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an amazing encounter.

This week I've been doing double clinic shifts that have left me utterly exhausted...even falling asleep while in a room with a patient. Yes it's THAT bad. After sitting in traffic an hour and finally getting to my morning clinic shift at an inner city community clinic, I sit down and start to think of all the ways we can help these amazing people that have taken the initiative to better their lives by giving up their alcohol and drug addictions. We have limited but awesome resources to help with liver detox, support chronic diseases for different reasons, and just support their body in general. 

Being in the position that I am, I subconsciously tend to focus on HOW I can facilitate the healing process for the patient....HOW my role in their health will restore it....HOW they need me essentially...right? NO! The difference between being a Naturopathic physician for me is that there is a relationship that is built. The work has to come from both sides- we truly have a patient-doctor relationship. I don't just give a patient a script and walk away. There is counseling, learning from each other, reaching goals together, etc. That's the beauty of what I get to do. 

Well today, I had a different experience. A return patient came in to get some care for a complaint that he's been getting treated for. I asked him some questions, took his vitals, and right before I walked out, he stopped me. He told me that the Holy Spirit wanted him to tell me something and specifically addressed me while another intern was also in the room. Let me preface you, this patient does not know anything about me other than my name and what clinical program I am in. 

He shared with me his personal struggles that God has helped him work through including his drug, alcohol, and sexual addictions. I initially was uncomfortable at first with the content that he wanted to share with me but then he ended it by sincerely looking into my eyes and said this...

"God is able. I don't know why the Holy Spirit wanted me to talk to you about this but no matter what you're going through or what people around you are going through, He is able and He will provide. Trust that."

I was stunned. Almost speechless. I thanked him for his story and inspiration. It took me all day to really process that encounter. I called Ryan a couple hours later and told him about the encounter. I began really integrating it into my thoughts and reflecting on it. It couldn't have come at a better time. :)

long day!

This calls for a short blog again. This may be one of the longest three weeks of my life due to my double clinic shifts! Please pray for me! I am pooped. Goodnight! 

do something GOOD for someone!

I just donated $10 today to a GroupOn fund that will help give FRESH FRUIT to a family of four for one whole week in Chicago!!! 

There's FOUR hours left!! Jump on it folks!!

Do something GOOD! Click here!

it's been too long..

My momma with me & then years later, with Xander:) Probably why everyone thinks he's MY baby!

It's been about a month since I've seen my family. I miss them so much.
It's crazy how much life gets in the way. They are only a couple hours away! Hope to see them soon.

Cherish your loved ones! They make my world go 'round! <3

kitchen mishap

"Your success rate in the kitchen is like 99.96%"- Ryan

He had to tell me that today. I thought I bought the right "Black Soy Sauce" to make a traditional Laotian dish that I have made many times before. I proceeded with the whole process....veggies...meat...seasonings. As I was letting it brew and tenderize the meat, I finally took a taste.

BLEH! If I could take a picture of my face, you would really understand! I couldn't believe it! The soy sauce we bought was WRONG! It had a strong molasses flavor! When I have made a mistake in the kitchen, it's usually something simple that I could easily recover from. Dilution...add salt...add sugar...etc etc.

I did it all. I knew that there was no recovery...and there really wasn't...at least not with that dish. I took the meat out, poured the sauce down the drain, then proceeded to make a brand new dish with the remaining ingredients and it worked!

Ryan ate it. I ate it. It was good but not as good as the Laos dish would of been! Oh well. No one is perfect. Definitely not me!

I wanted to share this to encourage you all that mishaps happen all the time...even with good cooks! Don't be discouraged. Keep trying & you'll get better and better. You'll have days like I had today but according to Ryan my success rate is pretty high so don't beat yourself up over it. :D

not so thrifty but nifty! :D

Best way I describe my fashion sense is hobo-chic. I like the relaxed look (like you didn't have to try but you really did) with a bit of glam to dress it up. I like utilizing looser fitted clothing with tighter. The contrast of patterns, colors, fabrics, textures, fits, etc...to me that all compliments and matches. The look is never complete without hair and makeup to match. 

There is really no point dressing yourself up shoulder to toe then looking completely unfinished with your hair and makeup. It doesn't mean you have to doll everything up and put on layers of makeup and spend hours curling your hair. Just looking finished...clean...put together is what I mean. Honestly that can take minutes for both! A high messy bun or teased out ponytail goes with everything. A little base powder/foundation, with a line of eye liner, swoosh of blush, quick brush of mascara is really all you need! You can even take out the eyeliner and you're still good to go! 

I'm not writing this blog encouraging a focus on the exterior alone. But no matter what you say or how carefree you want to feel, we all get judged immediately on our outer appearance. Sometimes (and unfortunately) it hinders the ability for people to take us seriously in professional settings! Plus if you exude confidence, people will feel it and appreciate it. Caring about yourself internally doesn't just have to be internal. It can show in the way you carry yourself, your morals, and how you well take care of yourself...externally. Trust me...people know when I'm not feeling good or having a bad day. They can SEE it.