, letting me know that the results of my cousin Monty's spinal tap came back, showing that the cancer had not spread to his spinal cord. She was happy that it wasn't as bad as it could have been. He still is only being given 9-12 months, but that is better than the feared 3 months.
I'm hoping to get a chance to visit with him when he comes home from the hospital soon, maybe sometime in the next week or so.
I'm hoping to get a chance to visit with him when he comes home from the hospital soon, maybe sometime in the next week or so.
Monday, January 14, 2008
My Cousin Monty
I realize that the title of this post might sound a lot like the classic movie "My Cousin Vinny," but believe me when I tell you that this post has nothing to do with Joe Pesci!
I got a call this last Saturday morning from my aunt Susan, who had some bad news to tell me - that my cousin Monty was just diagnosed with Stage 4 small cell cancer. He has cancer in his lungs, kidneys, and lower back, and is waiting to hear the results of it being in his spine.
Monty is someone that I usually only see once a year at Thanksgiving at my aunt and uncle's, but he has meant a lot to me over the years. I used to look up to him, and thought he was one of the "cool" kids that I wanted to be like. His life has been an example of struggles, and learning to overcome some of them.
Growing up, Monty was a very outgoing, popular, athletic kid. He was the first person in my family to get a four-wheeler, and the first person to break some bones when he crashed it and shattered his arm! He also was a really good football player, until he began drinking too much in junior high school, which in turn led to problems with drug abuse. Monty struggled mightily with these addictions, but after going through treatment he managed to conquer them.
I can remember from a very early age looking up to Monty, not only because he was 3 years older than me and quite a bit taller, but because he always made a point of including me in things. My first experience (and thankfully one of my last experiences) with smoking cigarettes was attributed to him. He managed to smuggle some of his dad's cigarettes, and put them in his roll-on deodorant stick for us to partake in later. Once we found a remote place in my grandmother's yard to try them, he took them out of the deodorant stick, handed one to me and my brother, and we lit up. As soon as I lit mine, I was suddenly aware of what it was like to be smoking deodorant - the cigarettes tasted just like the deodorant stick that they were stored in! Let's just say that ever since then, my stomach turns when I am near cigarettes and I instantly flash back to that fateful experience!
Monty was the first person to also spark my interest in rock music, as he introduced me to the Styx and to Huey Lewis and the News - maybe not rock-and-roll hall of fame worthy bands, but it's music that still speaks to me to this day.
I've been thinking a lot about Monty the last few days. Wondering what it must feel like to be only 39 years old, facing a prognosis of 3 to 12 months left on this earth. I know that he is not a Christian, and my heart and mind ache for him and my aunt and uncle, as I've prayed for him to come to know God. Maybe I will be used by God in Monty's life, so I am praying for the right words to say and the confidence to say them if I am presented with the opportunity. If you think of it this week, please say a prayer for Monty, and my aunt Susan and uncle Gale - I cannot imagine the pain they must be dealing with.
I know that our God is a God of miracles, so my prayer for Monty is to be healed, and if not healed, than to come to know the Lord.
I got a call this last Saturday morning from my aunt Susan, who had some bad news to tell me - that my cousin Monty was just diagnosed with Stage 4 small cell cancer. He has cancer in his lungs, kidneys, and lower back, and is waiting to hear the results of it being in his spine.
Monty is someone that I usually only see once a year at Thanksgiving at my aunt and uncle's, but he has meant a lot to me over the years. I used to look up to him, and thought he was one of the "cool" kids that I wanted to be like. His life has been an example of struggles, and learning to overcome some of them.
Growing up, Monty was a very outgoing, popular, athletic kid. He was the first person in my family to get a four-wheeler, and the first person to break some bones when he crashed it and shattered his arm! He also was a really good football player, until he began drinking too much in junior high school, which in turn led to problems with drug abuse. Monty struggled mightily with these addictions, but after going through treatment he managed to conquer them.
I can remember from a very early age looking up to Monty, not only because he was 3 years older than me and quite a bit taller, but because he always made a point of including me in things. My first experience (and thankfully one of my last experiences) with smoking cigarettes was attributed to him. He managed to smuggle some of his dad's cigarettes, and put them in his roll-on deodorant stick for us to partake in later. Once we found a remote place in my grandmother's yard to try them, he took them out of the deodorant stick, handed one to me and my brother, and we lit up. As soon as I lit mine, I was suddenly aware of what it was like to be smoking deodorant - the cigarettes tasted just like the deodorant stick that they were stored in! Let's just say that ever since then, my stomach turns when I am near cigarettes and I instantly flash back to that fateful experience!
Monty was the first person to also spark my interest in rock music, as he introduced me to the Styx and to Huey Lewis and the News - maybe not rock-and-roll hall of fame worthy bands, but it's music that still speaks to me to this day.
I've been thinking a lot about Monty the last few days. Wondering what it must feel like to be only 39 years old, facing a prognosis of 3 to 12 months left on this earth. I know that he is not a Christian, and my heart and mind ache for him and my aunt and uncle, as I've prayed for him to come to know God. Maybe I will be used by God in Monty's life, so I am praying for the right words to say and the confidence to say them if I am presented with the opportunity. If you think of it this week, please say a prayer for Monty, and my aunt Susan and uncle Gale - I cannot imagine the pain they must be dealing with.
I know that our God is a God of miracles, so my prayer for Monty is to be healed, and if not healed, than to come to know the Lord.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Practicum
I am meeting Tuesday afternoon with a school counselor at DeLaSalle High School in downtown Minneapolis to discuss my practicum! I hope to begin observing her in action by the end of the month. I will probably only observe a few hours per week, due to working full-time, but it is very exciting to begin this part of my counseling journey.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Christmas
“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
- Luke 2:11-14
Monday, December 24, 2007
Silent Night
Silent night, holy night,
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child.
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night,
Shepherds quake at the sight,
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heavenly hosts sing alleluia;
Christ the Savior, is born!
Christ the Savior, is born!
Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.
"But the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."
- Luke 1:30-33
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Memories
About this time each year, around Christmas, I begin missing my Mom more than at any other time of the year. My Mom made Christmas very special. It was a time of her and I decorating the tree. A time of us making Christmas cookies together. She always made many different kinds of cookies and fudge, and especially two of my favorites - chocolate covered raisins and chocolate covered cherries. I can still remember setting the dining room table for Christmas Eve dinners, using the expensive china and the polished silverware, and the dark red water goblets. We would open presents as a family after dinner, with me usually getting to play Santa by passing out the gifts to everyone. I would sit in front of our Christmas tree for hours, listening to my Mom's Christmas albums, late into the night. Christmas morning was spent eating a large meal, which included homemade caramel rolls.
Christmas is a time for being thankful for the birth of our Savior, and of being thankful for what we do have, but for me it is also a time of missing my Mom and of reflecting on the past. It has often been a sad time, spent missing her, and of wanting a family of my own to make the holidays bright and cheerful again.
Tonight, I decided to watch one of my favorite movies, The Family Stone. It is about a disfunctional, yet very functional family, and a glimpse into the lives of each of its members. I was reminded once again of my Mom, and of how much I miss her smile, her laugh, her touch, and her hugs. Please be sure to wish your Mom a Merry Christmas for me, and tell her that you love her and are thankful for her.
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